'Only 2 left!’, ‘FREE SHIPPING above ₹999!' Simple tips to avoid these shopping traps during festive season sales

1.What’s a sale?

A sale offers a product below its listed price, but a lower price doesn’t always mean a good buy. For example:

You still need to decide whether ₹750 is worth spending.

2.How retailers influence us

During sales, we see messages that push us to act fast. These could be:


*‘Only 2 left!’

*‘Sale ends tonight!’

*‘FREE SHIPPING above ₹999!’

*‘Buy 2, get 1 free!’

These are shopping traps, so consider what you really need.

3.What to watch out for

The ‘Great Deal’: It’s a FOMO trap: ‘Buy now or you’ll miss out!’

The freebie trap: ‘Buy more, get more!’ If you have to spend money to get it, it isn’t really free.

The discount trap: You see a product that looks expensive; next you see ‘discounted’ price and assume it’s a great deal.

4. What can you do?

Before clicking ‘buy now’, stop for a few seconds and ask:

*Would I buy this if it weren’t on sale?

*Do I need it—or do I just want it because it’s a great deal?

*Do I already own something that does the same job?

*Would I rather save this money for something I really need?

5.Smart shopping tips

Before falling for a sale trap, check:

*Can it be returned or exchanged?

*Is the discount available only with extra conditions?

*Are delivery or convenience charges added at checkout?

*A great deal isn't so great if you can't return it or end up paying hidden charges.

6.Did you know?

During the 2025 festive season (Navratri to Diwali), Indians spent over ₹6 lakh crore on shopping and services, a 25% increase over 2024. Festive sales are exciting, but smart shoppers know that the biggest discount isn’t always the biggest saving.