5 Ways Holiday Sales Aren’t Actually Saving You Money

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The 2025 Deloitte Holiday Retail Survey said 77% of shoppers expect to pay higher prices this holiday season. One way consumers can keep their budgets in check is to shop during store sales. 

However, there are several holiday sales myths that shoppers should be aware of as they purchase last-minute gifts this season. That way, they don’t get duped thinking they’re getting a great sales price when really, they aren’t. Below are five sales myths people shouldn’t fall for this month.

Also here are holiday savings tips for America’s top stores.

Inflated List Prices

Many retailers try to make customers think that they are getting a considerable discount by inflating the original price to make it look like a bigger sale. For example, a consumer might want to purchase a laptop that’s usually priced at $500 all year. However, the retailer might inflate the price to say it’s on sale for $450 from $700, making customers think they’re getting a better deal than they actually are. 

The way customers can get around this is to not always assume the original list price is accurate. They can use a tool like Honey or Camel Camel Camel to check an item’s price history, so they know whether or not they’re actually getting a good deal.

‘Spend More, Save More’ Promotions

Advertising that tells customers to spend more and save more actually tempts shoppers to spend more money than they intended. For example, if someone walks into a store planning to spend only $50 but learns they get a larger percentage off if they spend $100, they’re more likely to pay more. 

Consumers should stay mindful and aware of this when going into stores, especially around the holidays and anytime when trying to stick to a budget.

Subscriptions With Expensive Renewals

During the holidays, many subscription services offer very low introductory prices. This is especially common with streaming services. These companies are betting customers will forget to cancel their subscriptions and hope that they’ll end up paying a much higher renewal price. Those who do sign up for a new subscription should set a reminder on their phone to cancel it a year from now to avoid surprise charges.

Gift Sets With Huge Value Claims

One popular gift to give around the holidays is gift sets. This is especially popular among beauty, home and jewelry brands. However, some companies base the total value of the gift set on unrealistic pricing that doesn’t account for the size of the mini products. This leaves many customers disappointed that their large Advent calendar or jewelry set doesn’t quite meet their expectations.

Countdown Sales

Many retailers run countdown sales, saying customers have a limited time to purchase items before the price goes up. However, these sales are usually followed by more sales. So, people shouldn’t feel pressured to buy if they’re not ready or can’t afford it yet. Retailers typically offer sales year-round.

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