Shopping checks
Check whether an online deal is genuine before paying
A large saving is a reason to check an offer, not proof that the seller or discount is genuine. Separate the question of whether the shop is real from whether its price is worth paying.
Use this short decision sheet before entering payment details. A Tailored Deals listing, affiliate link or future expiry date cannot establish that a retailer will fulfil an order.
We may earn a commission from retailer links. This guide does not claim first-hand product testing. Our editorial approach
Find the seller independently
If the offer arrived in an unexpected message, open the retailer through an address you already trust. Read the domain carefully. A familiar logo or copied page design does not establish who operates the website.
Record the business name and a usable contact route. Look beyond the reviews displayed beside the offer. Pause if the business identity changes between the advert, checkout and payment request.
Match the exact purchase
Write down the model, size, condition, included accessories and quantity. Compare that same version elsewhere. An apparently cheaper refurbished item is not the same purchase as a new product with a different warranty.
Check who qualifies for the code, the minimum spend and any excluded items. Use the final delivered total in the comparison. A crossed-out reference price should not replace an independent price check.
Check how you will pay
Use the genuine checkout and examine the payment provider’s protection terms. Be cautious about pressure to pay through a separate message or direct bank transfer. The NCSC source below explains safer online payment choices.
Before committing, keep a copy of the item description, seller details and checkout total. If the information remains inconsistent or the offer depends on rushing, leave it and look for another option.
Your next steps
- Confirm the exact seller and website before entering personal details.
- Compare the same item and its final delivered price.
- Keep the terms that applied when you decided to order.
Sources and further help
Each source below shows its recorded consultation date. Provider terms and services can change; check your exact booking, product or university service.