Deconstruct the Discount
That “70% Off” tag can be mesmerising, but it’s often an illusion. A common tactic, especially online, is to artificially inflate the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) just before a sale. A product that normally sells for ₹1,000 might be listed with an MRP of ₹3,000
and then offered at a “discounted” price of ₹900. You feel like you've saved a fortune, but in reality, you’ve only saved ₹100. Before committing, do a quick search for the product on other platforms to get a sense of its typical selling price. Wishlisting items before a sale starts is a great way to track if the price drop is genuine.
Verify the Seller's Credibility
When shopping on large e-commerce marketplaces, it’s crucial to distinguish between the platform itself and the third-party sellers using it. Always buy from the official brand website or authorised retailers. Unauthorised sellers are a primary source of counterfeit or old products. Check seller ratings and read recent customer reviews, paying close attention to comments about packaging and product authenticity. Be wary of sellers who insist on unconventional payment methods or avoid providing a proper GST invoice. Legitimate businesses will have clear contact details and a physical address listed.
Become an Expiry Date Detective
Heavy discounts are often used to clear old stock. While not illegal, using an expired product can be ineffective or even harmful. Indian regulations require a manufacturing date (MFD) and an expiry date to be printed on cosmetics. However, you should also look for the Period After Opening (PAO) symbol — an icon of an open jar with a number followed by 'M' (e.g., “12M”). This tells you how many months the product remains safe to use after you've opened it. An unopened product may be fine for two to three years, but its clock starts ticking once unsealed. For products like mascara and liquid eyeliner, this period is much shorter, typically three to four months, due to the risk of bacterial contamination.
Inspect the Packaging and Product
Counterfeit products have become alarmingly sophisticated, but there are often tell-tale signs. Inspect the packaging for spelling errors, low-quality printing, or blurry logos. Compare it with images on the brand's official website. Genuine high-end brands invest in quality packaging. Once you have the product, check the consistency, colour, and scent. If the texture feels grainy or oily, or if the smell is off, it’s a major red flag. Many brands now include QR codes or unique serial numbers on their packaging that can be verified online.
Analyse Bundles and 'Free' Gifts
Bundle offers can seem like a great way to save, but they can also be a tactic to sell less popular items or obscure the individual cost of products. Before buying a pre-made gift set, calculate the total cost of buying each item individually. Sometimes, the bundle offers no real savings. Similarly, a 'free gift with purchase' can create a false sense of urgency. Ask yourself if you would have bought the primary product without the incentive. Often, the 'free' item is a low-value product you don't actually need.
Understand the Return Policy
Before you click “pay,” take a moment to read the return policy. Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, you have the right to return defective, damaged, or counterfeit goods. However, many e-commerce platforms have stricter return or exchange policies for items bought during a sale, sometimes marking them as 'final sale' with no returns. Ensure the seller's policy is clearly stated and allows for returns in case the product is not as described or is faulty.
