Is the “Was” Price on a Handbag Sale Real?

You cannot tell from the page alone, but you can test it. A genuine discount compares the sale price with a former price that was actually charged. Official U.S. guidance says that a former price must be a bona fide price at which the item was offered on a regular basis for a reasonably substantial period. Where it is not, the “bargain” is not a true one.

What the FTC guides say

The Federal Trade Commission’s Guides Against Deceptive Pricing (16 CFR Part 233) are administrative guidance on how price comparisons should work, not a shopping rulebook. They state that a former price is bona fide only if it was openly and actively offered for a reasonably substantial time in the recent, regular course of business. An inflated price set up only so that a large reduction can be advertised is described as fictitious. They also say that if only “Sale” is shown with no amount, the reduction should not be so small as to be meaningless.

The guides treat “price elsewhere” and “retail value” claims separately: a higher price that is advertised as what others charge should reflect the prices at which substantial sales are being made in the area, not an isolated or unrepresentative figure.

How to test a discount in practice

1. Pin down the exact item. Note the model name, size, colour and any product code, so you compare like with like.
2. Look at the past. Check the same seller’s earlier pages with a web archive, a price-tracking tool or your own saved screenshots. If the item has been at the “sale” price for months, that is its real price.
3. Compare sellers. Find the same item at two or three other retailers. The FTC advises comparing the total cost, including shipping, handling and taxes.
4. Read the sale terms. Check the return policy for sale items, since the FTC notes these are often stricter, and see whether you can get an adjustment if the price drops again.
5. Set a walk-away price. Decide what the bag is worth to you, independent of the crossed-out number.

Where this answer stops

The guides describe U.S. federal expectations. They are not a finding about any seller, and rules differ outside the United States. A “was” price you cannot confirm is not proof of wrongdoing, only a reason to rely on your own comparison. berabags does not track prices or recommend sellers here.