Amazon promotes "fake" sales, and it's been an ongoing issue for years. They often advertise significant discounts, like "was $200, now $50," but upon closer inspection, the original price was always around $55 or even less. This creates the illusion of a substantial price drop when it's merely a modest discount.​

Additionally, I've encountered entire pages showcasing deals claiming "90% off," only to discover the actual discount is closer to 10% or even less. Such practices have been prevalent for years, leading many to feel misled about the true value of these deals.​

https://www.amazon.ca/Electronics-90-off-more/s?rh=n%3A667823011%2Cp_8%3A90-

https://www.amazon.ca/Electronics-50-off-more/s?rh=n%3A667823011%2Cp_8%3A50-

This link claims "50% off or more," but many of the listings use inflated "original" prices, making it seem like the discount is much higher than it actually is. It’s essentially false advertising, and it's still going on.

This isn't just a perception; it's a documented issue. In January 2017, Amazon Canada was fined CAD 1.1 million by the Competition Bureau for misleading pricing practices. The investigation revealed that Amazon compared its prices to "list prices" provided by suppliers without verifying their accuracy, leading consumers to believe they were receiving greater savings than were actually offered. ​

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Why does Amazon continue these practices? The answer lies in sales performance. By manipulating price perceptions, Amazon creates a sense of urgency and scarcity, prompting more customers to make purchases. As long as these tactics drive sales and aren't strictly regulated, there's little incentive for the company to change.​

It's genuinely frustrating, as these tactics undermine trust in the platform. How can we discern between genuine sales and misleading promotions? Has anyone else noticed this trend over the years?

The images attached are just one in millions of listings that are all using illegal deceptive marketing to trick you.