618 Sale Season: The Old Price Hike Then Discount Trick Is Still Going Strong
Ladies, 618 pre-sales have started—is your hand still intact?
Every year around this time, my social media fills with “help me bundle orders” requests. And every year, people fall into the same traps.
What Is the Price Hike Then Discount Scam?
Merchants quietly raise prices before a big sale, then “discount” them back down. The discount looks huge, but the final price is often similar to—or even higher than—what it was before.
Example: A face cream usually costs 200 yuan. Before 618, the merchant raises it to 280 yuan. Then during 618, they advertise “80 yuan direct discount,” bringing it back to 200 yuan. The page shows “Original 280, now 200, limited time 20% off.” You think you’re getting a deal. You’re just back to where you started.
What New Tricks in 2026?
Ridiculously complex bundling rules: Full reductions, category coupons, store coupons, membership coupons, super red packets… seven or eight different discounts stacked. Can’t figure out the real price without spending half an hour.
Bundling traps: They advertise “buy one get one free,” but the “free” item is a sample or near-expiry product.
Fake flash sale limits: Pages say “first 100 orders get 50% off,” but never show actual inventory.
How to Spot the Tricks?
- Use price comparison tools
- Check price history: if no sales in the 3 months before the sale, price hiking is likely
- Cross-platform comparison
My suggestions: Make a list, set a budget, buy what you actually need.