[satysin]

Yes and it is always worth paying attention to as often items on some kind of offer and so advertised within the store may not be the best value possible for the item.

Toilet rolls are a great example. Sometimes you see the 24 pack "on sale" or "buy one get one half price" yet the cost per roll (unit) is higher than if you were to buy a 16 pack. Yes you would have less overall toilet rolls and that may be an issue for you but you are paying less per toilet roll.

Laundry detergent is another common one. Look at the price per litre of the item "on sale" and compare it to the not on sale sizes/packs as well.

People generally/instinctively expect/feel that if you buy the bigger pack you get a better deal and the companies certainly make you feel that is true but you have to pay attention as more often than not the best deal isn't the deal they're promoting.

[developer93]

I knew someone who worked for Saintsbury's (UK supermarket) & they said 4 wins before xmas runs of roses chocolates went on the shelves at £10 each, and they expected to sell none until 2 weeks before xmas when they cut the price to £5 and advertised 50% off. Apparently this is (or was at the time?) normal industry behaviour.

[satysin]

Oh yes price increases before planned "sales" are common. I believe there are laws in the UK/EU regarding time frames an item has to be at a certain price before you can say it is "on sale". Something like 28 days sounds familiar so doubling the price of an item that doesn't sell much and having limited (or none?) of the item in stock then dropping it to usual price and calling "half price" no doubt happens constantly with seasonal items like Cadbury Roses.