Online promotions have never been so numerous, but their reliability is questionable. In March 2026, the European Commission and authorities from 23 member states checked 314 online merchants and found that about 30% of the advertised discounts were incorrectly referenced. This finding places buyers in a paradox: opportunities to save money are multiplying, but sorting between real offers and fictitious discounts requires a method.
False online promotions: what European regulation has changed
Since the ruling of the EU Court of Justice on September 26, 2024, in the Aldi Süd case (C-330/23), a discount announced as a percentage must be calculated on the lowest price of the previous 30 days. This rule, known as “Omnibus,” already existed in European law, but the ruling clarified its application to discounts expressed as percentages.
Specifically, a merchant displaying “-40%” can no longer rely on an inflated price from the day before the operation. The reference price is the lowest rate practiced during the past month. Websites that do not comply with this framework expose themselves to direct sanctions.
In France, the DGCCRF imposed a fine of 2.3 million euros on Boohoo after discovering that many discounts were not genuine price reductions. This type of action shows that the 30-day rule is not theoretical: it results in checks and fines.
To verify a price, tools like Le Dénicheur or price histories on certain marketplaces allow users to consult the price curve of a product over several weeks. Aggregators of good deals like https://www.topitop.net/ also list verified offers across different product categories.
Promo codes and cashback: distinguishing real savings levers
Promo codes remain the most common reflex. They can be found on community platforms, specialized sites, or directly in the newsletters of brands. A frequent trap is accumulating codes without checking their conditions: minimum order amount, exclusion of certain categories, expired validity period.
A promo code is a good deal only if it applies to a planned purchase. A product bought solely because a discount exists represents an additional expense, not a saving.
Cashback, a different mechanism
Cashback works differently: a percentage of the amount spent is refunded to the buyer after the transaction. Several platforms like iGraal have offered this service for years. The recent development is the integration of cashback directly into banking offers.
In August 2026, Fortuneo launched Cashback+ with three distinct formats:
- A discounted gift voucher, purchased at a reduced price and then used at the partner
- An immediate discount applied at the time of payment
- An automatic cashback credited to the account after the purchase
This banking integration marks a shift: the good deal no longer passes solely through third-party sites or online communities; it is embedded within the payment infrastructure itself. Field reports vary on this point, as banking cashback rates often remain lower than those of specialized platforms.
Good deals on clothing and travel: two sectors where traps are common
Online fashion concentrates a significant share of false promotions. Fast fashion brands regularly practice crossed-out prices year-round, which blurs the notion of “sale.” The penalty imposed on Boohoo is a telling example.
For clothing, comparing the price on at least three sites before buying remains the most reliable method. Private sales, long perceived as a channel for good deals, sometimes offer prices equivalent to or higher than those during traditional sales periods. Checking the price history allows for a decision.
Travel: price volatility complicates the search for offers
The travel sector operates with dynamic pricing. The price of a plane ticket or a hotel night varies according to demand, the day of consultation, and sometimes the terminal used. A good travel deal is therefore inherently ephemeral.
Price alerts on comparison sites (Google Flights, Kayak) represent the most rational approach. Rather than actively searching for a promotion, setting a target budget and receiving a notification when the price drops below that threshold avoids impulsive purchases disguised as savings.
Concrete method to evaluate a good deal before purchase
The abundance of offers makes sorting time-consuming. A simple checklist can save time and avoid false discounts.
- Check the price history of the product over the last 30 days using a dedicated tool (Le Dénicheur, Keepa for Amazon)
- Verify the conditions of the promo code or offer: expiration date, minimum amount, excluded categories
- Compare the final price (after discount, including shipping fees) with at least two other merchants
- For cashback, confirm that the merchant is indeed an active partner of the platform at the time of purchase
This verification takes a few minutes. It prevents post-purchase disappointments, especially in cases where a promo code does not work at checkout or where shipping fees negate the discount.
A verified good deal in advance better protects the budget than an accumulation of untested codes. European regulation now provides a stricter framework on reference prices, but the responsibility for verification remains with the buyer. The tools exist, the method is accessible, and the long-term time savings more than justify the initial effort.