Don't let fake discounts and paid rankings distort online shopping deals
Published by Business Standard
Abhishek Kumar's role: Quoted
Abhishek Kumar suggested taking bundled offers only when every item was already planned, reading the fine print on no-cost EMIs for fees and penalties, and checking that a seller is an authorised retailer.
What Abhishek Kumar said
When does a bundled festive offer actually save me money?
I suggest considering a bundle only when every item in it was already on your planned shopping list. If some of the items were never part of your plan, you are paying for things you did not set out to buy, so I would treat the bundle as a saving only when it covers purchases you had already decided on before the sale began.
What hidden costs should I look for in a no-cost EMI offer?
A no-cost EMI may not charge interest openly, so I would go through the fine print carefully. Look for processing fees, charges for closing the loan early and penalties if a payment is late. Also check whether the interest has simply been shifted into a so-called convenience fee, because in that case the EMI is not really free of cost.
How can I tell whether a seller on a shopping platform is genuine?
I would check the actual seller, not just the platform. Go to the manufacturer's own website and see whether that seller is listed there as an authorised retailer. I would also read the recent feedback left by verified buyers with care before placing the order, since that tells you how this particular seller has been dealing with people like you.
In our words, from what he said in the piece. General information, not personal advice.
More of Abhishek's views on money management
Ahead of the festive sales, this article explains how shoppers can spot inflated reference prices, personalised pricing and paid rankings on e-commerce platforms. It notes new consumer protection rules taking effect in January 2027 and covers price checks, no-cost EMI offers, seller checks and how to raise complaints.
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Don't let fake discounts and paid rankings distort online shopping deals