I have spent the better part of a decade tracking prices, reading the fine print on 'limited time' banners, and working out which discounts are real and which are just a higher list price crossed out. I write our deals roundups, where the whole job is separating a genuine markdown from marketing theater. I care less about what something costs and more about whether the price actually beats what it normally sells for. If a deal only looks good next to an inflated list price, I leave it out.