The label "discount prices" is employed routinely as part of most sale advertisements. However, the notion of what it means to discount a product differs substantially across retailers, and savvy consumers know not to be wooed by empty pitch phrases. Rather, they do their homework so that they can identify a true deal when they find one.

Many major retailers hike up their regular prices so that they can drop them at sale time while still retaining a hefty profit. Thus, it is not uncommon to see ads for popular products selling for 20 to 50 percent off of their original prices. Although these reduced prices certainly are preferable to obscene mark-ups, they don't always constitute a deal.

Comparing Discount Prices

The best way to make sure you get a real deal is to learn to comparison shop. It is only by looking around that you can get an accurate sense of the full range of options available to you, as well as their respective costs. It takes a bit of legwork, but it's well worth it when it comes to making any big purchases.

When comparison-shopping, make sure to consider the full spectrum of retail options, from major department stores to smaller online distributors. You never know where you'll find a deal, and you don't want to rule out opportunities prematurely. A quick but comprehensive search is your best bet for finding the best discount prices.