What we check

When a price is too low, or too high

BuyWise compares the price you'd actually pay with what a new item of the same kind, and the same brand and specs where it can tell, usually costs at mainstream stores.

Suspiciously cheap

A price far below normal isn't always a bargain. For branded goods, especially electronics, it can mean:

• a counterfeit or copy;
• a used or refurbished unit sold as new;
• an import without a local warranty;
• a listing that doesn't deliver what it shows.

Check who's selling it, the condition, and the returns policy before buying.

Pricey or overpriced

The same product, or an equivalent, is likely available for less. Branded items tend to cost about the same across major stores, so a quick comparison usually settles it. For generic items, the identical product is often sold cheaper under another name.

What BuyWise ignores

The seller's own "was", "list" and "typical" prices. They're often inflated, so we judge the price without them and check them separately. See fake discounts.

A limit worth knowing

This is an estimate from general knowledge of what things cost, not a live price feed. Treat it as a prompt to compare, not a quote.