MRP is a lie: how to read Indian e-commerce pricing
That '70% off' badge is doing a lot of work. Here's how inflated MRPs distort discounts and how to spot a real deal.
Published 2 July 2026
A ₹4,990 MRP on headphones that have sold for ₹1,499 since launch isn't a discount — it's an anchor.
How anchoring works
Brands set high MRPs knowing the street price will be a fraction of it. The gap manufactures a permanent "sale" that makes every listing look like a bargain.
How to see through it
- Check price history — the launch price and 90-day range tell you the real price
- Ignore percentage-off badges — compare absolute prices across merchants instead
- Watch for pre-sale markups — some listings raise prices two weeks before big sale events, then "discount" back to normal
What a real deal looks like
A real deal beats the product's own 90-day low, not its MRP. That's the check we run on every deal we list.