The shopping tricks costing you money

Shops, supermarkets and websites spend fortunes working out how to get a few extra euro out of you on every visit — and most of it works because you're busy and not looking closely. None of these tricks are illegal-feeling enough to make the news, but together they quietly drain hundreds a year from ordinary households. Here are the big ones, and the simple habits that beat every single one.

In the supermarket

1. The "multibuy" that costs more

"3 for €5" feels like a deal — but if a single one is €1.50, three singles cost €4.50. The "offer" is 50c dearer. Roughly one in ten multibuy promotions is more expensive than just buying the items separately. The fix is always the same: look at the small unit price on the shelf label (per kg, per litre, per 100g) and compare. It's the one number the trick relies on you ignoring.

2. Shrinkflation

The price stays the same, but the packet quietly shrinks — 10 biscuits become 8, the 1L becomes 900ml. You're paying the same for less. Again, the unit price catches it: a product that "feels" the same price has often jumped 10–20% per gram. Watch for "new look!" packaging — it's often where shrinkflation hides.

3. The fake "was" price

"Was €40, now €20!" only means something if it really was €40 for a meaningful time. Some retailers briefly bump a price up so they can "discount" it later. If a deal looks huge, check the price history (Google the product, or use a price-tracker for online items) before you believe the saving.

4. Loyalty-card pricing

More shops now show a higher price for everyone and a lower "loyalty price" for cardholders. Sometimes the loyalty price is just the normal price, dressed up to make non-members feel they're losing out — and to harvest your shopping data. Loyalty cards can be worth it, but treat the "member price" as the real price, not a special favour.

Online

5. Drip pricing

A €19 ticket becomes €31 at checkout once "booking fees", "service charges" and "admin" are added one screen at a time. The trick is to get you emotionally committed before the real price appears. Always scroll to the final total before deciding — and remember a near-identical item elsewhere may have the fees baked in honestly.

6. Fake urgency & scarcity

"Only 2 left!", "5 people are viewing this!", countdown timers that reset when you refresh. Most of it is theatre designed to switch off the part of your brain that compares prices. If a timer pressures you, that's your cue to slow down, not speed up.

7. Pre-ticked boxes & subscription traps

Pre-selected insurance, "priority" add-ons, or a "free trial" that silently rolls into a paid subscription. Before you pay, untick everything you didn't choose, and check whether a "free" trial needs your card and auto-renews. Diarise the trial end date the moment you sign up.

Know your rights — most people don't

You're far better protected than the checkout makes you feel:

• Faulty or not-as-described goods: you're entitled to a repair, replacement or refund. In the UK you can reject faulty goods for a full refund within 30 days (Consumer Rights Act 2015); in Ireland you have strong rights under consumer law via the CCPC.
• Bought online? You generally get a 14-day cooling-off period to change your mind and return most items for a refund — no reason needed (some exceptions, like perishables or personalised goods).
• "No refunds" signs can't override your legal rights. They're often just not true.

Beat them all — 5 habits

Common questions

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Consumer rules differ between Ireland and the UK and can change — confirm your rights with the CCPC or Citizens Advice for your situation.

Keep going