Glitchoo's Trust Score validates a deal by combining price history, real discount size, and seller reliability. Here's how it works and why a big -% isn't enough.
When you browse deals on Amazon, have you ever wondered if that -40% is real or just a trick of the strikethrough price? At Glitchoo we created a system to give you a clear answer: the Trust Score for deals is the heart of our mission. It's not a promise of savings, but an indicator of how trustworthy that deal is, based on objective data. In this guide we open the black box of the score: what it considers, what it doesn't, and how it helps you become a more informed buyer.
What Is Glitchoo's Trust Score
The Trust Score is a rating from 0 to 100 that summarizes the reliability of an Amazon deal. It combines several objective signals to tell you if the discount is real and if the price is stable. It is not a guarantee that the product will arrive at the indicated price (Amazon can always cancel an order due to an error), but it is a tool to reduce the risk of buying a fake deal.
How It Is Calculated: The 4 Pillars
Our algorithm analyzes each deal on four key dimensions. Here are the main components:
90-Day Price History
The foundation of everything. We compare the current price with the average price over the last 90 days. If the product has always been at $99 and now costs $79, the discount is likely real. If instead the strikethrough price is $199 but the history shows it never went above $120, the Trust Score drops.
Real Discount Size (Amazon Discount vs. Coupon)
We distinguish the discount applied by Amazon (the one you see in the -X% badge) from the coupon offered by the seller. The Trust Score only considers the Amazon discount, because the coupon can expire or be limited. A real -30% is worth more than a -50% inflated by a coupon.
Price Stability
If the price has suddenly dropped from $200 to $50 in one day, it could be a price error and Amazon might cancel it. The Trust Score rewards gradual drops and penalizes sudden crashes, warning you of the risk.
Offer Reliability
Who sells the product? Amazon, a trusted third party, or an unknown seller? The Trust Score evaluates the seller's reputation and shipping method. 'Fulfilled by Amazon' adds points, while new sellers or those with negative feedback lower it.
High vs. Low Trust Score: Practical Examples
Let's look at two scenarios to understand the usefulness of the score.
| Scenario | Current Price | Strikethrough Price | 90-Day History | Trust Score | Why? | |----------|----------------|---------------------|----------------|-------------|-------| | Deal A | $399 | $599 | $420 (Mar), $450 (Apr) | 95 | Real discount 21% vs. avg price; stable history; Amazon seller | | Deal B | $199 | $499 | $299 (Mar), $250 (Apr) | 25 | Discount only 20% vs. avg price despite apparent -60%; unstable price; third-party seller with few reviews |
Moral: Deal B has a flashy -60% but a very low Trust Score because the strikethrough price is inflated and the seller is unreliable. Deal A, with a more modest -33%, is much safer.
What the Trust Score Does NOT Do
Let's clarify the limits, for intellectual honesty:
- It does not guarantee product availability (Amazon can run out of stock).
- It does not ensure Amazon will honor the order if there is a price error (see Amazon's terms).
- It does not replace personal verification on the product page: prices and coupons change constantly.
In short, the Trust Score is an assistant that gives you more information to decide, not an infallible oracle.
Why a Big -% Can Have a Low Trust Score
This is the most common trick: a badge screaming -50% or -60% but with a shaky price history. For example, an electronics product might go from $500 to $250, but if it cost $300 in January and $280 in February, the real discount is only about 10-15%. The low Trust Score exposes this illusion, showing you the actual savings. By combining history and stability, you avoid falling for what we call 'fake discount'.
How to Use the Trust Score in Your Searches
Here's a list of practical actions to make the most of it:
- When you see a deal with a high Trust Score (e.g., 80+), you can proceed with more confidence.
- With a medium score (50-79), check the history and seller: it could be a good deal but with some risk.
- With a low score (below 50), ask yourself if it's worth it: often these are fake price traps.
- Combine the Trust Score with our price history for a complete picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Trust Score drop after I buy?
No, the score is set at the time of the deal analysis. The price can change after purchase (Amazon is not obliged to refund the difference), but the Trust Score remains as it was at the time of publication.
Does the Trust Score apply to used or refurbished products?
Yes, but with caution. Price history is less significant for used products because the condition can vary. We recommend reading the seller's terms and the accurate description.
Does a high Trust Score mean the deal is a price error?
No, a high Trust Score indicates that the discount is real and the price is stable. Price errors often have a low score because the drop is sudden and not supported by history. With us you can find both, but we distinguish them.
Do I have to pay to see the Trust Score?
No, it is visible for free on every published deal, both in the US and on other marketplaces like the UK, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy. Join the community of deal hunters.
Does the Trust Score consider the coupon as a discount?
No, the score distinguishes the Amazon discount from the coupon. The coupon may be stackable but does not affect the Trust Score because it can expire or be revoked by the seller. Always check it on the product page.
Conclusion
The Trust Score is our way of putting you first: we give you a transparent tool based on objective data (history, stability, reliability) to recognize real deals from fake ones. We don't promise guaranteed savings, but we make you more informed. Before buying, check the Trust Score and compare it with the history: it's the smartest way to avoid scams. If you want to dive deeper, read how our method works or discover who we are. We are here to always give you the full picture.
Glitchoo is an Amazon affiliate: if you buy through our links we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.