An A-Z glossary of smart shopping terms on Amazon: from price error to Buy Box, from MSRP to coupon. Each entry with a clear definition and links to in-depth guides.
Navigating Amazon deals can feel like a maze of jargon: price error, MSRP, Buy Box, dynamic pricing, coupon, Trust Score. This Amazon deal terms glossary gives you the essential definitions to become a smarter shopper and spot real bargains.
What does price error mean?
A price error (or price glitch) is a price listed on Amazon that is significantly lower than the correct one, often caused by a human mistake or a system bug. It happens when a seller or Amazon itself enters an incorrect price — for example, a £1000 TV listed at £129.
These errors are fleeting: the platform usually fixes them within minutes or hours. Glitchoo currently has 723 active errors across its network, with an average discount of 67.1%, compared to 29.4% for normal promotions. For more details, read the guide on how price errors work on Amazon.
Amazon's role in price errors
Amazon is not obligated to honour a wrong price. According to its terms, it can cancel the order if the price is clearly a mistake. However, it often does honour the purchase, especially if the error is small or if Amazon itself is the seller.
What is the Trust Score?
The Trust Score is Glitchoo's proprietary indicator (from 0 to 100) that measures an offer's reliability. It combines:
- 90-day price history: checks if the discount is genuine or inflated.
- Seller reliability: third-party or Amazon?
- Presence of coupons: legitimate extra discounts.
A high Trust Score (70+) means the offer is likely to be honoured and maintain the discounted price. Low scores signal a risk of cancellation.
Amazon Deal Terms Glossary: Main Entries
ASIN
Amazon Standard Identification Number: a unique 10-character alphanumeric code that identifies every product on Amazon. Use it to find the exact item, helpful in watchlists and Glitchoo's tracking.
Buy Box
The Buy Box is the yellow "Add to Basket" box on the product page. Whoever wins it (usually the seller with the lowest price and best metrics) gets most sales. A price error often removes the seller from the Buy Box.
Coupon
A discount applied automatically at checkout, visible as a tick-box on the product page. Glitchoo shows it separately from the main discount percentage because coupons expire and can be removed without notice. Genuine coupons can be stacked with Amazon's discount.
Dropshipping
A sales model where the seller holds no stock: when you order, the product is shipped directly from a third-party supplier (often in China). Prices can be low, but quality and delivery times vary. Be cautious with price errors on dropshipped items: Amazon may cancel them more easily.
Dynamic Pricing
Amazon's algorithm that changes prices in real-time based on demand, supply, competitor prices, and history. A product might cost £50 in the morning and £45 in the evening. Glitchoo monitors these fluctuations to alert you to historic lows.
Lightning Deal
A time-limited offer (usually 4-6 hours) with a fixed quantity available. Amazon adds a countdown timer and shows the percentage of stock claimed. Not all Lightning Deals are genuine bargains: some start from an inflated strikethrough price. Always check the price history.
MSRP / RRP
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price or Recommended Retail Price. It's the price the manufacturer suggests, often higher than the actual selling price. Sellers use it as a strikethrough price to show a fake discount. Glitchoo compares the strikethrough price with the 90-day history to expose false discounts.
Price Error
See above. This is the core of Glitchoo: we publish them in real-time on all marketplaces.
Strikethrough Price
The original price crossed out on Amazon, next to the discounted price. It can be real (the highest price it was actually sold at) or inflated (to make the discount look bigger). Example: imagine a laptop dropped from £999 to £749, but the history shows it was at £799 last month: the real discount is smaller than it seems.
Trust Score
See above. Glitchoo's reliability rating.
Under-priced / Below-cost
When a product is listed below its cost price — a clear sign of a price glitch. Glitchoo's category under tracks these items.
Comparison Table: Real Discounts vs Fake Discounts
| Element | Real Discount (Honest) | Inflated Discount (Fake) |
|---|---|---|
| Strikethrough price | Consistent with 90-day history | Higher than recent historical high |
| Percentage discount | Based on average selling price | Based on unrealistic MSRP |
| Glitchoo Trust Score | High (70-100) | Low (0-40) |
| Seller | Amazon or reliable seller | Unknown third-party or dropshipper |
| Coupon | Present, separate from discount | Absent or combined to inflate discount |
This table helps you quickly tell a genuine offer from a trap. Check the Trust Score before any purchase.
Real Examples Today (6 July 2026)
In today's monitoring we have:
- UK: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: −78% — a classic price error on premium audio.
- UK: LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon: −89% — a real deal on a popular toy.
- UK: North Face Men's Down Jacket: −68% — off-season summer clearance for winter gear.
These offers are in the featured deals section below: always verify prices on Amazon before buying, as they change continuously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a price error on Amazon?
A price error is an unusually low, incorrect price listed by mistake. Glitchoo monitors and publishes them with a Trust Score. Amazon can cancel the order, but often honours it.
How can I tell if a discount is genuine?
Check the 90-day price history (available on Glitchoo) and the Trust Score. If the strikethrough price is higher than the recent historical high, it's likely a fake discount.
Is a coupon a guaranteed discount?
No, coupons expire and can be removed. Glitchoo shows them separately from the main discount percentage to avoid misleading you.
What does ASIN mean and what is it for?
ASIN is Amazon's unique product code. It helps you find the exact item across different marketplaces (e.g., same ASIN on Amazon UK and Germany).
Why does Glitchoo separate Amazon discount from coupon?
Because the Amazon discount is on the selling price, while the coupon is an additional temporary reduction. Adding them together would give a false percentage.
Conclusion
You now have all the tools to become a savvy deal hunter. Remember: don't trust the strikethrough price, check the history and the Trust Score. Explore verified deals in real-time and snatch your bargain before it disappears. Prices change constantly: don't wait, these errors last hours, not days.
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