The crossed-out price on a Woot! deal is a reference price, not what the item used to cost. Woot!'s FAQ says it comes from the vendor or from Amazon's own strike-through price, and may not be the going price or the usual retail price. The percentage off is measured against it, so treat it as a starting point, not proof of a bargain.
- median discount off the reference price
- 44%
- of deals with a reference price claim 50% off or more
- 39%
- of deals show no reference price at all
- 25%
What Woot! says about it
Woot! says it doesn't use terms like "sale price" or "was price." Instead, each deal shows:
- The price you pay.
- The reference price, crossed out. Per Woot!'s FAQ, it's either provided by the vendor or imported from Amazon's strike-through price.
- "Save," the difference, in dollars and percent, measured against the reference price.
That's honest about what the number is, but it means the "Save" figure is only as good as the reference price behind it.
How big are Woot! discounts?
Across the roughly 7,000 live deals that showed a reference price on a Tuesday in October 2026, most claimed between 20% and 70% off:
- About 23% claimed 60% off or more.
- Only 133 claimed 80% off or more, and 21 claimed 90% or more.
- About 2,450 deals showed no reference price at all, and 91 showed a price at or above it.
How to tell whether it's really a deal
- Find the going price. Search the exact model on Amazon and a couple of other stores. That's the real comparison, not the crossed-out number.
- Check the price history if it's an Amazon item. Price-history tools for Amazon show whether today's price is actually low.
- Match the condition. A refurbished item at 40% off a new item's price is a different deal from a new one at 40% off. (See Woot!'s conditions, explained.)
- Count the shipping. Without Prime, shipping can eat the savings on a cheap item. (See Amazon Prime on Woot!)
- Read the warranty line. A short warranty on a refurbished gadget is part of the price.
Questions
What does "reference price" mean on a Woot! deal?
It's the crossed-out comparison price. Woot! says it comes from the vendor or from Amazon's strike-through price, and may not be the going price or the usual retail price.
Are Woot! deals really that cheap?
Many are, especially closeouts and refurbished goods. But a big percentage off isn't proof. Compare the actual price against what the same item sells for elsewhere today.
Why don't some deals show a reference price?
Woot! doesn't say. About a quarter of live deals had none in October 2026. Judge those by the going price elsewhere, too.
Which Woot! deals are the best value?
The ones whose price beats the going price elsewhere, in the condition you want, with a warranty you're comfortable with. (See how to get the best deals on Woot!)