Increasingly, consumers are being deluged with sales promotions for merchandise at as much as 60% to 70% off. The practice has become so widespread that many of the most well-known retail and department stores have adopted these promotions. And the discounting has become so exaggerated that consumers should question how truthful they really are. Before deciding to make a purchase through one of these promotions, ask yourself a few basic questions:

• Is the "regular" price genuine? Or was it inflated for the purpose of offering a large discount, giving the illusion of a great bargain?
• Was the merchandise ever actually offered at the regular price? If so, for how long?
• Is the quality of the merchandise offered for sale the same as that advertised?
• What kind of service comes with the merchandise?
• If the item is karat gold or platinum, is it properly stamped with the karat or content marking and manufacturer's trademark? On chains, necklaces, and bracelets, does the karat or content marking appear somewhere other than just the clasps? Just because the piece has a gold clasp doesn't mean the rest of it is gold.
• On name brand merchandise, especially watches, why is a very expensive brand being offered at an unbelievably low price? Is the brand name spelled correctly? Do brand-name watches come with new warranties?
• Does a mail-order company you are considering have a good record with the Better Business Bureau?

Be sure to shop around and compare service as well as value. Don't be afraid to ask hard questions. And remember, deceptive pricing doesn't offer anyone a real bargain.