Black Friday Stacked Discounts: Calculate True Savings & Avoid Mistakes

The Critical Rule: Discounts Don't Add

Most people think: 20% off + 15% off = 35% off ❌

Reality: 20% off + 15% off = 32% off ✓

Here's why and how to calculate it correctly.

How Stacked Discounts Actually Work

Each discount applies to the new price, not the original.

Step 1: Apply first discount

• Original: $100
• 20% off: $100 × 0.80 = $80

Step 2: Apply second discount to NEW price

• Current price: $80
• 15% off: $80 × 0.85 = $68

Result: You pay $68, not $65 (which would be 35% off)

Actual savings: ($100 - $68) ÷ $100 × 100 = 32% off total

Real Black Friday Examples

Example 1: Store Offer "40% Off + 25% Off"

What shoppers think: 65% off What's real: 55% off

Calculation:

• Start: $200
• After 40% off: $200 × 0.60 = $120
• After 25% off: $120 × 0.75 = $90
• True discount: ($200 - $90) ÷ $200 = 55% off

You save $110, not $130.

Example 2: "30% Off Everything + 20% Member Discount"

Scenario: $300 item

• After 30%: $300 × 0.70 = $210
• After 20%: $210 × 0.80 = $168
• Real total: 44% off (not 50%)
• You save: $132

Example 3: "Buy $100, Get 20% Off. Then Use Code EXTRA15 for 15% Off"

Your cart: $100

• After 20%: $100 × 0.80 = $80
• After 15%: $80 × 0.85 = $68
• Real savings: 32% off (you thought 35%)
• You save: $32

Example 4: Triple Stack "25% Off + 15% Off + 10% Off"

Item: $500

• After 25%: $500 × 0.75 = $375
• After 15%: $375 × 0.85 = $318.75
• After 10%: $318.75 × 0.90 = $286.88
• Real total: 42.6% off (not 50%)
• You save: $213.12

Quick Reference: Popular Stacked Discounts

The Math Behind It

Formula for stacked discounts:

Final Price = Original × (1 - Discount1) × (1 - Discount2) × (1 - Discount3)...

For 20% + 15%:

• $100 × 0.80 × 0.85 = $68
• Total off: 32%

Why This Matters

Retailer Perspective

Stores promote "20% + 15% off" instead of "32% off" because:

• Sounds better to shoppers
• 32% feels less impressive than two separate discounts
• Drives perception of bigger savings than reality

Shopper Perspective

Knowing the truth means:

• You understand REAL savings
• You can compare deals accurately
• You won't overpay thinking you're getting 35% off when it's only 32%

Mental Check: Is It Really a Deal?

Before buying on Black Friday, ask:

1. What's the actual total discount (not just the sum)?
2. Is this price lower than normal sales?
3. Compare to regular price (not inflated pre-discount price)

Many stores inflate prices before Black Friday, then apply stacked discounts to make savings seem bigger.

Tools for Black Friday Math

• Discount Calculator - Calculate first discount
• Percentage Decrease Calculator - Track savings
• Black Friday Discount Guide - Full strategy

The Bottom Line

Black Friday stacked discounts multiply, not add. Always calculate them sequentially: first discount on original, second discount on the result. Use our discount calculator twice to get the real final price.

Shop smarter on Black Friday—know your real savings.