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A big discount tag does not always mean a real deal. Here is how Amazon’s Rufus and chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini make it easier to spot genuine offers.
Amazon Great Indian Festival 2026: Let AI Tell You If That Discount Is Real
The Amazon Great Indian Festival opens for everyone tomorrow, and Prime members are already shopping. Over the next few days you will see plenty of “up to 70% off” banners. Some of those deals will be genuinely good. Others will show a discount on an MRP the product was never really sold at.
This is where AI tools come in handy. Four in five Indian festive shoppers want to use AI assistants this season, according to an InMobi Advertising report. Here is how to use them well.
Use Rufus to check if the price has actually dropped
Rufus is Amazon’s AI shopping assistant, built into the Amazon app. In some markets Amazon has started calling it Alexa for Shopping. Its most useful feature during a sale is price history.
On a product page, ask Rufus “What is the price history of this product?” or “Has this been cheaper in the last 90 days?” Rufus shows how the price has moved over the last 30 to 90 days, including recent highs and lows. Amazon is also rolling out a 365-day view in India.
If the “sale price” is close to what the product sold for last month, the discount is not as special as it looks.
Set a price alert instead of buying in a hurry
If the price isn’t right yet, ask Rufus to alert you when it falls to a target, for example “Alert me when this drops below Rs. 2,000.” You get a notification when it does.
Rufus can also buy the product automatically when it reaches your target price, using your default payment method. Use this carefully. Check which card or UPI account is set as default, and remember that the auto-buy price may not include bank offers you could have used.
Use ChatGPT or Gemini to decide what to buy
General chatbots are better for the research before you shop. Try prompts like:
- “I want wireless earbuds under Rs. 3,000 for calls and gym use. What features should I prioritise?”
- “Compare these two washing machines on capacity, energy rating and warranty.”
- “What should I check before buying a 55-inch TV for a bright living room?”
This helps you build a shortlist and avoid paying for features you won’t use. Google is also testing a way to buy from Flipkart directly inside Gemini and AI Mode in India, but it is not widely available yet.
What AI can get wrong
Chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini may not see live sale prices, and they can confidently quote an old or wrong figure. They also often miss bank offers, exchange values and coupons. Always confirm the final price on the product page before you pay.
Also check the seller, the warranty terms and recent reviews rather than relying only on an AI summary.
Stay safe while shopping with AI
Banks have warned that AI shopping agents bring new fraud and payment risks. Never share OTPs, card details or passwords with any chatbot. Be wary of links to “AI deal finder” apps on WhatsApp or social media, and shop only through the official Amazon app or website.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Shoppers can use Amazon’s AI shopping assistant by asking prompts like price history queries to check how a product’s price has moved over the last 30 to 90 days, or its 365-day view in India, to see if the discount is truly special.
Ask News18About the Author
Mayank Jha is a technology and AI contributor with a background in communications, digital storytelling and consumer tech writing. He writes about artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, smart…Read More
Delhi, India, India
October 07, 2026, 20:00 IST
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