Consumers are bombarded with sales every day, making it difficult to identify genuine discounts. Many advertised deals, especially on lower-priced items, are often misleading or exaggerated. To address this, CNET is launching a free text alert service that curates only the most valuable, verified deals directly to subscribers’ phones.
The Problem with Modern Sales
The current retail landscape makes it challenging for shoppers to find real savings. Retailers frequently inflate original prices to make discounts appear larger than they are. This tactic, particularly common on products under $50, can waste consumers’ time and money. The constant stream of promotions requires significant effort to filter through, which most people don’t have.
CNET’s Solution: Expert-Vetted Deals
CNET’s shopping team will manually track and select the best offers from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart, ensuring that every alert represents an actual saving. The service focuses on avoiding inflated list prices and misleading claims. The core principle is transparency: only legitimate, worthwhile discounts are sent. Subscribers will receive a “Deal of the Day” most days, with increased frequency during major shopping events.
How it Works and Why It Matters
Signing up is simple: provide a phone number, agree to the terms, and start receiving deals instantly. The service is free, safe, and offers an easy opt-out option. This is particularly timely now that post-holiday expenses have passed, making affordable finds more appealing than ever. The service ensures that subscribers spend less time searching and more time saving.
“We vet every deal to ensure the price is accurate and that the product is in stock when we send the text.”
Human Curation, Not AI
Unlike automated deal aggregators, CNET’s text alerts are curated by real shopping experts. The same rigorous research standards applied to CNET’s lab-tested reviews will also apply to deal selection. This human oversight eliminates the risk of misleading or inaccurate information. The goal is to deliver only genuinely valuable finds, often priced under $50 with significant discounts.
The service is now live, offering a direct solution to the overload of unreliable sales. Consumers who want to avoid wasting time on inflated discounts can subscribe for free and receive vetted deals straight to their phones.
