Unveiling the Hidden Tactics of Price Comparison Sites. Are You Really Getting the Best Deal?
- Octobilly
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 29

Ever felt like you’re playing a game of hide-and-seek with your savings? You visit a price comparison site, expecting to find the best deal, only to wonder—am I actually seeing all the options? The reality is many comparison sites aren’t as transparent as they seem.
The Secret Tactics of Traditional Price Comparison Sites
Most price comparison websites claim to show you the best deals, but here’s what they don’t tell you:
"Pay for your spot" Listings – Many sites give priority to companies that pay them the highest commission. So, that “best deal” that you've seen, it may just be the one that pays the platform the most.
Limited Providers – Some websites only show deals from a select group of providers, so they may be leaving out competitors who might offer better rates.
Exclusive deals – Many sites will have "exclusive deals" that you won't see elsewhere else! They may be exclusive deals, but that does not mean they are the best deals.
Inflated ‘Savings’ – Ever seen a deal that claims you’ll save €300 per year, only to find out that the so-called “standard” rate is nowhere near what you were actually paying? That’s because some websites can use baseline prices that make savings seem more impressive.
Hidden Fees and Conditions – The deal might look great, but what about the fine print? Some comparison sites gloss over cancellation fees, price hikes after the first year, or hidden charges buried in the terms and conditions.
Is there a solution? Meet Octobilly!
At Octobilly, we’re flipping the script on traditional price comparison. We believe that finding the best deals should be easy and ithout any sneaky tricks. Here’s how we’re different:
All Deals, No Bias – We show every available deal, not just the ones that pay us. You get a true comparison, not a curated selection.
Real Savings, No Gimmicks – No inflated numbers, no misleading “discounts.” Just the real price you’ll pay.
Full Transparency – We break down the fine print so you can see what you’re really signing up for—before you commit.
Reminders - Just because you have a good deal now doesn't mean you always will. Who wants to be checking all the time? Sign up, and we'll let you know automatically when your deals are no longer the best.
How to Get the Best Deal Every Time
Compare Wisely – Don’t rely on just one site. If a deal looks too good to be true, check the provider’s direct pricing or explore options on our broadband and TV comparison or waste collection comparison page.
Read the Fine Print – Look out for hidden fees, contract terms, and price increases after the initial new customer offer. We break it all down clearly.
Use a Truly Transparent Comparison Site (Like Octobilly!) – Because getting the best deal shouldn’t feel like cracking a secret code. With Octobilly Premium, you can unlock instant alerts and never miss a deal.
The Bottom Line
Traditional price comparison sites might not have your best interests at heart, but that doesn’t mean you can’t outsmart them. Octobilly is here to give you the full picture—no tricks, just the best deals.
Ready to start saving for real? Well, we're not quite ready yet, but we'll soon have all these features and more for you to use.