# Compare the offer, not just the price

A worked comparison shows how delivery, promotions, stock, and product matching change the result.

Published: 2026-10-03 · Zeneral editorial team

Canonical: https://zeneral.ai/resources/compare-competitor-prices

## First establish comparability

Match the same model, variant, pack size and condition before ranking offers. Record uncertain matches for review rather than silently treating similar product names as identical. Use the same market, currency and observation period, and agree how tax is treated.

A price shown on a listing page may have conditions. Membership, payment method, minimum basket value, location or shipping destination can affect the offer. If a condition cannot be confirmed, keep it visible in the comparison instead of assuming every buyer qualifies.


## Calculate on agreed terms

The fictional offers below are drawn from the same dataset used in the Signal Playground. The comparison assumes matching products in USD, a qualifying promotion, and the listed delivery charge. Tax treatment is outside this teaching example.

Before the promotion, North Market is the lowest available offer at USD 93 delivered. After Field Store’s USD 12 promotion, its delivered total becomes USD 83. Everyday Co. has a lower headline price but is out of stock, so it is excluded from a ranking of available offers. The lowest headline price and the lowest available delivered price answer different questions.


## Explain changes and uncertainties

Keep base price, discount, delivery and availability as separate observations. A change in the total may reflect a promotion or shipping change rather than a base-price movement. Record the observation time and evidence needed to revisit that interpretation.

Use the comparison to investigate a market question, not to automate a pricing decision without review. Source feasibility, refresh frequency, matching confidence and treatment of conditional offers must be agreed for the engagement.

- Matched product and variant
- Market, currency and tax treatment
- Promotion eligibility and observation time
- Delivery destination and charges
- Availability and uncertain matches

Examples are illustrative. Scope and delivery are agreed for each engagement.

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## Illustrative matching offers in USD, after promotion

Field Store: base 95, discount 12, delivery 0, total 83, available
Everyday Co.: base 79, discount 0, delivery 5, total 84, out of stock
North Market: base 89, discount 0, delivery 4, total 93, available