"Buy 2 Get 1 Free" vs 30% Off: Which Sale Deal Is Better?
The real discount on buy-one-get-one and buy-two-get-one deals, compared with straight percentage sales, and why 30% + 20% isn't 50%.
By the TurantTools PK team · Updated 28 October 2026 · 2 min read
"Buy 2 get 1 free" looks great in a sale, but it's really a 33% discount, and only if you wanted all three. Here's how it works on a Rs 2,500 shirt.
The real discount on "free" deals
| Deal | You pay | Price per item | Real discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy 1 get 1 free | Rs 2,500 | Rs 1,250 | 50% |
| Buy 2 get 1 free | Rs 5,000 | Rs 1,667 | 33.3% |
| Buy 3 get 1 free | Rs 7,500 | Rs 1,875 | 25% |
| Buy 3 get 2 free | Rs 7,500 | Rs 1,500 | 40% |
Compared with a straight percentage off
| Straight discount | Price for one item | Saving |
|---|---|---|
| 25% | Rs 1,875 | Rs 625 |
| 30% | Rs 1,750 | Rs 750 |
| 40% | Rs 1,500 | Rs 1,000 |
"30% + an extra 20%" isn't 50% off but 44%: a price of Rs 1,400.
Before you buy
- If you only need one item, a straight 30% off beats "buy 2 get 1 free".
- The free item is usually the cheapest one; check on the bill which item was free.
- Remember or photograph the pre-sale price so you know the real discount.