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How fresh the prices are, and what to do when a store's price differs

Shopping 2 min read Beginner Updated

Shopping is not part of 4Indiana. It runs on 4search.com. You can read this guide here, and use Shopping on 4search.com.
On this page
  1. What "as of" means
  2. When the store's price is different
  3. Common questions

Every price in Shopping carries the time it was read from the store, such as as of 12:43 AM ET. Stores change prices and stock all day, so that time tells you how much to rely on the number.

#What "as of" means

  • The time is when that store's price was read, in U.S. Eastern Time. A price from an earlier day shows the date too: as of Oct 24, 12:51 PM ET.
  • When you search, Shopping asks the stores at that moment; a store that was asked very recently may answer with its price from a few minutes before.
  • A product's comparison page checks the stores again each time it opens.
  • The line above the results gives the earliest time among the prices shown.

#When the store's price is different

The store's price at checkout is the one you pay. A store's page can differ from Shopping's for several reasons:

  • The price changed after it was checked, or a sale ended.
  • The price depends on a size, color or option you choose on the store's site.
  • Shipping, taxes or fees are added at checkout; Shopping shows shipping only when the store's listing gives it.
  • A member, coupon or in-store price applies on the store's site.
  • The item sold out.
  1. Look at the as of time on the offer. If it is not recent, search again or reload the comparison page.
  2. On the store's page, check the price, the option you chose, the shipping to your address and the condition.
  3. Buy only when the store's own checkout shows a price you accept.

#Common questions

Does Shopping include tax?

No. Prices are as the store lists them, before tax, which depends on where you live.

Why does a card say "out of stock online"?

The store lists the product but says it cannot ship it now. It may be available in its stores, or come back later.

How do I get the newest prices?

Search again, or reload the product's comparison page, which checks the stores each time it opens.

Does Shopping track price drops?

No. There is no price history and no alerts: Shopping shows the offers available now.

Read next

Shopping Search Shopping and read the results What to type in Shopping, how offers are grouped into products, and what each part of a product card means, from price to the store rating. Shopping A product's prices at each store The comparison page lists every store's offer for one product: price, shipping, total, condition and when it was checked, cheapest new first. Shopping Store links and commissions Some store links earn 4Search a commission at no cost to you. What that means, what it never changes, and where to read the full disclosure. Shopping Shopping: compare store prices in one search One search checks many stores at once, groups the same product together and shows each store's price, shipping and condition; you buy on the store's own site.