Read the delivered total first
| Option | Headline | Delivered | Lost if returned | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamp A, retailer | $35 | $43 | $14 (delivery + $6 return shipping) | 24 months |
| Lamp B, marketplace | $42 | $42 | $6.30 (15% restocking) | 12 months |
| Lamp C, needs a bulb | $29 | $43 | $14 (delivery + $9 bulb) | 12 months |
Unknown is not the same as zero
If checkout hasn’t shown you tax or shipping yet, the total is unknown, and an unknown can’t be the cheapest option.
The “fits” field works the same way. If the listing doesn’t give the base width, the option isn’t ready to buy, however cheap. The verdict tells you what to confirm first.
The fields people leave at 0 by mistake are return shipping and the restocking fee, the charge some sellers take from your refund. Listings rarely show either.
Things the page does not count
Time. Messaging a seller about a width can take an evening, and the calculator doesn’t price that.
It also can’t know you just want the nicer lamp, which is a fine reason to pay $1 more.
What it does do is stop a $29 sticker price from winning when you’d have to buy a bulb separately.
Recheck the final total on the payment page. Return windows usually start on the delivery date, but some sellers count from the ship date, so read the returns page before you order.
Sources
- FTC: Online Shopping
It adds one tip this page doesn’t give: pay by credit card, since you can dispute a card payment.
