Core answer: sale price = original × discount ÷ 10 (Chinese zhe notation). ¥399 at 8 zhe = ¥319.2. Stacked discounts multiply: 8 zhe then 9 zhe = 0.8×0.9 = 7.2 zhe. A "spend 300, save 50" deal has a FLOATING true discount: exactly 300 is 8.33 zhe, but 600 is only 9.17 zhe.
Basic discount math
- Sale price = original × zhe ÷ 10
- Savings = original − sale price
| Original | 8 zhe | 7.5 zhe | 6 zhe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 80 | 75 | 60 |
| 299 | 239.2 | 224.3 | 179.4 |
| 599 | 479.2 | 449.3 | 359.4 |
Stacked discounts multiply
Multiple discounts multiply in sequence, never add:
- 8 zhe then 9 zhe: 0.8 × 0.9 = 0.72 → 7.2 zhe (not 17 zhe, not 7 zhe)
- Member 9.5 zhe + event 8 zhe + ¥20 coupon: multiply first, coupon last (coupons usually apply to the discounted price)
Example: ¥500 with member 9.5 zhe + platform 8 zhe + ¥20 coupon:
500×0.95×0.8 − 20 = 380 − 20 = ¥360 (7.2 zhe)
The true discount of threshold deals
"Spend X save Y" is a stepped discount — the true rate floats with your basket:
True rate = (amount paid ÷ threshold-qualifying amount)
| Deal | Basket | Paid | True discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300−50 | 300 | 250 | 8.33 zhe |
| 300−50 | 450 | 400 | 8.89 zhe |
| 300−50 | 600 | 550 | 9.17 zhe |
| 300−50 | 299 | 299 | nothing |
Padding logic: stay close to multiples of 300; extra spend dilutes the discount.
Promo patterns decoded
- Second item half price: two items = (1+0.5)/2 = 7.5 zhe; one item gets nothing — buying extra "for the deal" can waste more than it saves
- ¥300 off ¥1,000 coupon: equals 7 zhe with a high bar; buying things you don't need to use it is a net loss
- Mark up then mark down: compare against 30-day price history before big sales to spot fake deals
- Deposit expansion: a ¥50 deposit that counts as ¥100 really saves 50 — but deposits are non-refundable; include it in the total
- Flash-sale prices: often HIGHER than 618/Double-11 prices; wait if it's not urgent
Price-comparison example
Same shoes (list price 899):
| Channel | Promo | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| A: 7 zhe storewide | 899×0.7 | 629.3 |
| B: 800−200 | 899−200 | 699 |
| C: 2 pairs at 6 zhe | must buy two; 539.4 per pair (1,078.8 total) | 539.4/pair |
Buying one pair: A wins. Already buying two: C wins.
Common mistakes
- "Stacked discounts add up": they multiply — 8 zhe + 9 zhe is 7.2 zhe, not 7.
- "Threshold deals have a fixed rate": the rate is best exactly at the threshold and decays above it.
- "Half-price second item = 5 zhe": it's 7.5 zhe across two items, and 0 zhe if you buy one.