Basically, your wishlist (and maybe other pages as well?) display the sale % using the wrong number. It makes it look like you’re getting a better deal than you are. For example, this game I wishlisted is $43.95 AUD. But if I get it in the bundle, it’s $41.81 AUD. That’s a 4.8% discount. But the wishlist shows 42% discount of the whole bundle, not the actual game I wishlisted. I think that’s misleading.

You could argue I’m getting extra games so it’s a good deal; but I don’t know that other game, I haven’t researched it or wishlisted it. In some cases, I’ve had this happen to games that are in bundles where I already own the other games. At that point I’m just getting completely ripped off, because it says 75%, but it’s actually 5%, without even any “bonus games” to justify it.

To avoid this, never buy from the wishlist or home page or any page that isn’t the original full store listing. I always click into each game to see the original store page and ensure it’s a real discount before buying. I’d recommend doing the same.

I noticed this years ago and submitted a support ticket and a Reddit post, but it never got fixed. I feel like it must be by design at this point. This is the first “anti consumer” practice I’ve seen Steam implement.

exhibit a

exhibit b

  • Zarobi@aussie.zoneOP
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    5 days ago

    Yes that’s exactly how it works. If the bundle is even 0.1% cheaper than the base price of the game, that price and percentage takes priority when displayed in your wishlist, which makes no sense at all.

    I thought it was a bug at first too, but I’ve reported it to them in the past and gotten no response. Also when I inspected the JSON in the web browser, both prices are returned by the server, so it is a deliberate choice to use one over the other. This would result in more sales, so I’m doubtful it’s truly a bug. Or maybe it’s a beneficial “pet bug”.

    • EnsignWashout@startrek.website
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      5 days ago

      If the bundle is even 0.1% cheaper than the base price of the game, that price and percentage takes priority when displayed in your wishlist, which makes no sense at all.

      I think that makes perfect sense. It’s the best possible price, it should get priority.

      I have had it save me money several times by steering me to a “complete your bundle” that was a better discount than the sale price.

      They should fix their sale percentage calculation, though.

      • Zarobi@aussie.zoneOP
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        5 days ago

        Agreed, I more meant that the displayed number makes no sense. It should ideally display the cost and discount percentage calculated in my original post; but also I’m not sure a 4% discount is even worth noting lol

          • Zarobi@aussie.zoneOP
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            5 days ago

            Yes but in this case the final price after the discount is only 4% for the game I actually want. In the wishlist it doesn’t even say you’re buying a bundle

            • EnsignWashout@startrek.website
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              5 days ago

              Oh. Yes. I found that confusing, too.

              I think the discount displayed is always off of full price? So it might actually not be a discount for me, at all, compared to one of the bundles I could complete.

              I do like that it grabs me the best price - when I put it in my cart - but it has surprised me when the bundle ended up in my cart.