After what happened to JC Penny customers should be very careful about making sure the "deal" they are getting is as advertised. When JC Penny tried to offer basic pricing options rather than pricing schemes and games, customers did not respond well.

As a consequence, department stores have stuck to the thing that works. Playing games with prices makes more money than upfront and simple prices. All I can suggest is that people pay attention to prices and only buy something if they think it is worth it (rather than trying to look for a deal).