You’re scrolling Instagram, mindlessly double-tapping, when you stop dead on a gorgeous leather tote from a small boutique. The price? A firm $185. Then you read the comments. Someone writes, “Love this, but I found the exact same bag on a wholesale site for $112.” Another person replies, “Yeah, I’ve seen it cheaper elsewhere too.” Your first instinct is to back out. But here’s the smarter play: use those very comments as leverage to get that bag for less from the original seller. This is one of the most underrated shopping hacks on TikTok and Instagram, and it works far more often than you’d think.

Small business owners and independent sellers live in fear of the public comment section. When someone publicly announces that a product can be had for a lower price, it triggers a primal merchant response. They worry that every other potential buyer will see that comment and either leave or demand the same discount. So when you slide into their DMs with a screenshot of that public statement, you’ve already put them on the defensive. The key is to do it politely and with a clear proposition. Don’t say, “This person said it’s cheap elsewhere, so you’re ripping me off.” Instead, try something like, “Hey! I saw that comment about the tote being available for $112 elsewhere. I really want to buy from you because I trust your quality and shipping. Could you match that price or meet me halfway around $140?” The exact wording matters less than the tone. You’re not attacking, you’re giving them a chance to save the sale.

What makes this tactic so effective is the psychology of loss aversion. The seller has already invested in producing this product, photographing it, and marketing it on social media. If you walk away, that’s a lost customer. If they drop the price to $145, they still make a profit, just a leaner one. Most independent sellers are willing to take a smaller margin over no sale at all. And because the original “best price” comment came from a third party, not you, they can’t dismiss it as a lowball from a penny-pincher. You’re simply pointing out a piece of public information. That subtle distance makes the request feel less aggressive and more like a reasonable market correction.

Another angle is to use these comments to trigger an unadvertised price-match policy. Many small shops have a hidden “we won’t be beaten” policy, but they don’t post it for fear of encouraging haggling. When you reference that public comment, you are essentially activating that policy without ever naming it. Say, “I saw @soandso mention this is on sale for $98 at another store. Do you offer price matching like bigger retailers do?” Some sellers will instantly grant the match because they’d rather not argue about it. Others will counter with a discount code or free shipping. Either way, you’ve moved the price downward by simply using what was already in your feed.

You can also take this tactic to TikTok. Influencers and drop-shippers often have a “best price” comment pinned or flagged by other users. The most savvy shoppers will then go to the official website and use the live chat function. They’ll paste a link to a competitor’s price and mention that they saw it in a comment on the brand’s own TikTok. This works especially well for beauty products, electronics, and outdoor gear, all categories with heavy price fluctuation. The same rule applies: be cordial, be specific, and be ready to commit on the spot. Sellers are far more willing to negotiate if they sense you’re a genuine buyer who will complete the transaction immediately after a discount is applied.

One thing to watch out for is fake or outdated comments. Sometimes a “best price” comment is just a bot or a troll. Your screenshot might reference a price that no longer exists. So do a quick verification by checking the competitor’s site yourself before sending that DM. If the price is real, you have solid ground. If it’s not, you’ll look foolish and lose all leverage. Also remember that brick-and-mortar stores are not immune. If you’re standing in a shop and see that a nearby store carries the same item for less, you can pull up the social comment or a quick Google search on your phone and show it to a manager. Many floor staff have the authority to beat a local competitor’s price by fifteen percent. But they won’t offer that unless you ask.

Finally, consider posting your own well-researched “best price” comment on a product you’re eyeing. You don’t have to wait for someone else to do the work. Politely say, “This looks amazing, but I noticed it’s $40 less on [competitor].” Then wait a day. Many sellers will reply to your comment with a special DM offering you a deal to not lose you as a customer. That public reply actually puts pressure on them to appear generous. Just be careful not to be spammy or rude. A helpful, factual comment earns respect, and that respect often ends in a discount code landing in your inbox.

The beauty of all this is that it costs you nothing but a few minutes of scrolling and typing. You’re not signing up for a newsletter or downloading an app. You’re simply turning a public conversation into your own private negotiation lever. And once you start doing this regularly, you’ll never look at a comment section the same way again. That innocent little line about a cheaper price is not just office for the seller. It’s your golden ticket to paying less, every single time.