ChatGPT outperforms Gemini at finding accurate Black Friday deals

The AI shopping showdown

Google is positioning Gemini as a primary shopping assistant capable of finding coupons and managing carts. To test this, a user compared the free tiers of Gemini and ChatGPT by asking both to find the best prices for four specific gadgets. The total full price of the items, which included a Google Pixel 10 and a Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, was $1,450.

The goal was to see which AI could navigate the noise of Black Friday sales. Many retailers use inflated "was" prices to make discounts appear larger than they actually are. The test aimed to see if these models could distinguish between a genuine bargain and a marketing trick.

As androidpolice.com reported, the results showed a significant gap in performance between the two tools. ChatGPT managed to find a shopping basket that saved $322, while Gemini's selections only resulted in $156 off the original prices.

How ChatGPT handled the list

ChatGPT demonstrated a strong ability to find accurate prices for three out of the four items on the list. It successfully located the correct prices for the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, the Pixel Watch 4, and the Amazon Echo Dot. These items were all confirmed to be in stock at the retailers the AI suggested.

The tool also showed a high level of awareness regarding deceptive pricing. It flagged a $250 "was" price for the earbuds as misleading because the item had actually been $150 for several weeks. It also warned the user against buying an Echo Dot for $80, noting that the price was higher than its typical cost.

However, the AI did experience some technical glitches during the process. It initially showed a correct price for the Pixel 10 but then wrongly claimed its previous result was for a different model. It also provided a link to a third-party seller on Walmart that was more expensive than the official retail price.

Where Gemini fell short

Gemini struggled significantly more with accuracy and price detection during the test. For the Pixel Watch 4, it suggested a Newegg listing that was $115 more expensive than the price at Walmart. Despite this, the AI told the user to "proceed with caution" while still labeling it as the lowest price available.

The tool also provided some very poor links for the earbuds. One link led to a search results page filled with cases and ear tips rather than the actual product. Another link provided a price of $138 for a Best Buy item that actually cost $150 when the user clicked through.

Gemini also suffered from using outdated information. It identified an $80 Echo Dot as a "fake" deal and claimed Amazon had it for $32, but that price was actually from an old tech site. When the user checked the live site, the price was still $80, meaning the AI was hallucinating a deal based on old data.

Building a custom budget

The test also looked at how the models handled a specific $300 budget for a phone charger, earbuds, and a smart speaker. ChatGPT built a basket totaling $106, which was well under the limit. It even attempted to be specific by picking a 45W charger because it recognized the user's specific phone model.

While the ChatGPT basket was under budget, it still had some navigation issues. The link for the earbuds opened a general homepage instead of the product page. Additionally, the price of the Echo Dot in that basket was $80, which was the same incorrect price it had flagged earlier in the test.

In contrast, Gemini failed to provide current prices for this specific task. It provided a basket totaling $110 based on estimated Black Friday prices rather than live data. Furthermore, every single link Gemini provided was an Amazon search page, making it difficult for the user to find the exact item quickly.

Verifying AI results

The comparison highlights that while AI can be a helpful starting point, it is not a replacement for human oversight. Both models made errors, including providing incorrect prices and landing on the wrong web pages. This means users should treat chatbot results as a list of possibilities rather than a final purchase instruction.

To stay safe during major sales, the test suggests checking price history to avoid being tricked by fake discounts. Users should always open every link provided by an AI to check the actual seller and the final price before adding anything to a cart. This manual step is necessary to ensure the AI isn't directing you to a third-party site with higher fees.

For those who want a more automated experience, Google offers a Universal Cart. This tool can track a wishlist through the holiday season, providing a different way to monitor prices without relying on a chatbot's real-time search capabilities. Using these tools in combination can help shoppers navigate complex sales more effectively.