Our method

How Scout works

Follow the illustrated journey to search, compare, continue checking retailers and use Scout’s buying guidance. Nothing moves automatically, so you can read each step at your own pace.

Seven clear steps

From product search to a clearer choice

Use the arrow buttons, keyboard arrow keys or swipe left and right. The illustrations explain the real Scout navigation without displaying invented prices.

Scout introduction: Before you buy it, compare it. One search leads to clearer choices. — **Step 1** Start with Scout and enter the product you want to compare.

Scout navigation showing Compare, Popular Ads, Categories, Retailers and Guides. — **Step 2** Use the main navigation to reach every part of Scout.

Scout comparison flow showing a product search and validated offer details without invented prices. — **Step 3** Search once and compare the available product, price, delivery and condition details.

A Scout result with one verified offer and the Continue in the Retailer Directory button. — **Step 4** If only one verified offer appears, continue in the Retailer Directory.

Scout Popular Ads and Categories navigation with horizontally swipeable product groups. — **Step 5** Explore approved Popular Ads and practical shopping categories.

Scout Guides, Quick Buying Check and free Buyer Toolkit. — **Step 6** Use buying guides, visual checks and the free Buyer Toolkit before deciding.

Scout retailer coverage growing from one search towards a clearer product choice. — **Step 7** As authorised coverage grows, Scout can surface more useful comparisons.

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What happens behind the screen

How Scout treats product and price data

1. Enter a specific product

Use a model name or distinguishing words, such as “Nintendo Switch 2”, rather than a broad term such as “console”. A UK postcode is optional and can improve delivery estimates where a retailer supports it.

2. Review close matches

Scout assesses whether important words in the search appear in each product title. Obvious accessories are reduced or removed when the search appears to be for the main product.

3. Understand the data label

Live result means an authorised API returned the offer. Feed price means the item price came from an authorised retailer catalogue; Scout displays its import time and asks you to confirm the current price. Recently checked means Scout matched the catalogue item to the retailer’s official product page and checked its structured GBP item price. Feed and recently checked item prices are not presented as delivered totals unless delivery is supplied.

4. Compare like with like

Use the condition filter to separate new items from used items. The lowest known total combines the item price and a supplied delivery charge. If delivery information is missing, Scout tells you to check with the retailer.

5. Confirm with the retailer

Prices, availability and delivery estimates can change. The retailer’s product and checkout pages are always the final source of information and the place where any purchase is completed.

Coverage grows carefully

Not every retailer provides Scout with an authorised API or catalogue. A tile marked “Search link” opens that retailer’s own search and does not claim that a current price has been compared. As more authorised retailers come on board, Scout can compare more validated offers while retaining the same currency, product-match and source safeguards.