noun
inflated price; overcharging
A price set higher than the real value, often in anticipation of bargaining. Can also refer to the act of overcharging.
この店は掛け値がひどいから、値切ったほうがいい。
This shop's prices are heavily inflated, so you'd better haggle.
掛け値なしの本当の価格を教えてください。
Please tell me the real price without any markup.
noun
Used almost exclusively in the phrase 掛け値なし to mean 'without exaggeration' or 'truly'. Rarely used alone.
掛け値なしに言って、彼は最高の料理人だ。
Without exaggeration, he is the best chef.
Compound of 掛け (kake, 'hanging' or 'applying') and 値 (ne, 'price'), literally 'applied price', referring to an extra amount added on top of the true value.