Consumers Guide to Price Matching at Major Retailers
You’ve done all the research on the television you want to buy, or the blender you need, or the video game system your grandchild wants. You finally decide where to buy it and make your big purchase. Then you find it at a lower price someplace else.
Maybe you’re loyal to one store because it’s closest to you and they have friendly customer service but they don’t have the best price. Maybe you purchased something in a store but that store’s website lowered the price. Have you lost the extra money that could have been saved? Not necessarily.
What is price matching?
Price matching is when a store matches a lower price offered by a competing retailer. It may be offered when you buy something but then see it cheaper at another store, or if you see an item in the store at one price but find it online at another price. Stores rely on repeat business and want to keep you from visiting one of their competitors. Rather than making the customer go through the hassle of returning a purchase and buying it at a competitor’s store, many retailers will offer the customer the lower price.
Some stores do not offer price matching but have a generous return policy to make it a little bit easier for you to return a purchase and buy the item from another store. As the consumer, you have the right research the best price and decide where to shop.
What do I have to do to get a price match?
Most stores require you to present proof of the lower price at the time of checkout, either with a paper advertisement from their competitor or by bringing up the website showing the lower price on your mobile device. Price-match requests for online merchandise may require a phone call or an email to customer service. Many will offer refunds for price adjustments if an item goes on sale within a certain amount of time after you’ve purchased it. Most stores do not offer price matching for clearance and other sale prices and merchandise must be new. Items you wish to request a price match for usually must be identical.
This list of the price-matching policies of more than 30 major retailers is just the start. Unless a store states that they do not price match, it can never hurt to ask. Specific stores may not have a policy about it but if you catch a manager in a good mood, you might get the deal. Policies change, too, so check a store’s website or customer service desk before you shop.
Does Walmart price match?
Walmart is dedicated to offering the lowest prices. Their stores will price match with the exact item from its website if the online price is lower, although stores in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico do not offer price matching. Walmart.com offers price matching with several other online retailers, including Amazon and Target.com. Items must be in stock at both Walmart.com and the competitor’s online store. The full list of websites they price match with, along with other details of their policy, is available on their website.
Does Target price match?
Target wants to keep the shopping experience simple and streamlined. They offer price matching for an in-store purchase with the exact item on its own website and in select brick-and-mortar stores and online retailers. The list of stores may vary by location so check with guest services on their specific policy or their website for online retailers. Price matches may be requested within 14 days of your original purchase. Alaska and Hawaii stores do not offer price matching with online retailers.
Does Amazon price match?
This online retail giant does not have a price-matching policy. Amazon emphasizes its commitment to competitive pricing, however.
Does Best Buy price match?
Best Buy strives to be the lowest price you’ll find for electronics. They will price match at the time of purchase with select local retailers and online stores but it may vary by location. If Best Buy lowers the price of a purchased item during the exchange and return period, they will match the lower price upon request. In-store price-match requests should be made to customer service. Online, they may be requested via online chat or by phone. They do not offer price matching for services, only on new merchandise.
Does Lowe’s price match?
Lowe’s guarantees the lowest prices. According to their policy, they will price match in-stock, identical items found in their stores and online with local competitors’ physical stores and their online stores. In the store, present the proof of the lower price at checkout. For online purchases you must call them and be ready to share the website where you found the lower price. Lowe’s associates will verify the lower price and if it’s valid, that’s what you’ll be charged. Items must be in stock and they do not price match on services.
Does The Home Depot price match?
The Home Depot has a low-price guarantee. Their online store will price match an item plus shipping from a competitor’s website, as long as the item from Home Depot and from the competitor are both able to be shipped to your area. For in-store purchases they will price match with other local retailers with proof of the lower price shown at checkout.
Does Toys R Us price match?
Toys R Us is in the process of relaunching and currently does not offer price matching in any of its stores that are still open. They do not have any online merchandise at this time.
Does Kohl’s price match?
Kohl’s stores offer price matching with a competitor’s in-store pricing and with Kohls.com prices. Their stores do not price match with competitor’s online stores but Kohls.com will. Kohl’s may not offer price matching during Thanksgiving week sales.
Does GameStop price match?
GameStop, the popular video game retailer, does not price match with other stores but will match their own in-store and online prices under certain circumstances.
Does Barnes and Noble price match?
Barnes and Noble aims to have the best prices but they do not have a price-match policy.
Does Macy’s price match?
Macys.com offers price adjustments for online purchases if the price of an item is lowered within 10 days of your purchase. They have a contact form on their website for requesting the price match. Individual stores may price match with Macys.com and they may have price-match policies with competitors. Check with customer service at the time of purchase to find out your store’s policy.
Does Staples price match?
Staples has a low-price guarantee for in-store purchases. They will match their online price or a competing store’s price for the same item at the time of purchase. If you buy something and the item lowers in price within 14 days of your purchase, either in store or online, you may request a refund for the difference.
Does Walgreens price match?
No, Walgreens does not price match. They have a generous return policy, however, so if a lower price on an item is found you may return it to Walgreens and purchase it elsewhere.
Does Bed Bath & Beyond price match?
Known for its great coupon offers, Bed Bath & Beyond also has a great price-matching policy. They will match with any competitor’s in-store or online price for the exact item and they want to keep it simple. Just present the competitor’s ad at checkout if you’re making an in-store purchase, or call or email them with the competitor’s price information for online purchases. They will also match their in-store prices with their own website prices. If you have coupons, they won’t honor the coupon and the price match for the same item, but they’ll let you know which is the better deal.
Does PetSmart price match?
PetSmart offers one-stop shopping for all your pet’s needs and their retail stores will price match with local competitors’ retail stores. Their website, PetSmart.com, will price match with competitors’ online stores, except Amazon. PetSmart’s price-matching policies do not cover pets or services.
Does CVS price match?
No, CVS does not offer price matching.
Does Petco price match?
Petco is committed to high-quality products for your pets at the lowest prices. Their stores offer price matching with a competitor’s store and Petco.com, but not with online retailers. Petco.com will price match with certain online retailers, such as Amazon, Target.com, and Chewy.com. The full list is available on their website.
Does Babies R Us price match?
Babies R Us is in the process of closing down and relaunching. Any stores that are still open do not offer price matching at this time and they do not have any online merchandise.
Does Cabela’s price match?
The outdoor gear shop Cabela’s offers price matching at their brick-and-mortar stores with a competitor’s store that is within a hundred-mile radius of the store you’re shopping in. The retail stores also honor the prices in their print catalog and online store. Their online store will price match with select competitor’s online stores, including REI and L.L. Bean. Price matching does not apply to services and cannot be combined with other discounts.
Does AutoZone price match?
AutoZone does not advertise a price-matching policy. They may offer price matching with competitors but policies vary by store. You must ask a sales associate at the time of purchase what that store’s policy is.
Does Apple price match?
It’s a little-known secret that Apple offers price matching and price protection. If they lower the price of selected items within 14 days after you receive it, you may request a refund for the difference. They do not advertise a price-matching policy but many customers report that in Apple Stores, managers may honor price matches with local competitors that are authorized Apple retailers, such as Target and Best Buy. You must ask for this upon purchase.
Does Office Depot price match?
Office Depot and OfficeMax stores, along with OfficeDepot.com, have a price-match guarantee. They offer price matching on identical new merchandise with Staples, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy online and in store. For items that come with a service plan, such as cell phones, the provider, the plan, and all associated terms must also be identical to the item from Office Depot or OfficeMax. They also offer price matching on certain copy and printing jobs with FedEx Office and The UPS Store. Any price-match request must be made either at the time of purchase or within 14 days of the purchase.
Does Kmart price match?
No, Kmart does not have a price-matching policy, but individual stores may offer price adjustments if they lower the price of the exact item within seven days of your purchase. Kmart does not offer price matching between their retail stores and kmart.com.
Does Meijer price match?
No, but Meijer offers price adjustments for items that go on sale within 10 days after purchase.
Does Micro Center price match?
Micro Center does not advertise a price-matching policy but if requested at the time of purchase, managers of individual stores may honor price matches from select local competitors. For online purchases, customer service may be called or emailed to request a price match.
Does Sears price match?
Sears offers price matching in its stores with other local competitors and their competitors’ online stores, under certain conditions. They offer price adjustments if the price is lowered within 30 days after your original purchase. They also honor price matching and price adjustments within 30 days of purchase if the item is found for a lower price at certain Sears-branded retail formats such as Sears Hardware and Sears Hometown stores.
Does Advance Auto Parts price match?
Advance Auto Parts offers a price-match guarantee at its retail stores at the time of purchase for identical and comparable items. Price matching for comparable items may be at the discretion of the manager. They will price match with local competitors, their own website, and other Advance Auto Parts stores in the area. If a customer places an online order for in-store pickup, the lower price is automatically applied to the order.
Does Giant price match?
The affiliated grocery store chains Giant and Stop & Shop do not offer price matching but they have an accurate price guarantee. If your item scans at a higher price than the one advertised, it is free.
Does Michaels price match?
Michaels, the craft supply superstore, has an in-store price guarantee for identical non-sale items at the time of purchase. If an item is found at a competitor’s store or website, including A.C. Moore and Joann, Michaels will match the price and then reduce it by 10 percent. If the item is found at a lower price within 10 days of purchase, Michaels will refund you the difference. This is for regular-priced items and cannot be combined with coupons or clearance prices.
Does Dick’s Sporting Goods price match?
Dick’s Sporting Goods offers a best-price guarantee for in-store and online purchases. They will price match new, identical items from competitors such as Amazon, Foot Locker, and Target. For in-store purchases, show proof of the lower price to a cashier when you checkout. Online shoppers need to start an online chat or call customer service with the price information before making the purchase.
Does Nordstrom price match?
Nordstrom is committed to offering the best prices available. They offer price matching at the time of purchase against nationwide competitors for items that are the same brand, color, and size. Nordstrom also has a price-adjustment policy for items that they permanently reduce the price on within 14 days of your purchase.
Does Joann price match?
Joann, a popular store for sewing materials and other craft supplies, offers a limited price-match policy that does not include seasonal items or sewing patterns. Individual stores have their own policies, so check with a manager or customer service to find out which items and competitors qualify for price matching. Their website will price match with their own prices and competitors’ prices that have been advertised within the last seven days before purchase.
Does NAPA Auto Parts price match?
NAPA Auto Parts does not officially have a price-matching policy but many customers report that managers of individual stores will offer discounts or price match with proof of a competitor’s price at the time of checkout.
Does REI price match?
This popular retailer for outdoor gear does not price match but REI does offer price adjustments for items purchased in a store or at REI.com if the price is reduced within 14 days of your purchase.