Clark Howard

Price-Matching Policies at Walmart, Target and Other Top Stores

One of the best ways to save money on what you buy is to take advantage of retailers’ price-matching policies.

The benefits of price matching are twofold: Not only do you gain some insight into how and when stores lower and raise prices on certain items, but you also get to hold the retailers to their words on matching their competitors.

Does Your Favorite Store Have a Price-Matching Policy?

In this article, I’m going to explain the price-matching policies of some of the nation’s biggest retail chains.

Here’s how price matching typically works: Take the item you want to buy to the store’s customer service desk. Show the clerk the competing advertisement or online listing that displays the lower price. The clerk should then adjust the price of the item you have in hand or refund you the difference.

(Not too long ago, many retailers would price match and sometimes even give you 5% or 10% more off the price. In my latest research, that kind of offer is no longer available.)

These Retailers Will Match Prices on Items You Find Cheaper Elsewhere

Most of these retailers will match a competitor’s price under the following conditions:

  • The item is identical or a substantially comparable item.
  • The price of the item is valid at the time the price match is requested.
  • A sales associate can verify the price match.

Let's take a closer look at the individual price-matching policies for these major stores. All these stores have exceptions and exclusions, which you'll find on the chain's websites.

Advance Auto Parts

Advance Auto Parts says if you find the same item cheaper someplace else, bring it to the attention of a store associate so a price match can be verified.

"Advance Auto Parts will match the price of any identical or substantially comparable product (product must be available the same day) at any competitor's store or website," it says on the store's website.

Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops has a price-matching policy that covers both online and in-store purchases based on the competing retailer's distance to its stores.

"If you find an identical product currently being sold at a lower price by another retailer within 100 miles of your local Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's store, or on a qualifying website, we will match that price at the time of purchase," it says on the outdoors outfitter's website.

Bed, Bath and Beyond

Bed, Bath & Beyond says it will honor a match if you find find a lower price on the same item somewhere else up to 14 days after purchase.

"We will match prices from our local retail competitors (including their online prices) and from major online retailers (Prices are not matched for marketplace sellers). Bed Bath & Beyond will follow any limitations and exclusions set by the competitor," it says on the retailer's website.

Best Buy

Best Buy says it simply"won't be beat on price: We'll match the product prices of key online and local competitors for immediately available products."

If Best Buy lowers its in-store, online or app price during the return and exchange period, upon request, the retailer will match its own lower price.

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Dick's Sporting Goods says, excluding markdowns, as long as the item is identical and meets its eligibility requirements, "We won't be beat by a qualifying retailer's price offered in their store or on their website."

The price match is good for items found at qualifying stores on this list.

The Home Depot

The Home Depot has this price match guarantee: "If you find a current lower price on an identical, in-stock item from any other retailer, we will match the price. Just bring the ad, printout or photo with you to the register for validation. (This may involve the associate contacting the competitor)."

For online purchases, the price match guarantee includes the item’s price plus the shipping cost.

JCPenney

JCPenney promises that it will match competitor prices as well as those found on JCPenny.com. The retailer says on its website: "We offer our price match guarantee on any retailer's in-store and online prices. The only exclusions are marketplaces, third-party sellers such as deal websites, and auctions. Our price match guarantee includes items sold by Amazon.com but not by a third party on Amazon.com."

Kohl’s

Kohl's department store says that upon request, it will match a competitor's in-store prices only, not their online prices. The retailer says that it will also match, in-store, the price of identical items found at Kohls.com.

Lowe’s

For in-store purchases, Lowe's says if you find a current lower price on an identical in-stock item from another local retailer, it will match the price. "Just bring the ad, printout or photo and show an associate so we can validate the price on the competitor's website or ad to complete the price match," the home improvement store says.

For online purchases, if you find the same item priced lower on another website, call 1-877-465-6937 for validation. “Lowe’s Price Promise includes the price of the item(s) plus shipping or delivery cost,” it says on Lowe’s website.

Newegg

Newegg uses a badge to label certain products that are eligible for a price match, the store says. To request a price match, you must submit a claim form within 14 days after the date of purchase.

According to Newegg's website, "The cost difference will be credited to you in the form of a Newegg Customer Care card which is good for use on the Newegg.com website or the Newegg mobile application for 90 calendar days from date of issue."

Office Depot and Office Max

Office Depot and OfficeMax say they will "gladly match the price" on qualifying items sold in-store or online at Amazon.com, Best Buy, Staples, Target and Walmart in addition to copy and custom printing jobs at FedEx Office or the UPS Store.

“If you find a lower price on a new identical item in-store or online at a Competitor or Office Depot at the time of purchase or within 14 days after your purchase, show us the lower price and we will match the price or refund you the difference,” it says on OfficeDepot.com.

PetSmart

PetSmart says it will match prices only on competitors' in-store products.

"If you find a product that's in stock at a PetSmart store for a lower price at a competitor's store (excluding competitors' online sites and catalogs) or on www.petsmart.com, PetSmart will match the price as long as the identical product is in stock at our store," it says on PetSmart's website.

Sam’s Club

Sam's Club says it will match any price you find someplace else as long as the requests are made within seven days of your purchase or order date.

On its website, the retailer says: "Simply e-mail or call our customer service experts at to have your order price matched! Or you can complete your order online and include the link to the lower price in the 'Coupon Codes and Special Instructions' field during checkout."

Sears

Sears will match its rivals' prices on identical merchandise as long as the other retailer still has the item on sale locally. Price matching does not apply to "internet-only retailers or marketplace or third-party sellers on competitor's websites," it says on Sears.com.

The retailer will also price match Sears-branded retail stores (not outlets) for up to 30 days after you buy it.

Staples

For in-store purchases only, Staples will match any lower price on a new identical item. All you have to do is show the Staples sales associate proof at checkout.

The office supply store says it will also "price match items that are sold and shipped by Amazon.com (its Marketplace sellers are excluded), and sold by any retailer who sells products in both retail stores and online under the same brand."

Target

Target says it will match the price on items bought inside its stores then found cheaper elsewhere, including on Target.com. You can request a price match up to 14 days after your purchase.

If you're curious as to which retailers Target will price match, here's the full list of competitors.

Walmart

Walmart says on its website, "If you find a lower price from an online retailer on an identical, in-stock product, tell us and we'll match it."

Qualifying items found on online must be in-stock on the competitor's online website and on Walmart.com at the time you ask for a price match.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are quite a few retailers that want to win your business by offering to match competitors’ prices.

Money expert Clark Howard says you should always do what you can to pay less:

“The most important thing is don’t ever negotiate with yourself,” Clark says. “Don’t say, ‘I just can’t afford that’ before you’ve found out if you can get a bargain.”

Do you know of any other retailers that price match? Let us know in the comments below.

Looking for the latest sales? See items for less at ClarkDeals.com.

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