A Korean American, Kim, always compares the online price to the store price at Target. If the online price is cheaper, he tells the staff to match the price so he can get the item cheaper than listed in the store. This is one of his tips for saving money at retail stores. He added that items on Amazon and Walmart’s websites can also be price-matched.
With many consumers struggling to shop in the era of high prices, many retailers are offering price matches that guarantee the lowest price.
Price matching means that if a competitor offers a lower price, the retailer will offer a discount to match it.
It’s a great way for consumers to get the lowest price, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all policy, so you’ll need to read the retailers’ terms carefully. Here’s what the big retailers have to say about price matching.
Target
Target offers price matching online and offline, as well as on Amazon and Walmart’s websites. However, the brand, size, weight, color, quantity, and item code must match exactly. The window of eligibility is 14 days after purchase.
If you buy something early for the holiday season and it goes on sale after you buy it, you can get the difference back. However, the eligible products must have been discounted between November 8 and December 24.
Walmart
Walmart has a different price match policy for its in-store and online stores. Only products listed on Walmart’s discount flyers are eligible for price matching when purchasing in-store. This means that they will only price match items that are different from the flyer price. Walmart also will not price match for the same product even if it’s cheaper at another Walmart store, on their online site, or from a competitor. Products discounted during promotions, including Black Friday, are not eligible as well.
Walmart’s online store has a much wider price match coverage than its brick-and-mortar stores. This is because they also price match Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. If you find a lower price from a competitor, you can contact customer service and they’ll match the price for you. You must submit proof of the lowest price to the customer service center before purchasing.
Best Buy
Best Buy has one of the most aggressive price match programs. Big-box retailers like Home Depot, Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Target, as well as online shopping websites like Amazon, are all subject to Best Buy’s price match. If you find a lower price, you’ll get a discount. The price match period is the same as the return and refund period. For purchases made in November and December, you have until January 14, 2025, to return and get a refund.
Newegg
Newegg has one of the most extensive price matches with Best Buy, Amazon, GameStop, Walmart, and Target. But only on products that say “Price Match Guarantee”. Items discounted on Black Friday or Cyber Monday are not eligible. You have to submit your proof through the customer service center within 14 days of purchase.
On the other hand, some retailers don’t offer price matching at all. Amazon says it doesn’t offer price matching because it is already “constantly comparing and lowering prices to offer lower prices than our competitors.”
Other retailers that don’t offer price matching include bookstore chain Barnes & Noble, pet supplies retailer Chewy, pharmacy chain CVS, and cosmetics giant Sephora.
BY WONHEE CHO, HOONSIK WOO [woo.hoonsik@koreadaily.com]
