Getting a Price Match Can Be Tricky, Even Downright Difficult

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links on our site, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend.

Image Not Available

Many retailers offer some kind of guarantee to match their competitors’ prices — but those policies can be so riddled with exceptions that they’re rendered nearly useless.

Cheapism examined eight major retailers’ price-match policies and tried to untangle the common threads. Here’s what the site found:

  • Matching is usually restricted to local competitors, but the definition varies. Local could mean within 25 miles or within the state.
  • Most don’t match online competitors. Best Buy and Target are the exceptions, but they won’t match third-party sellers on Amazon.
  • The best proof of a lower price is an original printed ad. Some retailers don’t accept photocopies or photos on your phone.
  • Because you usually need an exact match on everything from color to model number, it’s difficult to get matches for expensive products with store-specific versions. The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Best Buy all have their own model numbers for many high-end appliances and electronics.
  • Typically only regular prices are matched. Items with percent-off discounts, clearance items, and items with special offers like free gift cards or rebates are usually not eligible.
  • Some retailers will price-match items you’ve already purchased at that store, and give you a partial refund. How long you have is usually up to a manger, but it’s probably less than a week.

Cheapism rated Target, J.C. Penney and Lowe’s as having the best policies, followed by Best Buy, The Home Depot and Walmart. It placed Sears and Kohl’s in a “don’t bother” category.

Get smarter with your money!

Want the best money-news and tips to help you make more and spend less? Then sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter to receive daily updates of personal finance news and advice, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for our free newsletter today.