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Have you ever looked into price matching? While some might use the term to refer to a store matching an in-store price to their online price, or vice versa, I’m referring to when a store is willing to match a competitor’s prices with their own prices.
Not every store does this, but I found many national chains that do! I’m also going to explain the basics of how it works.
Comparing Store Price Match Policies
Note: The information here is subject to change. Always check with the store to make sure you understand the policy.
If you’re wanting to price match an item, the item you’re matching must be identical, sometimes even down to the color. You can check the UPC number on the items to make sure they match.
Additionally, the price must be shown on the same day and in stock at both places: the store where you’re price matching and the store you’re price matching to. So, for example, if you’re at Best Buy and find a laptop and check and see the same one is sold by Amazon for a lower price—but Amazon is out of stock—Best Buy will NOT match the price.
Speaking of Amazon, not every store will price match with Amazon. But if they do, it will only include items that are sold and shipped by Amazon—not third-party or marketplace sellers.
Stores differ in how they will do the price matching process. If you’re in the store, they usually will need to see the print ad or sometimes will accept you showing them an ad on your phone. If you’re price-matching after you’ve already purchased the item (which is only allowed at some stores), you’ll also need your original receipt.
I compared 20 store price match policies in several areas: limitations on numbers of items, where they will price match, how long you have to price match, and whether they will price match with Amazon.
Advance Auto Parts will price match the same items at competitors’ stores or websites, but they will not price match with Amazon. The price must be listed with the competitor on the day the price match is requested.
Bass Pro Shops will price match the same items at a limit of 2 per day at competitors’ located within 100 miles of the store. They will match with online retailers such as Amazon, but not third-party sellers. The price must be listed with the competitor on the day the price match is requested.
Best Buy will price match one item per customer at the stores of “qualified competitors.” The price must be available with the competitor on the day the price match is requested.
Big Lots will price match one item per customer at the stores of competitors, but they will not price match Amazon. The price must be available with the competitor on the day the price match is requested.
Dick’s will price match items at competitors’ stores at the same time as purchase. They also price match on Amazon! I couldn’t find any limitation on the number of items you could price match, but ask in store if you plan to try multiple items.
Home Depot will price match items from in-store and online competitors, excluding third-party sellers.
JC Penney will price match items from in-store and online competitors, excluding third-party sellers. They don’t have any limits but do reserve the right to set limits at the time of purchase. It must be a current advertised price.
JOANN will price match identical items with both in-store and online retailers, but the price at the other retailer must be available at the time of purchase.
Kohl’s will price match identical items online and in-store. However, they will not do so during the week of Thanksgiving and after.
Lowe’s will price match items from in-store and online competitors, excluding third-party sellers.
Michael’s will price match identical items with both in-store and online retailers, as long as the price is available within 7 days of purchase.
At Office Depot, price matches are limited to one competitor price match per identical item per guest. They will price match with both in-store and online retailers.
Petsmart will price match identical items as long as the price is current. They say they will price match competitors’ online, which I assume means websites like Chewy. They will not price match with Amazon.
Sears will price match with in-store and online retailers, but the price match is eligible only on the day you make your purchase.
Staples has a limit of one price match per customer on identical items. They will price match both online and in-store retailers.
Target will price match with competitors as long as the price was available within 14 days of purchase. They will not price match with third-party sellers on Amazon.
As long as the price is valid at the time of the attempted price match, Tractor Supply will match in-store and online prices.
