Price matching is often overlooked as a way to get on-the-spot discounts when shopping in department stores. The savings can be generous, and hey, you’re already in the store—why not ask? Here’s a look at the price shopping policies at some of the biggest major retailers.
Walmart
Walmart has a limited in-store price matching policy, as you can ask for a price match at the register, but only for items that are cheaper on its own company sites like Walmart.com and Jet.com. If you do spot a lower price on Walmart.com or Jet.com when shopping in-store, you can inform a Walmart associate at the register, using either as a printout or own your mobile phone as reference. Price matching is one-per-customer, per item, per day, and not available in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. More on their policy here.
Target
Target offers price matching on identical items found for less on Target.com, certain online competitors (including Amazon and Walmart), and print ads from retailers—coupons excluded. Price matches may be requested at time of purchase or within 14 days after purchase. Alaska and Hawaii Target stores are excluded from price matching online competitors. More on their policy here.
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Kohl’s
Kohl’s stores will match a competitor’s in-store price and will also match Kohls.com pricing, as prices in brick-and-mortar stores can vary. There’s a fairly long list of coupon-excluded merchandise not eligible for price matching and Kohl’s reserves the right to limit quantities and otherwise exercise discretion in the application of this policy, although it’s not clear exactly what that means. (One could assume it’s protection against flagrant errors or misuse.) More on their policy here.
Bed Bath & Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond will price match identical products up to 14 days after purchase from both local and major online retailers, including their own online store. They don’t match prices on clearance items, closeouts, liquidation sales, or pricing errors, and prices will not be matched for items promoted with any language similar to “limited time,” “limited quantity,” or “while supplies last.” Any purchases made on Black Friday and Cyber Monday are ineligible for price matching. More on their policy here.
Best Buy
A customer specialist at a Best Buy location will be able to match local brick-and-mortar competitors, as well as products shipped from and sold by Amazon.com, Crutchfield.com, Dell.com, HP.com, and TigerDirect.com. Best Buy doesn’t price match mispriced items, coupons, clearance offers, bundle deals, prices based on loyalty programs, or anything advertised as “limited quantity.” The return and exchange period on most items is 15 days (with some exceptions). More on their policy here.
JCPenney
JCPenney used to offer a 5% additional discount as part of their price matching, but that seems to have gone away since filing for bankruptcy. Nevertheless, they have a robust price match guarantee on any retailer’s in-store or online prices, and it’s honored all year, including Black Friday. The only exclusions are online marketplaces, and third-party sellers such as deal websites and auctions. Their price matching includes items sold by Amazon.com directly, but not those sold by third parties on Amazon.com. More on their policy here.
Home Depot
Home Depot price matches local retail competitors on identical items, if they’re in stock. Just bring the ad, printout, or photo with you to a Home Depot associate to register for validation. Items found on third-party discount sites, based on wholesale pricing, or purchased as part of special promotions like Black Friday aren’t price matched though, unfortunately. More on their policy here.
Lowe’s
Lowe’s price matching policy is very similar to Home Depot: bring in an ad as a printout or on your phone, and a store associate will verify that it qualifies for price matching. The competing price has to be from the same local market as the store you visit, and there are similar exclusions that you see from Home Depot. Price matching also is limited to “reasonable quantities.” More on their policy here.
Staples
Staples might have the most generous price matching, as they match pretty much anything in their store. They will match items sold by Amazon (Marketplace sellers are excluded), or by any retailer that sells products in both retail stores and online under the same brand, as long as the items are identical and purchased within the last 14 days. Staples will even cover free shipping if that’s part of a competing offer. Staples has some exclusions, though, including instant or mail-in rebates, its own or competitors’ special events, Staples EasyTech services, and gift cards. More on their policy here.
