Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
One common complaint I hear about bargain shopping is it takes too much time, particularly if you need to go to multiple stores to get the best deals.
Fortunately, some retailers make it easy to get all the low prices in one place. These are the stores that price match. Some even meet the rock bottom prices found at Amazon.com so be sure to pull out your smart phone and check there before making a big purchase in-store.
Here's a rundown of some of the major chains that price match.
Walmart
We all know Walmart price matches, right? It's one of the major selling points of the chain, and its “Low Price Guarantee” has been prominently advertised.
That said, theWalmart Ad Match Guaranteeis fairly limited compared to other retailers. Stores will only match the prices of local competitors and won't match internet pricing. In addition, the sale you're trying to match must generally be either a specific item for a specific price or a BOGO (buy one, get one free).
On the plus side, you don't actually have to have the competitor's ad with you to price match. However, be aware some shoppers have reported difficulty getting prices matched without an ad. Ultimately, it's up to the manager's discretion.
Target
TheTarget Price Match Guaranteeis a little more flexible. You can not only match current prices, but you have seven days after a purchase to find a lower price as well. If you come across one, take your receipt and the ad back to Target for a refund of the difference.
As for who you can price match at Target, the company's official policy allows you to match prices from local competitor ads, certain online retailers and even catalogs. The online sites you can price match include Target.com, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, ToysRUs.com and BabiesRUs.com
Best Buy
Not to be outdone, Best Buy extends its price matching period even further. While Target gives you a week to find a lower price, Best Buy offers you a 15 day window to price match. However, you can only use Best Buy prices for post-purchase price matches.
Otherwise, the company matches prices from local competitors as well as 20 online stores ““ too many to list here. However, you can visit theBest Buy Low Price Guarantee pageto learn more. Some of the big names you can price match at Best Buy include Amazon.com, Sears.com, Newegg.com and Apple.com.
Price matches are only done on identical items, and you can't price match mobile phones sold with a contract or items sold by third party vendors on approved websites.
Staples
TheStaples price match policyis similar to that offered by Best Buy. You have 14 days from the time of your purchase in store or online to price match.
If you want to use a website to price match, you need to find a retailer that has brick and mortar stores in addition to their website. For example, you could price match from Sears.com and BestBuy.com since they have local stores operating under the same brand name as the website.
Generally speaking, Staples does not price match internet-only retailers. The only exception is Amazon.com. Staples will price match any identical item sold by the online superstore although prices offered third party vendors on the Amazon Marketplace are excluded.
Toys “˜R Us
Finally, if you have kids, you're going to want to know Toys “˜R Us price matches. You have seven days after your purchase to price match, and you can use either local competitor ads or select websites to find a better deal.
TheToys “˜R Us Price Match Guaranteecovers 12 websites including Amazon.com, Meijer.com, Walmart.com and Diapers.com. The store will also match its own online prices as well as those on BabiesRUs.com so long as the prices aren't advertised as “online only.”
Toys “˜R Us, as well as most of the other stores matching online prices, calculate shipping and handling into the final cost when making a price match.
Be sure to check with other stores about their price match policies as well. Price matching can be a great way to save both time and money when you're on the hunt for incredible savings.
Josh Elledge is chief executive “Angel” of SavingsAngel.com, a website that teaches consumers how to save money through a free money savings video eCourse and podcast. SavingsAngel also provides hundreds of 50% off or better deals each week to members by matching local grocery and drug store sales with its free database of over 5,000 accessible coupons.
