Nothing is more frustrating than buying a new pair of headphones, an OLED TV, or a laptop just to find out that you could have gotten it for a lot cheaper somewhere else. That’s why, in order to keep customers happy and prevent them from going elsewhere, many retailers offer price-matching policies in which they promise to match a lower price found elsewhere. That kind of information comes in handy no matter the time of year, but it’s especially helpful during shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, which formally kicks off on July 8th.
Related How to sign up for Amazon Prime
What follows are the price-matching policies for a variety of major retailers. There are a few things to note here. First, all price-matching policies have several rules attached to them. We’ve summarized some of the rules here, but we recommend visiting the provided links and reading the policies carefully. Second, most retailers that serve as a marketplace for other sellers, specifically wholesale retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club, don’t have price-matching policies, and many traditional stores won’t match their prices.
Lastly, there are always exceptions to the rules. If you’re looking for a deal on a product and you know it’s available for a lower price elsewhere (or it was previously offered at the same retailer), it never hurts to call or chat with a customer service rep and ask if they’ll match the price. You have nothing to lose but time, and there’s always a chance they may find a loophole or make a special exception.
If Best Buy offers a better discount than Target on the latest Kindle Paperwhite, Target will refund you the difference. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
Amazon doesn’t offer price matching. Full stop. You can contact customer support, but even if you’re an Amazon Prime customer, they’re not likely going to help you out.
That said, Amazon does offer a pretty liberal return policy, meaning you can often return an item you purchased from Amazon if it’s available for less elsewhere (or at Amazon). Then, you can just repurchase the product wherever it’s cheapest.
Target will match the price of identical items purchased from Target, Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and a select group of other competitors if you request it at the time of purchase or within 14 days of your purchase. You must bring the original ad or listing in both instances, whether digital or in print, along with your receipt, into the store. Alternatively, you can call for online purchases at 1-800-591-3869 or chat online via contactus.target.com.
Be mindful, however, that Target’s policy excludes in-store price matches from other Target stores, doorbusters, and competitors’ lightning sales — including those offered by Amazon. It also doesn’t apply to products sold via Target Plus, Target Circle bonuses, “marketplace” items sold via third-party sellers, clearance items, closeout items, used items, and products that currently come with — or were initially bundled with — a promotional Target gift card.
Best Buy’s Price Match Guarantee states that a product could be eligible for a price reduction if it’s new, identical to the competitor’s product, immediately available at a qualifying competitor’s store or on its site, and not shown on Best Buy’s exclusion list — which includes “items for sale the Thursday before Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving.” Best Buy also doesn’t price match discounts that are only available as part of a competing retailer’s membership or loyalty rewards program, which disqualifies member-only events like Amazon Prime Day.
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