Here are the price-matching policies for Best Buy, Walmart, and others

Nothing is more frustrating than buying a new pair of headphones or an OLED TV, only to find out you could have gotten it cheaper somewhere else a few days or weeks later. That’s why, to keep customers happy and prevent them from shopping elsewhere, some retailers offer price-matching policies that promise to match a lower price found elsewhere. That kind of information comes in handy year-round, but it’s especially helpful during the weeks of deals leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Below are the price-matching policies for several major retailers. A few things to note: First, each retailer has its own set of rules and restrictions. We’ve summarized some of them here, but we recommend visiting the provided links and reading the policies carefully. Second, most retailers that serve as marketplaces for other sellers, including wholesale retailers like Costco, don’t offer protections, 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.

Amazon

Amazon doesn’t offer price matching. Full stop. You can contact customer support, but even if you’re an Amazon Prime customer, they likely won’t help. That said, the online retailer does offer a 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

Target used to let shoppers price match identical items sold by select retailers, including Amazon, but no longer does so. Under its current policy, shoppers can only request a price adjustment if they find an identical qualifying item for less than they paid on Target.com, at their local Target store, or through an eligible Target Circle deal. Target will also price match Target Plus Partner (the retailer’s name for third-party sellers) items if the same Target Plus Partner on Target.com has it for less, or with a Target Circle deal. Price matches can be requested at the time of purchase or within 14 days after purchase.

For the 2026 holiday season, Target has extended the aforementioned price-match window. If you purchase an eligible item between November 1st and December 24th, you can request a price adjustment if its price drops at Target during that period. The extended policy also applies to eligible Target Plus Partner purchases.

To request a price match, you’ll need to show the online price or digital version of the ad and provide your original receipt or packing slip; screenshots and photos aren’t accepted. Alternatively, you can call for online purchases at 1-800-591-3869 or chat online via contactus.target.com.

However, note that Target’s policy excludes in-store price matches from other Target stores. It also can’t be combined with Target Circle Bonuses, Target coupons, Registry coupons, or gift card promotions, and doesn’t apply to clearance, closeout, liquidation, damaged, used, open-box, refurbished, pre-owned, or rent-to-own items. In addition, Target won’t match prices between items sold directly by Target and those sold by third-party Target Plus Partner sellers.

Best Buy

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 — that includes “items for sale the Thursday before Thanksgiving Day through the Monday after Thanksgiving.” Items must have the identical model number and color. However, Best Buy only matches prices that are available to all customers and does not match membership-exclusive, loyalty-program, or paid-member discounts; thus, it excludes events like Amazon Prime Day.

To get the difference for online purchases, you have to contact Best Buy via its on-site chat and provide the ad or website with the lower price. Alternatively, you can call 1-888-237-8289 or visit any Best Buy or Pacific Sales store. Approved retailers include Amazon, B&H Photo, Apple, Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, and Walmart. Items must be sold directly through the store, too, not a third-party seller.

Best Buy will also, upon request, match an in-store or online price that was lowered during the return and exchange period, which typically lasts up to 15 days. Keep in mind that the return window on most products is 60 days for both Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members. For the holiday season, however, most eligible products purchased between October 30th and December 31st can be price matched through January 15th, 2027, if Best Buy lowers its own price. This policy doesn’t apply to competitors’ prices or certain products excluded from the holiday return period, including items that require a third-party contract, like smartphones.

Walmart

As of now, Walmart doesn’t price-match competitors, though Walmart stores will match prices on identical items sold at Walmart.com provided they’re in stock online.

However, the policy doesn’t apply to residents of Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico. Additionally, it doesn’t apply to special event prices, like those seen during Black Friday. Walmart also doesn’t retroactively price-match items purchased on Walmart.com that drop in price after the time of purchase. The retailer do

Source: www.theverge.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.