How to Use Price Match Guarantees to Save Money at Every Major Retailer

Price match guarantees can save you hundreds of dollars annually — but most shoppers never use them because they don't know the exact policies, what qualifies, or that many stores also offer post-purchase price adjustments. If a competitor has a lower price, or if the item drops in price after you buy it, you can often get the difference back.

This guide covers every major retailer's current price match policy, how to claim adjustments, and the tricks that maximize your savings.

Retailer-by-Retailer Price Match Policies

Target

Competitors matched: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, and more Post-purchase window: 14 days for price drops (Target's own prices or competitor prices) How to claim: Show the lower price at checkout (in-store) or contact Guest Services (online purchases) Exclusions: Marketplace sellers, clearance, doorbusters, membership-required prices

Pro tip: Target's RedCard gives an additional 5% off AFTER the price match, stacking savings.

Best Buy

Competitors matched: Amazon, Target, Walmart, Costco, B&H Photo, and qualifying online retailers Post-purchase window: 15 days from purchase for price drops How to claim: In-store at Customer Service or call 1-888-BEST-BUY Exclusions: Marketplace sellers, refurbished, open-box vs. new, and different model numbers

Pro tip: Best Buy's Totaltech members get 60 days of price protection instead of 15.

Home Depot

Competitors matched: Lowe's, Menards, and qualifying online retailers Post-purchase window: Contact within 30 days of purchase How to claim: In-store or call; they verify the competitor's price in real-time Exclusions: Labor/installation costs, errors/misprints, closeouts, seasonal items

Pro tip: Home Depot matches online prices including shipping costs in the comparison.

Walmart

Policy: Walmart.com price matching in-store (they match their own website) Competitors matched: None (Walmart stopped matching competitors in 2020) Post-purchase: No formal adjustment policy Workaround: Buy online for pickup if Walmart.com has a lower price than in-store

Costco

Competitors matched: None (Costco doesn't price match competitors) Post-purchase window: 30 days for price drops on Costco's own prices Electronics: 30-day adjustment window How to claim: Visit the membership counter or call Pro tip: Costco's generous return policy effectively acts as price protection

Lowe's

Competitors matched: Home Depot, Menards, and qualifying local retailers Post-purchase window: 30 days How to claim: In-store or online chat Exclusions: Professional/contractor pricing, clearance, seasonal items

Micro Center

Competitors matched: Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, B&H Photo Post-purchase window: 15 days How to claim: At checkout or Customer Service Excludes: Marketplace sellers, combo deals, open-box

How to Claim a Price Match (Step by Step)

In-Store:

1. Find the lower price on your phone (competitor's website or ad)
2. Show it to the cashier or customer service
3. Verify: same item, same model number, same condition (new), in stock
4. Price adjusted at register

Online/Post-Purchase:

1. Find the lower price within the store's adjustment window
2. Contact customer service (chat is usually fastest)
3. Provide: your order number, the competing price/URL, date of purchase
4. Receive credit to your original payment method

What You Need to Show:

• The exact item (same brand, model number, color, size)
• Current availability (must be in stock at the competitor)
• The price from a qualifying retailer (not marketplace sellers)
• Screenshot if it's a time-sensitive online price

Credit Card Price Protection (Hidden Benefit)

Some credit cards offer automatic price protection:

• Citi Price Rewind (discontinued — check if your card still has legacy protection)
• Chase: Some cards include purchase protection but not price matching
• Capital One: Purchase Protection covers theft/damage, not price drops
• Note: Many banks removed price protection in 2018-2020 — verify your card's current benefits

Advanced Strategies

Stack Price Match + Coupons

• Target: Price match + 5% RedCard + Target Circle offers
• Home Depot: Price match + military discount (10%)
• Some stores allow coupon stacking on top of price-matched items

Track Prices Automatically

• CamelCamelCamel: Amazon price history and alerts
• Honey/PayPal Savings: Browser extension tracking prices
• Google Shopping: Compare prices across retailers
• Set alerts for items you purchased within the adjustment window

Time Your Returns Strategically

If a store won't price adjust but has a generous return policy:

1. Buy the item again at the lower price
2. Return the original purchase with the original receipt
3. Net savings = the price difference

Quick Checklist

• [ ] Checked competitor prices before purchasing
• [ ] Verified the store's price match policy and exclusions
• [ ] Confirmed the item matches exactly (model, condition, availability)
• [ ] Showed price at checkout or contacted customer service
• [ ] Set calendar reminder to check price within post-purchase window
• [ ] Checked credit card benefits for price protection
• [ ] Used browser extensions to track future price drops

Bottom Line

Price matching is free money most shoppers leave on the table. Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot all actively honor price matches from major competitors, and all three offer post-purchase adjustments of 14-30 days. Build the habit of spending 30 seconds checking prices before checkout, and set a reminder to check again within the adjustment window. Over a year of purchases, these 30-second checks can easily save $300-$500.

Sources

• Target Price Match Policy: https://www.target.com/price-match-guarantee
• Best Buy Price Match: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/customer-service/price-match-guarantee/pcmcat290300050002.c
• Home Depot Low Price Guarantee: https://www.homedepot.com/c/PM_New_702