Price Match Guarantee

A price match guarantee is a retail policy in which a store agrees to match—or sometimes beat—a lower price offered by a competitor for the same product. This ensures that customers receive the best available price without needing to shop elsewhere. Typically, customers must provide proof of the competitor’s pricing, such as an advertisement, website listing, or in-store evidence. These policies usually come with specific terms and conditions regarding eligible competitors, product availability, item condition, and time limits for submitting a price match request.

Price match guarantees serve several strategic purposes for retailers: they build customer trust, discourage price comparison shopping, foster customer loyalty, and help maintain competitive positioning—often without requiring a reduction in baseline prices. Well-known retailers such as Best Buy, Home Depot, and Target offer price match programs for identical items from approved competitors. However, these policies often exclude certain product categories, such as clearance items, limited-time promotions, or online-only deals.

A price match guarantee allows customers to request a lower price if they find the same item being sold for less by a qualifying competitor. Typically, the customer must present proof of the lower price (such as an ad or screenshot) at the time of purchase or within a limited window afterward. If the request meets the retailer's criteria, the store adjusts the price to match or beat the competitor's offer—ensuring the customer gets the best deal without switching stores.

Retailers usually apply the following restrictions:

• The item must be identical (brand, model, size, color, etc.).
• The competitor must be authorized and listed in the store’s policy.
• Limited-time promotions, clearance items, bundles, or out-of-stock items are often excluded.
• There may be time limits for making a request (e.g., within 7 days of purchase).
• Some stores only match local or in-country pricing—not international sellers.

Always check the fine print of a retailer’s policy to avoid surprises.

No, not all retailers have a price match policy. While many major chains (such as Walmart, Best Buy, and Target) do offer some form of price matching, others may opt out to maintain pricing flexibility or focus on everyday low pricing instead. Smaller retailers may avoid price matching due to thin profit margins or logistical complexity. It's best to check a retailer’s website or ask customer service to confirm whether the policy exists.

In many cases, yes—but it depends on the retailer. Some stores will match prices from their own website (e.g., if the in-store price is higher than the online price), while others may also honor prices from approved online competitors. However, the online item typically must be in stock and available for immediate shipping to qualify. Policies vary widely, so always verify with store staff or consult the company’s website before making a request.