Why Price Matching Matters
You bought a laptop from Best Buy on Tuesday. On Thursday, you see the same laptop for $80 less at Amazon. Without price matching, you have two options: live with the regret or go through the hassle of returning the laptop and rebuying it at the lower price.
Price matching eliminates that dilemma. Most major retailers have policies that allow you to claim the difference if you find a lower price within a certain window, either before or after purchase. The problem is that every retailer’s policy is different, the rules are often buried in fine print, and the details matter enormously when you actually try to make a claim.
This guide breaks down the current policies at four major retailers so you know exactly what is possible and how to execute it.
Best Buy
Best Buy has the most straightforward price matching policy among major retailers. They match prices from most major online competitors and will adjust the price on purchases made within their return window.
What Qualifies
Best Buy will match the current price from Amazon.com (sold by Amazon, not third-party marketplace sellers), Walmart.com, Target.com, and several other major retailers. The product must be identical: same model number, same color, same capacity. The competitor’s item must be in stock and available for purchase at the lower price at the time you make the claim.
Best Buy also matches its own prices. If an item you purchased drops in price on BestBuy.com within the return window, you can request an adjustment.
What Does Not Qualify
Third-party marketplace sellers on Amazon, eBay listings, refurbished items, open-box deals, bundle pricing, and membership-only pricing (such as Costco or Sam’s Club) are excluded. Pricing errors at competitors are also excluded, though in practice this is only enforced if the error is obvious.
Time Window
You can request a price match during the standard return window, which is 15 days for most products. Best Buy Totaltech members get an extended 60-day return window, which extends the price match period accordingly.
How to Claim
In store: Bring the product (or your receipt) and show the lower price on your phone. A store associate can process the adjustment at the customer service desk.
Online: Contact Best Buy customer support through chat or phone. Have your order number and a link to the competitor’s lower price ready. The agent will verify the price and process a refund of the difference to your original payment method.
Before purchase: If you find a lower price while shopping at Best Buy, a sales associate can match the price at the point of sale.
Walmart
Walmart’s approach to price matching has evolved significantly. They no longer match competitor prices in most cases but do offer their own price adjustment mechanism.
What Qualifies
Walmart primarily matches its own prices between Walmart.com and in-store. If an item you purchased in store is available for less on Walmart.com (or vice versa), you can request an adjustment.
Walmart does not routinely match prices from Amazon, Best Buy, Target, or other external competitors for in-store or online purchases. This is a significant change from their previous policy and catches many shoppers off guard.
What Does Not Qualify
Competitor pricing, third-party sellers on Walmart Marketplace, clearance items, rollback items (which Walmart considers already discounted), and items sold by Walmart but fulfilled by a third party are generally excluded.
Time Window
Price adjustments on Walmart purchases can be requested within 7 days of purchase for most categories. Some categories, particularly electronics, may have different windows, so check the receipt or the product’s return policy.
How to Claim
In store: Visit the customer service desk with your receipt and show the lower Walmart.com price.
Online: Contact Walmart customer service through the app or website. Provide your order number and the URL showing the lower price on Walmart.com.
The most practical strategy with Walmart is to check both in-store and online prices before purchasing, since they are often different, and buy through whichever channel is cheaper.
Amazon
Amazon does not have a formal, publicized price matching policy. However, they do offer a price adjustment mechanism for recent purchases in some circumstances.
What Qualifies
If an item sold and shipped by Amazon drops in price shortly after your purchase, Amazon may issue a refund of the difference. This is not guaranteed and is handled on a case-by-case basis by customer service. Items sold by third-party sellers through the Amazon marketplace generally do not qualify.
Amazon does not match prices from external competitors like Walmart, Best Buy, or Target.
What Does Not Qualify
Third-party marketplace purchases, Lightning Deals, Prime Day pricing, Subscribe and Save pricing, and Warehouse deals are typically excluded. Digital purchases, Amazon devices bought during promotional events, and items purchased with promotional credits also do not qualify.
Time Window
There is no officially published window. Customer service representatives have discretion, but most successful claims are made within 7 to 14 days of delivery. The sooner you contact them after noticing a price drop, the more likely you are to get an adjustment.
How to Claim
Online chat or phone: Contact Amazon customer service through the “Contact Us” section of the website or app. Explain that the price dropped after your purchase and provide the order number. Some representatives will issue a courtesy credit; others will suggest returning and reordering.
Because Amazon’s policy is informal, results vary. Being polite and concise improves your odds. If the first representative declines, it is reasonable to try again, as different representatives have different discretion.
Target
Target offers price matching both at the time of purchase and after purchase, with a defined competitor list and clear rules.
What Qualifies
Target matches prices from a specific list of competitors, including Amazon.com (sold by Amazon only), Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, and several others. The item must be identical and currently in stock at the competitor. Target also matches its own prices between Target.com and in-store.
Target Circle members sometimes receive additional price-matching benefits or extended windows through the loyalty program.
What Does Not Qualify
Third-party or marketplace sellers, clearance or liquidation pricing, buy-one-get-one offers, percent-off promotions from competitors, and items that require a membership to purchase at the lower price are excluded. Pricing errors are also excluded.
Time Window
Target’s standard price adjustment window is 14 days from the date of purchase. This applies to both competitor price matches and Target’s own price reductions.
How to Claim
In store: Bring your receipt and show the lower price on your phone at the Guest Services desk. The associate will verify and process the adjustment.
Online: Contact Target customer service through chat. Provide your order number and a link to the lower price. Adjustments are refunded to the original payment method.
Before purchase: Show the lower competitor price to a store associate at checkout, and they can adjust the price at the register.
How to Actually Use Price Matching Effectively
Knowing the policies is half the battle. Executing consistently is the other half. Here are practical strategies.
Document the Lower Price
Before contacting customer service, take a screenshot of the lower price that includes the product name, price, and retailer. Prices change constantly, and the lower price might disappear between when you spot it and when the representative checks it. A screenshot gives you a reference point even if the live price has changed.
Find the Lower Price First
Price matching only works if you can prove a lower price exists somewhere else. This is where a price comparison tool pays for itself. Search for the product on Lowest Listed to see current prices across Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and other major retailers. If one retailer is significantly lower than where you purchased, you have your price match ammunition.
Check Within the Window
Set a reminder to check the price of significant purchases within the first week. Prices fluctuate constantly, and a drop within the price-match window is free money. A two-minute price check on Lowest Listed can reveal whether any retailer has dropped below what you paid.
Be Specific and Polite
When contacting customer service, state exactly what you want. Something like “I purchased this item on [date] for [price], and it is currently available at [competitor] for [lower price]. I would like a price adjustment.” Give the representative everything they need to process the claim quickly. Being clear and courteous makes the interaction smoother for both parties.
Know When to Return Instead
If the price difference is large and the retailer’s price match policy does not cover the situation, sometimes the most effective move is to return the item and rebuy it at the lower price. This is less convenient, but for a $100-plus difference, it is usually worth the effort.
The Bottom Line
Price matching is an underused tool because most shoppers either do not know the policies exist or find them too confusing to navigate. Now you know the rules for the four biggest retailers. The remaining piece is spotting the lower price in the first place. A quick search on Lowest Listed before and after a major purchase gives you the comparison data you need to claim every adjustment you are entitled to.