Joined Nov 2006
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Forum Thread
Price Matching & Coupon Matching Policy Roundup
November 19, 2007 at
03:26 AM
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Last Edited by uscpsycho October 2, 2009 at 01:21 PM
I've noticed that people often have questions about price/coupon matching, or have trouble executing price matches. I'm hoping to provide all the resources you need for successful price matches. Some of these policies are hard to find so I hope this list is helpful to noobs and veterans alike.
My first rule of price matching is to bring a printout of the store's PM policy with you. Before you, go have the relevant sections highlighted, this includes anything having to do with rebates, coupons, etc. This puts them on notice that you are serious and have done your homework. Nothing beats the feeling of having a manager contradict the PM policy, then pulling the PM policy out of your pocket and pointing to a section (already highlighted) that negates what he said. When that happens, you'll get your PM 100% of the time, and the manager will feel like a tool. Hopefully there will be lots of other customers nearby when this happens
These are the price matching policies of the most popular SD retailers, in alphabetical order. If you can think of any that I missed please add them to the wiki.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/cus...=1-1#match
http://bedbathandbeyon
http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olsp...d=cat120
bodybuilding.com - you have to call to get a price match but they will match competitor prices
http://www.buy.com/corp/support/g...rantee.asp
http://www.circuitcity sayonara CC
http://www.compusa.com/help/terms.asp?#pric
http://www.deepdiscoun
http://www.endless.com/help/200104720/ (thanks wookiewoo - repped)
http://www.jr.com/information/pop...hnote.htm
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?ac...olicy.
http://www.officedepot
http://www.officemax.c
http://onlineshoes.cus
https://help.overstock.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/nb_101...?adCel
http://www.shoes.com/shop.asp?Sho...
http://www.staples.com/sbd/conten...match.
Target.com - http://www.target.com/b/ref=br_bx...e=1
Target B&M - https://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?
http://www.zappos.com/price_protectio RIP
http://www.tigerdirect
Wal Mart - According to fine print on TV commercial "Our stores will match the price of any local competitor's printed ad for an identical product. Not applicable to Walmart.com. Restrictions apply. See store for details." (see also: https://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?
Home Depot - See post #22 - diff policy for Online & B&M
Toys R Us - Does not PM according to rtalber1 in post #9. Or maybe they do? See post #32.
Can anyone find:
Frys - See Wiki
FYE
LNT sayonara
Others?
One thing to note is that some of the retailers above do not PM other stores but it's still helpful to know what their PM policy is.For instance, Amazon will give you a price adjustment within 30 days if they lower their price. I've been told at least twice that they cannot adjust the price once the product has been shipped. Then I respond with the blurb about price adjustments, along with a direct link to that section, and viola, I've got my price adjustment and an apology. (Amazon no longer offers price protection.)
My first rule of price matching is to bring a printout of the store's PM policy with you. Before you, go have the relevant sections highlighted, this includes anything having to do with rebates, coupons, etc. This puts them on notice that you are serious and have done your homework. Nothing beats the feeling of having a manager contradict the PM policy, then pulling the PM policy out of your pocket and pointing to a section (already highlighted) that negates what he said. When that happens, you'll get your PM 100% of the time, and the manager will feel like a tool. Hopefully there will be lots of other customers nearby when this happens
These are the price matching policies of the most popular SD retailers, in alphabetical order. If you can think of any that I missed please add them to the wiki.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/cus...=1-1#match
http://bedbathandbeyon
http://www.bestbuy.com/site//olsp...d=cat120
bodybuilding.com - you have to call to get a price match but they will match competitor prices
http://www.buy.com/corp/support/g...rantee.asp
http://www.compusa.com/help/terms.asp?#pric
http://www.deepdiscoun
http://www.endless.com/help/200104720/ (thanks wookiewoo - repped)
http://www.jr.com/information/pop...hnote.htm
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?ac...olicy.
http://www.officedepot
http://www.officemax.c
http://onlineshoes.cus
https://help.overstock.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/nb_101...?adCel
http://www.shoes.com/shop.asp?Sho...
http://www.staples.com/sbd/conten...match.
Target.com - http://www.target.com/b/ref=br_bx...e=1
Target B&M - https://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?
http://www.tigerdirect
Wal Mart - According to fine print on TV commercial "Our stores will match the price of any local competitor's printed ad for an identical product. Not applicable to Walmart.com. Restrictions apply. See store for details." (see also: https://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?
Home Depot - See post #22 - diff policy for Online & B&M
Toys R Us - Does not PM according to rtalber1 in post #9. Or maybe they do? See post #32.
Can anyone find:
Frys - See Wiki
FYE
Others?
One thing to note is that some of the retailers above do not PM other stores but it's still helpful to know what their PM policy is.
Community Wiki
Last Edited by rj123456
January 12, 2014
at
02:25 AM
STAPLES
STAPLES also has a competitor coupon acceptance policy that is not mentioned in detail on Staples.com's price guarantee page. STAPLES's in-store price guarantee policy is also broader than is what's posted there as well. In-store corporate intranet has access to more aspects of the program, but even it is not up to date with current corporate policy for in-store price matching/comeptitor coupon acceptance. (Which is even broader)
According tothis [staples.com] Staples does not accept competitor, manufacturer or any other third party coupons.
Acceptance is by manager discretion according to how "local" the competitor store is (another state may not be accepted), but according to corporate the policy is firm.
If you have a valid coupon from a competitor for an item they stock, it should be accepted under their price match policy. If you encounter a clerk who doesn't know of the policy, take the issue to the manager, and if even she/he doesn't know (happens) feel free to note his/her name and the store number (usually at the top of a receipt). Then call the Staples "Office Of The President" toll free number. Ask them if the policy is in effect nationwide, and when they say yes (current as of this post), give them that name and number, and inform them of what occurred and the names of those involved. Say you'd still like to use it now, and they may keep you on the line while they reprimand them, and tell you to go back in and make your purchase.
STAPLES Office of the President: 1-800-338-0252 (Only use if after escalating your request to the most senior store manager available, you are still denied) -TA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walmart B&M
"Ad Match Guarantee: Our stores will match the price of any local competitor's printed ad for an identical product. Not applicable to Walmart.com. Restricitons apply. See store for details."
Walmart.com
We strive to provide you with the lowest prices possible on Walmart.com as well as in our stores. However, sometimes a price online does not match the price in a store. In our effort to be the lowest price provider in your particular geographic region, store pricing will sometimes differ from online prices. Our local stores do not honor Walmart.com pricing or competitor advertisements from outside of a store's local trade territory.
Please Note: Prices shown on Walmart.com are online prices only. Products that are shown as available in your local Wal-Mart store may have a different price. We are able to show you availability for select products in your local store in the Electronics, Jewelry, Baby, Pharmacy and Home departments. At this time, the Toys, Sports, Entertainment and Apparel departments do not have the local store availability feature.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=538350
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fry's
THE COMPLETE LOW PRICE GUARANTEE
"We Will Match Any Competitive Price." Before making a purchase from Fry's. If you see a lower, in stock, in-store price at a local competitor, Fry's will be happy to match the competition's price.
"30 Day Low Price Guarantee." If within 30 days of purchasing an item from Fry's you see a lower in-stock price at a local competitor with a low price guarantee. Fry's will cheerfully refund 110% of the amount of the competitor's low price guarantee. Or, if within 30 days of purchase, a local Fry's, or a local competitor without a low price guarantee has a lower price, Fry's will refund 100% of the difference. NOTE: All comparisons are based on price, excluding any applicable sales tax. Low price guarantee for notebook computers, microprocessors, memory, CD and DVD recorders, camcorders, digital cameras, and air conditioners is within 15 days from purchase date. To apply for Fry's low price guarantee, simply bring in your original cash register receipt and verifiable proof of a current lower price.
*All comparisons are based on in-store tagged prices at the time of request, excluding sales tax. Offer good on all fresh-boxed products of the same exact model in stock at a local competitor. We reserve the right to limit this offer to one of each model. Offer does not apply to wireless phones and pagers that require a service agreement. Offer does not apply when price includes bonus or free offers or one-of-a-kind or limited-quantity offers. NOTE Does not apply to expired ads. Fry's ads are valid for only stores listed in the ad.
http://www.marketplacelocal.com/PortalWeb/Portal.aspx?groupid=58&pagename=itemdetails&channelid=9&categoryid=80&subcategoryid=82&itemid=50973583
Fry's now matches many online retailers as well. Bring a printout of the most recent ad price (preferrably printed on the day in which you want to PM) and take it to Customer Service (the returns area) and have the associate get the manager currently in charge to authorize the price match. Alternatively, select the item you want, get a quote from a salesman, and let them know before purchase you'd like to do a PM. Most vendors such as Amazon (when sold directly from Amazon), Newegg, manufacturer websites, etc are allowed for PM'ing.
List of online retailers Fry's will price match as of 8/23/11
Amazon.com
B&HPhoto.com
BestBuy.com
Brandsmart.com
Buy.com
CDW.com
CentralComputers.com
Circuitcity.com
CompUSA.com
Costco.com
CVS.com
Directron.com
HHGregg.com
J&R Music/Comp
K-Mart.com
Lowes.com
Macmall.com
Macys.com
Microcenter.com
Newegg.com
OfficeDepot.com
OfficeMax.com
Pepboys.com
Radioshack.com
RitzCamera.com
SamsClub.com
Sears.com
Staples.com
SuperBiiz.com
Target.com
Tigerdirect.com
ToysRUs.com
UltimateElectronics.com
Walgreens.com
Walmart.com
ZipZoomFly.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home Depot
NOBODY BEATS OUR PRICES
If any competitor tries, we'll beat their price by 10%. Guaranteed.*
*If you find a current lower price on an identical, in-stock item from any local retailer, we will match the price and beat it by 10%. Excludes special orders, bid pricing, volume discounts, open-box merchandise, labor and installation, sales tax, rebate and free offers, typographical errors and online purchases.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?pn=SF_MS_In-Store_Low_Price_Guarantee
_________________________________________________________________________________
Lowe's
Everyday Low Prices, Guaranteed
We guarantee our everyday competitive prices. If you find a lower everyday price on an identical item at a local retail competitor, just bring us the competitor's current ad and we'll beat their price by 10%. If a competitor is offering a percent off discount, we'll reduce our current price by the same percentage discount that the competitor is offering. Our price guarantee does not apply to installation labor, to the competitor's closeout, special order, discontinued, clearance, liquidation, or to damaged items. Limited to reasonable quantities. Visit store for complete details.
Price Protection
As a benefit to buying online and selecting Store Pickup or Lowe's Home Delivery, you will receive the lower of the online store price or the price at the local Lowe's store you are shopping at time of purchase. For lumber and building products, local pricing is provided while shopping on Lowes.com.
http://www.lowes.com/cd_Everyday+...
STAPLES also has a competitor coupon acceptance policy that is not mentioned in detail on Staples.com's price guarantee page. STAPLES's in-store price guarantee policy is also broader than is what's posted there as well. In-store corporate intranet has access to more aspects of the program, but even it is not up to date with current corporate policy for in-store price matching/comeptitor coupon acceptance. (Which is even broader)
|
Quote
:
STAPLES retail stores accept printed or circular/newspaper coupons from other competing office supply and electronics retailers. Known retailers are: Office Depot, OfficeMax, Circuit City, Best Buy, Microcenter and Fry's among others.
|
Acceptance is by manager discretion according to how "local" the competitor store is (another state may not be accepted), but according to corporate the policy is firm.
If you have a valid coupon from a competitor for an item they stock, it should be accepted under their price match policy. If you encounter a clerk who doesn't know of the policy, take the issue to the manager, and if even she/he doesn't know (happens) feel free to note his/her name and the store number (usually at the top of a receipt). Then call the Staples "Office Of The President" toll free number. Ask them if the policy is in effect nationwide, and when they say yes (current as of this post), give them that name and number, and inform them of what occurred and the names of those involved. Say you'd still like to use it now, and they may keep you on the line while they reprimand them, and tell you to go back in and make your purchase.
STAPLES Office of the President: 1-800-338-0252 (Only use if after escalating your request to the most senior store manager available, you are still denied) -TA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walmart B&M
"Ad Match Guarantee: Our stores will match the price of any local competitor's printed ad for an identical product. Not applicable to Walmart.com. Restricitons apply. See store for details."
Walmart.com
We strive to provide you with the lowest prices possible on Walmart.com as well as in our stores. However, sometimes a price online does not match the price in a store. In our effort to be the lowest price provider in your particular geographic region, store pricing will sometimes differ from online prices. Our local stores do not honor Walmart.com pricing or competitor advertisements from outside of a store's local trade territory.
Please Note: Prices shown on Walmart.com are online prices only. Products that are shown as available in your local Wal-Mart store may have a different price. We are able to show you availability for select products in your local store in the Electronics, Jewelry, Baby, Pharmacy and Home departments. At this time, the Toys, Sports, Entertainment and Apparel departments do not have the local store availability feature.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=538350
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fry's
THE COMPLETE LOW PRICE GUARANTEE
"We Will Match Any Competitive Price." Before making a purchase from Fry's. If you see a lower, in stock, in-store price at a local competitor, Fry's will be happy to match the competition's price.
"30 Day Low Price Guarantee." If within 30 days of purchasing an item from Fry's you see a lower in-stock price at a local competitor with a low price guarantee. Fry's will cheerfully refund 110% of the amount of the competitor's low price guarantee. Or, if within 30 days of purchase, a local Fry's, or a local competitor without a low price guarantee has a lower price, Fry's will refund 100% of the difference. NOTE: All comparisons are based on price, excluding any applicable sales tax. Low price guarantee for notebook computers, microprocessors, memory, CD and DVD recorders, camcorders, digital cameras, and air conditioners is within 15 days from purchase date. To apply for Fry's low price guarantee, simply bring in your original cash register receipt and verifiable proof of a current lower price.
*All comparisons are based on in-store tagged prices at the time of request, excluding sales tax. Offer good on all fresh-boxed products of the same exact model in stock at a local competitor. We reserve the right to limit this offer to one of each model. Offer does not apply to wireless phones and pagers that require a service agreement. Offer does not apply when price includes bonus or free offers or one-of-a-kind or limited-quantity offers. NOTE Does not apply to expired ads. Fry's ads are valid for only stores listed in the ad.
http://www.marketplacelocal.com/PortalWeb/Portal.aspx?groupid=58&pagename=itemdetails&channelid=9&categoryid=80&subcategoryid=82&itemid=50973583
Fry's now matches many online retailers as well. Bring a printout of the most recent ad price (preferrably printed on the day in which you want to PM) and take it to Customer Service (the returns area) and have the associate get the manager currently in charge to authorize the price match. Alternatively, select the item you want, get a quote from a salesman, and let them know before purchase you'd like to do a PM. Most vendors such as Amazon (when sold directly from Amazon), Newegg, manufacturer websites, etc are allowed for PM'ing.
List of online retailers Fry's will price match as of 8/23/11
Amazon.com
B&HPhoto.com
BestBuy.com
Brandsmart.com
Buy.com
CDW.com
CentralComputers.com
Circuitcity.com
CompUSA.com
Costco.com
CVS.com
Directron.com
HHGregg.com
J&R Music/Comp
K-Mart.com
Lowes.com
Macmall.com
Macys.com
Microcenter.com
Newegg.com
OfficeDepot.com
OfficeMax.com
Pepboys.com
Radioshack.com
RitzCamera.com
SamsClub.com
Sears.com
Staples.com
SuperBiiz.com
Target.com
Tigerdirect.com
ToysRUs.com
UltimateElectronics.com
Walgreens.com
Walmart.com
ZipZoomFly.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home Depot
NOBODY BEATS OUR PRICES
If any competitor tries, we'll beat their price by 10%. Guaranteed.*
*If you find a current lower price on an identical, in-stock item from any local retailer, we will match the price and beat it by 10%. Excludes special orders, bid pricing, volume discounts, open-box merchandise, labor and installation, sales tax, rebate and free offers, typographical errors and online purchases.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?pn=SF_MS_In-Store_Low_Price_Guarantee
_________________________________________________________________________________
Lowe's
Everyday Low Prices, Guaranteed
We guarantee our everyday competitive prices. If you find a lower everyday price on an identical item at a local retail competitor, just bring us the competitor's current ad and we'll beat their price by 10%. If a competitor is offering a percent off discount, we'll reduce our current price by the same percentage discount that the competitor is offering. Our price guarantee does not apply to installation labor, to the competitor's closeout, special order, discontinued, clearance, liquidation, or to damaged items. Limited to reasonable quantities. Visit store for complete details.
Price Protection
As a benefit to buying online and selecting Store Pickup or Lowe's Home Delivery, you will receive the lower of the online store price or the price at the local Lowe's store you are shopping at time of purchase. For lumber and building products, local pricing is provided while shopping on Lowes.com.
http://www.lowes.com/cd_Everyday+...
251 Comments
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I am a cashier at Walmart, and will do my best to help with some of the questions you guys have.
I'm fairly confident that an online circular would not work unless you get a nice cashier. As you stated above, its too far for you to drive for a deal, so its probably considered 'out of the competitive area' to pricematch. It would never hurt to ask your cashier, just don't be surprised when you are turned down, and don't push the issue as it probably won't get you anywhere.
We do not match online retailers. Once again, they are not in our competitive area. At my walmart, we keep the sales flyers for the week at each register. You might ask a cashier if your store has them, as these are the stores that we would consider in our competitive area.
We do not honor what walmart calls gimmick deals, which are percent off's and buy one get one free's.
Someone asked if you can pricematch then use a coupon. Yes, you can, as long as its not a competitor's q (iow, it has to be a mq).
The item you are pricematching has to be the EXACT item as in the competitors ad.
Yes, we will be pricematching on Black Friday (really really wish i didn't work at walmart now, haha). Make sure your item is the EXACT - i really mean EXACT- as we have been warned to watch for people trying to scam. Also, bring the add with you and have it open to the correct page for us to verify that the item is right. This will help us immensely and you'll be more likely to get your pm.
I am unsure about the 30 day price guarentee you guys have mentioned. I've never heard of it, but I'm not at the customer service desk, so i honestly don't know. The best bet would be to call your store and ask. If they say no, you could always return the item and then purchase the same thing. The trouble would be worth it for $70 imo.
Anysays, happy shopping and good luck!
The problem varies from store to store. I was denied over $300 in pricematches with Sam's Club. The manager at one Best Buy store kept chanting that she was denying my claim because "Sam's Club was not a retailer", which is a completely absurd and non-factual statement. She claimed it was store policy not to pricematch Sam's Club, although she couldn't show me one word in the price match offer that indicated such.
The CSR at the next Best Buy store I visited not only processed my price match properly and without any hassle, she also offered to juggle an online order I had placed so that it would qualify as a price match through the local store. I didn't have time to do that, so I declined, but I thought that was very customer-friendly for her to go out of her way to try to save me some money. FYI, BBO and BB stores are actually two separate legal entities and that is part of the reason why their pricematch policies are different.
At another store, the CSR said that was told not to pricematch Sam's Club but she would approve my request anyway as a price match against Circuit City so she wouldn't get hassled. Again, customer-friendly, but you really have to wonder just how far up the corporate ladder these de facto, unpublished policies are coming from.
Well, since I did eventually get my price match and suffered no more than aggravation, I have little damages to show in bringing suit against Best Buy for fraudulent, false, and misleading advertising. But, if you have not been so lucky, you should seriously consider taking action against BestBuy for fraud.
These transactions fall under state consumer protection laws, so each state has jurisdiction over its own matters. I suggest finding a large law firm in your state that handles consumer class action lawsuits. You can try http://www.martindale.
I find it very frustrating that a large company can mislead customers in such a manner without recourse. If you have been screwed by BB on a legitmate claim then you should stand up for your rights. good luck.
Walmart--not sure what the policy states, but they have price-matched for us before...actually it was on black friday. They just wanted to see a copy of the ad they were matching.
Have fun shopping everyone!
Here's another little known fact. I don't know if it's still true, but Food World stores used to have a policy on a tag above the registers that stated if the scanned price for an item on your receipt was incorrect then you got the item free. I got quite a few free items from Food World because of that policy, years ago. The registers of the local store were horrible for not having the prices programmed in correctly. They may still have the policy, and you have to know to ask, or go to the customer service desk, but I don't shop there much any more since Wal Mart opened, so I don't know if that policy is still in effect or not.
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The reason some Albertson's stores circulars are not in the papers is because from what I understand those stores were bought by another company and closed. I heard it was Publix that bought them, but that has not been confirmed as yet. However the stores still owned by the other company that runs Albertson's stores are still open. We had three Albertsons stores close in our area, but 200 miles away Albertson's stores are still open.
Hope that answered your question.
WalMart will honor online print outs if they're from LOCAL stores, no Online stores, or another B&M store in another state. I print out online circular pages for local store price matching all the time, but more often I just make a list because at my WalMart they keep the sales circulars from Wednesdays and Sundays at the registers. They won't do price matches on tobacco products, or for prescription drugs.
The problem varies from store to store. I was denied over $300 in pricematches with Sam's Club. The manager at one Best Buy store kept chanting that she was denying my claim because "Sam's Club was not a retailer", which is a completely absurd and non-factual statement. She claimed it was store policy not to pricematch Sam's Club, although she couldn't show me one word in the price match offer that indicated such.
The CSR at the next Best Buy store I visited not only processed my price match properly and without any hassle, she also offered to juggle an online order I had placed so that it would qualify as a price match through the local store. I didn't have time to do that, so I declined, but I thought that was very customer-friendly for her to go out of her way to try to save me some money. FYI, BBO and BB stores are actually two separate legal entities and that is part of the reason why their pricematch policies are different.
At another store, the CSR said that was told not to pricematch Sam's Club but she would approve my request anyway as a price match against Circuit City so she wouldn't get hassled. Again, customer-friendly, but you really have to wonder just how far up the corporate ladder these de facto, unpublished policies are coming from.
Well, since I did eventually get my price match and suffered no more than aggravation, I have little damages to show in bringing suit against Best Buy for fraudulent, false, and misleading advertising. But, if you have not been so lucky, you should seriously consider taking action against BestBuy for fraud.
These transactions fall under state consumer protection laws, so each state has jurisdiction over its own matters. I suggest finding a large law firm in your state that handles consumer class action lawsuits. You can try http://www.martindale.
I find it very frustrating that a large company can mislead customers in such a manner without recourse. If you have been screwed by BB on a legitmate claim then you should stand up for your rights. good luck.
If it's an online purchase that is to be pricematched against a local competitor, then you have to be persistant because they'll reject it on the first shot. Since it's purchased online, you'ved used your credit card. This sets things up for a CHARGEBACK, which is what I had to threaten to do if I didn't get (a) an RMA or (b) a pricematch. It's worked for me. Good luck.
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