USA TODAY International Edition
You can get a price match on Prime Day
Deal seekers should be sure to read the fine print
Amazon isn’t the only place to score discounts this Prime Day.
In addition to the retailers holding competitive sales of their own, some stores are expected to price match the online giant’s low prices during the twoday members- only shopping extravaganza, Tuesday and Wednesday.
But shoppers, take note. Your mileage may vary on how far you’ll have to travel to get Amazon prices at a competitor as multiple exclusions can apply.
First, major retailers’ price match policies apply to in- stock items, identical and sold directly from Amazon and not one of its third- party sellers. Plus, there’s a host of other clauses to read buried in the fine print before attempting a match.
Target, for instance, includes Amazon as one of its approved list of online competitors but in its price match guarantee specifies that “competitor doorbusters/ lightning sales” are excluded and so are deals where the prices “only display on a website after guests log in.”
Bed Bath & Beyond says in its “Worry- Free Shopping Price Match Guarantee” that the goal of its price matching “is to ensure that our customers get the best price available.”
When shopping with one of the retailer’s infamous coupons and looking for a price match, Bed Bath & Beyond says “we will apply the price match OR the coupon – whichever provides the
best discount.”
Best Buy is offering a “Black Friday guarantee” during its two- day sale, Tuesday and Wednesday, on select, qualifying items purchased if the price on identified items drops lower than Black Friday.
“Because it’s 2020 and life is unpredictable, if the price on one of these deals goes lower before Black Friday, My Best Buy customers will be automatically reimbursed the difference,” the company said.
Walmart. com’s price match policy lists Amazon as a competitor it’ll match for, but not on prices “requiring memberships.” Walmart stores do not match competitors, according to a separate store policy.
Several stores will suspend price matching policies closer to Thanksgiving and through Cyber Monday sales.
Amazon delayed its annual Prime Day sale from July until October amid the coronavirus pandemic. The big sale has been held annually in July since 2015.
Why look at price matching
Word of warning to price match newbies: Price matching is not for all deals.
It is possible the time involved in getting a price match, including reading the fine print of the policies, can hinder your ability to score the deal if the item sells out quickly.
Also, don’t expect to get the price match on a sold- out item.
So why would someone bother going the price match route vs. buying from Amazon proper?
To get the item as quickly as possible as items can sell out and orders can be canceled or even lost in transit.
Another option is to look if your credit card offers price protection, which can be an easier way to snag bargains.
However, NerdWallet recently wrote about how this is a perk that’s harder to find with several cards no longer offering a refund when the price drops.
How to price match
● Read store policies, which outline how to request a match both at the store and online.
● Timing matters. The price usually has to be valid at the time of the match, and the item has to be in stock by the competitor.
● Also, consider how much time the price match might take and if the item will still be available.
● It has to be an identical item, brand name, size and model number. For online prices, third- party sellers are excluded.
● Beware of other exclusions. Target, for instance, notes competitor doorbusters and lightning sales are excluded.
● When in doubt, ask to speak to a store manager or do an online chat.
● Some stores will offer online price matching by chat or by calling.
● Store price guarantees also can protect you if the price goes down after you purchase the item.
Who usually matches Amazon prices?
The following retailers match Amazon’s prices year- round with exceptions. Some policies exclude sales like Prime Day:
Academy Sports + Outdoors
Bed Bath & Beyond
Best Buy
Home Depot
J. C. Penney
Jo- Ann Stores
Lowe’s
Michaels
Nordstrom
Office Depot
Staples
Target