Wallet Wings

To save more money, you need to spend your money wisely and strategically. Being a savvy shopper requires patience, research, and knowledge. Of course, online shopping has some of the best deals and pricing available. However, sometimes you want to buy a product in person at a retail store so that you can feel, touch, and see it prior to purchasing. One powerful tool to remember for in person shopping is the price match. Many of the large retail stores offer price matching if you are able to show them proof that another store is offering the same new product at a lower price. Surprisingly, some of these retail stores will even price match Amazon. That’s a win for the consumer! If you show the store associate the lower priced item on your phone or via a paper ad, the associate may lower the price of the item to match the other stores pricing. Keep in mind that some retail stores don’t offer price matching at all and others will only price match their own website. It is important to know the policy of the retail store that you are shopping in.

I like to use price matching when I am looking to buy a higher priced item typically over $50. Once I am in the store and I have found the item that I would like to purchase, I perform a quick search on my smartphone for the same product. If I see the item selling for a lower price at another large retailer or on their own website, I ask the store associate if they offer price matching. If they do, great, I show them the offer that I found on my phone and if the associate agrees, I will receive that same lower price and make the purchase. If the retailer will not or does not price match, then I have to decide if I should purchase the product at the competing store or buy it online. However, the time and effort to receive this lower priced offer needs to be worth it. I always keep in mind the potential shipping fees for an online order or the gas money that would be spent if I drive to the competing store to make the buy. If the savings is only $5, it’s probably not worth it. But if the savings is $25 or more, you can bet that I am going to make the effort to buy the product elsewhere.

Below are some popular retail stores and short details about their price matching policies:

• Best Buy – Price matches competitors and has a “Holiday Price Match Guarantee.” Take a look at the details here: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-topics/price-match-guarantee/pcmcat290300050002.c?id=pcmcat290300050002
• Staples – Price matches competitors and their website
• Target – Only price match their own website
• Costco – Does not price match competitors
• Home Depot – Price matches competitors
• Walmart – Only price match their own website
• CVS – No price match policy
• Macy’s – Does not price match competitors

As you can see, some of the big name brands do offer price matching with their competitors or their own website. It is good for business for these companies to keep you as a loyal customer and price matching can certainly help with this effort.

Next time that you are visiting a large retail store, it may be worth performing a quick price check on your smartphone. See if the price of an item is cheaper on the store’s website or on one of their competitors websites. You may be able to find a nice price match opportunity and keep more money in your pocket!