Today I was at Kohl's buying some birthday gifts for some of my son's friends, and I noticed that some of the toys that I bought for my own sons for Christmas were on sale for less than I had paid for them on Monday. So, I went to the customer service desk and searched for a sign with Kohl's pricing policy. I found it, and it said that they would lower the price on any item if it went on sale for less within a 14 day period.
I stood in a small line and pulled out my receipt and asked the customer service rep to match the price. She was able to give me $2.92 back...not a huge amount, but worth the few minutes waiting in line (I was going to have to wait in line to pay for my items anyway). I wouldn't recommend checking a store's prices everyday just for that amount of money, but I happened to be there anyway.
Do you know the major retailer's pricing policies? Did you know that Walmart price matched their competitor's even on Black Friday? Just think how much time you could have saved to make one trip...not to mention the fact that since the item's weren't on a great special at Walmart, the inventory might have been better and easier to get. A woman who checked out ahead of me got several video games using a competitor's ad on Black Friday.
I have checked the websites of some stores and compiled a list for you:
- Apple stores - they price match with other authorized retailers
- Bed Bath & Beyond - price match to "direct" competitors...not sure if they considered Linens N Things their only direct competitor
- Best Buy - they price match to competitors and price adjust (to 110%) within the item's return period
- Buy.com - they price match within 3 days of purchase to a list of qualified internet retailers
- Kohl's - they price match to competitors and price adjust within 14 days
- Office Depot - they will offer a price match within 7 days
- Overstock.com
- Sears - they price match to competitors and will do a price adjustment withing 30 days
- Staples
- Walmart - they price match to competitors
- Target - they price match to competitors
As far as I can tell, KMart does not do price matches. When you do the price matches, you might want to bring in a copy of the store's price match policies to show the customer service rep, in case there's any confusion.
Did I miss any stores that price match on my list? Have you ever saved a lot of money from doing price matches?
On The Verge
Thanks for posting this great list. It always seems to happen to me too. As soon as I buy something it goes on sale a few days later. It is sure worth going back and getting refunded for.
Heather
Good for you for getting the price difference back! I loved this price match list... thanks for putting it together!
Anonymous
I have done "price adjustments" at Target - 14 days from purchase.
Kelly
Marybeth at www.babygoodbuys.com
Thanks for the great list! I have your entrecard on my site! http://www.babygoodbuys.com
moneyloveandchange
I have only gone through the trouble of requesting a price match if the difference is greater than $10 or so. However, in your case, I would have done the same thing that you did, since you had the receipt with you and needed to check out anyways.
I appreciate the link to the PriceProtectr site - I just bookmarked it!
Kristen
Thanks for the information. Do you know if grocery stores price match? I know the big ones usually accept competitor's coupons. I just wondered if they accept each other's weekly ad prices.
Corrie at "Cents"able Momma
The only one that I know of is Super Walmart, but maybe someone else would know of some other grocery stores that would price match.
Anonymous
I once bought an item at Cosco for Christmas that was marked down thirty dollars! I had heard you could get money back if this happens so I asked and they did it.:0)