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Price Protection Guide 2024: Current Options for Saving Money


Store-Specific Pricing Policies


Many retailers used to promise to match or beat a competitor's price allowing you to get the best deal without having to visit multiple stores. Retailers also offered "price protection" by refunding the difference if the price for an item dropped within a set time limit after you made a purchase. Unfortunately, these types of offers are much less common now. Although Walmart dropped its competitor matching policy mid-2023, Target continues to honor "select" competitor prices. Likewise, Best Buy will match select competitor prices. Best Buy's policy differs from Walmart and Target in that it has a special holiday price match period and will match their own lower prices during the return period. Stores today vary greatly in their price matching and low price guarantee policies. Be sure to read the full policy limitations, terms, and conditions.


Best Buy Price Match Policy (terms)

  • Matches prices from qualified select competitors

  • Matches BestBuy.com prices for in-store purchases and vice versa

  • Must be identical in-stock item and requires proof of lower price

  • One price match per identical item per customer

  • Extended Holiday Price Match Guarantee from Nov 1-Dec 31 (valid through Jan 14)

  • Does not match third-party marketplace sellers, clearance, refurbished, or open-box items

  • Does not match membership-only prices or loyalty program offers

  • Does not match Black Friday deals (Thursday before Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday)


Target In-Store Price Match Policy (terms)

  • Matches select competitor prices

  • 14-day price adjustment window

  • Must be identical and in stock item at time of price match

  • Requires proof of lower price (show digital/online price)

  • Requires original receipt for post-purchase adjustments

  • Does not match prices from other Target stores

  • Does not match marketplace sellers or Target Plus™ Partners

  • Does not match clearance, closeout, liquidation, damaged, or open package items

  • Does not match promotional codes, lightning sales, or loyalty program prices


Walmart In-Store Price Match Policy

  • Matches Walmart.com prices at time of purchase for identical items (see restrictions)

  • Must be in-stock at time of price match

  • One price match per item, per day, per customer

  • Does not match competitor prices

  • Does not match special event pricing (clearance, Rollback, Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals, limited-time promotions)

  • Does not match Walmart Marketplace Retailers or third-party Sellers

  • Does not match prices from other Walmart or Neighborhood Market stores


(Policies current as of early 2024 - always verify current terms with specific store locations)


Price Tracking Tools

Instead of post-purchase price protection, most services now focus on helping you find the best price before purchase. Aside from store-specific price matching policies, make sure you are comparison shopping before making purchases in order to maximize your money. Use multiple price tracking tools such as extensions and apps to maximize your savings. 


Browser Extensions

Amazon-Specific Tools

Both of these offer email alerts for price drops!


Best Practices


Before making a purchase, do your homework. Look at historical pricing on items. Know the best months to purchase items at the lowest prices. Be familiar with each store's price guarantee, price matching, refunds and returns policies. Install browser extensions, money saving apps. Set up alerts for price drops and act quickly when a price drop does occur. Look for promo and coupon codes. Stack these when possible.


Now, let's go shopping!



Window Shopping


(This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.)



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