{"id":2757,"date":"2021-11-23T16:22:56","date_gmt":"2021-11-24T00:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/ca\/?page_id=2757"},"modified":"2023-03-02T10:41:53","modified_gmt":"2023-03-02T18:41:53","slug":"how-does-price-match-work","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/ca\/personal-finance\/how-does-price-match-work","title":{"rendered":"6 Price Matching Tips to Help You Save Big"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you trying to avoid high prices on things like groceries, home furnishings or electronics? Your favourite store may have a price matching policy that can help.<\/p>\n\n

Price matching saves you money by ensuring you get the best price on the item you want \u2014 without having to visit a different store or online merchant. Here’s what you need to know about how price matching works in Canada and some tips to help you make the most of it.<\/p>\n\n

\u00bb MORE:<\/strong> How to save money on groceries<\/a><\/p>\n\n

How does price matching work?<\/h2>\n\n

Price matching, also referred to as a price guarantee, is a policy set by some retailers that stipulates if you find the same item at a lower cost, they’ll match or beat the price.<\/p>\n\n

Depending on the retailer, price matching can be requested online or in-store, typically before you make the purchase. If you’ve already purchased the item in question, some stores may refund the difference (sometimes in the form of a store credit) if you find a lower price elsewhere within a certain amount of time.<\/p>\n\n

\u00bb MORE:<\/strong> Money-saving strategies for holiday shopping<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Price matching tips to help you save<\/h2>\n\n

The most important thing to remember is that each store has its own price matching qualification criteria, so it’s important to read the terms carefully. Here are some general tips for successful price matching:<\/p>\n\n

1.\u00a0 Make sure items are identical<\/h3>\n\n

Right down to the bar code, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples before invoking a store\u2019s price matching policy.<\/p>\n\n

2. Keep it local<\/h3>\n\n

In some cases, the lower-priced item needs to be available in the same geographic area as the store where you\u2019re trying to price match.<\/p>\n\n

3. Be prepared to show proof<\/h3>\n\n

Merchants won’t take your word for it; you’ll need proof of the competitor’s lower price via a physical flyer or a digital record (such as an online flyer or website price).<\/p>\n\n

4. Expect certain sales to be excluded<\/h3>\n\n

Stores may exclude holiday sales from their price match guarantee. Clearance items, free stuff (like buy-one-get-one), as-is and demo models, and other special promotions don’t usually qualify either.<\/p>\n\n

5. Check the in-stock status<\/h3>\n\n

The competitor’s lower-priced item may need to be in stock (locally) to qualify.<\/p>\n\n

6. Know that online-only retailers work differently<\/h3>\n\n

Brick-and-mortar stores may not be willing to match the price of an online-only retailer (the inverse may also be true). Also, items on sites like Amazon or eBay rarely qualify.<\/p>\n\n

Bonus tip: Watch the checkout screen and get stuff for free<\/h3>\n\n

Implemented in 2002, the Scanner Price Accuracy Code is a program that aims to prevent consumers from being overcharged for certain items. If an item with a UPC code scans incorrectly at a store that has volunteered to be a part of the program, you are entitled to one of the following:<\/p>\n\n