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Target Now Matching Online Prices

January 9, 2013 by 10 Comments

Good news for Target shoppers: Target is now matching online prices (at select retailers) in addition to matching local printed ads from competitors.

Here’s the relevant section from their price matching policy:

“If you buy a qualifying item at a Target store then find the identical item for less in the following week’s Target weekly ad or within seven days at Target.com, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, ToysRUs.com, BabiesRUs.com or in a competitor’s local printed ad, we’ll match the price. Price match may be requested at Guest Services prior to your purchase with proof of current lower price or by bringing in your original Target store receipt and proof of the current lower price.”

Restrictions

Noteworthy restrictions (this is not the entire list, but just the ones I thought necessary to highlight:

  • The item must be the identical item, brand name, size, weight, color, quantity and model number.
  • Limit of one competitor online price match per identical item, per guest.
  • Price must be valid at the time the price match is requested.
  • Retail price must be shown on the website or print ad. Online prices will be validated by a Target team member.
  • Competitor online items must be in stock at the time a price match is requested.
  • If item is not available in a Target store, a rain check will not be issued to match the online price or competitor’s print ad.
  • Price matched items must be sold by Walmart.com, Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, ToysRUs.com or BabiesRUs.com (so Amazon third-party retailers do not count).
  • Clearance, closeout, damaged product, refurbished, open package or liquidation sales are also excluded.

How to Price Match

You can match the price before purchasing the product or receive the difference after purchasing the product. In either case, the adjustment will need to be made at Guest Services.

For online prices, you’ll need to show the item on your mobile device or a printout from a qualifying competitor’s website or Target.com, and a Target team member will verify the match using a Target device.

If you’re matching the price after purchase (within 7 days), you’ll need to bring in your original Target store receipt.

Need a quick way to find out if a deal you’re seeing in-store is actually cheaper online? Try Amazon’s Price Check App for iPhone or for Android to quickly find the product you want by scanning the barcode, taking a picture, saying the product name or typing the information.

Your turn: Have you tried matching online prices yet at Target’s Guest Services desk? How will this change the way you shop at Target?

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About Carrie Rocha

I am passionate about helping people live within their means so they can get out and stay out of debt. I live in Minneapolis, MN with my husband and two little girls.

  • Angela

    So I understand why a retailer would offer price matching , but what's the incentive for a customer to use it? Unless you have a target card, or the item might get you a gift card at target, why not just buy it at the original store?

    • Rene S

      DH has used price matching at Walmart a number of times. It's handy when the other store is not convenient or a distance away or doesn't have the item in stock (at a store, not online). You might already be going to Walmart for something else and then don't have to make a separate trip.

      I'm curious how long this will last. Target seems to have a number of barriers to discourage PM.

    • http://www.pocketyourdollars.com Laura Wales

      Angela – My thought is that if you're in the store anyway and are planning to purchase an item, then see that you can find it cheaper online, you could price match it then instead of buying it online since you're already in the store.

      I also think that the price adjustment (after-the-fact) policy is good because then you're not kicking yourself for purchasing it the week before at Target for the higher price.

  • JoAnna

    I love that they are extending this policy and that it includes their own website. Now to get them to have lower prices at "my" Super Target like they do when a Walmart is close by–wishful thinking!

  • Shelly

    I would also say this is nice for someone that is loyal to Target and really likes spending their dollars at a hometown store that has always had its corporate headquarters here in Mpls.

  • Sharalee

    Target coupons: Target coupons will be applied before the price match is made. If the competitor price is still lower than the price after the Target coupon has been deducted, the ad match can be adjusted to match the competitor's price.

    Combining both Target and manufacturer coupons: the Target coupon will be applied before the price match is made. If the competitor price is still lower than the price after the Target coupon has been deducted, the ad match can be adjusted to match the competitor's price. Once the price match is made the manufacturer coupon will be applied.

    • JoAnna

      Makes sense to not use Target coupons when price matching–just a waste of the coupon.

  • Christie

    This is great to see they will match their OWN online pricing. I hate looking up a item just to go to the store and find it $10 more! I always thought that was a stupid policy.

  • http://www.ThriftyWrench.com Jon

    I'm new to this blog so I apologize if this has already been posted. I found out a couple of weeks ago that Bestbuy will price match off of Amazon. I saved over $150 on a new phone. Will Target price match off of Amazon?

    • JoAnna

      They will but needs to be sold by Amazon to match the price.