Which Stores Price Match? Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Amazon and More

Updated 1 October 2026 · about 4 min read

Price matching is one of the easiest ways to save money without changing where you shop. If the store you are in sells an item for more than a competitor, some stores will drop their price to match. Others will lower your price if it falls after you buy.

The catch is that policies differ a lot, they change over time, and most come with exclusions. This guide covers how it works at the biggest US stores, what to bring, and the rules that trip people up.

Policies change. The summaries below reflect how these stores generally handle price matching as of fall 2026. Always check the store's current policy page before you rely on it.

Target

Target used to be one of the best stores for price matching, but that changed on July 28, 2025, when it stopped matching other retailers, including Amazon and Walmart. It now matches only its own prices: if an item is cheaper on Target.com than on the shelf, for example, it will match that.

Target has also offered price adjustments on its own price drops after you buy, within a set window. Check Target's current policy for the window and exclusions.

Best Buy

Best Buy is now the biggest US store that still price matches competitors. It matches a list of major retailers, including Amazon (items sold by Amazon itself, not marketplace sellers), Walmart, Target and several warehouse clubs and electronics stores, for identical items: same brand, model number and color.

It excludes clearance, open-box and refurbished items, membership-only prices, and big event deals such as Black Friday through Cyber Monday and Prime Day exclusives. After you buy, Best Buy has offered a price-adjustment window of about 15 days for most customers, longer for paid members, and an extended window for holiday purchases. Check the current terms before you rely on them.

Walmart

Walmart largely ended its competitor price matching in stores several years ago. In most stores, it will match a lower price on Walmart.com for the identical item, but not prices from other retailers. Its pitch is "everyday low prices" instead.

Amazon

Amazon does not price match competitors. Its prices change constantly, sometimes many times a day, which is why price history trackers are so useful on Amazon.

Costco

Costco does not match competitors. It does offer a price adjustment if Costco itself lowers the price of an item you bought, within a limited window.

Other stores worth knowing

Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's, office stores like Staples, and sporting goods stores like Dick's have offered price matching, usually for identical items in stock at a local competitor. Their exact rules vary, so check before you go.

The rules that usually apply

Almost every price match policy has the same core conditions:

  • The item must be identical. Same brand, model, size and color. Similar is not enough.
  • The competitor must be on the list. Usually major retailers, not marketplace sellers or random websites.
  • The item must be in stock at the competitor.
  • No clearance, flash sales, lightning deals or membership-only prices. Black Friday doorbusters and Prime-exclusive prices are commonly excluded.
  • Shipping and taxes count. Some stores compare the total price including shipping.

How to actually get a price match

  1. Have the competitor's page ready on your phone. Make sure it shows the exact item, the price and that it is in stock.
  2. Ask before you pay. At the register or customer service, it is easier than asking afterward, although price adjustments after purchase are possible at many stores.
  3. Check the model number. It is the most common reason requests are refused.
  4. Be polite and know the policy. Staff have discretion. Showing that you know the rules helps.

Finding the lower price is the hard part. Scanning an item with Priced shows what it sells for at other stores, so you can see right away whether a price match is worth asking for. For timing big purchases, the month-by-month sale calendar helps too.

Common questions

Does Target price match Amazon?

Not anymore. Target stopped matching other retailers, including Amazon and Walmart, on July 28, 2025. It now only matches its own prices between Target.com and its stores. If you want a competitor price match on electronics, Best Buy is the main store that still offers one.

Does Walmart price match?

In most stores, Walmart only matches lower prices on Walmart.com for identical items. It largely stopped matching other retailers' prices in stores several years ago.

Does Best Buy price match Amazon?

Best Buy has matched Amazon and other major retailers for identical items, sold and shipped by the competitor rather than a marketplace seller. Clearance, open-box and refurbished items are usually excluded.

What is the difference between a price match and a price adjustment?

A price match means a store lowers its price to match a competitor. A price adjustment means a store refunds the difference if its own price drops after you buy, within a set window. Both are worth knowing, especially around sales like Black Friday.