Walmart is famous for having one of the first and most prominent price-match guarantee policies. Many other stores have followed suit over the years, but Walmart remains the industry leader when it comes to price-matching.
Considering so many consumers do a majority of their shopping at Walmart, the lowest-price guarantee provides significant convenience because it saves shoppers time from having to go elsewhere for just one or two items.
Technically, Walmart’s policy is not a true price-match guarantee. It is called an “ad match guarantee” and does not always apply. Walmart also has different in-store and online price-matching policies.
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when you assess whether you can take advantage of Walmart’s ad match guarantee.
Walmart clearly states that buy one, get one free offers that contain a specified price do fall within the framework of the price-matching policy.
Verdict: Acceptable
Unlike some stores that do not include fresh produce and meat in their price-match guarantees, Walmart actually does. The only requirement is that the price of the items must be for the same measurement (pounds, quantity, etc.)
Verdict: Acceptable
To its credit, Walmart does match the preferred shopping price at other stores (think grocery store club member discounts), but only for specific items that appear in a printed ad. In other words, don’t just expect them to take your word for it that the supermarket across town has an amazing deal that is only good for preferred shoppers.
Verdict: Acceptable (with proof)
Unfortunately, Walmart leaves no ambiguity when it comes to this type of offer. They will not honor a price-match that requires the purchase of one item to get another one at a discount. For example, if CVS has a deal where you can get a box of tissues for $1 if you buy toilet paper for $5, then you can’t go to Walmart and expect to get the box of tissues for $1.
Verdict: Not Acceptable
Simply put: This doesn’t fly. Walmart refuses to price-match any deals that stem from a going out of business sale.
Verdict: Not Acceptable
Walmart claims they will match any local competitor’s advertised price. You don’t even have to provide Walmart with proof of the ad, unless there is a 25% (or more) variance in the price.
Verdict: Acceptable
General sales that include percentages off (such as 30% off all DVDs) are not covered by the Walmart price-match policy.
Verdict: Not Acceptable
It would be nice if Walmart agreed to match the prices of competitor store brands, but sadly that is just not the case. If another store such as Target puts its own brand of Market Pantry peanut butter (or some other item) at a huge discount, Walmart will not give you that same discounted price for Jiffy peanut butter or any of the other brands it carries.
Verdict: Not Accpetable
Understandably, Walmart refuses to be punished for a competitor’s mistake. Sometimes there are typos or misprints within ads. Items that are supposed to be $10 are listed as $1 in the sale, or other similar mishaps. In these cases, Walmart will not match he erroneous price from a competitor’s ad.
Verdict: Not Acceptable
You’d expect Walmart stores to price match items listed on their own web site and in fact they do. Should you happen to find something on Walmart.com that has a better price than what you see in your local store, the local store will always match that price.
Verdict: Acceptable
Generally, Walmart stores do not sell many refurbished or used items, but even if you are able to find an exact replica of a refurbished (or used) product you found online in a Walmart store, don’t expect Walmart to afford you the advantages of its lowest-price guarantee. Walmart clearly states refurbished or used items are not eligible.
Verdict: Not Acceptable
Say you found a killer price on an item you desire on a competitor web site, but it’s out of stock. Say you found that same item at a Walmart store for a higher price and wanted to use the lowest-price guarantee. Well, in this case you’d be out of luck. Walmart only price matches online items that are in stock.
Verdict: Not Acceptable
There are many perks to living in a tropical paradise like Hawaii or Puerto Rico or a winter wonderland like Alaska … unfortunately, being able to take advantage of the online lowest-price guarantee at Walmart is not one of them. Only those living in the contiguous United States are eligible.
Verdict: Not Acceptable
As long as its not an item being sold by a third-party seller on Amazon, Walmart does agree to match any price that Amazon has for identical products. Here is the complete list of online stores for which Walmart offers its lowest-price guarantee: Academy.com, Amazon.com, Autozone.com, Babiesrus.com, Basspro.com, Bedbathandbeyond.com, Bestbuy.com, Cabelas.com, Dickssportinggoods.com, Dollargeneral.com, Familydollar.com, Homedepot.com, Jcpenney.com, Kmart.com, Kohls.com, Lowes.com, Michaels.com, Newegg.com, Officedepot.com, Oreillyauto.com, Pepboys.com, Petco.com, Petsmart.com, Sears.com, SportsAuthority.com, Staples.com, Target.com, Tigerdirect.com, Toysrus.com, Walgreens.com, Walmart.com
Verdict: Acceptable
The best online prices often come via flash sales, which are basically timed sales that only last for a very short period of time. Walmart leaves no room for interpretation in this area and makes quite clear that it will not price match for flash sales or limited time offers.
Verdict: Not Acceptable
For more information about the Walmart lowest-price guarantee policy, please visit Walmart.com.
