Price match policies: 10 stores that can save you money

Fact Checked

Shopping around is a great way to find the lowest price, but you don’t always have to visit multiple stores. Many retailers will match a competitor’s price on the spot, and some will even beat it. This can save you time and money, as long as you know the rules.

Stores that beat competitor prices

These retailers go one step further than a standard price match. They offer an even lower price than their competitors for the same product.

Bunnings

Bunnings will beat a competitor’s price on an identical, in-stock product by 10%.

• Here’s the catch: This offer doesn’t apply to trade quotes, commercial quantities, or items on clearance.

Officeworks

Officeworks will beat an identical competitor’s price by 5%. This includes prices from online stores.

• What you need to know: When comparing prices with an online retailer, the competitor’s delivery fee is factored into the total cost.
• Here’s the catch: The guarantee generally won’t apply to prices that involve cashback offers, coupons, liquidation sales, or membership-only deals.

The Good Guys

The Good Guys beats competitor prices on many items, but rather than offering a standard percentage off, the size of the discount varies depending on the product.

• What you need to know: The simplest way to get a better price is online. Find the product on The Good Guys’ website and click the ‘price check’ box under the retail price to see if you can save.

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Chemist Warehouse

If you find an identical product cheaper at another Australian retailer, Chemist Warehouse will match it and give you 10% of the price difference as a discount.

• What you need to know: You will need to provide proof of the lower price to be eligible.

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Ebay

Ebay’s Best Price Guarantee applies after you’ve bought a new item at a fixed price–this means something you purchased with the Buy It Now feature rather than through bidding.

• What you need to know: If you find the same item for less at an approved retailer, Ebay will give you a voucher for the price difference, plus an extra 5%.
• Here’s the catch: To be eligible for the voucher, you have to contact Ebay within 48 hours of your purchase with proof of the lower price.

Stores that match competitor prices

These retailers will match a competitor’s price, saving you a trip to another store.

Rebel Sport

Rebel will match the price of an identical product from a competitor.

• What you need to know: The item must be the same brand, colour, size, and model. It also needs to be in stock and available in Australia for delivery or same-day pickup.
• Here’s the catch: The policy doesn’t cover liquidation sales or wholesale offers.

David Jones

David Jones price matches competitors that have a physical ‘brick-and-mortar’ store in Australia.

• What you need to know: The product must be identical (brand, size, and colour), in stock, and the lower price must be verifiable.
• Here’s the catch: The policy generally doesn’t apply to items that are already on sale.

Harvey Norman

You can get a price match at Harvey Norman on an identical, advertised product, either when you buy it or up to seven days later.

• Here’s the catch: If you plan to pay using an interest-free plan, the competitor must be offering the exact same payment terms for the price match to be approved.

Petbarn

Petbarn matches prices on identical products from any Australian pet store, whether it’s online or in person.

• What you need to know: Just show proof of the competitor’s lower price at the checkout.
• Here’s the catch: The policy doesn’t apply to services like grooming and pet insurance, or to subscription delivery products.

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Things to look out for when price matching

• Don’t be afraid to ask for a price match at any retailer. Some stores may not advertise their price matching policy upfront, but if you think something may be cheaper elsewhere, there’s no harm in having a look on your phone and asking the cashier at checkout.
• Identical match products is a term you’ll see in many retailers’ terms and conditions, and it can be quite strict. Just because you think it’s an identical product, a small difference in the product code could mean it’s not eligible. However, don’t be afraid to ask, they may choose to match it regardless.
• Pay attention to online retailers. While some brick and mortar stores only price match with in-person retailers, others are willing to price match with online stores, which due to the lower overheads, typically have cheaper prices. This way you can get benefits of an in-person purchase at an online price.