Best Buy wants to take away a common fear consumers have when it comes to making big-ticket purchases.
The retailer has a generous price matching policy that gives shoppers 15 days to ask for a partial refund if they see the exact same item at a lower price at a list of retailers that includes Walmart, Amazon, and Target.
My Best Buy Plus and Total members get 60 days on most eligible items.
The competitors list includes: Abt, Amazon, Apple, B&H Photo Video, BJ’s Wholesale Club, BrandsMart USA, Costco, Crutchfield, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, Microcenter, Nebraska Furniture Mart, P.C. Richard, RC Willey, Sam’s Club, Target, and Walmart.
“Please note that the Best Buy Price Match Guarantee does not apply to products shipped from and sold by third-party Marketplace Sellers on these websites,” the company shared on its website.
It’s a generous policy, especially when you look at the policies offered by Walmart, Target, and Amazon.
Target dropped its price match policy
Target dropped its competitor price match policy in July 2025.
“For 12 years, Target customers who found a product that was sold for less on Amazon or Walmart’s websites could request to buy the same product that was sold at a Target store at the lower price,” ABC News reported.
Target first introduced its “Price Match” policy in 2013, becoming the first brick-and-mortar retail chain to launch price matching of products, often sold for cheaper online.
The retailer shared a statement at the time explaining the change.
“We’ve found our guests overwhelmingly price match Target and not other retailers, which reflects the great value and trust in pricing consumers see across our assortment and deals,” a Target spokesperson told ABC News.
Target, Amazon, and Walmart only match their own prices
Target, Amazon, and Walmart all have similar price-matching policies, but they do have some key differences.
Target
No longer matches Amazon or Walmart prices. Target ended its competitor price-matching policy on July 28, 2025, after 12 years.
Matches its own prices: Target matches eligible identical products sold at Target.com, in Target stores, or through qualifying Target Circle deals.
14-day window: Customers can request a price match at checkout or within 14 days of purchase if the price drops.
Proof required: Shoppers must show the current price on Target.com, the Target app, or an eligible digital ad. Screenshots and photos are not accepted.
Restrictions apply: Clearance, refurbished, open-package, and certain promotional items are excluded. Target Circle bonuses and Target coupons generally cannot be combined with price matching.Source: Target’s official price-match policy
Walmart
Matches Walmart.com prices in stores: Walmart will match an identical item listed on Walmart.com if it is in stock and available to purchase online.
No competitor price matching: Walmart stores do not match prices from Amazon, Target, or other competitors.
No online price matching: Walmart.com does not match competitor prices or prices at Walmart stores.
No retroactive online adjustments: Walmart.com will not match a lower price after a customer has already purchased an item online.
Restrictions apply: Store price matches exclude special-event deals, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions, as well as third-party Marketplace sellers. Store managers have the final say on requests.Sources: Walmart’s official price-match policy and Walmart’s customer FAQ
Amazon
No formal price-matching policy: Amazon does not promise to match prices offered by Walmart, Target, or other retailers.
No guaranteed price adjustment: If an item’s price drops after purchase, customers generally cannot claim an automatic refund for the difference.
Prices can still change: Amazon adjusts prices and offers promotions independently, so shoppers may find that an item becomes cheaper without requesting a match.
Customer service is not a guarantee: Shoppers can contact Amazon to ask about an order, but any courtesy credit is discretionary, not a published price-match entitlement.Source: Amazon’s customer-service guidance
Best Buy has a generous price matching policy.Shutterstock
Best Buy has a competitive edge
As a consumer, I have to admit that even though I buy a fair amount of electronics, I often forget that Best Buy exists because Amazon makes shopping (and impulse buys) so easy.
With this price-matching deal, however, I may consider buying my next Apple laptop or television from the brick-and-mortar chain.
Broadcast Retirement Network CEO Jeffrey H. Snyder agrees that the price match is a generous offer that might drive him to Best Buy.
“Yes, I would definitely look for that option,” he told TheStreet. “When shopping for larger ticket items such as TVs and computers, I appreciate a retailer being able to match another retailer’s prices and Best Buy is kind of the only game in town.”
RTM Nexus CEO Dominick Miserandino thinks that being the last major retailer offering competitor price matching could benefit Best Buy this holiday season.
“I think anything to gain trust in this market is important. Now, the way pricing works, everyone’s looking at each other’s pricing anyway, so they probably know what the competitive pricing is, but at least it creates that consumer comfort,” he shared with TheStreet.
Related: Dollar General accused of overcharging shoppers, settles for $1.9 million