Do you price-match?

As most of you know, Wal-Mart has a policy to "price-match" any competitor's store prices. I'm hearing reports that Target ads had a notice in them yesterday (see pages 2 and 3) saying that Target will now also be price-matching (we don't get the Sunday paper so I haven't been able to double-check on this myself yet). Hooray for more options!

I personally do not price-match at Wal-Mart for a variety of reasons--the biggest of which is that I find my local grocery stores usually have much better markdowns than Wal-Mart does. In addition, they also double coupons and run catalina offers, neither of which Wal-Mart does.

Do you find price-matching at Wal-Mart (and now Target) to be beneficial or money-saving? Why or why not?

Comments

[Sonia McNeely]

I use price matching at Walmart every week. I developed a simple grocery list on MicroSoft Excel that list what store the item is at and the price. I Also list if I have any coupons. I keep all my price matching @ the end of my order. It makes checking out very easy, and I only have to stop @ one store. Because I live in a more rural area sometimes it does not make it worth my while to go to several stores just to get the double coupons. I save on average $40.00 a week using the price matching & another $40.00 using coupons. Another bonus is my local Walmart just started a policy where they do not require that you show them the ad.

[Joy]

I price match with produce sometimes. For instance, if I am shopping at Walmart already and don't need to go to Kroger I will request a price match. I am eager to price match at SuperTarget because they have better produce than my Kroger and I go to SuperTarget weekly. Don't forget - you can price match at many stores, not only Grocery Stores. I was a Sales Manager for 10 years at an electronics store and we used to price match all the time. Any time I am making a big ticket purchase I feel it is worth it to inquire.

[Maria145]

I have price matched at Walmart before--but only on limited occasions. They are EXTREMELY picky. The item must be EXACTLY the same--for instance--Meijer milk can be on sale-but Walmart will not price match their brand to it. It has to be the exact same brand/size/etc. They won't do Walmart brand to Meijer brand. Also, most of the cashier's do not know how to do it and you end up waiting for a manager to come by. All in all, I find it very frustrating and not worth the mess. I hardly go to Walmart anyhow, since I get better deals elsewhere.

[Angel]

I price match occasionally to save gas. Wal-Mart is nearby but other grocery stores are not. If, say Oscar Meyer hot dogs are on sale for 98 cents each, I take the ad with me and get my cheap hot dogs at Wal-Mart. I would have to drive an extra 15 miles to get to the nearest grocery store so this saves me money in two ways.

[Jeannine]

I price match for convenience. If I am already planning to shop there I will price match since it saves me gas to go to one store in stead of many different ones.

[Jenny Owens]

I will price match if I specifically "need" an item that week, or if the store that I am trying to buy it from is sold out. I have not had very good success with rainchecks, so I find this to be helpful in my area.

I just pulled out my Target add to check what it said, and it states "Red Hot Savings-we'll match the price found in any competitor's printed add* for an identical product. *Applies to current, local print ads for in-store products. See Guest Services for details."

Sounds like this could vary from store-to-store how well this works, just like at Wal-Mart....

[SLee]

I ad match at Walmart out of necessity. I live in a rural Wisconsin dairy farming community where the grocery stores are few and far between. Ad matching saves me gas money since the nearest coupon-doubling stores are over an hour away. I must be one of the few people who actually take advantage of this program since most of the WM cashiers need help ringing up my ad-matches.

[Becky]

I do not price match anywhere. I do not shop in WM or Target. I shop at Fry's, Albertsons, CVS, and Walgreens. I live within walking distance to all of these stores. I live across the street from WM, but I find much better DEALS, SERVICE, and QUALITY everywhere else.

[Julie]

I price match at Walmart nearly every time I go. It saves time and gas money - not having to run to the other store. And in response to Maria145, my Walmart does price match their store brand to another store's brand. Price matching saved me at least $20 this last week on just 4 items alone.

[Alison Armstrong]

I do price match b/c my local grocery stores do not double coupons, they don't have many mark downs, other than the door busters their prices are way higher than Walmart. So I match the door busters from all the adds and fill in the rest at Wal-mart. With 2 little kids and one on the way on top of a 45 min drive one way- it is the easiest for me! Plus my walmart never askes for the add. I just put the price on my list and tell them when I am checking out. It doesn't take very long.

[Kathi]

I used to do price matching when I lived near a Kroger that would do it. I quit shopping Walmart several years ago due to my serious disagreement w/ their corporate policies. I was concerned that this might wind up costing us $ but it has not. I do have be vigilant about keeping an eye on local advertisements but I am lucky enough to be in reasonable distance of 3 grocery chains (and have 2 more that are not "that far" out of the way if the bargains are good enough). I am pleased to say that we are not spending any more per month on groceries today than we were 5 years ago when I quit doing Walmart even though 2 kids are much larger and older and prices in general have gone up.

[Dawn]

We price match at Wal-Mart because that is the only store we have. Some employees are easier to work with than others. Our Wal-mart does not require an ad either. I view the ads online and write the deals on the back of my shopping list. If we lived closer to other stores like Albertsons, Walgreens and Rite-aid, we would take advantage of the double coupons and catalinas there.

[Colleen]

Price-matching at Target is a pilot program for now, and is not available everywhere: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/yourmoney/49277782.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUHPYDiaK7DUiacyKUUr

Just an FYI so people don't rush their store without checking first.

[Allison]

I price match at Walmart quite a bit. It saves a lot of time because I only have to go to one store. Sometimes I go to the other grocery stores if I want a lot of produce because Walmart's produce is so crummy.

The stores that double coupons in my town only double up to 50 cents and I've tracked prices, and it's not unusual at all for Walmart's regular price to be $.50 to $1.00 less than the grocery store's sale price, so double 50 cent coupons don't do me a lot of good.

One grocery store triples coupons maybe once a year, and sometimes KMart does the double dollar coupons, but still, the prices are so high that sometimes I walk away from a double dollar coupon offer knowing I can STILL get it cheaper at Walmart.

I've lived in three different towns in the past 7 years and I've found that each Walmart has a slightly different price matching policy in practice, the biggest variations being on meat and dairy, so it really pays to ask a manager.

I think the best way to save money on groceries is to track prices so you'll know when a double coupon deal is really a deal.

[K.n.]

Walmart will price match store brand items. If someone tells you they don't, ask for a manager or call corporate.

[april]

only if it's for one or 2 items and if I dont have a coupon to make it cheaper at Dillons(since they double and take expireds)

[susan]

I price-match every time I shop at Walmart!! I have found it saves me a ton on produce, meat, dairy (things for which you typically do not have coupons that another store would double). Also, there are several Hispanic grocery stores in the Dallas area; these stores have the lowest prices anywhere on produce and meats. Walmart also honors their ads. Super Savings!!!!

[Eden C.]

no, my wm is pretty expensive when it comes to comparing. i hardly go there because hardly ever is the price i hear online the same as my store. 95% of the time my store is more expensive & its such a waste to go there most of the time for me. target is pretty good. but still my store prices are so much better with cats, coupons, double coupons, etc.

[cjphoto2]

My ad does state that Target will price match. I'm in Portland Oregon.

[Stephanie Wickliffe]

I price match every time I go to Wal-Mart. It is the most cost effective and time efficient. There are two local grocery stores that double or triple coupons, but a majority of the time, the price after the doubled/tripled coupons is still more than Wal-Mart's price. The Wal-Mart's checkers are very proficient at price-matching and sometimes even tell you the better price before you say anything.

[DB]

I price match at WM and usually don't have any trouble. I'm in a large metro area, but we don't have any national grocery chains so don't get all the great catalina deals that others do. Only one local store doubles coupons and it is the most expensive grocery store we have. I do much better price matching and using coupons at WM than I would at any of my local grocery stores. I AM excited to hear that Target is going to PM too, but WM is still more convenient for me.

[Stacy]

How do you obtain you coupons if not through the paper on Sunday? On line?

[Dani]

Collen, I think it is everywhere b/c it is advertised in the online weekly ad.

[Sara]

I price match my produce at the local Walmart Neighborhood Market. Reason being is we have 7 grocery stores and a few of them I would only go to for produce because they have the best deals. However I do not have time to drive around to all the stores. I find the neighborhood market to be very quiet and it is very easy to take all the ads in with what I am looking for.

[Karla Thompson]

I price match at Wal-Mart with produce because I never have coupons for that and it saves me from running all over getting good deals. But I agree...I normally go to the grocery store that doubles my coupons. :)

[Carolyn]

I don't price-match at Wal-Mart mainly because I do limited shopping there any more. There are only a handful of items I get there routinely, and between the hassle they have been giving me with internet coupons and only having 4-5 lanes out of 20+ open at any one time (including self checkout!), I can only imagine the headache I would have after trying to price-match!

[Anne]

My Walmart has horrible produce. I won't buy anything there that doesn't come in a box- like crackers or something. No dairy, meat, produce, etc, so price matching doesn't work that well.

I think stocking up when things are on sale at the grocery store and going to different stores depending what I need that week is better for me (though I will price match things at Walmart if I'm there already- but the clerks are usually slow and people behind in line look like they are going to kill you!)

[Jessica]

I price match at Walmart so I am not running around to 5 different stores. I have a Hy Vee and Walgreens very close to me, so those are easy to shop for deals without much added hassle.

But we go to Walmart every other week for a "big" trip of what I can get cheaper and need vs Hy Vee or Walgreens. Having them ad match toilet paper, strawberries, or pop saves me quite a bit of time. And I know others have issues, but my Walmart is great and never hassles me about ad matching or coupons.

[~ Junkyard Jennifer]

I price match fairly often. Not every week but I definitely do. Not one single grocer in my area doubles coupons. I envy those who have that option because like many of you, I am serious about my coupons!

Also, Wal-Mart more often than not has much better prices than our local grocer's do. (One particular grocer in our area is quite a bit more expensive than the other.) Although, in a perfect world, I'd support our local grocer's and not the retail giant. But we have little option at this point in our life...

[Brenda]

I do not shop at Walmart but I do price match at my favorite local grocery store, Super Saver. I love price matching because then I do not have to run to 4 different stores for a few things here and there and Super Saver has the best produce in town. Now that Target is matching ad prices I am super excited because this is my 2nd favorite place to shop and with the great coupons they offer I am sure I can get super deals.

[Rachel @ Surviving The Stores]

I typically only price match at Walmart for produce, meat and products on sale at CVS or Walgreens that run out of stock quickly (like when the Electrosol is on sale).

[Becca]

Here, Walmart is pretty much the only choice. You people with all these options don't know how good you have it! We just can't get the same deals........so I do price match. Usually produce to the Aldi ad, as the Aldi is WAY out of my way to drive.

[Amber]

I always price match at WM. This week I mentioned this to the clerk and she told me a better price on milk from another store. I price match almost weekly because in my town we only have one other grocery store so things are pretty high there. My clerk confirmed that they do price match other store brands to their brand. They just had a commercial on TV about price matching as I was reading this.

[Bekah]

If I'm going to Wal-Mart I will price match; however, they (as in the manager I dealt w/ last time after YEARS of doing it this way) will no longer match CVS prices that advertise "with card" - even though the CVS card is free to anyone who walks through their door. It has to be item for item without rebates, ECB's, register rewards, etc.

[Swap Savers]

I have price matched at other stores like Toys R Us. Usually when I price match it is due to the store being closer to where I live or I have other items I need to buy at that store.

[Donnamarie]

Crystal:
This is a bit off-topic, but are you going to do your Monthly Budget posting soon? Can't wait to hear how you've done.
--Donnamarie

[Sariah]

I've never price matched at Wal-Mart. It used to be the main store that I would shop at - but since discovering how to work the system at other stores I haven't really been back. Even with cheaper prices in general, they're still more expensive than my other stores (who double coupons and have great loss leaders).

[Brooke]

I price match at Wal-mart every week. I find all the cheapest prices/loss-leader items from the other stores in the area (mine even price matches store brand to store brand), but save gas and time by only having to go to one store. I just leave them at the end of my order and quickly tell the cashier at the end. The never ask to see my ads - just quickly and easily take my word for it. I was nervous to do it the first time, but now, several years later, can't imagine not doing it! I might make an occasional trip to other stores for gimmicks or catalina deals, but do very well at Wal-mart!

[Wendi]

I find that most of the time that WM has already lowered their price to the ad. If not, then I will price match. I do most of my shopping once a month at WM. I then shop other stores if the sales and coupons make it worth the trip.

[ADollarSaved]

I sometimes find employees unwilling to price-match willfully...

[Honey]

I'm trying to figure out exactly how they would do that-because Walmart does not really put out a regular sales flyer. ???
I have price matched before. But I agree with you Crystal-I do much better at CVS, Walgreens, and Kroger. On the few occasions I have matched, one cashier was very easy going. Another cashier (a manager) said I could price match OR use a coupon, but not both! I just decided to buy the item accross the street and not give the $ to Walmart.

[All Things Frugal 4-U & Me]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE ad matching at Walmart:) LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT.
Can I just say I love it? LOL
Saves me a fortune and a ton of time-love it!!
I blogged about my tips for doing it, here a couple of months ago-
http://allthingsfrugal4-u.blogspot.com/2009/05/ad-matching-at-wal-mart-like-pro.html

LOVE IT!!!!!!!

I think it's GREAT that Target is going to offer the program, even though my Target is an hour away... I encourage everyone to try it.
Just my 2 pennys:)

[Shannon Sikes]

I do not price match because the closest super walmart to me is as far away as the farthest grocery store that I travel to. I do have a friend who has two little ones and I know she price matches all the time so she doesn't have to get her two little ones in and out of the car 5 times.

[Lady Jenn]

I very rarely price match at Wal-mart. I prefer to shop at the grocery stores with their sales and doubling coupons, then to shop at walmart for groceries.

[Julie]

I always price match at Wal-Mart.
I saw the price match announcements in this Sunday's Target ad, too. Looks promising.
I only shop at Wal-Mart or Krogers and then Target for certain specials.
If I can use a coupon that will double or triple and make a good deal, I will get it at Kroger. If not, I buy it at Walmart. I have a spreadsheet of everything I always buy with the Wal-Mart price listed next to it. This way, I can quickly see if I am getting a deal at Kroger with my coupon or if it would be cheaper to buy it at Walmart.

[Carrie]

I price match at Walmart if one of my other stores is out of something on sale and I have coupons that possibly exp soon. Otherwise I can get a raincheck at my regular store (Meijer). My walmart is actually really good about price matching and WILL match another store brands price... So if I stop at walmart for something else and then realize I need milk and meijer milk is 1.98 I just get the great value brand and they DO price match for me.

Our walmart has actually done a very good job lately though matching other stores prices by having shelf stickers labeled with the competitors ad and then their price is one cent below. For example if meijer has hamburger helper on sale for 99 cents, walmart will put the picture below the hamburger helper and then theirs will be 98 cents.

[Jenna]

I also price match to avoid the much longer drive to the nearest discount grocer. I get ads from several different stores in my Wednesday paper. I agree that they are very picky, and most of the time the cashier is not sure of their policy or not sure how to ring it up. But I just wait, and smile : ).
And I realize it is the middle of summer : ), but I thought I would throw this out there to tuck away for the holidays. For those of you who love the Friday after Thanksgiving shopping craziness - I know several people who take their ads to Walmart and get the price match for the same item without having to throw elbows to get it! I would scout Walmart a day or two before just to make sure they have the item you are after.

[Sarah]

I price match all of the time at Walmart because here in Omaha, it is harder to find great grocery deals at other stores. Our version of Kroger doesn't double or triple coupons and no one else in town does either that I have heard of (we even get skipped over on the K Mart super doubles every time - booooooo). So for us, most of the best prices we can get are at Walmart and if not, I price match to get the lowest price. I always make sure to use coupons too but with Walmart, I don't get near as much free stuff as I can at Target and Walgreens (but I don't get groceries at those two places, just other items). I need to go check my Target ad to see if they are going to do price matching - I always wished they would as they would get a ton more of my business if they did!

[Chrissy]

I have never tried price matching because almost everything I but, I use a coupon on. I'm afraid that WalMart (and now Target) wouldn't allow both a price match and coupon on one item. Does anyone have any experience with this??? Thanks!

[Cindy]

I would love to know as well. Where do you get your coupons if you don't get the Sunday paper?

I don't price match. I, too, think that my local supermarkets far exceed those prices at Target or Walmart especially with double or even triple coupons. Of course, except for the great deals here and there.