What stores price match in Canada?
Electronics Stores
1. Does Best Buy price match?
Yes! Best Buy’s ‘Low Price Guarantee’ states that if you find a lower price either online, in-store or in print, you can match the price before you purchase or within 30 days of purchase with the original receipt. Additionally, if Best Buy’s price drops after you make a purchase, you’re also eligible for a refund of the difference within 30 days.
2. How to price match at Staples
In order to take advantage of Staples’ price match policy, you need to present proof of a lower advertised price from an authorized Canadian dealer, excluding eBay and Amazon, at the time of purchase or within 30 days (14 for electronics). Its price match policy even specifies that if a competitor offers a bonus, such as a product that Staples carries or a gift card, it’ll match both the price and bonus offer.
Home stores
3. Does Home Depot price match?
Home Depot’s ‘Price Guarantee’ policy differs based on the competitor. If the lower price is from a retail store, Home Depot will match the price and beat it by 10%. For online-only stores, Home Depot won’t beat the price but will still match it. There are some products that aren’t covered by the Price Guarantee policy, so check with Home Depot before purchasing.
4. How to price match Lowe’s
Lowe’s will match a competitor’s lower price and is valid for purchases both online and in-store.
5. What is Leon’s price match policy?
Leon’s offers a 30-day price guarantee with its ‘Integrity Pricing’ policy if you find a lower price elsewhere. Be sure to look out for the fine print here. To qualify for a price match, the product must come from the same local trading area, include the same terms and conditions, and if financing, the terms need to be identical as well.
6. How does Rona price match?
Rona offers price matching, as well as an additional 10% off for major appliances that are at least $1 cheaper than Rona's listed price. The policy is valid both in-store and online and for competitors from brick-and-mortar stores.
7. What kind of price matching does The Brick offer?
The Brick offers a tiered price match policy with different rules for different products. For appliances, you have 30 days from pick-up or delivery to match a competitor’s price, with an additional 20% off. For mattresses, you have 90 days, and The Brick will beat the price by 10%. For everything else, you have 30 days to claim a price match.
Groceries
8. Does No Frills price match?
The No Frills "Won’t be Beat" policy states that if you find a lower price from a locally-based major competitor, you can show an ad or receipt to get a price match. If you’re looking to save cash while racking up as many PC Optimum points as possible, shopping and price matching at No Frills is a great option.
9. Does FreshCo price match?
FreshCo will price match four items in a grocery haul from other local supermarkets with competitive pricing. This policy doesn’t apply to special promotions and loyalty program discounts or on items like tobacco, liquor, prescriptions and more.
10. How does Giant Tiger price match?
Giant Tiger has an Ad Match Guarantee policy where it’ll beat the advertised price of any local competitor by $0.01. Items must be carried in-store and this policy excludes special promos such as "buy 2 get 1 free," clearance sales and online offers.
11. Does Maxi price match?
Maxi is a supermarket located only in Quebec, but it will price-match any competitor’s price. Simply make sure the item is the identical and that Maxi carries it, and you’ll be able to get the item for a lower price. However, similar to FreshCo, you can only match up to four units per visit.
12. Does Real Canadian Superstore price match?
As part of the Loblaw’s family, you can collect PC Optimum points and price match at the Real Canadian Superstore, similar to No Frills. Its price matching policy allows you to match prices from local major supermarkets on up to four items.
Other retailers
13. Does Costco price match?
Costco claims it already offers the most competitive pricing on everyday items, so it doesn’t have a price matching policy. However, it does offer price adjustments. If an item you purchase on Costco.ca drops within 30 days of purchase, you can apply to get a refund of the difference. Note that this policy is valid online only.
14. Does Toys ‘R’ Us price match?
Toys ‘R’ Us will do price adjustments for items that are reduced in price. It will refund you the difference within 30 days of your purchase. It doesn’t do in-store and online price matching to other retailers’ prices.
15. Does PetSmart offer price matching?
For in-store purchases, PetSmart will match a competitor’s lower price if the item is in stock. This policy doesn’t cover online sites or catalogues or special promo pricing such as “buy 1 get 1 free.” For online price matches, PetSmart will match the price of identical products from online retailers, except for online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.
How does price matching work?
Before you start looking for a price match everywhere you go, you should know the different ways price guarantees work.
Price matching refers to when a retailer matches the lower price of its competitor. This can be done either at the time of purchase or within a grace period after you’ve already made your purchase.
Price beating works a little differently, but it’s especially worth taking advantage of since it’ll save you even more. As an example, a retailer might offer a price beating policy by first matching the advertised competitor’s price and then beating it by a percentage of the difference, often 10%. This can really pay off with big-ticket items like TVs or appliances.
Finally, most retailers that offer price matching will also match their own prices. For example, if you buy a new laptop at full price and the following week it goes on sale and drops by $100, you’re entitled to get a refund for the difference.
What to look out for when price matching
Retailers will happily match a price as long as it fits the stipulations outlined in their policies. Most price matching policies are relatively strict, so before you head back to the store or contact customer service, look out for these details:
- The lower price needs to be from an authorized Canadian dealer. This means the competitor offering the lower price has to be both in Canada and authorized to sell that product.
- Special event pricing isn’t included in the policy. Usually, pricing during special promotional events such as Boxing Day or Black Friday isn’t covered.
- Items need to be identical. That means everything down to the brand, model and colour need to be exactly the same.
- The item needs to be new and in stock. The point of a price match is that you can go to a competitor and buy the same item, new in the box, right away and for a cheaper price.
- Take hidden costs into account. When price matching an item from a competitor you find online, look at the shipping and handling costs since this will be added before price matching is applied.
Extra benefits and savings from credit cards
Get even more bang for your buck with credit cards that offer perks, rewards and other exclusive benefits like partnerships with other big-name brands.
Low interest credit cards for those who have a balance
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MBNA True Line Gold Mastercard: This Mastercard offers an extremely low annual interest rate on purchases for a low annual fee. Additional perks include: Buyer’s Assurance and Purchase Protection insurance, and you can add up to nine authorized users with no additional fee. For travellers that rent cars, this card gives you discounts on Avis and Budget car rentals.
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Scotiabank Value Visa Card: This card offers a competitive interest rate on purchases as well as balance transfers and cash advances (12.99%). These universally low rates are rare, and can potentially save you a lot of money across a variety of transaction types. Conditions apply and are subject to change.
Big rewards cards
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BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Card: This card has an incredibly high accelerated earn rate categories for groceries and dining. The card gives you 5 BMO Rewards for every $1 spent on items that fall within the card’s grocery and dining categories. It also features two more high-earn categories of gas and transit that will get you 5 BMO Rewards points per $1 spent. Cardholders earn one BMO Reward point per $1 for all other purchases. The points can then be redeemed for a variety of things like merchandise, travel, gift cards, and statement credit.
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American Express Cobalt Card: Pay a low monthly fee and earn accelerated points on eligible food purchases in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (a spending cap applies). Earn 3x the points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada. Earn 2x the points on eligible ride shares, transit, and gas in Canada. Earn one additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings via American Express Travel Online and earn one point per $1 spent on everything else.
Rewards with other merchants
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PC World Elite Mastercard: If you frequently shop at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix or Superstore (and other Loblaws banner grocery stores) you will maximize your earn rate with this Mastercard. It's particularly good given the $0 annual fee. Once you’ve earned 10,000 points or more, all you need to do is present your credit card to the cashier when you go to pay and ask them to take $10 (or more) off your bill. Since you get the money directly off your bill, it can be considered it a ‘cash equivalent’ credit card.
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Scotiabank Gold American Express: This card offers very high earn rates on what are likely your biggest daily spending categories, including eligible grocers like Sobeys as well as dining, other grocery stores, and entertainment. Plus a moderately a high earn rate on money spent on eligible gas, daily transit and select streaming purchases. It’s also one of the few cards in Canada that waives foreign transaction fees, saving you money every time you make a purchase in a foreign currency. Conditions apply.
Final word
When it comes to price matching, it’s always important to read the fine print. Before heading out to the store, make sure to read the store’s price matching policy on their website to make sure you’re eligible. Still, price matching works most of the time so it’s always worth scoping out the competition before making a purchase. Start making it a habit, and price matching will soon become one of your go-to ways to save money while shopping.
FAQ
Does Loblaws price match?
Not all Loblaws stores price match, but the ones that do include: Real Canadian Superstore, Maxi and No Frills.
Does Food Basics price match?
Food Basics does not price match, but deals and savings from the grocer can be brought to stores that do perform price matches.
Does Metro price match?
Metro does not price match.
Which grocery stores price match?
Groceries stores that price match include: Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, Maxi, Giant Tiger, FreschCo, No Frills.
Does Shoppers Drug Mart price match?
No, Shoppers Drug Mart does not price match, but it does offer value to its customers through its loyalty program PC Optimum, personalized deals and special discounts.
Does Best Buy price match?
Best Buy does offer price match with its ‘Low Price Guarantee’. If you find a lower price either online, in-store or in print, you can match the price before you purchase or within 30 days of purchase with the original receipt. Additionally, if Best Buy’s price drops after you make a purchase, you’re also eligible for a refund of the difference within 30 days.
