Several major retailers offer both types of policies. Some retailers, like Amazon.com, don't have either. Others have one but not the other; for example, Banana Republic and Ann Taylor, which sell their own brands, have only price-adjustment policies. Of course, there are loopholes, so you need to read the fine print, which you can generally find on the company's Web site. If the retailer doesn't say what its policy is, as we found in some cases, ask before you buy. Here's what you need to know:
Stores won't match all merchants
Some retailers match prices of local merchants only, the definition of which can be fuzzy. Target, for instance, says the retailer must be in the same market area, defined as "a city, a metropolitan area, or a specific rural region." Many walk-in retailers won't match online or online-only prices, while some Web-based merchants match only online prices. Some walk-in stores won't match their own online prices. Walmart goes even further, saying it won't match other Walmart stores.
Proof must be in writing
You typically must present an ad or other document, often in its entirety. If you present a photocopy or the offer itself cut out of a circular, you may be out of luck. The same may be true for electronic copies. "Photos, photocopies, or mobile-phone versions of the ad cannot be accepted as verification of competitive pricing," the Target policy says. The ad you present typically must be for the exact same model, a problem if a retailer has exclusive models that are virtually identical to ones sold by competitors except for the model name or number. And price matching is out if you negotiate a price or if the price isn't actually advertised anywhere (for example, if a store won't reveal the price unless you call or put the item in your online shopping cart).
Not everything is covered
Stores typically won't match services, including labor and installation; discontinued and damaged items; and certain brands. One retailer excludes Apple products, for example. Sears will only match the prices from Kmart and other Sears Holdings companies, and will not provide the extra 10 percent, as it does for other retailers.
Items must be in stock
To match a competitor's price, most stores require that the competing retailer have the product in stock, and they may check to make sure. Sears provides some wiggle room, expanding the definition of "in stock" to include items that can be delivered within seven days. But it doesn't match items that are available in limited quantities.
Special sales might be excluded
Some price-match policies, such as Best Buy's, specifically exclude sale prices you'll find on or immediately after Thanksgiving. Many also exclude prices from grand openings, liquidations, stores anniversaries, clearance sales, and other special events.
