What Stores Price Match In Canada?

Price matching ebbs and flows in popularity, which makes it hard for consumers to keep track of which retailers currently offer it.

We’ve listed some of the biggest retailers in the company and checked their price match policies so you can quickly see whether you can reach out for a price adjustment or a better deal.

What is price matching?

Price matching is the retail practice of matching the lower price of a competitor on an identical item carried in their store.

Here’s how it works: you’re shopping and see an item you want to buy, but you know a competitor is selling it cheaper. To get a price match, you usually go up to a sales associate and show them the competitor’s price (usually with a paper or online ad). They’ll adjust the price in their system, so you pay the cheaper price without going to the competition.

Retailers do this to keep price integrity and stop customers from shopping with competing retailers. As the customer, you benefit by paying a lower price than you would’ve had you not brought the price discrepancy to the store’s attention.

Price matching can take a lot of research, but it’s always nice to get a personal deal and ensure you’re not paying more than you need to.

What stores price match in Canada?

More and more businesses offer some level of price matching, so this list isn’t exhaustive. Instead, we’ve explored the price match policies of major retailers in Canada. Take a look.

Electronics and office stores

Does Best Buy price match?

Yes, if you find a lower price from another retailer or authorized dealer in-store, online, or in print, either before you buy or within 30 days after your purchase, Best Buy will match it.

If Best Buy’s price has been reduced, simply present your original receipt within 30 days of purchase, and they will match the price and refund the difference.

Does Apple price match?

No, Apple does not price match its competitors. However, if you purchase an Apple-branded item from Apple and the company lowers the price of the item within 15 days of you purchasing it, you can get a refund of the difference by calling customer service or going into an Apple store.

Does Dell price match?

Yes, Dell matches eligible lower-priced electronics sold online by other retailers. The company’s price match policy is vague, and they advise you to call or chat online with a Dell representative to walk you through the process.

Keep in mind that Dell doesn’t price match purchases made in store - only online retailers count.

Does Staples price match?

Yes, Staples will price match a lower price on an identical item (same model, components, and warranty) from an authorized reseller that’s in stock. You must present either a receipt, a dated advertisement, or web link to prove the competing lower price. Keep in mind that the competitor’s price can’t be on sale.

Grocery stores

Does No Frills price match?

Yes, No Frills matches the price of any Canadian competitor’s lower price on an identical item (same brand, size, type, and measurement) as long as it’s in a competing flyer (paper or digital) and the dates for the price are still valid.

The competitor must operate in the same trade area as the store where you’re requesting the price match.

Does Food Basics price match?

No, Food Basics doesn’t price match and no information about getting a price-matched item is available on its website. The company states that its prices are always low and items are always in stock - if they aren’t, Food Basics gives a raincheck plus 10% off the item.

Does Freshco price match?

Yes, if you show the current digital or paper flyer of a competitor in the same geographic trade area advertising a lower priced item that’s the same brand, size, and has the same attributes as an item available inside a FreshCo store, they will discount their item by $0.01 lower than the competitor’s advertised price.

Does Save-On-Foods price match?

Yes, but their system is unique. If a recognized national brand (the list is available by request in-store) is offering a lower price than an identical item on any Western Family store brand product, then customers will get the first item free and the next few items at the competitor’s lower price.

Save-On-Foods price matches any active flyer price from a competitor on identical items in-store, but they don’t price match items purchased online through Save-On-Foods.com.

Does Metro price match?

No, Metro does not have a price match policy in place.

Does Loblaws price match?

Loblaws does not have a price match policy on its website. In the past, customers were told they might be able to receive a price match, but that they’d have to speak to customer service. Many reviewers noted that it was almost impossible to actually get a price match.

Home and home improvement stores

Does Canadian Tire price match?

No, Canadian Tire no longer matches competitor prices. Canadian Tire quietly discontinued price matching in August of 2022.

Does Home Depot price match?

Yes, Home Depot offers a 10% discount on identical, in-stock items that are available from local competitors when presented with a flyer, printout, photo, or website link showing a lower price on an item Home Depot currently offers in their stores.

Home Depot only agrees to a price match if the retailer only operates online - you won’t get the 10% discount.

Does Rona price match?

Rona, Canada’s go-to store for home improvement, will price match a lower price from a Canadian competitor that either ships within Canada if it's online or has a brick-and-mortar store within a 25 km radius.

The item must be identical (same make and model), and you must provide reasonable proof that the competitor’s price is lower by either bringing their full ad to the store or providing a link to the item on the web.

The item must be in stock and not part of a special sale. Also, if the price is more than a $1 lower than the same price at your local Rona, then Rona will give you 10% off the item.

Does Home Hardware price match?

Home Hardware price matches on a very basic level. They will match any advertised competitor’s price on identical, in-stock items. They exclude material packages, material package quotes, and contractor pricing.

Does Wayfair price match?

No, Wayfair’s website states the company prides itself on offering the best prices at all times, so it does not price match.

Other retailers

Does Walmart price match?

No. Walmart ended its ad match (price match) policy on October 15, 2021, stating the company is confident it has the lowest prices on the items it sells, so it would never need to price match.

That said, if you purchase something from a Walmart store only to find it cheaper on Walmart’s website, the company will adjust the price.

Does Costco price match?

No. Costco’s website states that it always strives to provide the most competitive prices, so the company does not price match.

Does Amazon price match?

No. Amazon.ca notes that it strives to offer the lowest prices on everything it carries, so it doesn’t price match.

How to price match with your credit card

There's another way to price match items – with a credit card.

Some credit cards offer insurance called "price protection." Pay for an item with your credit card, and if you see it for less within a certain time frame (usually between 60 to 90 days), the insurance company will pay you the difference, provided you meet the qualifications and file the appropriate documentation (the insurance certificates have these details).

This way, you don't have to worry about whether or not a store has a price match policy. All you need to do is prove the item was cheaper somewhere else.

Unfortunately, not many credit cards have price protection. Here is a summary of the best ones that do.

Credit Card	Welcome Bonus	Rewards	Annual Fee, Income Requirements	Apply Now
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard	$150 GC Boost + 30,000 bonus points (terms)	* 5 points for every $1 spent on restaurants, groceries, and select recurring bills (up to $50,000 spent annually per category) * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases	* $120 * $80K personal/$150K household	Learn More
MBNA Smart Cash World Mastercard	5% cash back on gas and groceries for the first 6 months, up to $500 spent per month (terms)	* 2% cash back on gas and groceries, up to $500 in combined spend monthly * 1% cash back on all other purchases	* $39 * $60K personal/$100K household	Learn More

This domain belongs to HSBC and MBNA. If you're looking to get the money back that you deserve using a price match, these cards are for you.

How to make a price protection claim

First, make sure you're within the time frame and that the item is eligible for a claim. Gather all the required documentation the insurer requires, and submit your claim.

I've personally done a claim with the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard – you need to create an account and submit your information using this website.

After you've submitted your claim, the insurer will let you know if it was approved, and if it is, you should receive a cheque with the price difference.