What Stores Price Match In Canada?

Price match policies are offered by many popular retailers, including Best Buy, Staples, No Frills, FreshCo, Home Depot, and many more. These policies allow consumers to ensure they're getting the best deal possible.

This article lists many major Canadian retailers that offer price matching, explores how these policies compare, and offers suggestions for how to get price protection from your credit card.

What is a price match?

A price match, or 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 show a sales associate the competitor's price, usually with a paper or online advertisement. They'll adjust the price in their system, so you pay the cheaper price without going to the competition.

Retailers do this to maintain price integrity and stop customers from shopping with competing retailers. As the customer, you benefit by paying a lower price and exerting less effort.

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.

Which stores price match in Canada?

More and more businesses have a price match policy of some kind, so this list isn't exhaustive. Instead, we've explored the price match policies of major retailers in Canada:

Electronics and office stores that price match

Does Best Buy price match?

Yes, Best Buy does price match. 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 the price at Best Buy drops after your purchase, you can bring your receipt within 30 days and they'll match the new price and refund the difference.

Does Apple price match?

No, Apple doesn't 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 offers a price match on eligible electronics sold online by other retailers. Just note 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.

However, Dell doesn't price match purchases made in store – it only matches online pricing.

Does Staples price match?

Yes, Staples will price match a lower price on an in-stock identical item (same model, components, and warranty) from an authorized reseller. You must present either a receipt, a dated advertisement, or web link to prove the competing lower price.

Keep in mind that it can't be competitor's sale price that you're requesting be matched. The Staples policy only applies to its competitors' regular prices.

Grocery stores that price match

Does No Frills price match?

Yes, No Frills grocery stores will match 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. The dates for the price must still be valid, but it can be either an online or physical flyer price.

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 their 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, FreshCo will offer a price match if you show a competitor's current digital or paper flyer advertising a lower-priced item that's the same brand, size, and has the same attributes as an item available inside a FreshCo store.

The competitor must be in the same geographic trade area, but FreshCo will discount items by $0.01 in order to beat the competitor's advertised price.

Does Save-On-Foods price match?

Yes, if a competitor within the same geographical region is offering a lower price on an item, Save-On-Foods will match the price. Double check that the sale is still ongoing and that you have the flyer or ad with you at customer service, or Save-On-Foods may refuse to honour it.

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 doesn't have a price match policy in place.

Does Loblaws price match?

No, Loblaws doesn't advertise 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.

During our research, though, we found that many reviewers noted that it was almost impossible to actually get a price match at a Loblaws store.

Home and home improvement stores that price match

Does Canadian Tire price match?

No, Canadian Tire no longer offers a price match for competitor prices. This practice was discontinued in August of 2022.

Does Home Depot price match?

Yes, Home Depot offers price matches – actually, it offers a 10% discount on identical, in-stock items that are available from local competitors. You'll need to present a flyer, printout, photo, or website link showing a lower price on an item Home Depot currently offers in their stores.

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:

• Will ship to your address
• Has a brick-and-mortar store within a 25 km radius

The item must be identical (same make and model), in stock, and not on sale. 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 online.

Does Home Hardware price match?

Home Hardware price matches on a very basic level. They'll match any advertised competitor's price on identical, in-stock items.

Note that material packages, material package quotes, and contractor pricing are excluded.

Does Wayfair price match?

No, Wayfair's website states the company prides itself on offering the best prices at all times, so it doesn't price match.

Other retailers that price match

Does Walmart price match?

No. Walmart ended its ad match (price match) policy on October 15, 2020, stating they're confident they have the lowest prices on the items they sell. 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 they always strive to provide the most competitive prices, so they don't price match.

Costco does have an incredibly flexible return policy, though. You have ample opportunity to return an item if you find a lower price elsewhere.

Does Amazon price match?

No, Amazon aims to offer the lowest prices on everything they carry, so they don't price match.

How to price match with your credit card

Some credit cards offer price protection insurance – if you pay for an item with your credit card, and if you see it for less within a certain time frame (usually between 60 and 90 days), the insurance company will pay you the difference.

There are qualifications involved and you'll need to file appropriate documentation, but this type of insurance is quite valuable. It means 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.

There aren't many cards that offer this perk, but here's a summary of the best ones that do:

How to make a price protection claim

To make a price protection claim, you must first make sure that you're within the timeframe and that the item is eligible for a claim. Gather all the required documentation the insurer requires, and submit your claim.

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.

FAQ

What is the meaning of price match?

Price matching is when a retailer allows you to purchase an item for a lower price because one of their competitors has it available for that price. If you find an item that's being sold by a competitor for a cheaper price, you can show your preferred merchant an ad with the details and receive a refund for the difference.

Who still price matches in Canada?

There are many retailers who price match in Canada, including Best Buy, Staples, Dell, No Frills, FreshCo, Save-On-Foods, Home Depot, Rona, and Home Hardware. Each merchant's terms and conditions are unique, so be sure to check these before taking advantage of the policy.

Does Canadian Tire price match?

Canadian Tire used to have a price match policy in place, but it discontinued the practice in 2022. If you're a loyal Canadian Tire customer, it's a good idea to shop around before making a big purchase with Canadian Tire.

Does Walmart price match?

Walmart has offered price matching in the past, but it discontinued its policy in 2021. Walmart does have consistently low prices, and accepts returns within 90 days of purchase, but we recommend checking competitors' prices before making a big purchase.

What items are excluded from a price match?

Each retailer's price match policy is a little bit different, but competitor sale prices often aren't accepted, nor are clearance prices. Membership-based subscriptions aren't usually accepted either. Be sure to check the retailer's policy before asking for a price match.

When price matching, does it have to be the same brand?

Yes, price matching almost always requires that the item in question is the exact same brand, size, and style as what's offered by the competitor. Plus, the item usually has to be in stock with both retailers in order to qualify for price matching.