26 stores you didn’t know offer price matching

A price match policy is the savvy shopper’s secret weapon; letting you secure a competitor’s lower price without trekking across town. Many Australian brands will match or even beat a better deal if you know where to ask. Here are some of the key players to keep in mind.

Retail

Many of Australia’s biggest retailers will match a competitor’s price, whether you’ve found it online or in-store. This is great news if you like to hunt for deals online but browse in person. It means you can see and touch the item you want, then ask the retailer to match the cheaper price you found elsewhere. Here are some big-name retailers that price match in Australia:

• David Jones will price match any local retailer for an identical product, not including items on sale or available with loyalty points or vouchers.
• Myer will match the price of any Australian retail store if they offer an identical product either in-store.
• Ebay gives vouchers for the price difference plus 5% if you find an item you purchased for less elsewhere within 48 hours.
• Baby Bunting will price beat any identical item, online or in-store, by 5%, provided the cost is over $50 and meets the terms and conditions.
• AliExpress can price match when you find a cheaper, identical item online. You can claim your match through the My Orders section in your app or online account.

Tools and hardware

In the fight to be a tradies’ go-to store, tools and hardware stores have fairly competitive price-match and price-beat policies. Some of these include:

• Bunnings will beat the price of an identical item by 10%. This excludes trade quotes and commercial quantities.
• Tool Kit Depot will beat the price of an identical product from any Australian competitor excluding Bunnings Group businesses.
• Sydney Tools will price match either online or in store, provided an identical product is offered by another authorised Australian retailer.
• Total Tools match the price for any identical product when you provide evidence of a lower advertised price.
• Supercheap Auto says it will beat the price of any identical or comparable product, including any freight or other related charges.
• Jaycar will beat the price for any identical product by 1% or price match for an equivalent product when you visit in store with proof of a lower advertised price.

Sports and hobbies

Price matching can be particularly convenient when it comes to sports and hobbies. Many of the big-brand sports and hobbies stores in Australia offer programs that allow you to earn rewards or points towards your purchase. So if you’re a member at a particular store but find a cheaper price elsewhere, take the proof to them, ask them to match it, and earn points on your account at the same time.

• BCF offers to match the price of any identical product that’s sold for a lower price by an Australian competitor, including GST delivery and any other charges.
• Rebel Sport will match the price of an identical product from a competitor. The product must be identical in all ways including size, colour and brand.
• Anaconda will beat any competitor price by 10% for an identical item when you provide evidence of the lower price in store.
• PetBarn matches prices on identical products from any Australian pet store, whether it’s online or in person.

Appliances and electronics

For major purchases like appliances and electronics, a price match can mean serious savings. But the benefits often go beyond the initial discount. It allows you to get the best price while still choosing a retailer based on their convenient delivery, trusted warranty, or simply because you prefer to shop there. Here are a few of the options available:

• The Good Guys website automatically checks competitor sites and will beat prices for identical items when you select the price check option before adding to cart.
• Officeworks will beat a competitor’s price on an identical product by 5%. This includes prices from online stores.
• Harvey Norman will price match on an identical, advertised product, either when you buy it or up to seven days later.
• Bing Lee will match the price for an identical product from an Australian retailer based on all charges including GST and delivery.
• Appliances Online will match the price of any identical product advertised within the last 14 days, and doesn’t include ‘agency brands’ that set their own prices.
• Ted’s Cameras will try to beat the price, or offer a package of better value, when you make a Price Inquiry online or over the phone, not in-store. This process can take a few days to complete and excludes items under $100.

Airlines

Both Qantas and Jetstar offer price matching but they don’t exactly make it easy. There are strict conditions in place, but it can be done. Try looking at third-party booking websites to see if you can find a lower price on a comparable flight.

• Jetstar can beat the price of a lower comparable fare by 10%, provided your flight meets the outlined criteria, such as finding a flight on the same route within 90 minutes.
• Qantas will beat the cost of a same-day Qantas flight you find elsewhere by a minimum of $5. Simply show a screenshot of the lower price with all details included and submit your claim online.

Telco

A price match on a pricey new gadget can feel like a massive win, especially if it’s a phone you’d prefer to buy from a particular provider so you can get a plan with them too. Just know that tech and electronics often come with stricter-than-usual conditions, so be sure to read the policy’s fine print carefully before you go to the counter.

• Telstra will match the price of any phone, tablet or hotspot when you find a cheaper price within 7 days of making your purchase.
• Samsung can price match any identical item from an eligible retailer within 14 days of purchasing from the Samsung Online Store.
• TPG will beat the price of any other comparable NBN plan for the first 12 months when you apply within 7 days of signing up.

Things to look out for when price matching

• Don’t be afraid to ask for a price match at any retailer: While a store may not advertise a price match policy, there’s no harm in asking.
• Identical must be identical: ‘Identical match’ is a term you’ll see in many retailers’ terms and conditions, and it can be quite strict. A small difference in the product code could mean it’s not eligible. However, don’t be afraid to ask, they may choose to match it regardless.
• Pay attention to online retailers: Brick and mortar stores may only price match with other in-person retailers. Some may be willing to price match with online stores, which due to the lower overheads, typically have cheaper prices, so it’s important to check.