Price adjustments and price matching: what big retailers say

You buy something, and a few days later it's cheaper. Whether you can get the difference back depends entirely on the store, and the rules are narrower than many shoppers think. The two terms get used loosely, so here's how we use them: a price match is a store agreeing to sell you an item at a lower price found somewhere else (often at checkout), and a price adjustment is a refund of the difference after you've already bought it.

Target: its own prices, within a window

Target's help pages say price matches can be requested at the time of purchase or within 14 days after. The lower price has to be at Target.com, in a Target store, or through a Target Circle deal. Original receipts, physical or digital, or packing slips are required for adjustments after purchase, and Target says screenshots or pictures can't be accepted in store.

The policy also lists offers that can't be combined with a price match, including Target Circle bonuses, certain gift card offers, registry completion coupons and Target coupons. Target has announced extended holiday price match windows in some years. When one is running, the dates are on Target's price match page.

Older versions of Target's policy described matching certain competitors. The current help pages we read describe matching Target's own prices, so don't count on a competitor match unless the current policy says so.

Walmart: Walmart.com prices in store, nothing else

Walmart's stores will match the price of an identical item that's in stock on Walmart.com, under the conditions in the policy. You tell the associate the price at checkout. The exclusions are long: competitors' prices online or in store, marketplace sellers, Walmart.com special-event prices such as clearance, Rollback and Black Friday deals, bundles, rebates and offers without a specific price, and prices from other Walmart stores. Some matches need supervisor approval, and the store manager on duty has the final decision.

For Walmart.com orders, Walmart says it doesn't offer price matching, including for items whose price dropped after you bought them.

Amazon: no general adjustment we could confirm

We looked for a general price-drop adjustment policy on Amazon's help pages and didn't find one for ordinary purchases. Amazon's coupon terms do say that when you return an item bought with a coupon, the coupon's value may be subtracted from your refund. If a price drops after you buy, Amazon's customer service is the place to ask, but don't plan around getting the difference back.

Costco: unconfirmed window

Many posts say Costco will refund the difference if an item goes on sale soon after you buy it, and give a specific number of days. We didn't find that window in Costco's published member privileges and conditions. Ask at the membership counter if it happens to you; treat the online number as unverified.

Steps: asking for a match or adjustment

1. Keep the receipt. Digital receipts in the store app count at Target.
2. Check the source of the lower price. It has to be one the policy names.
3. Check the exclusions. Clearance, special events, marketplace sellers and coupons are common ones.
4. Check the window. Target names one; Walmart's store match happens at checkout.
5. Ask politely and accept the final call. Every policy gives the store the last word.

What about other stores?

CVS, Walgreens, Kroger and Dollar General run their pricing through weekly ads, coupons and loyalty offers more than through match policies. If you want to know whether one of them will adjust a price, ask at the register or customer service. Policies vary by store and change over time.

These policies change, sometimes around holidays. Check the official pages below before you count on a match or adjustment.