Price Match to Save Money and Time

Did you know that price matching in Canada is a great way to save money and time?

Many stores in Canada offer a price match guarantee. They’ll match the advertised sale price of any competitive retailer as long as it is the exact same item and in the current sale period.  They’ll even accept coupons on top!

In the following post, I hope to show you all the ins and outs of price matching so you can stop shopping at so many stores! (If you’re prone to driving all around town to catch all the sales that is!)

What is price matching?

Say you need to do most of your shopping at Walmart, but there are a few good sales you noticed in the Shoppers Drug Mart, Zellers and Real Canadian Superstore flyers.  Rather than visit all four stores, you could simply price match those sales at Walmart.   For example, say Zellers has Tide laundry detergent on sale for $4.99.  By presenting your Zellers flyer to the cashier at Walmart and stating you’d like to price match the price of the Tide found in the Zellers flyer, the cashier will then give you the Zellers price rather than the Walmart price!  Make sense?

How to price match?

As long as the exact product (size, variety, etc) mentioned in the flyer that you wish to price match is found on the shelves at the store where you’re doing the price matching, you’ll get the sale price.  Also make sure that you have the current flyer in tow as you can’t price match something that was on sale two weeks ago.  (example: Say you’re shopping on June 21 at Walmart, make sure you have the June 17 – 23, 2011 Zellers flyer with you)  Here are the steps you can take to make price matching easy:

1. As you’re reading through your weekly flyers at home, circle any items you wish to price match and jot them down on your shopping list with a note you’re going to price match those items.
2. Bring all your circled flyers with you to the store.  (This is a must!)  Having the items circled ahead of time makes it really easy to find the item you want to price match thus making the transaction go smoothly. Also, make sure to bring the entire flyer, not just the ad for the item you want.
3. Since flyers usually state the product’s size and type, you must purchase the exact item that’s advertised.
4. When you’re ready to check out, separate the items you wish to price match from your regular purchases.
5. Place the items you’re price matching first on the belt so the cashier will know that the first items will be price matched and the rest will be at the regular store price.
6. Hand over your circled flyers.  The cashier may tear out the sale ad or keep the flyer.

Who price matches?

Here’s a list of the major retailers that I know price match.  Let me know in the comments if you know any other stores!

• Walmart
• Zellers
• London Drugs
• Real Canadian Superstore
• Sears Canada
• No Frills
• Canadian Tire
• Best Buy
• Future Shop
• Staples
• Toys ‘R’ Us
• Rona
• Home Depot
• NCIX

In order to find out your store’s full price matching policy, email or call the customer service line.

Do you price match to save time and money?  Anything you’d like to add to help others?