I’ve been reading a lot of confused and discouraged comments lately, because it seems that everyone is having different experiences when price matching at Target. I hear some of you saying that your store won’t accept a Target coupon on a price match, and many of you are unsure of just exactly what the procedure is for obtaining a price match.
So you’ll be thrilled to know that Target has an updated Low Price Promise Policy on their site that should answer many, if not all, of the questions I’ve seen, as well as be a useful tool in getting all Target stores on the same page in price matching.
I recommend printing the entire document and carrying it with you, but here are a few notable pieces of info:
- The entire original printed advertisement must be presented at checkout.
- Target does not match coupon-required offers but guests can use Manufacturer or Target coupons when requesting a price match.
- The program covers items with the identical brand name, size, weight, quantity and model number of the item at Target stores.
- Online pricing will not be price matched.
There is also a long list of other exclusions that you’ll want to look over, including the newly added exclusion of timed events (e.g., early bird, doorbusters).
So what is the process for price matching at Target?
Originally you had to take the item, your coupon(s), and the ad to the customer service desk so that they could perform the transaction. Lately I’ve heard that many of you have been able to price match at a regular regsiter with the rest of your transaction. I’d imagine that this is the direction they’ll be moving in as a standard, but you’ll still have to verify which procedure is in place at the store level for the time being.
If you aren’t also carrying the Target Corporate Coupon Policy with you, I’d recommend printing it as well so you have all of the information at your fingertips should an issue arise.
Leah
I hate that Target excludes “doorbusters”. In my past experience Walmart will price match on doorbusters. Just in case anyone was unaware of that and wanted to keep from dealing with multiple lines. Happy Shopping!
michelle
Thanks so much!! I just tried yesterday and they told me I couldn’t price match and use a coupon. Now I will bring in the policy.
katie
If you love target then you would love mine. They never question any coupon, give a hassle on quantity or anything. My sister actually took in a circular that the item was a door buster from like 7am to 1pm and target still matched the price and let her use coupons and this was at like 8pm. The day I get hassled is the day I move out of this town! :) good luck and happy target holiday shopping!!
meech t
wow, katie! where are you?
caetie
I know every Target seems to have their own pickinesses, but our Target won’t price match stores that have store cards–like Kroger, Price Chopper, etc. When I questioned Customer Service they pulled out their policy card and pointed to the Club Card exclution section (that had pics of the Costco card and Sam’s Club Card). She said that since Price Chopper has a ‘club card’ (even though it’s a free store card!!!) Needless to say, I think that is bogus. Hopefully your Target is better!
Chriscia
I am right up there with Katie. Our target is great. I live in Bonney Lake BTW.
Becky
I have never, ever had a problem with Target. As with each store, I print out their policies and carry with me in my binder, and I follow their rules completely, always reading over signs very carefully. Yesterday when I was checking out at Guest Service (because I had a price match) there was a very frustrated lady that had just checked out with coupons and was looking for a manager because her Glade $5 gift card did not prompt, so she didn’t get it. The lady was raising a fuss and she looked over and saw my coupon binder. She motioned toward it and said that she wasn’t sure it was worth it as she always had trouble. I asked her the problem and she said she purchased 5 Glade products and was supposed to get a $5 gift card, which she did not. I politely said to her that the signs all say 5 Holiday Scent Glade products, and I asked if that’s what she purchased. She said no that she didn’t see that on the signs. I walked her over to the check lanes end cap and she looked at the signs which clearly said that. There was one under each product on the promotion with that fragrance name under it. She was embarressed, of course. I suggested to her that rather than throw a fit, she might consider asking them if she could swap the ones she purchased for holiday scents. They said yes, her gift card prompted and they handed it to her with her receipt. She left happy. My point? Sometimes the stores are at fault and have difficult policies to follow (WAGS), but sometimes we just need to slow down and breathe. Often my first response is that the store is at fault when sometimes it’s ME!! Target is exploring new waters (for them) as far as matching prices, etc. I’m just so excited because they have store coupons that I often stack with manufacturers coupons to get some amazing deals. I have never done that at Wal-Mart! Be patient, guys…but also, be prepared. Know the policies, print them and carry them with you. Often the attitude you project in knowing what you are doing is the difference between a manager or cashier helping you or not. Happy shopping all!
Tara
I went to Target this morning with mixed feelings. There was one alphabet pal left and I figured I would try. I went to the register and he told me I’d have to go to customer service to price match. By this time, I’m thinking it will be a no go. I was so wrong! I was upfront with the lady and told her I didn’t know if she could do it or not (I didn’t want her to think I was trying to pull a fast one) and she said we’ll see. I ended up paying .52 including tax and she even looked to see if they had more in the back for me! I was so pleased! I <3 Target!
Jennifer I
I was given a hard time trying to match a DVD at Target because the DVD was “packaged” with a free coloring book. I was told it was a “Target Exclusive” item and they would not price match even though the DVD and the item # were the same. Anyone else encounter a problem like this?
Heather Dixey
Thank you Deelseekingmom for all your clarification!
I didn’t get the alphapal price match either but I am excited that they are price matching and I love their coupon generator!
Tracy
I often use Target coupons on top of price match ups, and until today have been successful. I took the Toys R Us ad in today with the coupon and attempted to purchase the Alphabet Pal at Guest Services. They would not allow the sale because they claim their policy is not to match up with “timed events.” My husband tried to explain that all saels are “timed events” whether it be one week or two days. Anyway, we left without the Alphabet Pal.
Kristy
Jennifer I –
Are you talking about the Barbie and the 3 Musketeers DVD that had the Target exclusive coloring book attached? I used the Toys R Us toy book for price matching with no trouble and was even able to use the $5 Target coupon to get it for less than $5.
It seems that these things vary by store and the people you talk too!
Melissa
I tried to get the shaun white Wii game yesterday w/ the TRUS ad. But Target has an exclusive Shaun white game that comes w/ the game so they would not honor it. Nor would they honor the wii music b/c the TRUS ad said 50% off insted of a stated price. Anyone know a way around that one or the policy if there is not stated price just a % off.
katie
Meech I live in northeastern pa. Wilkes-barre / scranton area. Actually have 3 targets near me and the farthest one is 16 miles away! Me and target are a match made in heaven!
Beth
I’ve yet to try price matching at my Target, but since I’ll have their policy in hand, I think I may just try it! It’s good to know that it’s an option, at least!
Thanks so much for the post!
Jan
I was unable to price match with the Toys R Us ad on the Alphabet Pals toy. I was told at customer service that they do not price match “special doorbuster” ads. I was very disappointed. I didn’t have time to run around my city and try another Target, but I couldn’t help but wonder if another Target within my city might have priced matched the ad I had in my hand. I am very happy for those of you who were able to work the deal on this on. By the way, I’m in St. Louis.
heidi
I know with Walmart that there is only a certain distance that they will price match (ours is a 30 mile radius). Does anyone know if this is true for Target? Our nearest Toys R Us is over an hour away and I would love be able to price match things closer to home!!
Heather
I did get the item today for 54 cents but it was a hassle. Since they couldn’t show me anywhere that said doorbusters were excluded (except for their internal memo), they sold it to me…after much hassle. I just waited & was patient.
However, I’m still not seeing “doorbusters” excluded per se on their policy which I printed out. It states “limited quantities” so I guess that’s what they mean. But I don’t recall the TRUs ad saying limited quantities. I’d have to go re read it.
Either way, I’m sure the Target policy will be refined & modified. I’m pretty happy with stacking a Store Q & a MQ at Target…that should be good enough for me I suppose.
Shay
I have had no problem price matching and using coupons at Target. I just got the Leap Frog Caterpillar for $.49 cents. I price matched it with Toyrsus ad this weekend and then used Target’s coupon for the Caterpillar. No problems! Great deal!
Noelle
I had no problem at all at the uptown Charlotte Target. There was only one on the shelf but, after he rang it up, the very helpful customer service associate went and got more for me out of the back. So 3 Alphabetpals, 3 Rayovac batteries and a write-on board for $2.33.
Heather
This is interesting. I printed out the low promise facts last night. Went into Target this morning and at first they didn’t want to price match because they said it was a limited time sale. My husband asked to speak to a manager and he was very nice and said that because he had taken the time to come over and he had the ad that they would give it to him. They said that they didn’t want to use the 10.49 price and instead would give us 50% off, which is what the TRU ad read. Well since it is 19.99 at target this came to 9.99, then he used the coupon at it was free. But today when I pull up the ad it has the doorbuster exclusion, so it looks like it’s a new part to the policy.
kelliinkc
I attempted my first ever price match at any store at Target. I took in the entire TOYRUS circular in order to do the Barbie Three Musketeers DVD and the Barbie in a Christmas Carol DVD deal. I had my $5 off Target coupon and (thanks to blogs knew to look for a DVD with a $5 off peelie) and manuf. $5 off peelie. I told the young cashier that I had a couple of items to price match and asked if I did that at the register or customer service and she referred me to customer service (which I didn’t mind doing at all-kinda expected it). I also told the customer service rep why I was there. First thing he said was “I need to see the ad”, which I handed over, he opened the peelie and carefully read the front of the peelie coupon and at first said that I couldn’t use it with the Christmas Carol DVD but with one of the others on the list. I looked again and and very politely showed him where it said Christmas Carol. He looked again and sheepishly said, “Sorry, I missed it in the middle of the list.” He accepted the price match, $5 peelie and the Target $5 off coupon and I paid with my Target Visa to get another 5% off. I was loving that deal and all you wonderful bloggers out there!! Thank you for doing what you do everyday.
Jane
Wow Shay, you’re lucky! I called my target and they said they do no price match any “doorbuster deals” either. So I am in the same boat like most of the comments. BTW I am in Chicago, IL.
SarahJ
I price matched twice last week at two different Target stores. The first clerk at the register knew just what to do. She checked the date on the sale flyer, made the adjustment on the item and let me use the Target coupon. It was EASY.
My second experience, the checker seemed to be a new checker and had never done it before. She went ahead and made the price adjustment and let me use my coupons. So far, so good. I’m thrilled with the process because I hate shopping our Walmart. Our Walmart always gives me issues when price-matching and using a mfg coupon and they will only match certain stores. Ugh.
ms. drummer
I dont know where I was when the alphabetpal deal went up cause I TOTALLY missed this one. However, earlier this week, I was able pricematch the leapfrog deals from Toysrus at target to score the junior reader for $7.99 and the books for $4.99 after the coupon and pricematch with no problem. I did have to do two separate transactions though because I had to purchase the price-matched items at guest services.
Saving Money for a Wedding
I just was in Super Target and got to price match a 3-lb page of apples. Final Price paid only $0.99!!
I did have to go to customer service, as the cashier at the register could not do it.
Check it our here: https://savingmoneyforawedding.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-target-deals.html
Thanks!
hallie
Does anyone know if they’l match the BJs Toybook? I saw in store at BJs that the Baby ALive doll that pees and poops was $21.99 at BJs ($3 cheaper than TRU). I plan on trying the pricematch this week, but thought I’d ask first.
Tara Kuczykowski
Ms. Drummer, I never posted the Alphabet Pals deal because I read that many people were having issues price matching it, so I didn’t want to send everyone on a wild goose chase.
Hallie, according to the exclusions, they will not price match warehouse club prices.
Linda
Today was the first time I did pricematching at Target and had no problems. I used the K-Mart flyer today along with the Hasbro coupons and Target coupons for the Pictureka game and Clue game. I got both for 4.99 no hassles and I did it at the Register, but there was a woman I met there trying to get the caterpillars and they told her no, cause she printed out the TRU flyer and did not have an actual flyer, so word to the wise – always have on hand the actual flyer. Thanks for all the great tips and links so I could get these games so cheap!Love this site!!
ms. drummer
Thanks Tara, I felt like I missed something…these would have made awesome birthday/baby shower gifts! I do think I may try it though, the worst they can tell me is no….my Target is pretty cool. I usually dont have problems… except this week when I went and got wipes, the clerk got lazy and didnt ring 6 of my $1 coupons…luckily I was counting and knew what my OOP was going to be beforehand.