How to Price Match in Canada

Have you ever wondered how to price match in Canada? Although the thought may have never crossed your mind, many people might be looking for the lowest price possible these days now that inflation is on the rise.

While price matching should be a straightforward process, there are some rules in place. How those rules work also differs depending on the store. Here’s how to price match in Canada.

What is price matching?

If you didn’t know, price matching is when one merchant will match the lower advertised price from a competing store. In other words, if an identical item is on sale at a different store, the merchant that price matches will sell you the item for the same price. While it’s true that you could just simply purchase the item from the store on sale, merchants like to price match to keep their customers happy.

What’s interesting about price matching is that it used to be a pretty standard policy. Even quite a few brands have built trust with their consumers by simply offering a price matching policy. But, unfortunately, the number of stores that price match these days has dropped significantly.

The main thing to understand about price matching is that it typically only applies to products advertised in a flyer. For example, you’d be able to price match the item that’s on sale that week, but not the regular price of something else even if it’s cheaper.

How to price match in Canada

Now that you know what price matching is, you can take the following steps to price match.

• Find the lowest price – Apps such as Reebee allow you to quickly scan all the flyers available. Not only can you search by store, but you can also search by product. Showing the digital flyers in Reebee is just as good as showing a physical flyer when price matching.
• Find a store that will price match – Only select retailers price match. You’d obviously want to find one near you that does it. 
• Get the item – With most retailers that price match, you would bring the item to the checkout counter to request a price match. Some merchants may have a dedicated lane or counter for price matching.
• Show your proof – For a price match to happen, you need to show the advertised price in a competitor’s flyer. This can be done with a physical flyer or the digital one in Reebee. Be sure to have this proof ready if there are people behind you in line so you can speed up the process.
• Be patient – Depending on the item or price, customer service might need a manager’s approval before they can do the price match.
• Hang on to your receipt – Even if you’re not price matching immediately, some stores will refund you the difference if you find a lower price later. To get the difference back, you’d need to show your receipt. 

Price matching policies

If you’re going to price match, you need to understand the rules for each store. For example, Best Buy Canada states the following:

“If you find a lower price with another retailer or authorized dealer online, in-store, or in print, before you buy or within 30 days of your purchase, we’ll gladly match that price. Should our own price be reduced, present us with your original receipt within 30 days of purchase and we will match the price and refund you the difference.”

This price matching policy is pretty clear and generous. If you find a better price for something you’re about to purchase, or within 30 days of your purchase, you can get the lower price or the price difference refunded.

Now let’s look at the price matching policy for PC Express, which is the online grocery ordering system for Real Canadian Superstore.

“In order to price match or ad match online you will first need to place and pick up your online grocery order. After picking up your order, please contact us using the Contact Us Form (https://www.realcanadiansuperstore.ca/contact-us). Select PC Express as your reason for contacting us, PRODUCT INFORMATION / PRICING as your issue, and HOW DO I MAKE AN AD MATCH REQUEST as your issue details. Please include your online grocery order number, name(s) of the product, the competitor’s price, and the website link to the competitor’s item(s). For multiple items please include one item on the form and the rest in the QUESTION box. Due to an increase in requests our Customer support team will respond within 30 days. Online ad match is available for Real Canadian Superstore customers in Ontario only. Please note the limit for price matching is 4 units for each UPC.

Price match and/or ad match requests do not apply to products sold and shipped by 3rd party Sellers on Marketplace.”

As you can see, the terms are much more complicated since this is an online order and PC Express offers products from 3rd party sellers. If you were price matching in a physical store, it would be a much simpler process.

It’s also worth mentioning that there will likely be additional restrictions if you’re price matching in-store. For example, a grocery store chain will likely only price matching major competitors in the immediate area. As in, you wouldn’t be able to show a flyer with a lower price from an independent store in a different part of the city and reasonably expect a price match to occur. 

Retailers may also refuse to price match online sale prices or any items that are out of stock. Also, note that special sales such as Black Friday and Boxing Day may not qualify for price matching.

What stores price match in Canada?

Not every store price matches. That said, there are many grocery stores that price match in Canada, as well as quite a few retailers including:

• Best Buy
• Canadian Tire
• FreshCo
• Giant Tiger
• Home Depot
• Lowe’s
• Maxi
• No Frills
• Real Canadian Superstore
• Rona
• Save on Foods
• Staples
• The Brick

Remember, every store has a different price match policy. Some will allow you to price match before making the purchase, while others will even refund you the difference if you find a lower advertised price within 30 – 60 days of your purchase.

Credit card price protection

The obvious downside of price matching is that not every store has a policy. That said, a handful of credit cards offer price protection. Basically, any purchase you make that’s charged to a credit card with price protection would be eligible, regardless of where you bought it from.

When you read the details of the price protection offered by the HSBC +Rewards™ Mastercard®, it’s pretty clear that this is an incredible benefit.

“If you find a lower price within 60 days of your purchase the difference will be refunded – up to $500, subject to a calendar-year maximum of $1,000 per account. Certain conditions and exclusions apply.”

This applies to any purchase you make at all retailers. As an added bonus, you get extended warranty where the original manufacturer’s warranty is doubled up to one additional year. Plus, you get purchase assurance that covers your purchases from loss, theft, and damage for 90 days.

Is price matching worth it?

Some people don’t like the idea of price matching, but I think it’s worth it. If you already shop at a grocery store that price matches, you might as well show the flyers of their competitors and get the lower price. If you come prepared, doing the actual price match doesn’t add much time. 

The price guarantee, where you can get the difference back if you find a lower advertised price after making the purchase, is a bit more complicated. Since price guarantees aren’t automatic, you need to go back to the store with your receipt to get the price difference. Well, your time is valuable. It’s likely not worth it to spend an hour or two of your time just to get $10 back.

Even though price matching is simple, you must plan and browse flyers. That said, if you know how to price match, the money saved could be worth it.