Does Amazon price match other retailers? What to know

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. 

Online shopping is great for convenience and choice, but if you’re not careful, it’s easy to fall victim to faux deals or not-so-great “savings.” Thankfully, many major retailers have price-matching policies to help curb this, but these rules vary across retailers and can be incredibly nitpicky. Knowing price-matching policies for top retailers helps you make the most informed purchase decisions, and can even reveal how to save more if you miss the best price. 

Also: Does Walmart price match? What to know about price-matching policies

Several major retailers, like Walmart, Best Buy, and more, have some version of a price-match policy, and understanding the nuances and rules of each policy makes for the most successful shopper. But what about one of the largest online outlets? Here’s what you need to know about Amazon, including whether the e-commerce king price matches or not. 

Also: This simple email trick saves me from annoying marketing spam (and it’s free to do)

Shop Amazon

Does Amazon price match? 

No, Amazon does not offer price matches. The retailer’s website states that price matching isn’t offered due to Amazon’s “constant” pricing evaluation, which offers customers “low, competitive prices every day.” 

Can I price match elsewhere? 

Amazon may not price match, but other retailers, like Walmart and Best Buy do. Each of those retailers has its own policies, but if you purchase an item on Amazon and find a better price elsewhere, you do have the option to return the item to Amazon and repurchase it elsewhere. Returns are free for Prime members and, in a majority of cases, for non-Prime members, too.

Some Redditors have reported Amazon providing price different refunds through online chat support in a few instances, but this isn’t Amazon’s official policy.

Does Amazon offer price protection? 

No, Amazon will not refund the difference between the price you may have paid for an item on Amazon and a lower price on the site at a later date or time. Your only option to obtain the better price is to return the item to Amazon and repurchase it elsewhere.

Also: I’ve used Rakuten for a year and earned nearly $500 – here’s how

Will Amazon update prices to match deals at other retailers? 

Retailers are always competing for your purchase, so it’s not impossible for Amazon to consider dropping prices of items to match what other retailers are selling them for. It’s fairly common to see the same item on sale for the same price across multiple retailers, especially during periods like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. 

Amazon also has an option for customers to share lower prices found elsewhere in a feedback section. Amazon shares this information with sellers on the platform. 

Also: Does Best Buy price match? Here’s what to know