When it comes to electronics, appliances, and other big-ticket items, two retail giants dominate the market: Best Buy and Amazon. As of 2021, Best Buy boasts over 1,000 stores across the US and Canada, with annual revenue topping $47 billion (Source). Meanwhile, Amazon‘s net sales in 2020 exceeded $386 billion, cementing its status as the world‘s largest online retailer (Source).
With such massive market share, both Best Buy and Amazon are go-to destinations for savvy shoppers seeking the best deals. But what happens when you find a lower price on Amazon than at your local Best Buy? Can you get the electronics superstore to match that price?
The answer is yes…with some caveats. In this ultimate guide, we‘ll dive deep into Best Buy‘s price matching policy, with a focus on how it applies to Amazon. We‘ll arm you with expert tips and insider knowledge to make sure you always get the best deal, both in-store and online.
Understanding Best Buy‘s Price Match Guarantee
Best Buy‘s Price Match Guarantee is a commitment to offer the lowest prices on eligible items. If you find a lower price from a qualifying competitor, Best Buy will match it. This policy applies to both in-store and online purchases, with some key exceptions.
To qualify for a price match from Best Buy, the competitor‘s item must be:
- Identical in brand, model number, color, and size
- In stock and available for immediate purchase/delivery
- Sold by an authorized retailer, not a third-party or marketplace seller
- Advertised at a lower price that can be verified by Best Buy
Notably, Best Buy does not price match:
- Clearance, open-box, refurbished, or pre-owned items
- Contract cell phones sold with activation
- Products with service pricing like cell phone plans or cable/internet subscriptions
- Bundle deals, rebates, coupons, or other promotional prices
- Competitors‘ special events like Prime Day or Black Friday doorbusters
These exclusions are fairly standard among major retailers‘ price matching policies. But how does Best Buy‘s policy stack up to Amazon‘s?
Amazon‘s Price Matching Policy (or Lack Thereof)
Here‘s the key difference: unlike Best Buy, Amazon does not offer any kind of price matching guarantee. In fact, Amazon‘s official policy states "we do not offer price matching" (Source).
However, Amazon is known for its dynamic pricing model, which means prices can fluctuate frequently based on factors like supply and demand, time of day, and user behavior. This approach helps Amazon maintain its reputation for low prices, even without a formal price matching policy.
As a result, many shoppers assume they‘re getting the best deal on Amazon, especially with perks like free Prime shipping. But as we‘ll see, that‘s not always the case—and Best Buy‘s price matching policy can work in your favor.
Does Best Buy Match Amazon‘s Prices?
So, does Best Buy price match Amazon? The short answer is yes, as long as the item meets their qualifying criteria.
If you find an identical item on Amazon that‘s sold and shipped by Amazon.com (not a third-party seller) at a lower price, Best Buy will match that price. This applies to both online and in-store purchases from Best Buy.
Some examples of when Best Buy would match Amazon‘s price:
- A Samsung 65" QLED TV sold by Amazon for $1,499, compared to $1,699 at Best Buy
- A Roomba i7+ robot vacuum sold by Amazon for $799, compared to $899 at Best Buy
- An Apple Watch Series 6 sold by Amazon for $329, compared to $349 at Best Buy
To get the price match, you‘ll need to contact Best Buy‘s customer service (more on that process later). But first, let‘s talk about the biggest exception to Best Buy‘s Amazon price matching policy.
Best Buy Does Not Match Prime-Exclusive Deals
One major caveat to Best Buy‘s price matching policy is that they do not honor prices that require a membership or subscription—and that includes Amazon Prime.
As an example, let‘s say you spot a great deal on a Fitbit Charge 5 on Prime Day. Amazon is selling it for $129 to Prime members only, a significant discount from Best Buy‘s price of $179. Even though it‘s the exact same item sold by Amazon itself, Best Buy will not match that $129 Prime price.
Why? Matching membership-only prices would essentially give non-members the same benefits without paying the subscription fees. That‘s a losing proposition for retailers like Best Buy.
However, Best Buy does sometimes offer its own competing sales during Prime Day and other major shopping events. In 2021, for example, their "Black Friday in July" sale overlapped with Prime Day and featured deals on popular electronics and appliances. They also offer periodic "Deal of the Day" sales with limited-time discounts.
So while you can‘t get those coveted Prime Day prices at Best Buy, you may still be able to snag a great deal if you keep an eye on their promotions.
How to Request a Price Match from Best Buy
If you‘ve found a qualifying lower price on Amazon, requesting a price match from Best Buy is a straightforward process. Here‘s how to do it:
For Online Purchases
- Start a live chat with Best Buy‘s customer service team on their website, or call them at 1-888-BEST-BUY.
- Have the Amazon URL or item listing ready to share with the representative.
- The Best Buy agent will verify the price and item details to ensure it qualifies for a price match.
- If approved, the agent will adjust the price of your item in your Best Buy cart or order.
For In-Store Purchases
- Find the item you want to purchase at your local Best Buy store.
- Bring the Amazon listing (on your phone or printed out) to the customer service desk or checkout register.
- Show the lower Amazon price to the Best Buy employee and request a price match.
- The employee will verify the item qualifies and adjust the price at the register.
In some cases, the Best Buy representative may need to escalate your price match request to a manager for approval. If your request is denied and you believe it should qualify based on their policy, don‘t be afraid to politely ask to speak with a supervisor.
It‘s also a good idea to take a screenshot of the Amazon listing in case the price changes or the item goes out of stock while you‘re in the process of requesting your price match.
Price Matching After Your Purchase
But what if you buy an item from Best Buy at full price, only to find it cheaper on Amazon a few days later? Luckily, Best Buy offers price matching for a limited time after your purchase.
If you find a lower qualifying price within your return and exchange window, Best Buy will refund you the difference. This window varies based on your My Best Buy membership tier:
| Membership Tier | Return & Exchange Window |
|---|---|
| Regular (free) | 15 days |
| Elite ($1500/yr spend) | 30 days |
| Elite Plus ($3500/yr spend) | 45 days |
| Best Buy Totaltech ($199/yr) | 60 days |
To request your post-purchase price match, contact Best Buy‘s customer care as described above. They‘ll verify your original purchase and the competitor‘s lower price, then issue you a refund for the difference to your original payment method.
This price match refund only applies to purchases made directly from Best Buy, not from third-party sellers on their online marketplace. And as always, the lower price must be from a qualifying retailer and item, as outlined in their policy.
Price Matching and the Retail Industry
Price matching has become a common practice among big-box retailers and department stores. But how does it impact their bottom line—and the retail industry as a whole?
On the surface, price matching may seem like a race to the bottom that cuts into retailers‘ margins. After all, if a store like Best Buy always has to match Amazon‘s prices, they can‘t command a premium for their products.
However, price matching also has some significant benefits for brick-and-mortar retailers. A 2019 study by Klarna found that 43% of shoppers cited price matching as a top factor when deciding where to make a purchase (Source). By offering price matching, Best Buy can attract price-sensitive customers who might otherwise default to Amazon for the lowest prices.
Price matching also incentivizes shoppers to buy on the spot, rather than going home to compare prices online. A 2018 consumer survey found that 26% of shoppers would take advantage of a price match policy when available (Source). For Best Buy, that means more foot traffic and sales in their physical stores.
Of course, price matching isn‘t the only way Best Buy competes with Amazon. The electronics retailer has also invested heavily in their e-commerce platform, in-store pickup options, and employee training to provide expert advice and service. They‘ve also expanded into services like home installation and electronics repair to differentiate themselves from online-only retailers.
As the retail landscape continues to evolve, it‘s likely that price matching will remain a key tactic for traditional retailers looking to compete with Amazon and other e-commerce giants. But as Best Buy‘s strategy shows, it‘s just one piece of a larger competitive puzzle.
The Bottom Line
Understanding Best Buy‘s price matching policy—and how it applies to Amazon—can help you make smarter shopping decisions and get the best possible deal on big-ticket purchases.
While Best Buy doesn‘t match Prime-exclusive or limited-time deals, they will honor Amazon‘s everyday low prices on identical items. And with the ability to request a price match up to 60 days after your purchase (for Best Buy Totaltech members), you can shop with confidence knowing you won‘t miss out on a better deal.
Of course, price isn‘t the only factor to consider when deciding where to buy. Factors like shipping speed, return policy, and customer service can also impact your overall shopping experience. And for some product categories, the in-person advice and expertise of Best Buy‘s blue-shirt employees can be invaluable.
But if snagging the lowest price is your top priority, taking advantage of Best Buy‘s price matching policy—especially when shopping on Amazon—is a no-brainer. By understanding the ins and outs of their policy and being proactive about comparing prices, you can ensure you‘re always getting the best bang for your buck.
So go forth and shop smarter, savvier, and more strategically—your wallet will thank you.
