As any devoted pet parent knows, providing your furry friend with the highest quality food, treats, toys, and supplies can get expensive fast. According to the American Pet Products Association, U.S. pet owners spent a staggering $123.6 billion on their animal companions in 2021 alone. Fortunately, major retailers like PetSmart offer price matching policies that can help you save big on pet care essentials without compromising on quality.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll take an in-depth look at PetSmart‘s Price Match Guarantee, including:
- How price matching at PetSmart works
- Which competitors they will and won‘t price match
- Tips for making the most of the policy
- How PetSmart stacks up to other pet retailers
- Expert insight and analysis on price matching
Whether you‘re a savvy shopper determined to find the very best deals or a busy pet parent looking to streamline your errands and budget, understanding PetSmart‘s price matching policy is key. Let‘s dive in!
How Price Matching Works at PetSmart
PetSmart‘s Price Match Guarantee is a commitment to provide customers with the lowest prices on identical, in-stock items from qualifying competitors. If you find a product at PetSmart that‘s being sold for a lower price elsewhere, they‘ll match that price right at the register. No hoops to jump through, no hassle. Just the best possible deal on the pet supplies you need.
Here‘s a step-by-step breakdown of how to take advantage of price matching at PetSmart:
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Do your research beforehand to compare prices on the item(s) you need from PetSmart and their competitors.
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If you find a lower price on an identical, in-stock product from an approved competitor, bring proof of that price with you to PetSmart. This could be a printout, photo, or digital version of an advertisement clearly showing the details.
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When you‘re ready to check out at PetSmart, take the ad and the item you want to price match to the register or customer service desk.
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Let the associate know you‘d like to request a price match. They‘ll verify that the competitor‘s ad is legitimate and that the item qualifies, then happily adjust the price for you.
It‘s important to note that PetSmart will only price match one identical item per customer per day. So if you‘re buying several units of the same product, only one will be eligible for the adjusted price.
Let‘s say you‘re purchasing a 30-pound bag of Purina ONE SmartBlend dog food at your local PetSmart, which is normally priced at $47.99. While browsing Petco‘s website earlier, you noticed the exact same bag of food on sale for $41.99. You could show the cashier at PetSmart a screenshot of the Petco listing and they would match the $41.99 price, instantly saving you $6. Every dollar counts!
PetSmart‘s Price Matching Policy: The Fine Print
Of course, no price matching policy is without some restrictions. Here are the key things to keep in mind about PetSmart‘s Price Match Guarantee:
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The item you want to price match must be completely identical to the product sold at PetSmart in terms of brand, size, weight, color, quantity, and model number. No substitutions.
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Price matching is only available for in-store purchases. If you‘re shopping on PetSmart.com, you‘ll need to call their customer service line to request a price adjustment.
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PetSmart will not price match items that are out of stock, closeout, clearance, or discontinued at either their own stores or a competitor‘s.
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Price matching cannot be combined with any other coupons, discounts, promotions, or loyalty program benefits. It‘s one or the other.
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Certain products are excluded from price matching, including live animals, services like grooming or training, prescription food and medications, gift cards, and charitable items.
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Competitors‘ prices must be verifiable through an advertisement or listing. If a cashier can‘t confirm the lower price, they may decline to price match.
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PetSmart will not price match after a purchase has been completed. All price matches must be requested at the time of sale. They also don‘t offer retroactive adjustments if a competitor lowers their price shortly after you‘ve made a purchase.
It‘s always a good idea to quickly review PetSmart‘s full Price Match Guarantee policy before shopping so you know exactly what to expect. While the vast majority of products are eligible for price matching, certain exclusions could impact your pet care shopping strategy.
Which Competitors Does PetSmart Price Match?
One of the most common questions pet parents have about price matching is which of PetSmart‘s competitors are actually included in their policy. As of 2023, PetSmart will match prices on identical, in-stock items from:
- Brick-and-mortar pet stores like Petco, Pet Supplies Plus, and neighborhood pet shops
- Online pet retailers Chewy.com and Petco.com
- Mass merchandisers like Walmart, Target, and Meijer (in-store prices only)
- PetSmart.com (for in-store purchases)
However, there are a few notable exceptions. PetSmart will not price match:
- Amazon.com
- eBay
- Any other marketplace or auction site
- Prices offered by third-party sellers on competitor sites like Walmart.com
- Wholesale clubs like Costco or Sam‘s Club
Additionally, PetSmart doesn‘t price match competitors‘ site-wide or storewide promotions, rebates, BOGO sales, or other special offers. It must be the everyday price of the individual item.
So if you spot a killer deal on dog beds at Chewy or cat litter at Petco, go ahead and bring that ad with you to PetSmart. Odds are, they‘ll be happy to match it and send you home with a great bargain. Just don‘t expect them to compete with Amazon‘s Lightning Deals or prices from Joe‘s Pet Supplies down the street.
How PetSmart‘s Price Matching Compares to Competitors
PetSmart may be a top dog in the world of pet retailers, but they‘re far from the only store to offer price matching. Here‘s a quick comparison of how PetSmart‘s policy stacks up to a few of their biggest competitors:
| Retailer | Price Matches Competitors | Exclusions | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| PetSmart | Petco, Chewy, Walmart, etc. | Online marketplaces, third-party sellers | At time of purchase only |
| Petco | PetSmart, Chewy, pet stores | Online marketplaces | Within 30 days of purchase |
| Chewy | Will refund 100% of difference if you find a lower price within 7 days | Excludes pharmacy brands | Within 7 days of purchase |
| Pet Supplies Plus | Local competitors within a 5-mile radius | Online retailers | At time of purchase only |
As you can see, most major pet retailers offer fairly similar price matching policies, with a few minor differences:
- Petco will not only match but also beat a competitor‘s price by 10% if you bring in proof of a lower price within 30 days of your Petco purchase.
- Chewy doesn‘t match prices at the time of purchase, but will refund you the difference if you find a lower price within a week of receiving your order. However, certain pharmacy brands are exempt.
- Pet Supplies Plus will only match prices from local competitors within a very tight radius rather than major national retailers.
Interestingly, a 2021 Consumer Reports survey found that 96% of major retailers offer a price matching policy of some kind, so PetSmart is in very good company. Of course, just because a store offers price matching doesn‘t necessarily mean shoppers will take advantage of it. The same survey found that only 24% of consumers had ever actually invoked a price match guarantee.
Expert Insight on Price Matching
So what do retail experts and analysts have to say about price matching policies like PetSmart‘s? Here are a few key takeaways:
"Price match guarantees have been a tried-and-true tactic for retailers to demonstrate price competitiveness for decades. They provide consumers with peace of mind and remove a major barrier to purchase by eliminating the need to shop around." – Steven Barr, Consumer Markets Leader at PwC
"The explosion of e-commerce has really upped the ante on price matching. Customers today have more options and pricing transparency at their fingertips than ever before. Retailers who want to stay relevant must have a compelling price matching policy in place or risk losing business to the competition." – Carol Spieckerman, President of Spieckerman Retail
"Price matching can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it‘s a powerful tool for engendering customer loyalty and mitigating showrooming. On the other hand, it can eat into profit margins if not managed strategically. Retailers must strike a delicate balance to reap the full benefits." – Sucharita Kodali, VP and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research
Clearly, price matching plays an important role in the modern retail landscape, particularly as it pertains to pet products. As consumers grow savvier and competition heats up, offering a robust price match guarantee like PetSmart‘s is becoming table stakes rather than a nice-to-have.
At the same time, retailers must be strategic about their policies to avoid leaving too much money on the table. This is likely why PetSmart has carefully crafted their guidelines to exclude certain product categories, limit time frames, and require verifiable proof of competitors‘ pricing.
Tips for Pet Parents to Maximize Savings
Now that you‘re armed with a wealth of knowledge about PetSmart‘s Price Match Guarantee, how can you put that information to work for you and your precious pet? Here are a few pro tips to help you get the very most bang for your buck:
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Always do your homework before shopping, especially on big-ticket items like crates, carriers, and aquariums. A few minutes spent checking prices at Petco, Chewy, Walmart, etc. could lead to significant savings.
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Remember that price matching at PetSmart is only available for in-store purchases. If you find an incredible online deal but need the item ASAP, weigh the potential savings against the time and gas required to go price match in person.
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Keep an eye out for opportunities to stack PetSmart‘s everyday low prices with price matching. While you can‘t combine price matches with coupons or other offers, you may find a competitor has an even lower base price.
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If you buy the same pet supplies regularly, keep a price matching "cheat sheet" in your phone with the typical price at PetSmart and competing retailers. Update it frequently so you always know where to find the best deal.
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Don‘t assume your local PetSmart will automatically have the lowest price on a given item. Retailers‘ pricing algorithms are very dynamic and personalized based on factors like location, demand, and timing. Trust but verify!
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When in doubt, it never hurts to ask if a store associate can price match for you. The worst they can say is no, and more often than not, they‘ll go out of their way to help you get a great deal (especially if you‘re kind and courteous).
Price matching may require a bit of extra effort, but for budget-conscious pet parents, the savings can really add up over time. And in today‘s economy, every penny saved on pet supplies is another penny you can put toward spoiling your furry friend rotten!
The Future of Price Matching in Pet Retail
As the retail landscape continues to evolve, it‘s fair to wonder what the future might hold for price matching policies like PetSmart‘s. Will they become more or less common? More or less generous? Only time will tell.
One potential trend to watch is the rise of artificial intelligence and dynamic pricing in e-commerce. As online retailers grow increasingly sophisticated with their pricing algorithms, brick-and-mortar stores may find it more difficult to keep pace with constantly fluctuating competitor prices. This could force them to rethink their approach to price matching or risk unsustainable margin erosion.
At the same time, price matching could become an even more important differentiator for physical pet stores as they look to combat showrooming and retain customers. By doubling down on their low price guarantees and making the process as seamless as possible, retailers like PetSmart could potentially drive more foot traffic and sales.
It will also be interesting to see if more pet retailers start to offer retroactive price matching like Petco and Chewy, giving customers a grace period to claim a refund if they find a lower price after the fact. This could be a powerful way to build trust and loyalty, but it also comes with financial risks that will need to be carefully managed.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, PetSmart‘s Price Match Guarantee is a valuable tool in any pet parent‘s arsenal, whether you‘re a bargain hunter extraordinaire or just looking to streamline your shopping without overpaying. By taking the time to understand the ins and outs of the policy – including what is and isn‘t included, how to request a price match, and how PetSmart compares to other retailers – you can shop smarter and save more on the products your pet needs to thrive.
Of course, price matching is just one small piece of the larger puzzle when it comes to being a savvy pet parent. Factors like quality, convenience, selection, and experience all play a role in where and how we choose to shop for our animal companions.
But in a world where the costs of pet ownership continue to climb year after year, having a keen understanding of retailers‘ pricing strategies and policies can make a meaningful difference in your bottom line. And for many pet parents, that‘s an investment well worth making.
Happy shopping, pet lovers!
