Price matching policies have become a popular tool that many retailers use to show their commitment to competitive pricing and win over savvy shoppers. Over 60% of major retailers now offer some form of price matching, including office supply superstore Staples.
But does Staples price match one of the biggest retail giants of them all – Walmart? And when does it make sense to buy from Staples over Walmart in the first place? As a longtime bargain hunter and expert in the retail space, I‘ve put together this complete guide to getting the best deal at Staples and price matching against Walmart.
Staples Price Match Policy: The Details
Let‘s start with the need-to-know details of Staples‘ price match policy. Staples will price match identical, in-stock products from most major competitors, both in-store and online. This includes office supply stores like Office Depot and OfficeMax, club stores like Costco and Sam‘s Club, and general retailers like Target, Best Buy – and yes, Walmart.
To take advantage of the price match policy, you‘ll need to show proof of the lower price from a qualifying competitor, such as a weekly ad, website, or app. Staples allows price matching both before your purchase and within 14 days after your purchase. If you find a lower price within that two-week window, you can request a price adjustment and get money back.
However, there are a few caveats to Staples‘ price matching. Most notably, Staples will not match prices on items sold by third-party marketplace sellers, like those found on Amazon or Walmart.com. They also exclude clearance items, special promotions, bundle deals, rebates, coupons, and products that require a service contract or monthly subscription.
Another difference between Staples and Walmart when it comes to price matching is that Staples only matches prices on identical products, down to the model number and color. Walmart, by comparison, will often match prices on similar items, even if the brand or specs are slightly different. So if you spot a cheaper office chair at Walmart, it needs to be the exact same chair carried by Staples to qualify for a price match.
Comparing Costs: Staples vs Walmart
Of course, price matching only comes into play when a retailer‘s everyday prices are higher than the competition. So how do Staples‘ baseline prices stack up against a low-cost leader like Walmart?
On average, Walmart‘s prices do tend to be lower across most product categories. One analysis found that Walmart‘s prices are around 10-15% less than Staples on a basket of common office supplies. Walmart‘s huge scale and buying power allows them to continually undercut other retailers on price.
However, that doesn‘t tell the whole story. Staples rotates through different sale promotions every week, with discounts that often beat Walmart‘s everyday low prices. Staples also tends to have better prices than Walmart in a few key categories:
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Inkjet and toner cartridges: Staples‘ house brand of ink is typically much cheaper than the name brands carried by Walmart. Wait for one of their frequent sales and you can save up to 50%.
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Off-brand electronics: Staples increasingly sells its own budget-friendly brands of computer accessories, cables, batteries, and more. The quality is comparable to the big brands sold by Walmart.
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Computer software: Staples offers competitive deals and bundles on software like Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite. They also provide instant downloads so you don‘t have to wait for shipping.
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Custom printing services: Staples has a much more robust offering for custom-printed marketing materials, signage, forms, and other business needs. Their rates are quite affordable compared to local print shops.
So while Walmart does boast the lowest baseline prices, that gap can quickly close or reverse when you consider Staples‘ rotating deals and expertise in certain areas. It pays to comparison shop, with Staples‘ price match policy as a handy backup.
Getting the Best Deal at Staples: More Tips and Tricks
Beyond price matching, there are a few other strategies I use to maximize my savings at Staples:
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Join the Staples Rewards program, which gives you 5% back on most purchases. You also get free shipping on Staples.com orders, extra coupons and coupons, and a birthday gift. If you‘re a teacher or work at a participating business, you can sign up for a premium membership with 10% back and other exclusive perks.
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Stack Staples‘ rewards and special offers with cash back portals and apps for added savings. Sites like Rakuten and TopCashback frequently offer a bonus 2-5% rebate on your Staples purchases.
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Take advantage of Staples‘ 110% Price Match Guarantee on their house-brand products. If you find a lower price on an identical Staples-brand item, they‘ll match the price plus give you an additional 10% discount.
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Download the Staples mobile app for your phone to access exclusive app-only deals, personalized offers, and an extended 30-day window for price adjustments.
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If you‘re a teacher or parent, check out Staples‘ biannual 20% off discount weekends on back-to-school supplies, usually in early August and September. These sales often have better deals than anything Walmart offers.
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Need it today? Use Staples‘ buy online, pickup in-store option to avoid shipping fees and still get their online-only prices. Many common items are ready within 1 hour.
When to Choose Staples over Walmart
For the most part, I believe in buying from whichever retailer offers the best combination of price, convenience, and selection for your specific purchase. But there are a few scenarios where I lean towards Staples over Walmart:
- You need a specific high-end office or electronics item that Walmart doesn‘t carry
- You want expert advice and better customer service for a complex purchase
- You prefer to support Staples‘ more ethical and sustainable business practices
- You‘ll receive significant rewards from Staples based on your member status
- There‘s a killer sale or bundle deal that undercuts Walmart‘s price
- You need professional-grade printing, copying, or document services
Conversely, Walmart is usually the better bet for cheap, everyday commodities and for equipping an office on a barebones startup budget. Walmart‘s ship-to-store option is also a good alternative if you don‘t have a Staples nearby.
The Bottom Line
So, does Staples price match Walmart? The short answer is yes – but only on identical, in-stock items, and excluding marketplace sellers and special promotions.
To get the best deal, it pays to compare prices from both retailers, factoring in any current sales, rewards, and extra perks. Don‘t write off Staples just because of Walmart‘s "always low prices" reputation. With smart shopping tactics and Staples‘ price matching policy, you can often get the best of both worlds – Walmart‘s prices and Staples‘ quality and service.
Of course, every savvy shopper has their own formula for maximizing value, depending on your priorities and buying habits. But in my experience, it‘s worth keeping both of these retail titans on your radar, especially for big-ticket office investments. A little comparison shopping and creative couponing can go a long way. Happy bargain hunting!
