Online furniture and home goods retailer Wayfair has revolutionized the way people shop for their homes, offering an unparalleled selection of over 18 million products from more than 11,000 suppliers. With $11.5 billion in net revenue in 2021, Wayfair is the undisputed leader in the e-commerce home furnishings market, which is projected to reach $294 billion globally by 2027, according to Market Research Future.
A major factor in Wayfair‘s success has been its competitive pricing and use of advanced algorithms to optimize prices in real-time. But does Wayfair offer a price match guarantee if you find a better deal on the same item elsewhere? The answer is yes and no.
Wayfair does not price match competitors like Amazon, Overstock, or Home Depot, but it will price match identical items sold on its own family of retail sites, which include AllModern, Joss & Main, Birch Lane, and Perigold. In this article, we‘ll take a deep dive into Wayfair‘s price matching policy, how it fits into the company‘s overall business strategy, and how savvy shoppers can get the best possible deals.
Why Wayfair Only Price Matches Its Own Family of Brands
Wayfair‘s selective price matching policy may seem counterintuitive at first. After all, wouldn‘t matching any competitor‘s price lead to more sales and customer loyalty? The key to understanding Wayfair‘s approach lies in its unique business model and use of data science.
Unlike traditional retailers that maintain their own inventory, Wayfair operates primarily as a digital marketplace connecting shoppers with suppliers who ship products directly to customers. This drop-ship model allows Wayfair to offer a vast selection without the overhead cost of storing and managing inventory in its own warehouses. As a result, Wayfair can quickly adjust prices using proprietary algorithms that take into account factors like sales trends, seasonality, and competitor pricing.
"Wayfair‘s use of data science and machine learning gives it a significant competitive advantage when it comes to pricing," says Dr. Jing Wang, Professor of Marketing at Northwestern University. "By constantly analyzing market conditions and customer behavior, Wayfair can optimize prices in a way that brick-and-mortar retailers simply can‘t match."
However, this model also means Wayfair has less direct control over pricing than a traditional retailer. The individual suppliers set their own prices and have leeway to sell the same items under different names on Wayfair‘s sister sites. As a Wayfair spokesperson explained to Clark.com, "Each of our brands run their merchandising and pricing independently to create a unique brand experience."
By price matching only within its own family of brands, Wayfair can maintain consistent pricing across its portfolio without getting into a race to the bottom with competitors. It also encourages shoppers to stay within the Wayfair ecosystem, where the company can gather valuable data on customer preferences and behavior.
"From a business perspective, it makes sense for Wayfair to keep customers within its own family of brands," says retail industry analyst Maria Hernandez. "The more data Wayfair has on each customer‘s browsing and buying habits, the better it can personalize the shopping experience and create targeted marketing campaigns."
How to Get the Best Deal with Wayfair‘s Price Match Policy
So how can budget-conscious shoppers take advantage of Wayfair‘s price match policy? The process is fairly straightforward, but it does require a bit of legwork. Here‘s a step-by-step guide:
- Search for the item you want to purchase on Wayfair.com and note the current list price.
- Check to see if the same item is available on AllModern, Joss & Main, Birch Lane, or Perigold. Keep in mind that the product name and photos may be slightly different across sites even if it‘s the same item.
- If you find a lower price on one of the sister sites, call Wayfair‘s customer service line at (844) 647-3765 and ask them to price match the item. You‘ll need to provide the item name, SKU number, and the website where you found the lower price.
- If you‘ve already made your purchase and then find a lower price on a sister site within 7 days, you can still call customer service and request a price adjustment. Wayfair will refund you the difference as long as the item wasn‘t on clearance or a limited-time sale.
Some additional tips to keep in mind:
- Price adjustments are limited to one per item, and the item must be identical, including size and color.
- Open Box items, clearance deals, and limited-time sales like Black Friday doorbusters are not eligible for price matching.
- To expedite the price match process, have links to the identical item on both sites pulled up when you call customer service.
- Wayfair‘s customer service team is generally very accommodating with price matching requests as long as you have all the necessary information.
Other Ways to Save at Wayfair
Price matching is just one of many strategies shoppers can use to save money at Wayfair. Here are a few other tips to keep in mind:
Shop Wayfair‘s Sales Events
Wayfair runs frequent sitewide sales tied to major holidays like Presidents Day, Memorial Day, and Black Friday. During these events, you can often find discounts of 50% or more on furniture, decor, and home improvement items. Wayfair also offers daily sales on specific product categories as well as limited-time flash deals.
To stay on top of upcoming sales, sign up for Wayfair‘s email list and follow the company‘s social media accounts. You can also check deal aggregator sites like RetailMeNot and Slickdeals for user-submitted promo codes and coupons.
Snag Closeout Deals
Savvy bargain-hunters should also check Wayfair‘s clearance section regularly for deep discounts on overstocked and seasonal items. While the selection is more limited and items tend to sell out quickly, you can often find savings of 70% or more on last-chance deals.
Open Box deals, which feature returned items in like-new condition, are another great way to save. These items are inspected and repackaged by Wayfair and come with free shipping and a full warranty. Just be aware that Open Box items are final sale and not eligible for Wayfair‘s standard 30-day return policy.
Earn Cash Back with the Wayfair Credit Card
If you‘re a frequent Wayfair shopper, it may be worth signing up for the Wayfair Credit Card. With this card, you‘ll earn 3% back in rewards on every purchase, which can add up quickly if you‘re furnishing a new home or undertaking a renovation project.
As a cardholder, you‘ll also get free shipping on all orders (no $49 minimum required) and a $40 discount on your first order of $250 or more. Just be sure to pay off your balance in full each month to avoid accruing interest charges.
Take Advantage of the Wayfair App
Download the Wayfair app for access to exclusive deals, personalized recommendations, and augmented reality features that let you visualize furniture in your space before you buy. The app makes it easy to save items to your cart or wishlist, track your orders, and get notified about price drops on products you‘re interested in.
"The Wayfair app is a game-changer for anyone who wants to compare prices and visualize furniture options on the go," says interior designer Amanda Thompson. "I always recommend it to my clients who are looking to save time and money on their home furnishing purchases."
Comparing Wayfair‘s Policies to Competitors
While Wayfair‘s lack of a universal price match guarantee may be a drawback for some shoppers, the company does offer several other perks that make it an attractive option. Here‘s how Wayfair stacks up against some of its main competitors in terms of pricing, shipping, and returns:
| Retailer | Price Matching | Shipping | Returns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayfair | Only matches own family of brands | Free on orders over $49 | 30 days for most items, return shipping fees apply |
| Amazon | Matches some major retailers, but not Wayfair | Free for Prime members, otherwise varies by item | 30 days for most items, free return shipping |
| Overstock | Matches Wayfair and other major retailers | Free on orders over $45 in contiguous US | 30 days for most items, return shipping fees apply |
| Pottery Barn | Does not price match | Flat rate $4.95 on most orders | 30 days for most items, $25 return shipping fee |
| Crate & Barrel | Matches prices on identical items | Flat rate $4.95 on most orders | 30 days for most items, $25 return shipping fee |
As you can see, Wayfair‘s shipping and return policies are generally in line with or slightly more generous than competitors. While Overstock does offer a more comprehensive price match policy, it has a higher free shipping threshold and also charges for return shipping on most items.
The Future of Furniture E-Commerce
As online furniture sales continue to grow, it will be interesting to see how Wayfair and its competitors adapt their pricing and fulfillment strategies to meet changing consumer expectations.
One trend to watch is the rise of personalized pricing based on customer data. Wayfair already uses dynamic pricing algorithms to adjust prices in real-time, but experts predict that in the future, retailers may offer individualized discounts or bundle recommendations tailored to each shopper‘s purchase history and browsing behavior.
"Personalized pricing is the next frontier in e-commerce," says Dr. Wang. "As retailers gather more data on each customer‘s preferences and price sensitivity, they‘ll be able to offer targeted discounts that maximize revenue while still making shoppers feel like they‘re getting a good deal."
Wayfair may also face pressure to expand its price match policy if competitors like Amazon and Walmart continue to invest heavily in their home furnishings offerings. However, Wayfair‘s vast selection, proprietary logistics network, and strong brand recognition give it a significant advantage.
"Wayfair has built a loyal customer base by offering great value, fast shipping, and a seamless online shopping experience," says Hernandez. "As long as it continues to innovate and put the customer first, I believe Wayfair will remain the leader in online furniture sales for years to come."
The Bottom Line
While Wayfair doesn‘t offer a blanket price match guarantee, deal-seeking shoppers can still find plenty of ways to save by taking advantage of the company‘s selective price matching policy and other discount opportunities. By shopping strategically and staying on top of sales and promotions, you can furnish your home with high-quality pieces at a fraction of the retail price.
Whether you‘re a first-time homebuyer on a tight budget or a seasoned decorator looking for the perfect accent piece, Wayfair‘s unparalleled selection and customer-friendly policies make it a top choice for online furniture shopping. So go ahead and start browsing – your dream home is just a few clicks away.