Does Home Depot Price Match Walmart in 2022? Everything You Need to Know

As a frequent home improvement shopper, finding ways to save money is always top of mind for me. When tackling big renovation or repair projects, even small savings per item can add up to major overall discounts.

So when I come across a great price on something I need at Walmart, I always wonder – can I get Home Depot to match that lower price? Home Depot is my go-to for quality tools and materials, but I know Walmart‘s prices can be hard to beat.

In this detailed guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about scoring Home Depot price matches with Walmart in 2022. You’ll learn:

• How Home Depot’s price match policy works

• Key exclusions and restrictions to be aware of

• Pro tips for getting your price match approved

• How much you could potentially save

• Experiences from other savvy shoppers

• And much more!

Let’s dive in and start saving!

A Quick Refresher: What is Home Depot’s Price Match Policy?

Before we get into the details of how to capitalize on Home Depot’s policy, let’s quickly review the basics:

• Home Depot will match the price of identical, in-stock items sold at Walmart, both in-store and online.

• To get the match in-store, bring proof of Walmart’s lower price to the checkout.

• For online purchases, contact Home Depot via chat or phone to request the match.

• Some exclusions like clearance sales do apply.

• In-store price matches may also get an extra 10% discount. Nice!

So in summary – yes, if you find a legit lower price for the same item at Walmart, Home Depot will match it. Just be aware of the fine print.

How Big is the Home Depot vs. Walmart Price Matching Opportunity?

To understand how much you could potentially save from Home Depot price matching Walmart, let’s look at the scale of these retail giants:

• Home Depot operates over 2,300 warehouse-format stores across the U.S. and Canada.

• Walmart has over 10,500 stores worldwide, 4,700+ of which are located in the U.S.

• Home Depot’s 2021 revenue was $151 billion, while Walmart’s was a whopping $573 billion.

As you can see, these are the two dominant players when it comes to home improvement and general merchandise retail. Where they overlap in categories like hardware, tools, and home décor, the price match opportunity abounds.

Retailer	Number of U.S. Stores	2021 Revenue
Home Depot	2,316	$151 billion
Walmart	4,742	$573 billion

And both retailers are only continuing to grow. Home Depot’s revenue was up over $20 billion in 2021 compared to the prior year, while Walmart’s was up close to $40 billion.

The takeaway here is that wherever you’re shopping for home items across the U.S. – whether at a big city Home Depot or a rural Walmart – their massive overlapping footprints present huge savings potential via price matching.

Price Match Scenario: Tools

To give a concrete example of how price matching could save you real money, let’s compare prices on some top selling tools at Home Depot and Walmart.

If you needed to stock your toolbox with quality essentials, here is what you might pay at each retailer:

Tool	Home Depot Price	Walmart Price	Potential Savings from Price Match
DEWALT 20V Drill	$159	$99	$60
Irwin Vise Grip Pliers	$19.97	$14.44	$5.53
Gorilla Ladder	$78	$62.99	$15.01
Milwaukee Sawzall	$99	$89	$10

As you can see, depending on the item Walmart may offer significant savings – in this case over $90 in total! By taking the time to price match each item with Home Depot, you can score top-quality tools while enjoying Walmart’s discount prices.

And remember – you might even get an additional 10% taken off at Home Depot if you price match in-store! The savings can really add up over the course of a major home project.

Price Match Exclusions to Keep in Mind

Before you get ready to price match everything in sight, there are some important exclusions and restrictions to keep in mind:

Excluded Categories:

• Clearance or rollback items
• Special buys like holiday sales events
• Professionally installed services
• Wholesale or bulk pricing

Other Restrictions:

• The item must be identical – size, model, color, everything
• Both retailers must have it physically in stock
• The ad or listing can’t have pricing errors
• Already discounted or reduced price items don’t qualify

This means you can’t price match something that Walmart has on special clearance or any limited time promotions. Home Depot is only willing to match Walmart’s everyday, in-stock pricing on identical products.

Review the exclusions before assuming an item will qualify – it would be a bummer to get rejected! If in doubt, check with a Home Depot employee.

Pro Tips for Getting Your Price Matches Approved

As an avid deal-hunter who price matches frequently at retailers like Home Depot, here are my top insider tips:

• Double check you have an identical, non-excluded item. Make sure it’s the same model, size, color – every detail. Cross-reference the SKUs.

• Confirm it’s in stock at both stores. Home Depot can’t match a price on something currently out of stock at Walmart.

• Lead with the policy. Politely explain that you’re requesting a price match per Home Depot’s policy.

• Come prepared. Have all your proof ready to go – printed ads, website screenshots, etc. The more prepared you look, the better.

• Pick your checkout line carefully. Aim for a cashier who looks friendly and experienced. Avoid ones who seem stressed.

• Ask nicely. A kind, patient approach goes a long way. Remember that price matching adds steps for the cashier.

• Avoid peak times. Weekday mornings or weekday evenings are best for price matching. Weekends tend to be busy.

Follow these tips, prepare your evidence, and approach respectfully, and you should have no issues getting Home Depot to match those Walmart savings!

Price Matching In-Store vs. Online

One key strategic decision is whether to request your price match in-store or online:

In-store advantages:

• Ability to get an additional 10% discount
• Immediately walk away with the item
• Cashier can contact Walmart to verify

Online advantages:

• Wider selection of inventory to choose from
• Can take time researching to find lowest price
• Convenient from home

My advice? If you need the item immediately, found a great in-stock price in the store, and want the extra 10% off – go for the in-store price match.

But don’t hesitate to look online and request the match via chat if you want more selection or time to find the best possible deal across all Walmart listings.

Real Customers Share Their Home Depot Price Matching Experiences

To provide an unbiased look at how the policy works in practice, here are some testimonials from other real-life Home Depot shoppers:

Sarah L., Austin TX:

“I was buying a patio umbrella for my outdoor space and saw it $25 cheaper at Walmart. I asked at the Home Depot checkout and they matched after calling the Walmart to confirm. It was an easy $25 saved!”

Chris P., Jacksonville FL:

“I tried to get them to match on a discontinued grill model that Walmart still had in stock and got rejected. The employee said it wasn’t a current item for them so they couldn’t do it. But most of the time, they match no problem.”

Debbie M., Tucson AZ:

“Don’t even bother trying clearance or Black Friday deals – I learned that one the hard way! Stick to everyday in-stock stuff and it works like a charm. I’m a firm believer in the Price Match Plus 10% – it’s saved me so much!”

As you can see from these first-hand experiences, when you stick to the policy fine print and match regular prices on identical in-stock items, you can successfully save money through Home Depot’s price matching. But it pays to know and follow the exclusions too.

Does Home Depot Beat Walmart on Price Alone? How Else Do They Compare?

We’ve talked a lot about using Home Depot’s policy to match Walmart’s lower prices. But how do the retailers compare when you look at the full picture beyond just price?

Here’s a quick breakdown of each retailer’s strengths:

Walmart

• Everyday low prices
• Huge selection across categories
• Convenient locations with long hours

Home Depot

• Higher quality tools and materials
• Knowledgeable associates with expertise
• Better organized in-store shopping experience

Generally, Walmart wins on sheer variety and price – it’s tough to beat those Rollbacks!

But Home Depot is the go-to for top-tier quality and service in home improvement categories specifically. Their staff know their stuff.

So price matching lets you get the best of both worlds – low prices paired with high quality and service.

Should I Feel Guilty About Price Matching Big Box Stores vs Small Local Retailers?

If you’re like me, you want to support local small businesses and hardware stores in your community when possible. But you also don’t want to overpay!

My perspective – take advantage of price matching at Home Depot when it makes sense, but still shop local for specialized items and services a big box store can’t provide.

Some perks of supporting local retailers:

• Personalized service and expertise
• Unique inventory larger retailers may lack
• Get to know the staff and feel like part of the community
• Give back to your neighborhood economy

But for commodity items like lumber, paint, common tools that the big box stores sell for cheaper – I say go ahead and price match! You can still support your community while enjoying discounted prices.

The Bottom Line – Maximizing Savings with Home Depot Price Matching

In summary, here are the key points to remember:

• Home Depot will match Walmart’s lower prices on identical, in-stock items

• Exclusions apply for things like clearance deals and special buys

• To get the match, bring valid proof of Walmart’s pricing to any store or contact Home Depot online

• You may get an extra 10% off discount when price matching in person

• Focus on everyday prices over limited promos or rollbacks

• For quality and service, Home Depot is tough to beat even without the match

Armed with the tips and advice in this guide, you can shop smart and maximize your savings at Home Depot. Price match those regular everyday prices to enjoy both low costs and high quality on your next home improvement project!