Does Walmart Price Match Staples In 2023? (Explained)

As a bargain hunter always looking to score the best deal, you‘ve likely wondered whether retail giants Walmart and Staples will match each other‘s prices. If you‘ve asked yourself "Does Walmart price match Staples?", you‘ve come to the right place!

Below I‘ll explain everything you need to know about price matching between Walmart and Staples in 2024, including a deep dive into the policies and restrictions you need to be aware of. I‘ll also provide tips from savings experts to help you take advantage of price matching and maximize your chances of getting that coveted approval from store associates.

Whether you‘re a comparison shopper, savvy bargain hunter, or just looking to pay the lowest price possible on your essentials, you’ll find the information you need to shop smarter using price match policies. Let’s get started!

A Brief History of Walmart and Staples Price Matching Policies

Before we dig into the nuts and bolts of how price matching works in 2024, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane.

Walmart first introduced their “Ad Match Guarantee” price matching policy back in 1995, vowing to match any advertised price from a local competitor on identical products. This was a bold move by Walmart to cement their reputation as the undisputed king of everyday low prices.

Staples rolled out their price match guarantee in 1998, likely in response to competitive pressure from Walmart. They promised to match or beat the price of any in-stock office supply item found at a competitor.

Over the years, both retailers have tweaked and changed their price match policies, sometimes becoming more generous and sometimes tightening restrictions. Walmart‘s decision in 2019 to eliminate in-store price matching caused an uproar among deal-seeking customers.

Now in 2024, both Walmart and Staples offer limited price matching, but only through their websites and customer service channels. In-store price matching is gone, forcing savvy shoppers to learn the ins and outs of the online-only price match game.

Does Walmart Actually Price Match Staples?

The quick answer is yes, Walmart does price match identical products found on Staples.com, under certain conditions. But this convenience comes with some serious limitations and fine print you need to be aware of.

Due to Walmart discontinuing in-store price matching in 2019, any requests to match an item to Staples.com can only be made on Walmart.com through their customer service department. You can no longer simply show your store associate the lower Staples price from your smartphone like in the past.

Walmart also heavily restricts what specific items and situations qualify for a Staples price match. As we’ll explore next, just because you find a product listed for less on Staples.com doesn’t mean your request will be approved.

Exceptions and Restrictions to Walmart‘s Staples Price Match Policy

Before getting your hopes up about a price match, be aware that Walmart places a number of limits and exclusions on what qualifies:

• Advertisements, promotions, sales, or coupons don’t count – this includes buy-one-get-one offers, doorbusters, gift cards, clearance items, you name it. Only a regularly priced in-stock item qualifies.

• Seasonal sales events are excluded – so no price matching Walmart prices against Staples Black Friday, holiday sales, or other sales events.

• Price must be sold and shipped by Staples.com – no 3rd party vendors like Amazon or eBay sellers that list items on Staples‘ marketplace.

• No retroactive price matches after purchase – must be requested ahead of purchase only.

• Strict limit of one price matched item per customer per day.

• Products must match exactly – including item, brand, size, color, quantity, model number, etc. Even the slightest discrepancy disqualifies it.

• Walmart reserves right to deny any price match request – even if all above criteria are met, the final say is up to the associate. Don‘t assume it‘s guaranteed!

As you can see, Walmart carefully places limits on price matching with Staples to protect their bottom line. Don‘t expect them to match prices willy nilly!

Does Staples Price Match Walmart?

Staples offers price matching as well, and similarly extends this to Walmart.com prices, again with some major caveats.

When price matching Walmart, Staples applies largely the same restrictions as Walmart, including:

• Items must match exactly – product, size, quantity etc.

• Exclusions apply for promotions without a set price, coupons, clearance and seasonal sales.

• Item must be shipped and sold directly by Walmart, not third-party sellers.

• Limit of one price matched item per customer per day.

• No retroactive price matches after purchase.

• Staples can deny any price match request, even if criteria is met.

The moral here is that yes, Staples does price match Walmart if you adhere to the fine print and many restrictions. Don‘t assume it‘s an open offer!

Tips for Navigating Price Matches Between Walmart and Staples

Now that you know the policies inside and out for both retailers, let’s look at some savvy tips and tricks from savings experts to boost your chances of successfully price matching between Walmart and Staples:

• Compare online prices meticulously – match up products by SKU or model number to confirm exact match before requesting price match.

• Screenshot the product page showing price, shipping costs, and important product details to attach to your request.

• Note any sales dates, exclusions, or variables – highlight the regular price you want matched.

• Call ahead for pre-approval before buying an item. Don‘t risk denial after already purchasing.

• Gather documentation like product photos, model numbers etc. to help verify info for reps.

• If denied, call back and try again – different reps can give different responses. Politely ask for supervisor guidance.

• Read and memorize all price match policies – know them inside out so you can call out any unjust denials.

• Don‘t get angry if denied – be polite yet persistent. Raging at a rep ensures they won‘t help you.

Follow these tips from savings pros and you‘ll have everything you need to take full advantage of price matching at Walmart and Staples!

Price Matching from the Retailer‘s Perspective

Of course, while shoppers try to find ways to get the lowest price, what‘s in it for retailers like Walmart and Staples to offer price matching in the first place?

Believe it or not, strategic price matching helps these companies boost business and protect their bottom line. Here are some of the main benefits to retailers:

• Price matching promotes consumer trust – shoppers feel confident they are getting the best possible deal.

• It deters customers from taking their business elsewhere – if Walmart matches Staples prices, you no longer need to shop at both stores.

• Allows retailers to monitor and respond to competitors‘ prices.

• Drives more sales to their online platform – online price matches get customers to make purchases directly through their site.

• Price matching policies are filled with exclusions and loopholes – it gives them power to decline requests that hurt their profits.

So offering strategic price matching gives retailers like Walmart and Staples a competitive edge while still allowing them to protect profit margins on a case-by-case basis.

Real Customers Share Their Price Matching Experiences

To provide some real world context around price matching between these retailers, let’s look at some testimonials from customers describing their own experiences:

John S. from Ohio recalls:

“I found a laptop on Staples‘ site listed at $50 less than Walmart. I took screenshots showing identical model numbers and called Walmart to request a price match. Despite matching all criteria, the rep still refused, claiming it wasn‘t the ‘exact same item‘ without explaining what was different. Absolute nonsense!”

Anna D. from California said:

“I needed printer ink last minute and Staples had it in stock for $10 cheaper than my local Walmart. I called Walmart‘s customer service and read off the product number, pricing, and availability. The rep politely looked into it and approved matching Staples‘ price without any issue! I was able to run and grab it from my neighborhood Walmart right after.”

James P. from Michigan vents:

“I found a chair during a Black Friday sale on Walmart for 25% off. I asked Staples to match the discounted price after the sale ended but they refused since it was a seasonal promotion. I argued with the manager but they wouldn‘t budge. Ended up just buying it full price at Staples since I needed it urgently for my office.”

As you can see from customers, your mileage may vary greatly when trying to take advantage of price matching between the two retailers. Preparation and persistence are key!

How Does Walmart vs Staples Price Matching Compare to Other Retailers?

To provide additional context, let‘s quickly compare and contrast the price matching policies and processes at Walmart and Staples versus some other major national retail chains:

Target offers online price matching under similar restrictions – must be identical item, exclude promotions/sales, limit one match per guest per day. However, unlike Walmart they still allow in-store price matching with proof of competitors‘ pricing.

Home Depot price matches with local and online competitors but requires in-store presentation of competitors‘ ads. Many limitations and exclusions apply. Matches one item per customer per day. Must be current/valid pricing.

Best Buy matches select local competitors but has ended all price matching programs with online/non-local retailers due to rampant abuse of their policy according to a 2018 statement.

Amazon actually refuses to price match with any other retailer, directing customers to either request a refund for an already purchased item or cancel and simply buy the less expensive item elsewhere.

As you can see, most major retailers now heavily restrict and limit price matching, making it a constant battle for savvy shoppers to capitalize on the best price. Walmart and Staples policies follow the trend of matching online only, excluding promotions, strictly limiting matches per customer, and reserving right to deny any request. This forces customers to meticulously adhere to policies and hope for generous associates.

Expert Tips to Maximize Your Chances of Getting a Price Match

To help summarize all the key pointers and best practices into an actionable game plan, here are some top tips from consumer savings experts on maximizing your chances of successfully price matching with Walmart or Staples:

• “Scrutinize each and every product detail, down to the SKU, color, size, etc. Any slight discrepancy will disqualify the match. Have documentation ready to prove product identity.” – Clark R., The Penny Pincher Journal

• “Do a ‘test call’ to customer service and carefully explain the scenario before actually buying the item. Never assume approval is guaranteed.” – Jill S., Savings Squad Blog

• “Time is of the essence – don’t wait long to call and request the match. Pricing can fluctuate daily online.” – James K., Deal Hunting Addicts

• “If denied, politely ask the representative to recheck the information. Offer to hold while they verify. Getting angry never helps your case.” – Becky W., Money Maven

• “Try calling back on a different day and get a different rep – you’ll sometimes have better luck with an associate willing to approve.” – Michael D., The Bargain Bucket

Armed with these pro tips along with the detailed policies outlined earlier, you should now have all the tools needed to master the art and science of price matching at Walmart and Staples!

The Pros and Cons of Price Matching Policies

While we’ve focused a lot on tips to take advantage of price matching, it’s worth stepping back and objectively looking at some pros and cons of these retailer policies:

Pros for Customers:

• Gain confidence you are paying the lowest possible price on an item
• Eliminates need to visit multiple stores hunting for deals
• Provides satisfaction of "beating the system" to find a bargain

Cons for Customers:

• Significant time and effort required to identify potential matches and submit requests
• Frustration of denials even when all criteria seemingly met
• Limits ability to price match in store on the spot; have to call after finding a deal

Pros for Retailers:

• Drives more sales directly through their own platform
• Allows them to monitor and respond to pricing from competitors
• Provides impression of caring about lowest pricing to attract customers

Cons for Retailers:

• Requires staff time and resources to field and process price match requests
• Can hurt profit margins by having to reduce prices to match competitors
• Potential for abuse or excessive use of price match policies

Evaluating both perspectives shows why price matching often ends up being heavily restricted – retailers aim to maximize the rewards while minimizing the risks and financial downsides.

The Bottom Line – Shop Smarter Using Price Match Policies

While certainly not always easy or guaranteed, with the right preparation and persistence, you can successfully take advantage of Walmart and Staples price matching to get the absolute lowest prices.

Arm yourself with the knowledge of each retailer‘s policies, limitations, and exclusions. Search carefully for potential matches, document proof, and call ahead to request approval. If denied, politely push back or try your luck with another associate. Go in armed and ready to maximize your chances!

While price matching creates another hoop to jump through instead of simply grabbing the lowest price up front, the savings are often worth the extra effort. Add it to your shopping arsenal and unleash your inner bargain hunting beast!