Does Walmart Price Match Target in 2022? Yes, with Limitations

The straight answer is yes, Walmart does currently price match select Target.com prices when shopping on Walmart.com. However, there are quite a few catches, restrictions, and limitations that we‘ll break down in this detailed guide.

As a smart shopper myself, I know how valuable it can be to get retailers to match a competitor‘s lower price. It puts the power back in the customer‘s hands!

That‘s why I wanted to provide this in-depth look at exactly how Walmart approaches price matching with Target in 2022. As we‘ll see, they don‘t make it easy. But it is possible if you know the ins and outs.

Below I’ll cover everything you need to know as a savvy shopper, including:

• How the Walmart vs Target price matching process works
• Key restrictions that limit what Target prices Walmart will match
• Tips for successfully getting a Walmart price match
• What to do if your request gets denied
• Whether Target will also match Walmart’s prices in return

By the end, you’ll have all the details to take full advantage of price matching and maximize your savings at two of America’s biggest retailers. Let’s dive in!

Comparing Walmart and Target‘s Price Match Policies

Walmart and Target take different approaches when it comes to price matching with competitors:

• Walmart focuses on matching select online prices only. No in-store price matches.

• Target matches both local retail store prices and online prices from select major chains.

So Target employs a broader policy that gives customers more opportunity to price match. Walmart is more restrictive.

In my experience price matching over the years, I‘ve learned it pays to understand the exact policies stores like Walmart and Target put in place around matching prices. While frustrating, these rules exist to protect profits and prevent abuse.

Knowing the guidelines inside and out lets savvy shoppers like us ultimately work the system to our advantage!

Now let’s explore Walmart‘s specific Target price matching rules for 2022…

Walmart ONLY Matches Target.com, Not In-Store Prices

The key thing to understand here is that Walmart.com will only price match the Target.com website, not any in-store or local pricing.

So if you‘re browsing the aisles at your neighborhood Target and see something on sale for cheap, Walmart won’t match that when you go online or visit a local store. Bummer!

I learned this the hard way when I found a great deal on a Lego set at Target that I wanted Walmart to match. No dice – I had to trek back and actually buy it at Target to get that sweet in-store only deal.

Sticking to online pricing makes things simpler for Walmart. But it does limit how low they may be willing to go price-wise compared to what Target offers in physical stores.

Price Matching Only Applies to Identical Products

Another big requirement Walmart enforces is that any price matched item must be completely identical to the Target version.

We‘re talking same size, quantity, brand, color, style, model number – every single detail. Even the product photos and descriptions must match.

For example, I once tried to get Walmart to match the price on a red version of a coffee maker when they only had the black model in stock. That was a no-go because the colors didn‘t align.

Walmart isn’t willing to match prices on similar – but not 100% identical – products. Your best bet is to find listings on Target.com that seem like carbon copies of the Walmart version.

This identical item policy is how they prevent questionable price match requests that don’t quite compare apples to apples.

No Matching Clearance, Open Box or Out of Stock Items

Along the same lines, Walmart also refuses to match prices in the following situations:

• The item is on clearance or heavily discounted at Target.com.

• Target is selling an open-box, refurbished or used version. Walmart requires new.

• The product is out of stock or backordered on either website. Both must show full availability.

This makes total sense from Walmart’s side – they don’t want to match blowout clearance deals, used items, or something Target doesn’t even have in stock!

But again, as shoppers it limits just how low we can get Walmart to go on price. The stars really have to align to get a match.

To increase your odds, stick to full-price, brand new, in-stock products on both sites. That’s your best shot at success.

Target Coupons, Promo Codes and Special Deals Are Excluded

Here’s another big exclusion to be aware of…

Walmart does not price match any prices from Target that require coupons, promo codes, Buy One Get One (BOGO), or other special discounted offers.

The base price itself has to be lower at Target before Walmart will match it.

For example:

• Target has an item for $15, but it‘s 10% off for a limited time with a promo code. Walmart sells it for $17. They will NOT match Target‘s lower $13.50 price because it relies on a temporary coupon.

• Target is offering a Buy One, Get One 50% off deal on an item, making each one $25. Walmart has it for $30. Walmart will not match the $25 effective BOGO price.

The only exceptions are if Target runs site-wide promo code discounts – like 15% off everything. In those cases, the pre-coupon price may be matched. But unique product coupons and codes never apply.

This catches many shoppers off guard. But hopefully these examples demonstrate when Target “deals” won’t actually trigger a Walmart price match due to the exclusions.

Target Holiday Sales and Clearance Events Are Excluded

Along similar lines, Walmartflat out refuses to price match the rock bottom prices Target rolls out for major sales holidays and clearance events.

Specifically, they exclude price matching for:

• Target Deal Days (Target’s version of Prime Day)
• Early Black Friday and Cyber Week deals
• Clearance and year-end liquidation events
• Any advertised sales that are for a limited time only

I made the mistake of trying to price match a great Black Friday deal from Target one year and quickly found out that was a losing battle.

Walmart does not want to match the doorbuster loss-leader pricing from Target‘s biggest sale events of the year.

The good news is that some regular prices may still be matched during holiday periods as long as the items aren’t marked as sales, deals, doorbusters, etc. But the advertised holiday discounts are off the table.

Again, this comes down to Walmart protecting profit margins. As much as I’d love those Black Friday TV deals at Target to be matched, Walmart refuses to budge on their policy.

How To Successfully Request a Walmart Price Match with Target

Now that we’ve covered the many restrictions Walmart enforces, let’s discuss how to actually request a price match when you find a Target listing that meets all the criteria.

Here are some tips and best practices I’ve picked up over the years:

• Find identical listings on both sites. Compare every product detail before requesting a match.

• Note the exact URLs for both listings. Customer service will need to verify them.

• Contact Walmart Customer Care before checkout. This is critical – no post-purchase price matches allowed!

• Chat or call for fastest service. I‘ve found phone and chat reps process matches quicker than email.

• Be polite but persistent. Don‘t take no for an answer if you have a valid match request. Nicely ask for a supervisor if needed until you get your price match.

• Try different reps if you get denied. Different Customer Care agents interpret policies differently. One may deny while another approves!

• Check online prices frequently. Products go on and off sale regularly, so check both sites for the lowest price before buying.

• Don‘t overdo it. Limit to one request per item per day to avoid nuisance flags.

Follow those tips, and you should have no trouble getting Walmart to honor a valid Target price match request! Just be patient and politely persistent if needed.

What To Do If Your Target Price Match Request is Denied by Walmart

Despite your best efforts, Walmart may still deny price matching certain Target listings at their own discretion.

When this happens, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Double and triple check product similarities. Even tiny differences can cause a denial. Verify the same size, quantity, color, etc.

• Ensure neither product is on clearance or discount pricing. Sales, promos, coupons, and special offers invalidate matching.

• Make sure both items are in stock and sold directly by Walmart and Target. Third party sellers don‘t qualify.

• Try again with a different customer service rep. Different agents interpret the rules differently. Persistence pays off!

• If you get denied repeatedly, accept defeat. Don‘t waste too much time fighting an obvious policy violation.

• Buy from Target instead and learn for next time. If Walmart won’t budge, take your business to Target and enjoy the lower price.

While denied requests are frustrating, there are certainly times where Walmart makes a fair assessment based on their policy limitations. Pick your battles and know when to cut your losses.

Can You Get a Price Match on Walmart Items Already Purchased?

This is one of the most common questions I see asked about Walmart‘s price matching policies.

The short answer is no, Walmart will not price match Target for any purchases you already completed.

Price matching can only happen before you finish checkout. Once the transaction is done, that’s it.

Believe me, I learned this one the hard way too! I bought a surround sound system on Walmart.com and two days later saw Target had it $50 cheaper. Walmart politely told me I was out of luck – the order was placed already.

So be sure to check Target pricing before you finish paying at Walmart.com. And never assume you can get a retroactive post-purchase price match. Walmart considers all sales final in that regard.

If you do happen to find a better Target deal shortly after purchasing at Walmart, your only real option is to return the Walmart order for a refund, then go buy it from Target. A bit of a hassle, but that’s the only way to score the lower price.

Does Target Price Match Walmart in Return?

Now that we’ve thoroughly covered Walmart’s policies around Target price matching, you may be wondering: does Target offer price matching against Walmart in return?

The answer is yes! Target does price match their online and in-store prices against Walmart.com.

However, there are a few key differences compared to Walmart:

• Target matches both website and in-store pricing. Not limited to online only.

• Price adjustments can be requested up to 14 days after purchase. Walmart only allows requests pre-purchase.

• Price matching is more open to manager discretion. More wiggle room compared to Walmart’s rigid policy.

• Clearance prices are sometimes matched. Unlike Walmart, Target may match discounts and deals beyond everyday pricing.

So in many ways, getting Target to price match Walmart is more flexible and forgiving. You have two weeks after buying to request an adjustment, and store prices are fair game.

To get a Walmart price match at Target, simply contact Target’s Guest Services department online, over the phone or in person at a store. As long as the item qualities, they’ll refund you the difference.

Much easier than dealing with Walmart!

Price Matching Won’t Always Save You Money

Before wrapping up, I want to provide one final word of caution around price matching:

Don‘t get so caught up in the thrill of getting retailers to match prices that you spend more money than you were planning to!

I see a lot of overzealous shoppers (maybe guilty myself here) that get such a rush from “beating the system” via price matching that they buy things they don’t need.

Even if you get Walmart or Target to price match something by $50, that’s still $50 more than if you didn’t buy it at all!

So by all means, use price matching wisely to save money where you were already planning to make purchases anyway. But be careful that the lure of matching deals doesn‘t cause you to overspend on impulse buys.

The Bottom Line – Use Price Matching to Your Advantage!

Hopefully this detailed guide provided everything you need to know about getting Walmart to price match Target online prices in 2022.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Matching is limited to Target.com listings only.

• Items must be identical – size, quantity, color, etc.

• Major sales, deals and coupons are excluded.

• Requests must be made before completing checkout.

• Target offers more flexible price matching in return.

While the many restrictions make things challenging, savvy shoppers can absolutely take advantage of Walmart’s Target price matching policy when the stars align.

Just make sure you understand the ins and outs fully. Now you‘ve got all the tips and advice to master this and maximize your savings!

The next time you are browsing Walmart.com and Target.com for something you need to buy anyway, take a few minutes to compare pricing and see if you can get Walmart to match for the win. Over time, those little victories add up to big savings.

Happy shopping and price matching! Let me know if you have any other questions.