Does Target price match ?

[C.Ann]

Walmart always has (I've heard nothing about a policy change) so it's just another good reason for me to pick up items there rather than Target..

 

[Chicago526]

Really! I worked at Target in the mide 90's and we priced matched then! I wonder when that changed? I've never bothered to price match when I shop, I just go to the store that has the cheapest price to begin with.

 

[bicker]

What changed? WE changed.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Target, Kmart and Best Buy used to. Not anymore.

Officemax, Staples and Walmart stil price match around here. Although Walmart is getting pickier about it though.

Best Buy DOES pricematch. I have a Reward Zone card so I like buying from there- I bought the Gilmore Girls seasons 1 & 2 (reg 59.99 or something RIDICULOUS) and I pricematched with Target when they had them on special for $18.88 a piece.

 

[Lewisc]

Price matching was intended to match peer companies with similar cost structures and policies. Circuit City matching Best Buy and Staples matching Office Max for example.

Many stores got tired of matching, or having to explain why they won't match, stores that aren't comparable. I'm referring to stores that engage in "bait and switch" practices and don't have the merchandise available for sale. Same with stores that don't have the same cost/service structure such as internet sites or even warehouse clubs.

Some stores advertise sale merchandise that's either loss leaders or may be a special purchase. Other stores are no longer motivated to lose money by matching those purchase. Customers were going to another store to price match when the original store ran out, or never had, the advertised items.

 

[bicker]

Good point. Loss leaders, especially, were a major source of trouble. The point of loss leaders is to bring the customer into the store to purchase many items in addition to the loss leaders. Instead, a whole network of customers started just patronizing stores for their loss leaders, thereby defeating the purpose and turning a win-win into a win-lose.

However, I think the bigger issue is the one you alluded to with regard to comparable types of stores, i.e., B&M versus online. There is no question that B&M stores have higher overhead, and provide more personal face-to-face service, which is generally significantly more expensive than personal service by voice or chat.