Does AutoZone Price Match Amazon in 2022? (The Complete Insider‘s Guide)
As an experienced Amazon seller and bargain hunter, one of the first questions I get is whether you can price match Amazon at major auto parts stores like AutoZone.
The short answer is no – AutoZone does not currently price match Amazon in 2022. But I‘ll explain the specifics behind this policy, when you still may be able to get a price match, and insider tips to save the most money.
See, I‘ve been selling auto parts profitably on Amazon for over 5 years now. During that time, I‘ve learned a ton about promotional pricing strategies, how retailers like AutoZone compete, and ways to get the best deal as a savvy shopper.
And I want to share all these price matching secrets with you today so you can stretch your dollar further on your next battery purchase or oil change.
Here‘s what we‘ll cover:
- Why AutoZone won‘t match Amazon‘s prices
- Loopholes – when price matching Amazon still works
- How to request a price match the right way
- Who AutoZone will match instead of Amazon
- Expert tips to guarantee you get the best price
Let‘s get right into it!
Why AutoZone Refuses to Match Amazon‘s Prices
When it comes to Amazon, AutoZone flat out refuses to match their prices. This blanket denial of all Amazon price matches comes down to a few key factors:
Amazon‘s Pricing Model Varies Wildly
As an Amazon seller, I‘ve seen firsthand how much prices can fluctuate daily, even hourly on the platform. Demand algorithms change, other sellers adjust prices, availability shifts – it‘s wild!
AutoZone has no easy way to verify and match these prices in real-time. Printed receipts required for price matching could be outdated or useless when pulled from Amazon. I‘ve seen products jump 20% day-to-day.
And AutoZone certainly doesn‘t want to match a rock bottom price that disappears tomorrow. This variability makes Amazon impossible to reliably match.
Amazon Handicaps AutoZone‘s Margins
Here‘s an example – I can sell a Duralast Gold Car Battery on Amazon easily for $20 less than what AutoZone charges.
Why? My warehouse overhead is far less than AutoZone‘s elaborate store network. I sell online only, so no employee salaries or electricity bills to pay.
This lets me heavily undercut major chains and still turn a profit. But companies like AutoZone know matching my prices would tank their margins.
So even if a customer finds that same Duralast battery for $100 on Amazon, AutoZone won‘t blink at matching it, even though they stock the identical product.
Screenshots as "Proof" Don‘t Cut It
AutoZone requires printed receipts or ads showing competitor pricing. But Amazon doesn‘t exactly hand out receipts.
The best you could have is a printed screenshot from your browser. But this is easy to fake or alter. So AutoZone bans all Amazon examples since validity is difficult to prove.
Because of these core issues, corporate has strictly prohibited matching any Amazon pricing for all retail locations. Case closed, right?
Well, not quite…
Loopholes – When You STILL Might Get an Amazon Price Match
Despite the official policy, there are a few loopholes that may allow you to successfully price match Amazon at an AutoZone in limited cases:
1. Manager Discretion on Big Ticket Items
Most AutoZone stores allow the manager on duty discretion to match prices outside policy for higher priced items, usually over $50.
If you‘re buying a battery, rack, or tools and have your smartphone open to the Amazon listing, the manager may approve a discretionary match.
Especially if you‘re a regular customer! Being friendly goes a long way here.
2. Price Matching Amazon Subsidiary Parts Stores
Companies like Amazon own other auto parts sites like AVS and PartsGeek that aren‘t Amazon proper.
Since these have their own receipts and ABN‘s, store managers may mistakenly approve a match. I don‘t recommend this, but it can work!
3. Edge Case Matches – Same Part Numbers, No Amazon Branding
If the product has no Amazon or AmazonBasics branding, AutoZone may match it by part or model number alone.
For commodities like oil filters where the product is truly identical and printed receipts available, you have a strong case to cite the identical model numbers and SKU mismatch as a simple error.
Managers have enough leeway here to approve the match in many cases.
4. Getting Credit for a Return & Repurchase
This is a bit sneaky, but hear me out.
Buy the AutoZone product first. Then return it AFTER buying the identical Amazon item for less. Bring the Amazon receipt and product to AutoZone.
Since you‘re returning an AutoZone purchase, they‘ll simply credit your card. Then repurchase from them with the credit at the Amazon price.
Again, this exploits policy loopholes and worker distraction to get an effective price match. Your mileage may vary here.
How to Request Price Matching the Right Way
Okay, while you may get lucky with the loopholes above, here is the legit step-by-step process to request a price match properly at AutoZone:
Verify the products match perfectly – part numbers, size, everything. Even the color and packaging should be the same.
Check stock – is the competitor‘s location showing accurate inventory for this product? It must be in stock locally to qualify.
Bring printed receipts or ads dated no more than 30 days back showing the competitor‘s price. Handwritten notes won‘t cut it here.
Have the exact URL or store location ready if asked for verification by the manager.
Be reasonable – trying to match 75% off deals likely won‘t fly unless manager approved. Stick to 10-15% differences.
Ask nicely! A kind attitude goes so much further than being demanding. Make their jobs easier.
Don‘t argue if denied. Politely ask for reasoning and then you can decide whether to purchase or try elsewhere.
Following these guidelines gives you the best shot at a successful price match at AutoZone. Just leave Amazon out of it!
Who WILL AutoZone Price Match?
Now that you know Amazon is off the table, which competitors can you price match instead?
Here are the top national retailers that AutoZone will happily match with printed receipts:
| Competitor | Price Match Items |
|---|---|
| Advance Auto Parts | Oil, filters, batteries, brakes, cleaners, code readers |
| Walmart | Oil, filters, batteries, bulbs, tools |
| O‘Reilly Auto Parts | Shocks, struts, chargers, headlights, electronics, fluids, wheels |
| NAPA Auto Parts | Wix filters, Prestone fluids, Accel parts, Lisle tools, Valvoline oil |
You‘ll notice the common thread is in-store receipts only. Online printouts may work for Advance and NAPA if desperate.
But focus your comparison shopping locally between bricks-and-mortar auto parts chains. This is your best bet for a quick and easy AutoZone price match.
Expert Price Match Tips to Guarantee Savings
As a 10-year auto parts sourcing pro, here are my insider tips for price matching success:
Avoid branded products – price matching AutoZone‘s Duralast parts gets denied more often. Stick to matching on 3rd party brands.
Know your manager – the final discretion is up to them. Having a relationship helps enormously versus dealing with an unfamiliar manager.
Compare often – prices change constantly, so don‘t assume yesterday‘s price is still valid today. Do your homework!
Buy pricier items – a $3 difference in wiper blades probably isn‘t worth the effort. Focus on big ticket products for maximum savings.
Bundle when possible – if the competitor ad shows bundled pricing, try matching multiple items together instead of a single product.
Avoid Saturdays – busier times of day and weekends tend to see pricing matches declined more frequently when stores are swamped!
Follow these tips and you‘ll be way ahead of average customers when it comes to scoring AutoZone price match savings.
Even though Amazon is excluded, you now know how to source the best deals locally and make sure you pay the lowest price possible every time.
Our community has saved thousands using these tricks – now it‘s your turn!
Let me know in the comments if this guide helped you save money price matching at AutoZone! I‘m always happy to hear when these tips put extra cash back in your pocket.
Stay savvy out there!
