Does Target Price Match Amazon In 2022? (This Can Save You Big)

As an ecommerce seller for over 10 years, I‘m always comparing product prices across major retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart and more. I‘ve noticed Target aggressively price matches to stay competitive with Amazon and win customers. In fact, Target confirms they officially match Amazon‘s pricing both online and in-stores in 2022.

So when shopping at Target, it pays to do a quick Amazon price check – you may be able to get Target to match a lower Amazon price at the register or with one call to customer service. This simple tip has helped me save big as a savvy shopper and seller navigating all the major retail chains.

Here’s what I’ll cover in this guide so you can master Target‘s Amazon price match policy and stop overpaying:

How Target Price Matching Amazon Works

As a major retailer competing with ecommerce giant Amazon, Target needs to stay attractive for shoppers focused on price and value.

That‘s why Target publicly confirms they will match the pricing on Amazon.com for identical items currently in stock and sold directly by Amazon. This goes for both Target stores and Target.com.

The key is the products must be exactly the same in terms of:

• Brand
• Item model number
• Size/dimensions
• Weight
• Color
• Quantity/count

And you have to show proof of the real-time lower price on Amazon to get Target to honor a price match in-store or over the phone.

If everything checks out, Target will drop their pricing to match Amazon‘s listed price. This essentially allows you to get Amazon‘s low prices while shopping at Target, getting the best of both worlds.

But pay close attention to the exclusions covered later in this guide – Target won‘t match every Amazon price.

When Amazon Prices Are Cheaper Than Target

I monitor product prices closely as an ecommerce seller. In my experience, Amazon tends to offer lower pricing compared to Target on these types of items:

• Electronics: Particularly big ticket items like TVs, laptops, tablets. Amazon‘s massive selection and direct supplier relationships allow aggressive electronics pricing.

• Amazon own-brand products: Obviously Amazon can undercut other retailers on their exclusive lines like Amazon Basics, Rivet furniture, Amazon Essentials clothing, etc.

• Health and beauty supplies: Amazon sells its own skincare, haircare, cosmetics, vitamins making it tough for Target to compete on pricing in those categories.

• Toys: Especially leading up to the holidays, Amazon toy prices are hard to beat with heavy discounts.

• Books and media: Again Amazon‘s massive inventory and low margins here make them competitive.

However, I’ve also regularly found Target undercutting Amazon on pricing for items like:

• Target own brands like Goodfellow, Universal Thread, Threshold, Cat & Jack, etc.

• Trendy clothing, shoes and accessories. Target moves a lot of apparel volume.

• Home goods and furnishings like towels, storage bins, small kitchen appliances.

So as you can see, make sure to price check both Amazon and Target when comparison shopping. The cheapest option can vary by product category and shift week to week as retailers adjust pricing strategies.

Categories To Price Match at Target

Based on my tracking of prices across retailers, here are the key categories I recommend checking Amazon before buying at Target:

Electronics: Phones, tablets, smart home devices, gaming consoles, computers, TVs and more. Amazon‘s prices are hard to beat here.

Toys and games: Beat Amazon prices with Target price matching around the holidays especially.

Kitchen/cooking: Appliances, utensils, storage containers – check Amazon for any edge.

Beauty and personal care: Makeup, skincare, hair products, oral care. Amazon‘s pricing power makes them tough to match.

Furniture and home goods: If you find dining sets, small furniture, decor, textiles for less on Amazon, price match at Target.

Outdoor: Camping gear, grills, patio furniture. Match Amazon‘s seasonal promotions.

Baby: Diapers, wipes, clothes, nursery furniture. Heavy competition leads to low prices.

Media: Books, movies, music, and video games often see steep Amazon discounts.

Monitor Amazon pricing in the above categories when shopping Target for the biggest chance to save. Of course always check clothing, shoes, pet supplies and other areas too – prices change constantly!

Requesting an Amazon Price Match at Target

When you find a product listed for less on Amazon compared to Target, here are the proper steps to request a price match:

For Target.com orders:

• Contact Target Guest Services at 1-800-591-3869 before completing your purchase.
• Provide the identical Amazon listing link showing the lower price.
• Ensure the same items details match.
• Target will verify eligibility and adjust your Target.com order total if approved.

For in-store purchases:

• Bring up the live Amazon listing on your smartphone or tablet showing the current lower price.
• Show this to the Target employee at checkout before paying.
• They will confirm the products are identical and adjust your total if it qualifies for a price match.

The key things to remember are:

• Proof of live Amazon listing required – no screenshots.
• Products must match perfectly in details.
• Applies to current online prices – no expired promotions.
• Not available for Hawaii and Alaska store purchases.

It‘s really that simple to request an Amazon price match at Target in-store or online!

Price Matching Amazon Deals and Discounts

Here is where things get tricky – Target does NOT price match discounted or promo prices from Amazon.

Examples of Amazon deals and promotions that do NOT qualify for Target price matching:

• Amazon Lightning Deals
• Amazon Warehouse discounted items
• Amazon coupons or promo codes
• Amazon Buy One Get One or Buy More Save More deals
• Prime member-only prices and discounts
• Amazon sale prices, daily deals or clearances

The key thing is Target will only match the regular Amazon listing price for an item currently in stock. Not any temporary promotions or markdowns running on Amazon.

So if you find a killer deal on Amazon, unfortunately Target won‘t match that specific discounted price. You‘d have to buy the item on Amazon itself to get the deal pricing.

Exceptions Where Target Won‘t Match Amazon

Target sets a few limits on their Amazon price match policy. According to Target, they will NOT price match the following:

• Items sold by third-party sellers on Amazon Marketplace – must be sold/shipped by Amazon directly.
• Products that contain alcohol – Target does not match Amazon pricing for beer, wine, liquors, etc.
• Amazon Fresh exclusive deals – only available in select regions where Amazon Fresh operates.
• Refurbished items like restored phones, computers, tablets, game consoles, etc.
• Items currently out of stock or unavailable for purchase on either Amazon or Target.
• Damaged, used or open-box condition items. Must be new.

Additionally, Hawaii and Alaska are completely excluded from Target‘s Amazon price match policy.

So those are the current exceptions and restrictions to keep in mind when trying to score an Amazon price match at Target. As long as you avoid the above scenarios, you should have success matching any live Amazon listing prices.

Price Matching Items Already Purchased at Target

Great news – you can even price match Amazon after buying something at Target if you discover it‘s listed for less on Amazon later on.

According to Target‘s policy, you have up to 14 days after an item is purchased at Target to request an Amazon price match.

To do this:

• Locate the original Target receipt.
• Find the identical product currently listed for less on Amazon.
• Return to Target with your receipt and Amazon listing within 14 days.
• Show an employee proof of the lower Amazon price.
• They will refund you the difference in price if eligible!

Just remember Target won‘t match any expired Amazon deals or promotions – it must be the current live listing price.

But overall this is a great benefit that provides some insurance in case Amazon drops pricing after you buy at Target. Definitely take advantage if you spot a cheaper Amazon price shortly after leaving Target!

Target vs. Amazon Shipping Costs

Here‘s one area where Target does NOT price match – Amazon‘s famously low shipping rates.

Some of the reasons Target won‘t match Amazon shipping fees include:

• Amazon Prime membership perks like free 2-day shipping are unavailable to Target customers.
• Amazon owns their own delivery fleet and infrastructure allowing ultra-low delivery costs. Target relies on 3rd party shippers like FedEx and UPS.
• Target does not offer 1-day and same-day shipping options that are included with Prime.
• Amazon offers special discounted shipping promotions exclusively for Prime members.

Essentially, Target cannot replicate or price match the unique shipping rates and perks Amazon provides through massive volume discounts and Prime memberships.

But for the base product price itself, Target is willing to go toe-to-toe and match Amazon‘s pricing. Just don‘t expect Target to touch Amazon‘s unbeatable delivery fees.

Does Amazon Price Match Target?

Now let‘s look at it from the other side – does Amazon offer price matching with Target?

The answer is no – Amazon currently does not match the pricing of any competing retailers, including Target.

There are a couple factors that lead to this policy:

• Many Amazon listings are offered by 3rd party sellers, not Amazon directly. So Amazon doesn‘t control the pricing set by outside sellers.
• Amazon wants to push shoppers towards Prime memberships for perks like free shipping, deals, video/music streaming. Price matching works against this strategy.

For now, Amazon is choosing not to follow Target‘s lead in offering price matching across the retail industry.

As a seller, this reinforces the importance of monitoring and optimizing pricing across multiple sales channels, not relying on Amazon to match prices. Use repricing tools to stay competitive!

Other Retailers Target Price Matches

Beyond Amazon, Target extends price match offers to over 30 top retailers. According to their policy, Target will match prices from:

• Walmart
• Best Buy
• Costco
• Lowes
• Home Depot
• Petco
• CVS
• Rite Aid
• Kohl‘s
• JCPenney
• Macy‘s
• Nordstrom
• AutoZone
• Advance Auto Parts
• Dick‘s Sporting Goods
• Cabela‘s
• Harbor Freight
• Joann
• Michaels
• Wayfair
• Chewy
• Petsmart

And the list continues to grow. Brick and mortar stores local to your area may also qualify for price matching if the ad shows local availability.

The same rules apply in terms of identical products, proof of pricing, exclusions around promos/deals, etc. But this demonstrates Target‘s commitment to price competitiveness across major retail categories.

Tips for Price Matching Amazon at Target

Here are my top tips for success price matching Amazon items at Target as an ecommerce seller and bargain hunter:

• Compare prices on mobile right in store – look up Amazon listings on your smartphone if you see something expensive at Target.

• Don‘t forget to use the Target app for deals and discounts to combine with price matching.

• Opt for in-store pickup with Target.com orders so you can request an Amazon match before paying at pickup.

• Be polite but firm with Target employees if they initially refuse a valid price match. Politely ask for a supervisor.

• Set price drop alerts on camelcamelcamel.com to notify you if Amazon drops pricing after buying at Target.

• Look up Target coupon codes online to stack on top of Amazon price matches for maximum savings.

• Don‘t forget to look up eBay, Walmart and other major retailer prices beyond just Amazon.

• Sign up for Target‘s RedCard debit or credit card to save an additional 5% on all purchases.

Following these tips has helped me keep retailers like Target and Amazon honest on pricing. Never be afraid to negotiate!

The Bottom Line

Target publically confirms they will match prices from Amazon.com in 2022, in-store and online, on identical products currently in stock.

To get a Target price match, you must show proof of the live Amazon listing and items details must fully match up. Some exceptions apply around Amazon deals, promos, out of stocks, etc.

Price matching Amazon at Target is an easy way to guarantee you never overpay and take advantage of Amazon‘s rock-bottom prices, even while shopping at Target.

As an ecommerce seller running my own FBA business, monitoring prices online is key. I‘m always price checking Amazon when browsing all the major chains. A little comparison shopping goes a long way to keeping more money in your wallet!