It pays to get the lowest price, even after you’d bought something.

Shopping around is key to getting a decent price. You can do this by using comparison sites such as PriceSpy or Idealo. Now, you’d think the next step would be to buy the items at the cheapest shop.

But actually it can be advantageous to actually buy it elsewhere if that shop has a price matching policy. And you can even sometimes price match after purchase if prices dop again.

Here’s more about how price matching works, and where you can take advantage.

Some articles on the blog contain affiliate links, which provide a small commission to help fund the blog. However, they won’t affect the price you pay or the blog’s independence. Read more here.

What is price matching

Price matching is exactly as it sounds. A retailer will sell you an item at a lower price if it’s sold for less elsewhere.

This isn’t just about the listed selling price. You can also often price match voucher codes and sale prices.

John Lewis is probably the most famous shop to offer a price promise, with its “Never Knowingly Undersold” slogan a key part of branding. Sadly that ended in summer 2022, but it doesn’t mean the end of this hack. You can also take advantage at shops including AO, eBay and Curry’s.

I’ve done this a number of times, from smaller items such as Diptyque candles through to a new TV and sound system. When we did our kitchen a couple of years ago I got our oven, fridge, freezer, dishwasher and flooring for hundreds of pounds less – all thanks to price matching.

And it’s not just “things” you buy that can be price matched. It’s possible to save money on hotels, holidays and other services if you look around.

Some retailers will beat the lower prices

You might find a retailer will give you extra money off the lower price you find at a competitor.

It’s also worth checking if a high street shop will match its own website if there’s a difference in price (this does happen!).

It’s not just about getting a lower price

Since the price you pay will end up the same you might be thinking surely it’s easier to just buy it at the cheaper shop in the first place and avoid all the hassle.

Well, price matching to a different store might give you additional benefits. These include extended warranties, free delivery or longer return rights.

You might even be able to stack on extra savings on top, such as using a cut-price gift card or cashback.

All of these can be worth a little extra, whether financially or just in terms of peace of mind.

Price matching after purchase

Best of all, some shops that price match also allow you to price match if prices drop elsewhere after you have bought the item. This is a great trick to use during big sale periods such as Black Friday.

I’ve actually done this a few times – even after I’d already price matched to get a lower price. When the price dropped again I was able to put in another claim and get the additional discount refunded.

So it can sometimes pay to choose a shop that offers this over another even if they are the same price – just in case there’s a significant drop later on.

How to price match

First look for a cheaper price. I tend to use sites such as PriceSpy or Idealo to compare. Or just a quick Google search can do the job.

Every retailer has a different policy, but in general you’ll need to provide proof that you’ve seen the item on sale elsewhere for less. This could be a webpage for an online retailer, or the price matching shop might want to phone up a physical shop.

You’ll also need to check that the shop does price match the place you’ve found the cheaper option. They might only price match certain competitors.

Some retailers will have a phone number you can call to put in your price match claim. Others have a form you fill in.

You generally have to wait for confirmation that your item is price matched before you can buy it, though some let you do it retrospectively. In this instance, you’ll also need to provide proof of purchase.

Once you’ve bought something it’s worth keeping an eye on prices for as long as the price promise lasts. To help you can set price alerts on both Price Spy and Idealo which will email you if the price does drop.

What can stop price matching

However, not all shops have a price matching policy, and they won’t always match every price you find.

The key one to watch out for is retailers that only match certain other shops. Many also exclude online-only retailers (i.e. they don’t want to price match Amazon!). Even some sellers which have a showroom or two can be excluded – often the case for the low prices found online for appliances.

The items will usually have to be the exact same model, colour, size and so on. This can prove frustrating if there’s a slight difference, and many retailers will only sell a version that’s exclusive to them that can be hardly noticeable.

The price must also be available to everyone – which means you wouldn’t be able to match a member or staff discount. Others might not match clearance sale prices, or some voucher code uses.

Items also usually have to be in stock at the cheaper retailer and available for delivery. Or if they’re in smaller local retailers you might find you have to live within a certain number of miles.

You might also find it’s rejected if there’s a difference in extras such as the type of delivery or the length of warranty on offer. For instance, if the cheaper model has one year but the price matching retailer offers two years then the latter can claim it’s not the same package.

Where you can price match in the UK

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but I’ve highlighted some of the big retailers across a range of products and services that are worth looking into.

Just because somewhere isn’t on the list doesn’t mean it won’t price match. It’s always well worth asking if a shop has a price promise – even an unofficial one.

If you know of any more retailers that offer this service, then please do let me know via the comments.

All Beauty price matching

You can price match in advance at All Beauty if you find the product for less at selected retailers including Boots, Feel Unique, House of Fraser and The Perfume Shop.

As well as price matching before buying, there’s the option to request a price match seven days after purchase, although this is “at their discretion”.

AO price matching

To price match at AO you need to call their team with the product code of the item you want to buy and the link for where you’ve seen it for less. You can price match up to seven days of buying an item – great if the price drops again.

Retailers price matched:

• UK retailers and websites selling UK products

Beaverbrooks price matching

Beaverbrooks will price match up to seven days after purchase if you find the items advertised cheaper by an authorised stockist with a physical store. Discount and voucher codes will also be matched if they can be verified at the time of reviewing the price promise request

Blacks price matching

You’ll not only get the difference back at Blacks but an extra 10% too. The price promise is valid for seven days after purchase. However, you can’t match the price against shops also owned by the parent company JD Sports, which includes similar shops Millets and Go Outdoors.

Booking.com

Matching hotel bookings can be a bit of a faff as it’s often hard to find the exact same listing as the booking sites often have a slight variation, such as check-out times or free breakfast.

But it’s certainly worth a look, and Booking.com is one that offers a refund if you find the exact same room and dates for less elsewhere. You need to contact them at least 24 hours before your check-in date.

Boots price matching

Within 72 hours of buying electrical beauty products at Boots you can claim the difference back if you find it cheaper. You can’t price match in advance and it appears that you can only make a claim in-store.

Retailers price matched:

• High street retailers
• Amazon (not marketplace)

Curry’s price matching

Call up Currys price matching team before you buy and share where you’ve found it for less. Currys will match both high street and online prices, including the use of voucher codes and offers.

Normally, you can make a claim up to seven days after purchase, but from November 16th through to November 28th 2023, you can make a claim up to fourteen days after purchase. If you bought instore you’ll need to go back there. If it was online you can use a webchat.

Retailers price matched:

• Any UK retail store or website

Deichmann price matching

Deichmann price match if you find an identical pair of shoes on sale at any UK high street or online retailer at a cheaper price within 14 days of purchase. 

As well as the price match they also give an additional £1 to the customer. Price matches and refunds are processed by Deichmann sales staff in-store or by the Deichmann Customer Services team by emailing [email protected]

eBay price matching

You can even price match at eBay! It’s only for new items sold on the Amazon, Currys, Argos, Asda, John Lewis and Tesco websites. You apply online and if successful will be sent a voucher to use on your purchase within 24 hours.

You can only ask for one price match per day per eBay user and it’s only in advance of purchases – not after.

Retailers price matched:

• Amazon.co.uk
• Currys.co.uk
• Argos.co.uk
• Asda.com
• JohnLewis.com
• Tesco.com

ebuyer price matching

ebuyer.com states that their prices are lower than competitors. But if you find any of their products cheaper elsewhere within 7 days of purchase, contact their customer services and they will match that price and refund the difference. 

However, this will only be as credit on your account, and that has to be used within three months – so it could be that there isn’t anything you want or need to buy from them that doesn’t require you to spend more on top of the credit.

Euronics price matching

Euronics offer an in-store only price match guarantee and may include discount codes advertised by competitors. The price match policy is only available prior to order completion and can not be claimed back after the purchase.

The Fragrance Shop price match

You can match prices instore on the day of purchase at The Fragrance Store. However they won’t match promotions or bulk discounts.

Retailers price matched:

• Boots
• Superdrug
• Debenhams
• The Perfume Shop
• House of Fraser
• John Lewis
• Selfridges

Goldsmiths price matching

Goldsmiths jewellers offer a price match promise, in-store and online. For in-store price matches, the competitor must be within 15 miles of the store the price match is requested in. For online price matches, the competitor must have a physical store within 15 miles of a Goldsmiths store to be eligible.

Go Outdoors price matching

Similar to the Black’s price promise, you’ll get 10% back on top of the difference. However you do need to have a Go Outdoors Discount Card which costs £5 a year.

Halfords price matching

With Halfords it’s just the published selling price that is price matched – so you can’t use any additional vouchers or offers on top, such as buy one get one free or clearance. You’ve seven days after purchase to make the claim.

You can also price match instore if the items is sold for less on the Halfords website.

Retailers price matched:

• UK based
• Within 10 miles if price matching a service

H.Samuel price matching

H.Samuel is another jeweller that offers a price match promise online where they will price match jewellery or watches if you find them at a lower advertised price. 

There is an easy online form to submit before purchase, but for in-store purchases I can only find information about price matching watches which they will do in over 300 stores nationwide

Jessops price matching

Jessops only price matches against prices at authorised retailers for the brands they stock. It won’t match clearance prices.

Retailers price matched:

• Argos
• Currys PC World
• Park Cameras
• WEX

Marks Electrical price matching

This online appliances shop is where I managed to get such a good deal on my fridge, freezer and dishwasher. It’ll match against online prices from some big retailers.

However you can only price match before you buy, and they won’t price match products they sell as an agent of Euronics. Voucher codes and extra discounts also won’t be considered.

Retailers price matched:

• Currys
• John Lewis
• AO.com
• Appliances Direct

Mamas and Papas price matching

Companies trading in the UK can be price matched at Mamas and Papas, but not any closing down. You can do this in advance or within 14 days of your purchase. Retailers must have a UK high street presence.

Richer Sounds price matching

If you buy with Richer Sounds and find it cheaper you’ll get an extra discount on top of the difference up to 14 days after purchase. You can also price match in advance.

The beat the difference promise ranges from £5 extra on products up to £300, through to £100 on anything over £4001.

Wickes price matching

Wickes’ price match promise is in-store only. It’s valid before a purchase and up to seven days after. You’ll only be able to match with shops within 10 miles of the Wickes you shopped at.