Will Walmart Price Match GameStop? The Definitive Guide

No, Walmart does not price match GameStop, either in-store or online. While Walmart does have a price matching policy, it specifically excludes matching prices from certain retailers, including GameStop. Understanding the nuances of Walmart’s policy and its exclusions is key to saving money while shopping.

Understanding Walmart’s Price Matching Policy

Walmart’s price matching policy, or rather its lack thereof in the traditional sense, is a topic that often confuses shoppers. Let’s delve into the specifics. Years ago, Walmart offered a robust in-store price matching program. Shoppers could present a competitor’s advertised price at the register and, if eligible, Walmart would adjust its price accordingly. However, Walmart discontinued its in-store price matching policy several years ago.

What Does Walmart Currently Offer?

Instead of matching competitor prices in-store, Walmart focuses on offering “Every Day Low Prices.” The core principle is that Walmart aims to have the lowest prices on the products it sells without requiring customers to actively seek out price matches. They want you to trust that their initial price is already competitive.

While direct price matching isn’t available, there are a few situations where you might see some form of price adjustment:

• Online Price Matching (Limited): Walmart.com will sometimes match prices from certain online retailers. However, this is automatically done through their system and not something you can manually request. The algorithm checks prices, and if it finds a lower price from a qualified online retailer, it might adjust the price on Walmart.com.
• Clearance Items: Price adjustments may be available on clearance items, but this is at the discretion of the store manager.
• Manager Discretion: While not guaranteed, a store manager may, in exceptional circumstances, authorize a price adjustment. This is highly unlikely, but it’s worth asking politely if you have a compelling reason.

Why Did Walmart Discontinue Price Matching?

The reasons behind Walmart’s decision to eliminate its formal price matching policy are multifaceted. Increased competition from online retailers, the complexity of managing price matching claims, and the potential for fraudulent claims all likely played a role. Walmart’s “Every Day Low Prices” strategy simplifies things for both the company and its customers, at least in theory.

Why GameStop is Excluded

The primary reason Walmart doesn’t price match GameStop is simple: GameStop is not on Walmart’s list of approved retailers for potential online price matching. Even when Walmart offered more extensive price matching, specific retailers were excluded due to factors like pricing models, product availability, and business agreements. GameStop, with its focus on both new and used games, falls outside of the typical competitive landscape that Walmart monitors.

Factors Affecting GameStop’s Pricing

GameStop’s pricing structure is different from Walmart’s. They deal with:

• Used Games: A significant portion of GameStop’s inventory consists of used games, which have variable pricing based on condition and demand. Walmart doesn’t typically sell used games.
• Trade-In Programs: GameStop offers trade-in programs, which can influence pricing on new and used items.
• Limited Editions and Collectibles: GameStop often carries exclusive or limited-edition items that command premium prices.
• Pre-Owned Consoles: GameStop is an outlet for pre-owned consoles, which can affect GameStop’s pricing strategies.

These factors make direct price comparisons difficult and contribute to GameStop’s exclusion from any potential price matching consideration at Walmart.

Alternatives for Saving Money

Even though you can’t directly price match GameStop at Walmart, there are still ways to save money on games and electronics:

• Shop Around: Check prices at various retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and even directly on game platforms (e.g., PlayStation Store, Xbox Marketplace).
• Use Price Tracking Tools: Utilize websites and browser extensions that track prices and alert you to price drops.
• Look for Sales and Promotions: Keep an eye out for sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and seasonal promotions.
• Consider Used Games: If you’re open to buying used games, GameStop (or other retailers specializing in used games) can offer significant savings.
• Check Walmart.com: While in-store price matching is not available, checking Walmart.com for potential automatic online price matching opportunities is still worthwhile.
• Walmart+. Consider subscribing to Walmart+ as there are offers and deals available to its member subscribers.

FAQs: Navigating Walmart’s Price Policies

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further clarify Walmart’s policies and help you save money:

1. Does Walmart price match Amazon?

Walmart.com might automatically match some prices from Amazon, but it’s not guaranteed, and you can’t manually request it in-store. The system constantly monitors competitor pricing and adjusts accordingly.

2. What retailers does Walmart online price match?

Walmart doesn’t publish a specific list of retailers it price matches. It depends on their automatic price comparison algorithm.

3. Can I use a coupon on top of Walmart’s “Every Day Low Prices”?

Yes, you can generally use manufacturer coupons at Walmart, provided they are valid for the specific product you are purchasing.

4. Does Walmart price match after purchase if the price drops?

No, Walmart typically does not offer price adjustments after you’ve made a purchase if the price subsequently drops.

5. Does Walmart price match Best Buy?

Similar to Amazon, Walmart.com may automatically price match Best Buy on certain items, but there’s no guaranteed price match available in stores.

6. Does Walmart price match Target?

Again, the answer is similar. Walmart.com might automatically match Target’s prices, but in-store price matching is not an option.

7. What if I find a lower price advertised online while I’m in the store?

You can check Walmart.com on your phone while in the store. If the online price is lower, you can purchase the item online for pickup in the store.

8. Can I price match with a competitor’s online price in a Walmart store?

No, Walmart does not allow in-store price matching with online retailers. You have to purchase the item online.

9. Are there any exceptions to Walmart’s no price matching policy?

The only real exception is manager discretion, but this is rare and not something you can rely on. Clearance items might also be subject to price adjustments.

10. Does Walmart price match during Black Friday or other special sales events?

No, Walmart’s “no price matching” policy applies even during Black Friday and other major sales events.

11. If I’m a Walmart+ member, do I get any special price matching benefits?

Walmart+ does not include any specific price matching benefits. The main advantages of Walmart+ are free shipping on eligible orders, free delivery from your store, and savings on fuel.

12. What if I have a legitimate pricing error at Walmart?

If you believe there’s a clear pricing error (e.g., an item is labeled incorrectly), speak to a store associate or manager. They may correct the price if they can verify the error. This isn’t price matching, but rather correcting a mistake.

In conclusion, while Walmart’s “Every Day Low Prices” approach aims to offer competitive pricing, it’s crucial to understand that direct price matching, especially with retailers like GameStop, is not part of their current policy. Diligently comparing prices across various retailers and leveraging sales promotions remains the most effective strategy for saving money.