Black Friday sale season is here, and the TechRadar team is working hard to find you the best discounts on the best products on the web. However, it can be tricky to know when to close a deal, especially if there is a chance the price could drop even further in the next two days.
Well, retailers have thought about that too, and many of the big names in retail in the US and UK have policies about refunding the difference if prices continue to drop. Here’s what you need to know about how each retailer approaches it, which should give you more peace of mind as you continue your holiday shopping.
Amazon
Let’s start with the biggest: Amazon. We spoke directly to Amazon UK who told us that they do not offer any post-order price adjustments.
It added that it tries to make its real-time prices as competitive as possible and may occasionally change its prices. However, it won’t automatically refund you the difference if something you subsequently buy drops in price during Black Friday week.
We’re still waiting to hear from Amazon US and will update this article when we hear back. However, when looking at their customer service policy around price matching, it’s best for US buyers to assume it’s the same situation: There’s no price protection guarantee, so don’t expect to receive a refund if something you bought subsequently drops in price.
This is a change from previous years, when Amazon implemented an automated process (similar to its Pre-Order Price Guarantee) that automatically offered refunds if the prices of Black Friday Deal products dropped further on a certain date.
However, Amazon confirmed to us that anything you order from Amazon (except Amazon Haul items) can be returned within 30 days for a refund; There are more details here about the policy and about the equivalent 30-day return policy for US buyers.
Other US retailers
Walmart
Walmart is similar to Amazon during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Neither Walmart stores nor the Walmart website promise to match prices offered by competitors or give you your money back if one of your purchases gets more discounts.
However, read Walmart’s fairly comprehensive Policies and Guidelines page (‘Walmart Pricing Policy’ section) and you’ll see that Walmart at least promises to match in-store prices with those on its website.
Best buy
Best Buy’s price match guarantee is one of the best out there: The retailer will accept a refund if something you bought drops to a lower price, whether at Best Buy or a select number of competitors—you just need to contact them.
However, some products are excluded, such as items from third-party sellers or with third-party contracts, so be sure to check before purchasing.
Newegg
Newegg has a Black Friday price protection offer, and it’s refreshingly simple: If the price drops on something you bought, you’ll get your money back.
However, you must have a Black Friday Price Protection badge when you purchase, and the offer will only run until the end of November 29, so Cyber Monday is not covered.
Aim
Target has a price match guarantee for the holiday season and will correct the price if you buy something that will later be available at a lower price.
As you’ll see from the link, it’s pretty simple, but you do need proof of purchase and there are exceptions, including items purchased in stores and included in promotional packages.
UK Retailers
curries
Currys offers a Black Friday price guarantee, which simply means that if you order something that then drops in price during Black Friday, you can claim the difference.
It’s an attractive offer, but it was only active between October 29 and November 18, so you needed to register well before Black Friday to claim it.
Argus
Argos is also offering a Black Friday price guarantee, which runs until December 25.
If something you bought drops in price again, you can get the difference as credit to use at Argos; However, the product must have a “price guaranteed” badge, which our quick scan shows is displayed on some, but not all, discount offers. Again, check before you hit the “buy” button.
Juan Luis
John Lewis has a price promise policy which means it will refund you the difference if something you bought in the last seven days subsequently becomes cheaper at one of the 25 retailers it price matches with (which includes John Lewis itself).
There are a few stipulations, however: John Lewis says that “the price will match some offers and promotions, but will not be reduced to clear”, so you’ll need to be careful when purchasing and also fill out this form to see if you’re eligible for a refund of the difference. The product “may be on sale or seasonal promotion.”
That form shows you the other retailers John Lewis price matches with (for example, it includes Amazon but “electricals only”) and the store says it will contact you “within 48 hours” of completing the form.
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