How to Claim a Price Adjustment After You Buy

The Basic Steps to Claim a Price Adjustment

The process is straightforward but depends on whether you bought in store or online. For in-store purchases, visit Guest Services or the customer service desk with two things: your original receipt and proof that the item is now cheaper. At Target price adjustment policy, you must bring the digital proof on your mobile device or a printed ad, because screenshots cannot be accepted. At Walmart price adjustment policy, the approach is similar, though the exact proof requirements may vary by location.

For online purchases, call or chat with customer service rather than visiting a store. Have your order number, item details, and proof of the price drop ready. Home Depot price adjustment policy allows you to request the adjustment by phone at 1-800-430-3376, live chat, or in person at a store location. Best Buy price adjustment policy also handles requests through multiple channels. The refund, if approved, typically goes back to your original payment method, though some retailers reserve the right to use store credit instead.

Time Windows: How Long You Have to Claim

The claim window varies by retailer. Target allows price adjustments for up to 14 days after purchase, whether the item was bought in store or online. Home Depot extends the window to 30 days for price drops on homedepot.com or from competitors they price match with. Costco price adjustment policy is more limited, and checking your specific retailer’s terms is essential because missing the deadline means losing the refund entirely.

The lower price must be active and valid at the time you request the adjustment. If a retailer cannot verify that the lower price actually exists, they may deny your request. Some stores also require that the item still be in stock at that lower price to approve the adjustment.

What Proof to Bring and How to Present It

The strongest proof is a screenshot, printout, or link showing the current lower price on the retailer’s website or app. Target specifically rejects screenshots and pictures, so you must show the price on a mobile device or bring a printed ad. For online price drops on homedepot.com, a screenshot or link works fine. Always have your receipt or order number as well, since this proves you bought from that retailer at the higher price.

When speaking to a worker at the desk, you do not need special wording. Simply say: “I bought this item on [date], and I found it listed for a lower price. I’d like to request a price adjustment for the difference.” Bring both the proof and your receipt, and let the associate verify the information. Being polite and having your documents organized speeds up the process.

What Is Usually Excluded From Price Adjustments

Clearance, closeout, and liquidation items are excluded at virtually all retailers. Target, Home Depot, and others will not adjust prices on items marked as final sale, refurbished, damaged, open-package, or pre-owned. This exclusion is consistent across chains because these prices are already heavily discounted.

Items purchased with special promotions also typically cannot be adjusted. If you received a Target GiftCard as part of your original purchase, or if that item now has a Target GiftCard promotion attached, you are not eligible. Bundled offers, items requiring a minimum purchase, and products sold on auction or marketplace sites (like eBay or Amazon Marketplace) are also off the table. Special promotions with short time windows, such as Black Friday or flash sales, are excluded because they are temporary in nature and not part of regular pricing.

Contract mobile phone devices, optical services, pharmacy purchases, clinic services, and items containing alcohol may be subject to state-specific rules or complete exclusions. Pre-order items and products customized for you also do not qualify.

The Trade-Off: When Price Adjustment Is Worth Your Time

A price adjustment only makes sense if the price drop is large enough to justify a trip to the store or a customer service call. For a $5 difference on a $30 item, the effort may not be worth it. For a $50 to $100 drop on a high-value purchase like an appliance or electronics, it is absolutely worth pursuing. Online adjustments require just a phone or chat, so the time cost is lower there than visiting a physical store.

The main trade-off is time. You must spot the price drop within the window, gather proof, and contact the retailer. If you are not regularly checking prices after purchase or have moved on mentally, you will miss the opportunity. Setting a phone reminder on the day you buy something expensive can help you check the price again before the claim window closes.

How Price Adjustment Differs From Price Matching

Price adjustment and price matching are related but separate. A price adjustment applies only when the same retailer lowers its own price after you have paid full price. Price matching, by contrast, is when a retailer agrees to match or beat a competitor’s price before you buy or at checkout. Target price match policy and Best Buy price match policy both address competitor pricing at the point of sale. If you ask about a lower price from a different store at the register, you are requesting a price match, not an adjustment. Some retailers offer both, but the windows and eligibility rules may differ.