Think Target should've price matched? Let's find out.
Target price match eligibility criteria - what qualifies for a match?
Target Australia does not have an official nationwide price match guarantee. Instead, price matching is handled on a discretionary, store-by-store basis. Generally, eligibility criteria for a price match at Target include:
- Identical Product: The competitor’s item must be exactly the same (brand, model, size, colour, and specifications).
- Credible Competitor: Usually, major Australian retailers such as Kmart, Big W, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, or Officeworks.
- Current and Verifiable Price: Competitor’s price must be current and clearly advertised, not a past or expired promotion.
- Competitor Availability: Sometimes, Target is more likely to match if the competitor is out of stock, though this is not a formal rule.
Important Note: There is no guarantee or corporate policy to ensure a price match. Approval ultimately depends on individual store management decisions.
How to request a price match at Target
Since Target Australia does not have a formal policy, follow these steps to request a price match in a friendly, cooperative manner:
- Do Your Research:
- Find a lower advertised price from a credible Australian retailer.
- Ensure the competitor’s product is identical and currently available.
- Find a lower advertised price from a credible Australian retailer.
- Gather Proof of Competitor Price:
- Have ready a catalogue, printed advertisement, or a webpage clearly showing the competitor’s lower price.
- Have ready a catalogue, printed advertisement, or a webpage clearly showing the competitor’s lower price.
- Make an In-Store Request:
- Approach the checkout or customer service desk at your local Target store.
- Politely inquire: “I noticed this item is cheaper at [competitor]. Could Target match that price?”
- Approach the checkout or customer service desk at your local Target store.
- Present Your Evidence:
- Show clear, current proof of the competitor’s price to the Target team member.
- Be ready for the staff to verify details, potentially involving a supervisor or manager.
- Show clear, current proof of the competitor’s price to the Target team member.
- Await Manager Approval:
- Store managers have the final say. Be patient, courteous, and understanding if approval takes some time.
- Store managers have the final say. Be patient, courteous, and understanding if approval takes some time.
- Receive the Matched Price:
- If approved, the cashier will manually adjust the price at checkout to match the competitor’s price.
- If approved, the cashier will manually adjust the price at checkout to match the competitor’s price.
Tips for Success:
- Be polite and flexible. Price matching at Target is discretionary, not a guaranteed policy.
- Pick less busy times for your request to increase your chances of receiving a favourable decision.
Target accepted competitors & required proof
Target Australia considers price matches primarily against major Australian retailers selling identical items, including:
- Department/Variety Stores: Kmart, Big W, Myer, David Jones
- Consumer Electronics Retailers: JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys (limited to identical electronics models)
- Toy and Baby Stores: Baby Bunting, major toy sales at Big W or Kmart (select cases only)
Competitors Usually Not Accepted:
- Online-only retailers (e.g., Amazon Australia, Catch.com.au, eBay)
- Clearance, liquidation, or limited-time special sales
- Non-Australian retailers or marketplace sellers
Proof Required for Price Match:
- Printed Catalogues or Flyers clearly showing the current price and item details.
- Live Website Page or Screenshot from the competitor’s official site clearly displaying price, availability, and date validity.
- Product identifiers (brand, model number, SKU) must match exactly.
The clearer your proof, the better your chance of a successful price match request.
Exclusions & limitations - when price matches are not allowed at Target
Due to Target’s lack of an official price match policy, several exclusions apply consistently:
- No Online-Only Sellers: Prices from Amazon, Catch, eBay sellers, and other purely online marketplaces are generally not matched.
- Special Offers & Clearance: Competitor clearance, bundle deals, or limited-time doorbuster sales usually excluded.
- Membership & Coupon Pricing: Prices requiring loyalty memberships or special promo codes are typically not matched.
- Video Games & Electronics: Regularly excluded due to rapid market fluctuations and low profit margins.
- Post-Purchase Adjustments: Target does not offer price matching after the purchase is completed.
- Manager’s Discretion: Store managers reserve the right to refuse a price match for any reason, such as pricing errors, questionable pricing scenarios, or selling below cost.
Ultimately, the biggest limitation is inconsistency. Each Target store may decide differently about price matches.
Target requests sent through Ajust
Recent Target price match experiences
✅ Successful Matches:
- Successfully matched prices on toys during competitor sales (especially when competitor was out-of-stock).
- LEGO sets frequently matched when verified from competitors like Myer or Big W.
- Appliance price matches occasionally granted when clearly verified from major competitors (e.g., Big W).
❌ Common Reasons for Denial:
- Consistently denied price matching for video games and electronics due to policy.
- Competitor’s price from online-only marketplaces like Amazon or eBay commonly refused.
- Price match refused if competitor’s deal was clearance, bundle, or special limited-time promotion.
Official Target Price Match Policies & Support Links
- Target Australia Customer Service – Contact Target Customer Support (Phone: 1300 753 567)
- Terms & Conditions – Target Australia Terms (general conditions without explicit price match information)
Target Price Match FAQs
What qualifies for a Target Australia price match?
A Target Australia price match usually requires the product to be identical, from a recognised competitor, and at a current, verifiable price. Commonly accepted competitors include major Australian retailers like Kmart, Big W, JB Hi-Fi, and Harvey Norman. Proof must clearly show the lower price and product details. However, there’s no official national policy-approval is at each store’s discretion, meaning even if you meet these conditions, it’s not guaranteed.
How can I improve my chances of getting a price match at Target?
Your chances increase if you prepare clear proof of a lower advertised price from a recognised competitor and ask politely during quieter store times. Ensure the product is identical in brand, model, size, and colour, and have the competitor’s current catalogue, ad, or website ready. Since managers decide case-by-case, a respectful, flexible approach often works better than demanding a match.
Which competitors does Target Australia accept for price matches?
Target generally considers major Australian retailers like Kmart, Big W, Myer, David Jones, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, and The Good Guys for identical products. Accepted competitors vary by store and are more likely for in-store purchases rather than online-only sellers. Online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, or Catch are typically excluded, as are clearance or membership-only pricing.
When will Target refuse a price match request?
Target usually refuses matches from online-only sellers, clearance events, bundle deals, or prices needing memberships or promo codes. They also commonly deny requests for video games and electronics due to price volatility. Post-purchase price matching isn’t offered, and managers may reject requests for reasons like pricing errors or selling below cost. Since there’s no corporate guarantee, refusals vary by location.
You paid more than you should have. Don’t let that slide.
Take 2 minutes to check your rights, we’ll help you act if you're eligible.