Wal-Mart Announces Christmas Price Guarantee

So far this holiday season we’ve seen Target announce price matching, retailers bring back layaway programs and now Wal-Mart is adding another option to the mix, their Christmas Price Guarantee. It’s certainly a welcome addition since there are few things more frustrating then making a purchase only to see it go on sale shortly after.

Beginning in November, consumers are bombard with advertisements offering the best prices available on items you want, anywhere. As we get closer to Christmas Day though, retailers amp up those advertisements, promotions and markdowns in an effort to exhaust their inventory. In the past, it’s seemed that those of us who begin shopping  early often missed out on the best sales as the procrastinators made off like bandits.

Personally, it’s never been worth the gamble and better to pay a little more than endure the cost of breaking my kids heart because I waited for the best deal to roll around and missing out completely. It’s a tough sell when you show up empty handed on that special day.  But never fear, apparently somebody at Wal-Mart has had the same dilemma and convinced management to level the playing field with a new price match guarantee.

From the Wal-Mart site:
If a customer buys an eligible product at Wal-Mart anytime between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25, and later finds the same product advertised for less at another store, Wal-Mart will give the customer a gift card for the difference through Dec. 25. Guaranteed.

The Rules

1. Purchase must be made between November 1 and December 25th 2011
2. Items must be identical (the same brand, size, color, quantity, grade and model number)
3. Items must be currently available (in-stock) at the competitors store in the same local market
4. Items on layaway ARE eligible
5. Black Friday ads, internet only pricing and a few other restrictions are excluded.

How Does it Work

Here’s an example of the Christmas Price Guarantee at work.  Let’s say you purchase a Blu-Ray player at Wal-Mart for $150.00 on November 5th and on December 10th you find the same item in a Best Buy ad for $98.00. Simply take your original Wal-Mart receipt and the Best Buy ad to the Customer Service desk at your Wal-Mart store and you will receive a gift card for the $52.00 difference.

The moral of the story is that even if you shop early you can continue to save throughout the season without fear of over spending or missing out completely.  Keep your eye on circulars and in-store pricing, it could pay large dividends.