I really should have titled this post: Price Matching… Shopping with more Drama…
I have been thinking about trying this savings tactic for quite awhile. I have been wondering if I would see decent savings on my grocery budget by Price Matching? I decided that I would gather up my loss leaders, along with my weekly grocery list, and go shopping at Wal-Mart.
First off the main question, will our local store price match? I decided I would ask my favorite Greeter, and he was pretty sure that they would, but he pulled over a Manager to answer all of my questions. So I asked, and the Manager said that “yes they would Price Match, but it had to be the EXACT same product, no exceptions.” Cool, time to shop.
The kiddos and I made our way through the store, and I paid close attention to all of the prices. I wanted to double check and make sure that I would be saving more with the competitors loss leaders, and not just the retail price.
Once the cart was full and the list completed, we made our way to check-out, which was packed as always. I decided to take advantage of the wait, and organize my purchases. I placed my non-price match items first, and then I warned the cashier that I had a few items that needed price matching, and here comes the drama.
Cashier: Huge sigh, along with an eye roll… “You know I’ve been on vacation all Summer and I haven’t done a Price Match in MONTHS…”
Nico: With a nice smile. “IÂ just have a few items, and I’ve separated them, and circled the ads”
Cashier: Angrily flips on the light, and with another big sigh “Fine, I’ll call someone over here to show me how to PRICE MATCH, even though no one ever does this.” Now really not too happy with Nico.
Nico: “I really appreciate all of your help.” Even bigger cheesier smile
So after the Manager explained the price matching routine, and all of the items were scanned, I was pretty happy with the savings, even though they came with a lot of attitude.
I thought I would share my list that I was shopping for and my savings too:
Dr Pepper 12 pack: store price $4.28, Price Match $ 2.75
Dr Pepper 12 pack: store price $4.28, Price Match $2.75
Dr Pepper 12 pack: store price $4.28, Price Match $2.75
Cherry Coke 12 pack: store price $4.28, Price Match $2.75
Frozen Broccoli: store price $1.74, Price Match $.99
Frozen Apple Juice: store price $1.74, Price Match $.99
Frozen Apple Juice: store price $1.74, Price Match $.99
French Onion Dip: store price $1.64. Price Match $1.19
Kraft Cheese (block): store price $3.00, Price Match $2.50
Total of all items: Store price $26.98, Price Match Prices $17.66
Savings of $9.32!
I did save a bit by Price Matching, and on my next shopping trip I brought along my loss leaders one more time to save a little bit. I was planning on matching 3 items, but when I got to the store they were already marked down to the competitors lower prices. Hmmm, maybe word got around that the secret of price matching has been made public… I think I’ll keep Price Matching when the savings are right. Every little bit helps with the grocery budget.
Do you Price Match too? Have you been happy with your savings, or do you find that it isn’t worth the extra drama?
GREAT savings and GREAT job! 😉 I’ve never priced matched but I think you did awesome for your first time…..way to go with being so friendly to the cashier even though she wasn’t very pleasant…..Ellie
I do try and use price matching whenever I can.
We don’t have a Super WalMart, wish we did!
I do price match when I remember. We don’t shop Walmart too often. But our store will only honor the ad if it is the exact price. Not 2/$4.00. And lately I have found less and less grocery stores are puttng actual individual sale prices in their ads. It’s usually stated 2 for $_.__.
We were just at our big Walmart last night, I had the loss leader ad, plus manny and when I got to the aisle for baby food- I had to laugh! Walmart’s was already 5 cents cheaper than the loss leader of the other store. This was a brand I don’t usually buy for the baby so I was unfamiliar with the current prices. It’s nice when you find a deeper discount already at the store like that. Keep up the frugal shopping Nico!!! Every bit helps!
Sorry for the long comments today. Health update- I’m on the mend. Taking Clariton D on recommendation for dr. but it’s making me sleepless and edgy. My brother said this happened to him too when he takes it. So I think I may stop after today and just continue the antibiotics. I am sooo tired but feel too wired up to sleep. Another friend studying to be a nurse told me it’s the decongesant that causes the wiry feeling. UGH!
Hope today finds you a tad more on the mend my friend!
Thanks Ellie! It was an interesting shopping trip 😉 I still watch the ads, and I plan on price match shopping whenever the deals are too good to pass up. If you give it a try, let me know how it goes 🙂
Thanks Mimi! That is great that you save a little extra by price matching too. I plan on price matching again in the future, but trying to get to the store when it isn’t as busy, maybe then everyone will be a little happier 😉
Thanks Heather! I run into the same problem locally, many stores won’t price match, and most won’t accept coupons that are printed online, so it makes it tough for a girl to save a little on groceries 😉 It sounds like you found a great deal on baby food too, and that is cool that you price match when you can. I hope to again, and hopefully the next time will be drama-free.
I hope that you are feeling better, and that you get some rest soon too. I wonder if you could take regular Claritin, maybe that would take away a bit of the sleeplessness.
With my flu, the pharmacist said to treat is with single symptom medicines, he had heard many complaints of bad reactions to multi-symptom medicines. I was taking Tylenol for the Headache, and Claritin for my nose, and in a moment of fever weakness, I grabbed some DayQuil and had a horrible reaction to it. I quit taking it right away and stuck to the single symptom meds. I’ve still got the cough, but I’m on the road to recovery.
I know, I went into bed at 8:30 exhuasted from not sleeping the past two nights and here I am again at almost 10- just not able to stop my mind. I am not taking the Clariton D tomorrow. That’s for sure.
Thanks for letting me know what your pharamist said about those multy sympton products.
ON price matching, I was surprised when I found out this summer that KMART does not price match. and TOYSRUS in store won’t match the on-line sale price if it is lower. I was appalled! Whatever happened to making the customer happy- ha!
I have never priced matched, it has not really come up. We had the sickies recently as well and it seemed to take forever to go away!
Thanks Heather! I hope that you are better soon. This cold/flu is just miserable. I really hope that you get some much needed rest too, that really helps 🙂
That is so crazy that Toys R Us won’t match their own lower prices! I agree, it seems like good customer service is a thing of the past 😉
Thanks Maggie! I’m so sorry to hear that the cold/flu has made an arrival at your house too. I hope that you are all feeling better 🙂
The price matching was fun, but a lot of extra work/drama too. I do plan on price matching in the future, if I can save a good amount on the grocery bill.
ToysRus might have just been the clerk I had. She was NOT helpful- Heather
Sorry to hear the clerk was so rude. I’m sure she wasn’t trained that way LOL…maybe she needs a refresher course.
I grocery shop at Superstore, which is sort of like a
WalMart Super Centre, and they automatically mark down to match competitors like IGA, etc. Saves me work. A couple of times I’ve gone to WalMart with a flyer to price-match on a toy or something, but never a grocery item. But if we ever get a WalMart with a grocery section around here, I’m definitely going to price match.
Thanks Heather! Oh no, I hope that your next trip to Toys R Us is better, and that you get a happier cashier too 😉
Thanks Susan! I think the wonky customer service is just one of those local things (people are sometimes a little grumpy here). I noticed that when the grocery prices started to rise, the customer service really started to go downhill. You would think that with the higher prices, they might at least pretend to be nice 😉
Your Superstore sounds great, and that is too cool that they price match automatically! That would save so much time, and drama too. The Supercenter is the best bet on prices locally, but I’m still praying for an Aldi, they have amazing prices.