.
Feedback

Target Begins Price-Matching Online Retailers—Are You More Likely to Shop There?

The new policy includes Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Bestbuy.com, Toysrus.com and printed ads from local competitors.

Target announced Wednesday it will begin price-matching a group of popular online retailers year-round. The new policy goes into effect immediately.

The Minneapolis-based retailer had introduced temporary price-matching with online retailers during the holiday season. The new year-round policy includes Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Bestbuy.com, Toysrus.com and printed ads from local competitors.

Several media commentators see the move as an effort by Target to end "showrooming"—going to a physical store to pick out a product, then ordering it online at the cheapest rate.

The announcement comes a few days after Target reported relatively flat sales figures for December.

Target says customers can request a price match prior to buying an item or up to 7 days after a purhcase is made. Proof of the competitor's price and a copy of the original Target receipt (if making a request after purchase) are required.

Do you compare prices online before making retail purchases? Will the new policy make you more likely to shop at Target? Tell us in comments.

Cathy P. January 10, 2013 at 02:52 pm
When I shop online, I do compare prices before making a purchase (who doesn't?) I also don't shop at Target, never have, and this bit of news won't change that. The days of the "brick & mortar" stores have passed, unfortunately.
Bite Koch January 10, 2013 at 03:51 pm
I have never liked shopping at Target, and since they added groceries I avoid them all together. I am just as unlikely to shop on their online site.
B.K. Holthaus January 10, 2013 at 04:17 pm
I find Target to have the best prices for quality and excellent taste in what they offer.I will shop there anytime. I don't comparison shop so the online connection doesn't interest me.
Freda of Freedom January 10, 2013 at 05:17 pm
Jacob, why do you feel the need to censor comments about your stories?
Jacob Bourne (Editor) January 10, 2013 at 05:24 pm
Freda, not sure what you're referring to. This isn't even my article, nor have any comments been deleted. Comments are only censored when they are profane, racist or otherwise inappropriate.
Freata of Freedom k January 10, 2013 at 05:33 pm
Not true. Many comments, from several different people have been deleted in whole or part on Jacob's stories. The comments in question dealt with a gang known as the Brown Berets that Jacob appears to be a supporter of. None of the remarks were remotely inaporate, they only pointed out that the BBs were active in the area.
Jacob Bourne (Editor) January 10, 2013 at 05:37 pm
I can assure you I have no affiliation with the Brown Berets. Furthermore, any inappropriate or slanderous comments on anyone's behalf (even if they make new, fake accounts to make them) will be deleted.
Freata of Freedom k January 10, 2013 at 05:39 pm
You seem to have a bais tword supporting the Brown Berets. How come?
Jacob Bourne (Editor) January 10, 2013 at 05:41 pm
Freata (or Freda, whatever you'd like to be called), your slanderous comments are irrelevant to this article. If you'd like to discuss the matter further, feel free to email me at jacob.bourne@patch.com. We will not continue the discussion here.
John Hanson January 10, 2013 at 05:42 pm
I shop there all the time. Fair to lower prices and they also make several Donations to help the Schools of San Bruno.
Robin Stillman January 10, 2013 at 07:24 pm
I would shop at Target more now that they will price match. They are closer to where I live then other stores but I often will drive farther because others have lower prices... And I don't shop on line except to look at prices or for ebooks and downloadable software.
Lisa January 10, 2013 at 07:59 pm
Same here! I told them when they took out the garden departments to add groceries that they lost me as a customer :(.
Robert Corona January 10, 2013 at 08:31 pm
I enjoy Target... Its always clean and orderly and the people are always friendly.
I actually find some groceries there I can't find elsewhere. I am happy with the online matching.. And,,, always a good parking place to be had.
Michael W January 10, 2013 at 10:28 pm
I like Target too, except for them asking to scan my license for alcohol purchases- which I refuse to give. You make them call the "manager" over to bypass the system. Plus, a Moslem clerk demanded that I scan a bottle of wine once telling me she couldn't touch it- Jesus Christ drank wine, I guess she is better than him. I will only "surrender" my license to a peace officer for inspection- and you should too. You risk getting your ID stolen when their system gets hacked and having them track all of your purchases to use against you one day.
They also stopped stocking Dijonnaise-why! It has less calories than mayonnaise with all the creaminess. Other than this, their grocery prices are pretty good.
Vito Spago January 10, 2013 at 10:40 pm
I typically check to see what a customer does with items that they look at and choose not to buy. Do they put them back on the shelf or do they throw them on the floor. They seem to throw them on the floor at Target and Wal Mart. I try to stay out of those stores. I do not like to shop with low lifes.
David Guzman January 10, 2013 at 10:51 pm
I have noticed this in the Watsoville store but other Targets seem to be OK. This type of action seems to be a Watsonville thing.
B.K. Holthaus January 11, 2013 at 12:21 am
I've never had my driver's license scanned at a Target. I show it but it never leaves my hand and they seem fine with that. I don't mind but being 61 yrs old, gray haired and almost bald I would think common sense would let them know I'm old enough to buy alcohol! Oh..and Muslims don't recognize Jesus as anyone special aside from being a standard prophet. If they don't touch alcoholic bottles, personally, I have no problem with that.
Carole Brady-Duport January 11, 2013 at 12:23 am
No. I still boycott Target for their "political views", their anti-gay and anti-women actions. Yes, they may be improving, but I'll just wait and see.
Roberta Hubbard January 11, 2013 at 01:08 am
Yes, definately! I love Targot. It is a clean, and orderly store, and the customer service is excellent. They also let you return products if you don't like it. I respect this about this store, and am glad to shop at a quality store. :) I am really glad that they now have price matching too!
Laurie January 11, 2013 at 11:28 am
Yeah... I'm boycotting the Federal government, because they are so idiotic too! I love Target...and don't care what their "political views" are, as they, along with everyone else, have that right. Price matching will be a good thing to reduce pricing for people who are shopping for a bargain.
Jim C January 11, 2013 at 02:33 pm
If their sales were flat during the holiday season, it probably had something to do with their horrible, horrible television ads..
Charles Ferrell January 11, 2013 at 03:49 pm
I am not aware of any Target Stores in the Pass Area. Why is this on the Beaumont-Banning Patch? There is one in Redlands and another in Hemet, but none in the Pass Area. Is one coming here? I would be interested in that story.
Renee Schiavone (Editor) January 11, 2013 at 04:38 pm
@ Charles-- I would be interested if one was coming here, too! But, alas, there is no immediate news that one is. However, this is posted to Banning-Beaumont Patch because many people shop at the Moreno Valley, Hemet and/or Redlands locations...
White in Watson January 12, 2013 at 12:35 am
Brick and mortar, mom and pop, the corner store...all offer something that online shopping doesn't: instant gratification. When I want something that I know I can get online, I always consider a local retailer. I feel that that local retail prices generally reflect the overhead of running a storefront (plus a little extra 'cause I get to go home right away with my new purchase). Target's new policy will have the opposite effect on me than they intended. It will encourage me to support local businesses who are struggling against "online price matching" by corporate giants.
Pam Smithe January 12, 2013 at 02:16 am
If you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Redlands-Loma Linda Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Photo Credit Sustainable Redlands
Gregory Brittain May 21, 2013 at 10:01 am
If you want to know what "sustainablity" is really about, come hear Rosa Koire at RedlandsRead More Townhall on May 23, 6:30 pm at the American Legion Hall, 814 W. Colton Avenue. "Sustainability" is UN Agenda 21.
Gregory Brittain May 21, 2013 at 10:03 am
“Sustainability” = UN Agenda 21 = less liberty and less prosperity. One of the bestRead More sources is self-described “liberal democrat,” “feminist,” “lesbian” Rosa Koire and her book “Behind the Green Mask: U.N. Agenda 21.” For more information, please see: http://www.postsustainabilityinstitute.org/ http://www.democratsagainstunagenda21.com/ http://www.democratsagainstunagenda21.com/uploads/4/4/6/6/4466371/why_is_everyone_talking_about_un_agenda_21.pdf http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDtCb45Lqt0 If the U.N. is involved, it can’t be good for America and it can’t be good for liberty. Liberty is not a value of the Left.
3rdPartyJoe May 16, 2013 at 11:31 pm
Usually I'd start with how teachers should be paid in line with their students grades, but for nowRead More I'll just suggest going to the .99 cent stores. You can get everything from 100 packs of #2 pencils to college ruled notebooks and binders, to pens and highlighters. We go there weekly and send boxes of school supplies, crayons and coloring books to our troops in Afghanistan to help them befriend the locals. The biggest score is cans of party string that usually go for $5. They spray it into a room and the streamers will hang on any tripwires without setting off the bomb. And try asking the store manager if corporate might be willing to throw in 2 for the price of one or a bakers dozen on highly stocked items if you can get several other teaches to also shop there. It never hurts to ask.
Susana Leija May 23, 2013 at 12:34 pm
I have shopped at Staples for years and have yet gotten a so-called reward. Why the change of heartRead More now? The school supplies are overpriced anyway. I get things really inexpensively at Walmart right before school starts. There is no limit as to how many things one can buy like there is at Staples.