Price Dropped After You Bought? What to Do
Best Buy, Target, Staples, Office Depot and Guitar Center will refund the difference on some price drops after purchase, each within its own window.
By Olivia HarperContributing writer. Policy checked .
On this page
Bought something that now costs less? Many stores refund the difference if you ask in time. This page sums up, in our own words, what five stores say on their own price match pages, read on October 26, 2026. Policies change, and the store page is the one that applies.
Windows at a glance
| Store | Lower price that counts | How long you have |
|---|---|---|
| Best Buy | Its own lower price in store, online or in the app | The return and exchange period |
| Target | Its own lower price at Target.com, in your store or a Target Circle deal | 14 days; holiday purchases from November 1 to December 24, 2026 are covered through December 24 |
| Staples | Its own lower price in stores or at Staples.com | 14 days |
| Office Depot | A lower price at one of the retailers it lists as competitors | 14 days |
| Guitar Center | An ad from an authorized U.S. dealer, Guitar Center included | 45 days |
Best Buy
Best Buy says that if it lowers its in-store, online or app price during the return and exchange period, it will match that lower price when you ask. For a BestBuy.com order, the request goes through chat or by phone at 1-888-237-8289, not in a store or by email. If the price falls before the scheduled delivery date, Best Buy says it refunds the full difference, tax included. Marketplace items, clearance, refurbished and open-box products are excluded. More in the Best Buy price adjustment guide.
Target
Target adjusts the price when the identical item drops at Target.com, in the store where you shop, or through an automatic Target Circle deal, within 14 days after purchase. It needs the receipt, physical or digital, or the packing slip, and it does not accept screenshots. Lower prices at a different Target store, clearance, closeout and pricing errors are excluded. Its holiday rule covers purchases from November 1 that drop on or before December 24, 2026.
Staples and Office Depot
Staples refunds the difference if you tell it within 14 days that the item is cheaper in its stores or at Staples.com; the receipt must be dated within 14 days. Office Depot will match or refund the difference if a new, identical, in-stock item is cheaper at one of its listed competitors at purchase or within 14 days. See the Staples price match guide.
Guitar Center
Guitar Center gives 45 days. Bring the authorized dealer's ad and your original receipt, and it refunds the full difference to your original payment method. Used, vintage, open-box and closeout items are excluded. Details are in the Guitar Center price match guide.
Costco
Costco has its own price adjustment rule; see the Costco price adjustment guide.
How to get the money back
- Keep the receipt or order number. Target and Staples both ask for proof of purchase.
- Show the live price. Target wants the current price on Target.com or the app, not a screenshot.
- Ask before the window closes. After that, a return and rebuy is the only route, and only if the item is still inside the return period.
Sources
Best Buy Price Match Guarantee and FAQs, Target Price Match Guarantee, Staples Price Match Guarantee, Office Depot Price Match Policy and Guitar Center Low Price Guarantee. Policies checked October 26, 2026.