Technology is amazingly handy, especially when it comes to DIY YouTube videos that can help you with pretty much any job around the house. Another aspect that has changed the DIY landscape is the ability to use retailer’s price-match policies to ensure you get the lowest price on tools, hardware, and DIY supplies. Perhaps you’d rather shop at your local Ace, Menards, or True Value as they offer better customer service and are happy to avoid the cavernous aisles at Home Depot or Lowe’s.

If you fall into this category, you might as well get the lower Home Depot or Lowe’s price (if they have one). It’s with this in mind, that I present all of the hardware stores, or stores with a significant hardware aisle, that’ll happily price-match Home Depot and Lowe’s.

Ace Hardware

Most Ace Hardware stores are independently owned, and many absolutely will price match. Find out if the Ace in your area price matches Home Depot and Lowe’s be simply asking or do a quick Google search. If they do, they most likely follow these guidelines:

• If you find a lower price on an identical item, at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s, just bring in their current ad and they’ll match their price.
• If HD or Lowe’s is offering a percent off discount, they’ll match the final net price the competitor is offering.
• Exclusions: Labor charges, closeouts, special orders, discontinued items, clearance, liquidation or damaged items.
• They will limit to reasonable consumer quantities. So don’t abuse it.

The takeaway here is to always inquire at your local Ace Hardware to determine if they offer a price match policy.

Home Hardware

With 19 retail locations spread across Canada, Home Hardware offers a Price Match Promise at all of there stores.

• Simply bring evidence of the lower price to any Home Hardware employee.
• They reserve the right to exclude significantly below cost competition loss leader pricing.
• Because lumber grading varies by location, they will not price match lower lumber grade quality from competitors.
• They also reserve the right to limit quantities to an amount reasonable for a residential homeowner.

See Also: Insider Savings Tips Directly from Home Depot Employees

Lamps Plus

When it comes to fans, lighting, chandeliers, and home decor, the folks at Lamps Plus will absolutely price match. Here’s what you need to know.

• The lower price must be advertised within 60 days of the date of your purchase.
• They’ll actually give you an additional discount of 20% of the price difference.
• Can’t be redeemed in conjunction with other coupons, discounts or promotions.

Menards

If you like to shop at Menards, and you’re NOT price matching Home Depot and Lowes, there is a great chance you’re overspending. Here’s what you need to know:

• You are not required to provide the local competitor’s ad for us to honor the price.
• Items purchased must be identical size, quantity, brand, flavor, color, etc.
• Menards reserves the right to limit price matches to reasonable quantities.
• Exclusions: Ads when the actual price cannot be determined, competitor ads from outside of the store’s local market, “going out of business” sales or “close out” prices.

Sears

While Sears carries many in-house tool brands like Craftsman, there is definitely some overlap with items carried by Home Depot and Lowe’s. And the good news is they’ll price match those items if the two warehouse giants carry them for less.

• If you have a Home Depot or Lowe’s in your local area, they’ll match their price either at time of purchase or within 14 days of purchase. Just bring in price evidence to any sales associate.
• The competitor’s price must be offered on the same date as the date of your purchase.
• The price match is only eligible on the day you make your purchase.

See Also: Lowe’s Tool Rental: Everything You Gotta Know Before You Rent

Target

Target has a growing section of tools, hardware, and DIY supplies and thus make my list. Here is what you need to know to get your price match.

• Target will match both Home Depot and Lowe’s prices as well as 29 online retailer’s pricing, which includes HomeDeopt.com and Lowes.com.
• It must be the same exact product, down to the color and weight.
• Online price matching is good for up to 7 days after purchase. Be sure to always hold on to your receipt.
• Major Exclusions: “Prices that only display on a website after guests log in. Clearance, closeout, damaged product, used, refurbished, open packages or liquidation sales.”

True Value

All True Value stores are independently owned, and store owners are given the flexibility to offer a price match policy. But the good news is many True Value locations will absolutely price match Home Depot and Lowe’s. Here’s the scoop.

• Evidence from their site, “We promise to do whatever we can to provide you with the best price.” This obviously includes price matching the big-box home improvement stores in your area.
• Stores will not price match products in the Outlet section of the True Value website.
• A price match is not available for stores in Alaska, Hawaii & Puerto Rico.

Walmart

Let’s not forget about Walmart as most locations have a fairly stocked hardware, paint, and DIY products section. If these items are cheaper at Home Depot or Lowe’s be sure to get your price match.

• Walmart.com will match the price of any local brick & mortar competitor, including Lowe’s and Home Depot of course.
• You DON’T need the ad to get the price match which is convenient.
• Items must be absolutely identical. One price match per item, per day.
• Exclusions: BOGO items and closeout prices.

West Marine

I was happy to see that West Marine will price match both Home Depot and Lowe’s, here are the details worth knowing.

• If you have a Lowe’s or Home Depot location within 50 miles of your local West Marine location, they’ll happy price match either store.
• Simply provide the item number and base price of the product and they’ll independently verify the price.
• You can also call them at 1-800-BOATING to discuss your price match.
• Exclusions: “Price matching does not apply to online auctions, liquidation sales, refurbished or used merchandise, shipping charges, taxes, or promotions such as: mail-in offers, gift-with-purchase, financing offers, installation services, or typographical errors.”

Ask the Reader: How do you save money on your DIY or home improvement projects?

Happy Savings.

By Kyle James

Photos by Mike Mozart (1, 2)

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)