Retail Price Adjustments in Canada

Have you ever bought something, only to be highly disappointed that it went on sale the next week because you purchased it at a higher price?

Many stores in Canada, particularly larger chains, have a "price adjustment" policy.  This means that if something goes on sale after you have purchased it, you can go back with your receipt and receive the difference of the price.  As an example, if you paid $100.00 for an item, and a couple days later it went on sale for $60.00, you could bring in your receipt, ask for a price adjustment, and you would receive $40.00 back. Nice, eh!?

Each store does have their own specific policies though, so it's good to research the policies for the stores you typically shop at.

Not ideal if you live rurally and the item is $5.00 cheaper since your gas costs getting back to the store would outweigh the difference, but for larger items it can make a big difference!  When I bought my laptop at Futureshop a couple years ago, I noticed it in the flyer the next week on sale, and was able to go back in for a fairly substantial price adjustment.

If it happens to be a store you shop at often, it might be handy to keep those receipts for smaller items in your purse to check back in case the items you bought is $5.00 less next week.

Very occasionally, you might even find a store clerk giving you the heads up that your purchase will be going on sale soon.  If you know the policies, you can buy it at full price, ensure you get the product before someone else buys it off the shelf, and come back for the price adjustment.

Knowing the policies for the stores you shop at is key! If your favorite store is not in my list of favorites, find the website, and the price adjustment policy is typically found within the returns policy, often in a link at the bottom of the website.

Here is the research for some of my top shopping destinations.
 

ADDITION-ELLE:

Price Adjustment Policy: We offer a one-time price adjustment within 14 days on items purchased at regular price. To receive a price adjustment for merchandise purchased online, you may call us at 1-888-385-8585. Note that price adjustments for merchandise purchased online can be received exclusively in this manner and cannot be received in-store.

AEROPOSTALE: 

To receive a one-time purchase adjustment, present your original receipt within 14 days of the original date of purchase.

THE BAY:

Price adjustments will be made with the original receipt, within 7 days of purchase.  Price adjustments will not be made for clearance merchandise.  

CANADIAN TIRE and MARK'S WORK WEARHOUSE:

These two companies are both owned by Canadian Tire, and I couldn't find any info on price adjustments with them on their websites.

FUTURESHOP:

 If our own price was reduced in the last 30 days.

• Present us with your original receipt.
• We will refund you the difference.

For purchases from futureshop.ca, and if there are no Future Shop stores in your area, you can contact us at 1-800-663-2275 or by email service@futureshop.com.

ROOTS:

Note:  The following is regarding online orders, but I'm guessing their in store policy is a similar 14 days.

Roots.com offers a one time only price adjustment on items purchased at REGULAR price within 14 days of invoice with your original invoice. Please include a note indicating the item and its new price.

From time to time we may run promotions where a price adjustment will not be available. If a price adjustment is not available on any given promotion we will state that fact on Roots.com Canada.

Send your original invoice postmarked no later than 14 days of invoice to:

Roots.com Canada- Pricing Adjustments
9133 Leslie Street,
Unit #120 Richmond Hill, ON
L4B 4N1

Please note we cannot accept photocopied invoices or packing slips and we will only credit the credit card used for the original purchase.

SEARS:

Note:  I couldn't find a policy regarding in store purchases, but I did find this one regarding catalogue and online purchases.  This one is interesting...will match not only their own prices but ones from other stores too, post-purchase!

We'll match any competitor's advertised price for identical merchandise offered
in Sears catalogues and on www.sears.ca within 30 days of purchase.

I hope this info has helped!  Have you ever used price adjustments to get money back on a purchase?