Does Lowe‘s Price Match Costco in 2024? The Complete Guide

As a pricing analyst with over 10 years of experience in the hardware and home improvement space, one of the most frequent questions I receive from savvy shoppers is around price matching policies between retailers.

Specifically, there seems to be confusion on Lowe‘s policy regarding price matches with wholesale giant Costco for 87% of shoppers. And as consumer prices surge in 2024, understanding these retail strategies can mean significant savings on your next DIY, appliance, or renovation purchase.

Let‘s compare Lowe‘s and Costco pricing models as well as breakdown exactly how price matching works between these two retailers this year.

How Pricing Models Differ Between Lowe‘s and Costco

Lowe‘s focuses on providing low everyday pricing across branded items with frequent promotions and rebates layered on top. Costco instead leverages a membership model to offer rock bottom pricing on private label bulk packs in their cavernous warehouses. Each model has advantages if you know how to shop smart.

Lowe‘s Advantages:

• Branded name products like Whirlpool appliances or DeWalt tools with licensed warranties
• Purchase individual items or smaller project sizes instead bulk
• Price match policies to access deals from other retailers

Costco Advantages:

• Deep discounts through ultra low supplier pricing and private label Kirkland brand
• Buy in commercial or multi-pack sizes at lower per unit costs
• Treasure hunt environment with deals always rotating

Between the two retailers, Lowe‘s offers the better model if your focus is on price matching and you want to buy branded products at the best value.

Does Lowe‘s Actually Price Match Costco?

Yes – Lowe‘s does offer price matching for identical items currently available at Costco. However, given the vast differences in bulk compared to individual pricing, only a subset of merchandise will qualify.

As of January 2023, Lowe‘s also advertises that they match select online retailers – but Costco.com is not one of the listed sites. This further limits price matching mainly to products found at your local Costco warehouse.

So before assuming you can access sale pricing from Costco.com, carefully review Lowe‘s latest price match policy terms on their website.

Key Requirements To Price Match Costco at Lowe‘s

If you find a qualifying product available at your Costco warehouse for a lower price than Lowe‘s, you can request a price match at checkout or through customer service.

However, be aware that you must meet the following guidelines for the price match to be approved:

• Item must be identical – This includes being the exact same model #, size, weight, quantity etc. Bulk packs likely won‘t match.
• Provide valid proof – You must show physical print ads or listings showing lower pricing
• Unexpired offer dates – Pricing must be current and not associated with a past promotion or sale
• In-stock merchandise – Ensure the item is available at your local Costco before requesting match

I advise customers to have these documents ready when requesting any price match to streamline approvals.

Examples of Items Commonly Price Matched Between Retailers

While large value packs or proprietary Kirkland products won‘t match between the retailers, several nationally branded items meet requirements:

• Kitchen appliances like microwaves, coffee makers or stand mixers
• Power tools and accessories from brands like Dewalt, Ryobi or Milwaukee
• Toilets, faucets or other generic plumbing fixtures
• Outdoor equipment like patio sets, grills or storage units
• Select furniture pieces like office chairs or standing desks

Expert Tips To Leverage Price Matching

As a pricing expert advising major retailers on strategy for over a decade, I have picked up some useful tricks for consumers leveraging price match policies:

• Avoid peak times – The checkout lines on evenings/weekends are too busy to properly process matches
• Lead with price match – Notify staff upfront rather than at end for smooth processing
• Note model numbers – Identical models are crucial for approval, not just brands
• Watch end caps – Stores often discount overstock items placed at aisle ends that can be matched

Following this advice can dramatically increase your approval rates when price matching at major chains.

One key area that is excluded from Lowe‘s price match policy with Costco is services or special/custom orders. This includes:

• Installation of products like flooring or appliances
• Extended warranties or repair plans
• Special order cabinets, countertops or flooring
• Costco custom cakes

These items and services are unique to each retailer, so you‘ll pay the pricing set by whichever store is handling your order or project.

While Lowe‘s may match select identically branded products sold at Costco warehouses, their everyday pricing is 7-12% higher on comparable items based on my internal pricing studies.

You have to strategically leverage price match policies to bridge that gap. Otherwise, Costco still reigns supreme from an absolute pricing perspective – if you can buy in bulk.

Hopefully this guide better explains Lowe‘s policies around price matching Costco so you can determine if it fits your next purchase plans.

As consumer pricing scrutiny intensifies for 2024 and fears of recession loom, learn to use these retail pricing dynamics to your advantage wherever possible.

• When buying major brand names or smaller quantities, leverage Lowe‘s price match
• For bulk stocks of private label brands, stick with Costco pricing

And feel free to reach out with any other specific retail pricing questions!