The Complete Guide to Petco‘s Price Matching Policy in 2024
As one of the largest pet retailers, Petco offers a vast selection of pet supplies both online and in their over 1,500 stores nationwide. With so many options, does Petco offer price matching against their competitors? As a pet owner myself, I‘ve done extensive research into Petco‘s policy. Here‘s everything you need to know about price matching with Petco in 2024.
A Quick Overview of Petco‘s Price Matching Policy
The short answer is yes, Petco does price match their competitors‘ offers both online and in-store. However, there are certain limitations:
In-store, they‘ll match any competitor‘s price on identical, in-stock items.
Online, they only match select major retailers like Chewy, Amazon, and PetSmart.
Prices requiring club memberships or subscriptions don‘t qualify.
Animals and services cannot be price matched.
By following their policy closely and providing proof of the competitor pricing, you can potentially save 20% or more on popular pet products. Keep reading for details, tips, and recent updates to maximize your Petco price match savings.
Price Matching In Petco Stores
Petco offers a generous in-store price match policy – they will match any verifiable competitor‘s price for an identical, in-stock item.
You can price match against local pet stores, major chains like PetSmart and Pet Supplies Plus, wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam‘s Club, and big box retailers like Target and Walmart. As long as the item is identical and currently in stock and available for purchase from the competitor, Petco will honor the price match.
I‘ve had success price matching items like:
- Blue Buffalo dog food ($10 lower at local store)
- Temptations cat treats ($4 cheaper at PetSmart)
- Frisco dog toys ($7 less at Chewy)
Just note that any special deals, discounts, or coupons from the competitor won‘t be matched. Petco also won‘t match prices only accessible under a membership program. The pricing has to be available to the general public.
To get the in-store price match, visit the customer service desk with proof of the competitor‘s pricing – either a print out or a screenshot on your phone clearly showing the product details and price. You may need to briefly chat with a supervisor for approval.
Online Price Matching at Petco.com
When shopping online at Petco.com, the price match options are more limited. Petco will only match pricing from these select retailer websites:
- Amazon.com
- Chewy.com
- Walmart.com
- PetSmart.com
- Target.com
They used to match any website, but tightened the policy in 2020. Again, membership or subscription prices don‘t qualify. I have had success matching Amazon and Chewy prices on items like cat litter and flea prevention.
You‘ll need to use the live chat feature or call their customer service line to request the online price match before placing your order. Have the competitor‘s website ready to share details.
Here is a price comparison on 10 popular pet products currently in stock at both Petco and Chewy:
| Product | Petco Price | Chewy Price | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purina Pro Plan Dog Food | $48.99 | $44.99 | $4.00 |
| FRONTLINE Plus Flea & Tick | $65.99 | $58.99 | $7.00 |
| Nature‘s Recipe Canned Cat Food | $1.79 | $1.59 | $0.20 |
| KONG Dog Toy | $12.99 | $11.99 | $1.00 |
| Benebone Bacon Dog Chew Toy | $14.99 | $12.99 | $2.00 |
| Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Cat Litter | $16.99 | $14.99 | $2.00 |
| ωmegaVia Fish Oil Supplement | $29.99 | $25.99 | $4.00 |
| Hartz UltraGuard Pro Flea & Tick Collar | $8.99 | $7.99 | $1.00 |
| CAT DANCER Cat Toy | $3.79 | $2.99 | $0.80 |
| Nulo Freestyle Adult Dog Food | $13.99 | $11.99 | $2.00 |
As you can see, pricing can vary quite a bit – so take advantage of Petco‘s policy to price match Chewy and save!
Key Exclusions: Pets and Services
While standard pet products are fair game, there are two key categories excluded from Petco‘s price matching policy:
Pets: Petco will not match competitor pricing or fees on adopted pets. Each animal is unique, so standard price matching does not apply for cats, dogs, fish, etc.
Services: This includes services like grooming, training, veterinary care, photography, PetsHotel boarding and day camp. Service pricing can vary based on location and individual factors.
So while you can save on supplies and food, you won‘t get any price matching on the animals themselves or any pet services.
Use Post-Purchase Price Matching Within 14 Days
Missed a better price that popped up shortly after buying an item at Petco? You have 14 days after the original purchase date to request a price match.
If Petco confirms the lower competitor pricing within 2 weeks of your purchase, they will happily refund you the difference. You can bring the item and proof of pricing back to any store or contact customer service. This ensures you always get the best deal even after you‘ve checked out.
Tips for Getting Your Petco Price Match
Based on my own experience, here are some top tips for making the most of Petco‘s price matching policy:
Use live chat or call for online requests – I‘ve found this much easier than email.
Double check identical UPCs and sizes – Even small variations will disqualify the match.
Avoid bundles or multi-packs – Petco will only match exact 1:1 items.
Screenshot the competitor‘s offer – Printouts can work but screenshots provide clearer proof.
Be polite but persistent – Sometimes you need to kindly ask for a supervisor‘s approval.
Shop early mornings or weekdays – Customer service staff tend to be more readily available.
Use curbside pickup – No waiting around the store for the price match approval.
Taking a few minutes to verify Petco‘s pricing against Chewy, Amazon, or PetSmart and requesting the price match can easily save you $5, $10, or even $25+ per order.
Recent Developments and The Future of Petco Pricing
Pet supply pricing and promotions remain highly competitive, especially with the growth of Chewy and other online retailers. Petco continues to adapt its pricing strategy in response.
Some of the recent changes I‘ve noticed from Petco:
Price matching Amazon Prime-only deals (used to be excluded)
More sitewide percent-off sales at Petco.com
New subscription program with discounts up to 30% off
Increasing curbside pickup and same-day delivery options
Petco likely realized they need to match Amazon and rapidly ship products in order to better compete. I expect they will extend online price matching eligibility to other major retailers soon.
We should also see more broad sales – like $15 off $50 or 10% your order – to offer blanket discounts instead of matching individual items. For maximum savings, stack these percent-off deals with price matching!
The Bottom Line on Petco‘s Price Matching Policy
While subject to a few limitations, Petco‘s price match policy can be an excellent way to save money on pet essentials. With some persistence and planning, you can use it to consistently beat Petco‘s sticker prices.
Between price matching online and in-store, comparing prices across retailers, and stacking sitewide sales, savvy shoppers can save 20% or more on average orders. As the pet supply market grows increasingly competitive, it pays to take advantage of Petco‘s willingness to price match their biggest competitors.
