Does PetSmart Price Match in 2024? Everything Pet Parents Need to Know

For pet owners, finding the best deals on pet supplies is a top priority. With prices rising across the board in 2024, stretching your dollar matters more than ever when caring for your furry, scaly, or feathered friends. This is why PetSmart‘s price match guarantee is so appealing – it allows customers to get the lowest price on identical items found at competitor retailers.

But how exactly does PetSmart‘s policy work, and what can you expect if requesting a price match in 2024? As pet care experts, we did extensive research to provide readers with the complete guide to PetSmart‘s pricing practices.

Overview of PetSmart‘s Price Match Guarantee

PetSmart pledges to match the price of any identical, in-stock product found at a lower price from select competing retailers. This includes both in-store and online prices from:

• Chewy
• Petco
• Walmart
• PetSmart‘s own website

However, there are limitations:

• Excludes services, gift cards, clearance items
• One price match per product per customer per day
• Must present proof of competitor‘s price at time of purchase
• Matching limited to identical items (size, brand, color, etc.)

Below we break down exactly how PetSmart‘s price matching works, tips for requesting a match, exclusions to be aware of, and more.

Price Matching Basics at PetSmart

PetSmart sets their price match policy to win customers in a competitive market. In 2022, the pet care industry was valued at over $123 billion globally.

Pet Market Value and PetSmart Market Share

With so many choices for pet products, PetSmart uses price matching as a strategy to price competitively and draw shoppers away from rivals like Chewy, Petco, and Amazon.

But how do you take advantage of PetSmart‘s policy? Here are the steps:

1. Find a Lower Price – Search competitor sites and ads to find the identical, in-stock product cheaper elsewhere. This can include their online prices.

2. Bring Price Proof – Have the competitor‘s ad, website listing, or other proof of the exact lower price ready.

3. Request Price Match – Present your proof to a PetSmart employee BEFORE purchase to request the match.

4. Get Approval – Staff will review to confirm the price match meets policy guidelines.

5. Pay Matched Price – At checkout, you pay the matched lower price offered by the competitor.

Key Notes About the Process:

• Price matching is only available at time of purchase – no retroactive adjustments after buying.

• You can only price match one item per product type, per visit. Choose your biggest saver.

• Matched prices cannot be combined with other discounts or promo codes.

• Proof of competitor pricing must match the product exactly – including size, brand, flavor, color, etc.

Eligible Products for PetSmart Price Matching

Nearly all merchandise categories at PetSmart are eligible for price matching, including:

• Pet food, treats, chews
• Medications and supplements
• Pet habitats and enclosures
• Bowls, feeders, waterers
• Toys, beds, furniture
• Training and behavior aids
• Grooming tools and bath supplies
• Flea, tick and pest control
• Pet clothing and accessories
• Cleaning and waste products
• Aquariums, filters, lighting

Ineligible Products:

• Adoption services
• Vaccination clinics
• Grooming or training services
• Gift cards
• Clearance or discounted items
• Live animals like fish, birds, reptiles

This covers the vast majority of products PetSmart carries, giving customers extensive opportunity to price match. Limited restrictions help protect PetSmart from unverified pricing claims.

Approved Competitors for Price Matching

PetSmart allows price matching from brands they view as their closest competitors in pet specialty retail:

• Chewy – As PetSmart‘s subsidiary, they readily match Chewy‘s online pricing.

• Petco – In-store and Petco.com prices can be matched.

• Walmart – Products from Walmart and Walmart.com are eligible.

• PetSmart‘s Own Website – Get in-store prices matched to PetSmart.com.

However, PetSmart does not match the following:

• Amazon – As a third party marketplace, Amazon is excluded.

• eBay – Also a third party site, so eBay sellers are ineligible.

• Liquidators or Discount Sites – Closeout pricing is not matched by policy.

This competitor list focuses on major national chains PetSmart competes with most directly. Matching unauthorized sites would undercut pricing strategies.

Smart Tactics for Price Matching at PetSmart

Here are some savvy tips for shoppers looking to score the best price match deals:

• Search for prices early in the day – online promotions can change hourly.

• Leverage sites like Google Shopping to compare prices quickly.

• Download retailer apps to get digital coupons and alerts on sales.

• Focus price matches on high-ticket items, like pet food or dog houses.

• Check food pricing per pound or per unit – sizes may vary.

• For online matches, use live chat support to get price adjustments.

• Be polite but persistent with staff – managers can override if needed.

• If denied a match, kindly ask for reasoning and double check policies.

• Limit requests to one match per visit – don‘t risk refusal by being greedy!

A little research and preparation goes a long way to ensure your PetSmart price match request is approved without issue.

Exclusions and Limits to Be Aware Of

While PetSmart aims to be competitive with their pricing, they do set some boundaries around price matching:

• One Match Per Item – Only a single price match is allowed per product per customer per day.

• No Combining Discounts – Price matches cannot be stacked with coupons or sales.

• In-Stock Only – Items must be in current inventory to be matched. Out of stocks are excluded.

• Final Sale – No price adjustments can be made after purchase. Match must be requested prior to paying.

• Item Must Match Exactly – Brand, size, weight, flavor, scent, color, etc. all must match.

• Limited Competitors – Only select major chains are included, not all retailers.

• Proof Required – Valid ad, email, photo, or other evidence must be presented.

While limitations exist, PetSmart still provides this service to stay competitive in the market. But shoppers should be aware of the fine print to have realistic expectations.

The Bottom Line on PetSmart‘s Price Matching

PetSmart‘s price match policy allows savvy shoppers to pay the lowest possible price on the items they need to care for their pets. While exclusions apply, in-stock merchandise from top national competitors is eligible.

To make the most of this policy in 2024, come prepared with valid proof of a lower price on an identical product from Chewy, Petco, Walmart, or PetSmart‘s website. Limit requests to one match per shopping trip, choose high-value products to maximize savings, and follow all policy criteria carefully.

With a little strategic effort, PetSmart‘s price matching can help pet parents stretch their dollar further and provide the best care on any budget. We hope this detailed overview gave you the information needed to shop smart and take advantage of the lowest prices guaranteed. Happy saving in 2024!