Everything you ever wanted to know about price adjustments.

Price adjustments may be a new concept to some of you (it sure was for our founder). That’s understandable. Stores don’t exactly advertise that they offer these kinds of refunds, so most folks don’t know about them. In this article, we’ll break down what these policies are, how they work, and why you should pay attention to them.

What are price adjustments?

Let’s start with an example. Let’s say you bought a jacket for $200 yesterday, and today, that jacket went on sale for $150. If the store you bought it from offers price adjustments, you’d be able to claim a refund of $50. Price adjustments are simply refunds that stores offer customers whenever items they buy goes on sale shortly after they buy them.

Do all stores offer price adjustments?

No, unfortunately not. One notable example of a store that doesn’t is Amazon. If an item you bought from Amazon goes on sale, you’re out of luck. However, there are many stores that do offer price adjustments, which is why it’s worthwhile to keep an eye on prices.

Why do stores offer price adjustments?

The main reason stores offer price adjustments is to keep customers happy. How would you feel if you just spent $200 on that jacket, and the next day it went on sale? Pretty frustrated, right? You wouldn’t be alone (see our founding story). Stores want to keep their customers happy, so they usually offer price adjustments.

Another reason is that stores are trying to avoid having customers return an item just to buy it again at the lower price. In that situation, the store almost always ends up with a loss on the transaction when you factor in the cost of return shipping, inspection, and warehousing (which is a big reason why most returns end up in the garbage or sold to liquidators for pennies). With a price adjustment, the store can still make money on the sale while avoiding the return altogether.

How do price adjustment policies work?

One important thing to keep in mind is that these policies vary a lot. Every store tends to put its own spin on things, sometimes to make sure that the policies aren’t abused, but sometimes just to create extra hoops for shoppers to jump through. They’re balancing keeping customers happy with making as much money as possible.

In general these policies require that the item be purchased at full price and that it go on sale within a specific period of time after being purchased. From there, things can get complicated. For example, some policies require that the exact same item – same size and color – still be available for purchase online or in stores (like Lululemon). Others might require that you file a claim online for online purchases and in person for in-store purchases (like Anthropologie). Some make broad exceptions for things like holiday sales or what types of items may be eligible for an adjustment (like Levi’s).

But, assuming you jump through all the hoops and qualify for a refund, you’ll most likely receive a refund for the difference in prices directly back to your payment method. In some situations, you’ll receive store credit.

What documentation do you need to get a refund?

Each policy will have its own requirements, but for the most part, you’ll need your original receipt to prove that you purchased the item at full price and within the adjustment eligibility window. Sometimes you’ll also have to prove that the exact item is still available for purchase online. Having the store’s website on your phone in advance is helpful. You may be able to file your claim online, but in some situations you’ll be required to take the item and your documentation to a physical store.

Why don't more people ask for refunds?

The short answer is that it’s a pain in the rear. It’s hard to keep track of prices, receipts, policies, timelines, and everything else you might have to prove to get a refund. So most people don’t bother to claim refunds, especially if the refund amount is small.

How can our company help?

Glad you asked. Our company was created to help shoppers overcome all of these barriers and get back the money that they’re owed quickly and easily. All you need to do is forward us your receipt, and we’ll take care of keeping an eye on all your purchases and on when you’re eligible for a refund. Even small refunds add up over time.