What To Know About Vitamin Shoppe's Price Match Policy
Price matching is not a new concept. In fact, several companies offer price-matching policies as a means to retain customer loyalty and boost sales. Not to mention, it's a great way for retailers offering similar products to remain competitive in the market.
The Vitamin Shoppe is a well-known specialty health supplement store in America, and their price-matching policy could get even the most reserved supplement buyer excited. After all, who doesn't like walking into a store, showing them how a competitor is offering the exact same product for a lesser price, and possibly walking away with the product you had your eyes on at that lower price, just like that?
But there are some things you need to know about the supplement retailer's popular policy. In short, yes, you can price match with The Vitamin Shoppe, but there are some conditions. According to the store's website, they will match the price of a competitor's product, provided it's an identical item and there's proof of price. You can do this at their store in person or through chat or phone before buying something online.
Some other things to keep in mind
Say, for example, that you found a vitamin you wanted to purchase at The Vitamin Shoppe for a cheaper price at Whole Foods. You first have to make sure that the product is the same. Take a look at the brand, model, size, quantity, and color and make sure everything resembles what you're going for at The Vitamin Shoppe. Find proof of the lower price (either an online price or an advertisement). Visit The Vitamin Shoppe and show your proof to a clerk. If you're doing it online, make use of their live chat option or phone number (per Check Price Match). The number to call would be (866) 293-3367. Operating hours are from Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
According to the nutritional supplement retailer's website, the vitamin in question should be in stock at The Vitamin Shoppe and Whole Foods during the request for the price match policy to apply. What comes next is a verification process done by the staff at The Vitamin Shoppe. They'll make sure the product matches all the eligibility requirements — price-wise, store-wise, and whether or not it's in stock at the competitor's store. It's important to understand that the retailer reserves the right to make the final decision on whether or not the policy goes through.
The price match policy does not apply to deals or clearance items. As explained on the website, "Price match cannot be combined with current or prior Vitaminshoppe.com sales, discounts, or specials."
There is also a catch with the competitor retailers you can price match with
If you thought you could price match a great vitamin D supplement you found on Amazon that is not sold or shipped by the e-commerce company, you won't be able to. For the price match policy to apply, the competitors cannot be third-party sellers, according to The Vitamin Shoppe website. This means no online marketplaces like Walmart Marketplace, eBay, or Amazon Marketplace. If you're thinking about Amazon Subscribe and Save, that also doesn't meet the criteria. But non-Subscribe and Save items sold and shipped by the multinational company fall under the price match policy.
It might be helpful to get a very clear picture of which retailers or stores you can consider competitors of The Vitamin Shoppe. These are the companies the supplement store will actually price match with. The list includes VitaminShoppe.com, Vitamin Shoppe on Amazon, GNC, Lucky Vitamin, Vitacost, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Amazon (products shipped and sold by the company), and Bodybuilding.com.
Ultimately, availing yourself of the benefits of any price match policy is about understanding the rules. Once you've got those down pat, you can confidently contact their customer care representative and go through the process.