Big W stocks women's, men's and children's wear, homewares, electronics, toys, books, and everything in between. It is well known for its toy sales, especially Lego. And consumers may not be pleased to know there is no ‘official' Big W price match policy in operation.
Big W price match policy
But would you be surprised to find out that Big W has an official ‘no price match’ policy listed on its website?
Does Big W price match?
We don't do price matching at BIG W. Retailers often have differing prices and discounts on the same or similar items for reasons including the quantity of a product remaining in stock, and the length they've had a product in stock.
https://www.bigw.com.au/help/faqs/big-w-commitment-and-policies/price-match
And if you ask their online chatbot, you’ll get this response:
We don't do price matching at BIG W, but we do have pretty epic deals and promos throughout the year.
To some degree this may be due to the market positioning of ‘lowest prices everyday’.
BUT… while that’s the official position, you’ll be pleased to note that there is some anecdotal store managerial discretion available.
How do you get a Big W price match?
While not guaranteed, you can approach a staff member and request a price match. In all probability, the team member will need to check with a supervisor.
If you’re going to go down this path, you’ll need to present evidence either in-store or online for the like-for-like product and proceed to purchase the goods.
While you may be ‘lucky’ enough to obtain a price match, don’t expect a cheaper price to be offered as Big W considers all the products it sells to already be low prices.
Does Big W price match in-store?
To obtain a price match, you'll need to bring evidence with you to a Big W store. This could be in the form of a hard copy catalogue or possibly digital evidence like a photo or a webpage from the competing retailer. You’ll need clear details about the offer and the competitor’s price.
Don’t bother if competitor items are
- out of stock
- short-dated
- on clearance or discontinued
- part of a promotional offer (e.g. buy one get one free)
- part of a liquidation
- only available via postage, rather than pick-up
- not near your postcode
- not the same model number or identical product
If there is any doubt you will likely walk away disappointed.
Does Big W price match online?
Despite some in-store flexibility, you won’t find that with online retailers.
You could attempt to contact customer service via the chatbot, but it is very unlikely that goods can have prices adjusted for your checkout screen.
Be prepared with a direct link (URL) to the competitor's website, product and advertised price. You should also offer a description including such details as the size/volume of goods.
Many price-match policies do not allow for purchases made through Click and Collect services and variable delivery fees will factor into overall price-matching policies.
Digging into the terms and conditions
There is not much to dig into in the way of terms and conditions, despite some other websites claiming there IS a price match policy – WRONG!
INSTORE SALES – officially no, some store flexibility
ONLINE SALES – no, very unlikely
Price Adjustment policy of Big W
There are no price adjustment policies on the Big W website. Customer service in-store or an operator on the Chatbot may be able to provide more guidance.
Big W Returns policy
If you have proof of purchase and the product is:
- in original condition and packaging (including labels)
- not worn, used or expired
- not a personalised or clearance item
You have 90 days from the day of purchase to return or exchange if you've had a change of heart. You won't be eligible for a return outside 90 days and without a receipt.
Postage and Shipping
Postage and shipping will likely be irrelevant due to the Big W policy.
Obtaining cashback at Big W
Big W offers the ability to obtain a cash rebate when shopping using cashback programs in Australia. The discounts for Big W via portals such as Shopback are usually up to 2.5%, so rather minimal, but may be worth taking advantage of, if spending up big.
- TopCashback – Join TopCashback to score cashback when you shop online at the Big W.
- ShopBack – Get onboard now with ShopBack, the cashback phenomenon, to make your dollar go further with Big W.
Frequent Flyer and Loyalty Programs supported by Big W
Because Big W is part of the Woolworths Group, you can shop in-store and online, earning Woolworths Everyday Rewards.
Can I earn Qantas Frequent Flyer Points with Big W
Yes, you can earn Qantas Frequent Flyer Points with Big W, but not directly. Woolworths Everyday Rewards can be transferred to Qantas.
You can choose to enjoy your Everyday Rewards dollars in-store and online with Big W in increments of $10. Ensure that you have attached your Everyday rewards card to your Big W online account.
Collecting Velocity Frequent Flyer Points with Big W
There is no direct way of earning points for the Velocity Frequent Flyer program, other than using a card to make purchases where you’ll earn points for your shopping.
Earn when you use American Express at Big W
There is no direct way of earning points with Amex, other than using a card to make purchases where you’ll earn points for your shopping.
Alternative Payment Options at Big W
Buy Now, Pay Later services (BNPL) are well supported at Big W with two payment methods. You can use Zip Pay or Afterpay to make purchases both online and in-store.
Will Big W price match competitors?
It is hard to say – but our educated guess is that they will match products within their own group of companies and maybe other large competitors in-store but online sales are very unlikely.
| Competitor | Conclusion |
|---|---|
| Priceline Pharmacy, Amcal, National Pharmacies, Terry White Chemmart | Unknown, but worth a try for in-store only goods. |
| Pharmacy Online | Do not attempt. |
| Amazon | Do not attempt. |
| JB Hi-Fi | Attempt, but very unlikely – Big W has previously resisted price matching electronics. |
| Target | Attempt, likely due to Big W competing head-on with Target (owned by Wesfarmers). |
| Officeworks | Attempt, likely due to Officeworks being owned by a competitor (owned by Wesfarmers). |
| EB Games | You could try for an EB Games price match if you have a compelling case. |
Conclusion
We have to say that no official price guarantee at Big W is disappointing, given the size and prevalence of the brand in the Australian retail scene. But with Big W positioning itself as a low-price retailer, there may be limited need for it anyhow.
FAQ – Big W price match
Does Big W price match?
Officially no — Big W's own website states it does not price match, citing differences in stock levels and how long items have been on shelves. That said, individual store managers have been known to exercise discretion. It's worth asking in-store politely, but don't count on it and never expect it online.
Does Big W price match electronics?
Very unlikely. Electronics are one of the harder categories to get approved even with managerial discretion, as Big W tends to position its electronics pricing as already competitive. Your better bet is to compare against JB Hi-Fi or The Good Guys, both of which have formal price match policies.
Does Big W price match online?
No. There is no mechanism to request a price adjustment at online checkout, and the customer service chatbot will confirm Big W does not price match. If you find a lower price online elsewhere and delivery terms are comparable, you're better off buying from that retailer and using a cashback portal like ShopBack or TopCashback to maximise your savings.
Does Big W price match Target?
Worth trying in-store. Both Big W and Target compete directly in the discount variety space, and anecdotal reports suggest this is one of the more likely approvals under managerial discretion. Bring a screenshot or catalogue showing the Target price and ask to speak with a supervisor rather than floor staff.
Can I still save money at Big W without a price match?
Yes — use ShopBack or TopCashback for up to 2.5% cashback on online purchases, and link your Everyday Rewards card to earn Woolworths points that convert to Qantas Frequent Flyer points. For big-ticket items, these stack into a meaningful saving even without a formal price match.
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