Does Ace Hardware Price Match? (All You Need to Know)

Ace Hardware is the go-to place for all home improvement products and tools. The retailer is also known for its helpful and personalized shopping experience. If you are looking for a store to buy supplies for your next renovation, you may wonder if Ace Hardware does price matching. We were wondering the same; the following is what we uncovered.

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Does Ace Hardware Price Match?

Yes, many Ace Hardware stores do offer price matching, but it's important to note that there isn't a universal policy across all stores. Each Ace Hardware store is independently owned and operated, and therefore, the decision to offer price matching is at the discretion of each store owner. But generally, the item must be identical in terms of size, brand, quantity, and color, and it should not be on a special offer or discounted price. Some stores may also have restrictions on the type of products and the time frame for price matching.

However, many business owners are willing to match the prices of rival Ace Hardware stores and retailers selling competing brands. If you are curious about which Ace Hardware store offers price matching and what specific item’s price can be matched, this post is for you; it covers all you need to know about Ace Hardware's price matching policy.

Conditions for Ace Hardware's Price Match

There are about 5000 Ace Hardware stores worldwide. Most of these stores are run and operated independently by local people. Since each store is individually operated, services like price matching are made accessible at the discretion of their respective proprietors.

The only way to find out if your local Ace Hardware store does price matching is by walking to the customer service desk and inquiring. Try a different Ace Hardware store if your local store does not price match. If you find an Ace Hardware store that will match prices, below are the requirements for products that will be qualified for a price match.

The competitor's item must not be on a special offer or discounted deal.
When compared to the product sold by the rival, everything from size and brand to number and colour should be the same.
The product should not contain any damage.
Price matching may not apply to Black Friday or Thanksgiving deals, clearance items, open-box items, online only offers, and other specific exclusions.

Let's take a look at which items are not eligible for price matching at Ace Hardware.

What Items Are Excluded From Price Matching at Ace Hardware?

Ace Hardware does not offer price matching for all items. Below are the primary exclusions that you should be aware of:

Special Sales Events and Offers: Products included in specific sales events such as Black Friday or Thanksgiving promotions are excluded. This category mainly covers items offered in limited quantities, or as part of special deals during these events.
Non-Standard Items: Open-box items, clearance products, items from the Outlet Center, mail-in offer products, and those involved in bundle offers are not eligible for price matching. This category also includes products that are part of financing offers or those with pricing errors.
Online Store Exclusions: Ace Hardware's price matching policy is limited to its brick & mortar stores and does not extend to online store prices.
Service and Labor Charges: Costs associated with labor, liquidation, or damaged items, and those incurred during closeouts or special offers are not subject to price matching.
Brand and Category Specific Exclusions: There are certain product categories and brands that are generally excluded from promotions, discounts, or coupons due to the brands' own pricing policies. This is a common practice in retail to respect the pricing strategies of specific manufacturers.
Clearance and Discounted Items: Any items that are on clearance, closeout, or part of liquidation sales, as well as those that are damaged, used, open package, refurbished, pre-owned, or part of rent/lease to own deals are excluded. Additionally, storewide or category promotions and offers advertised as a percentage or dollar off are not eligible for price matching.
Non-Branded or Membership-Based Pricing: Items that are not branded or those whose prices are only available after logging into a website are also excluded from price matching.

Finally, similar to other retailers, there may be a limit to the number of price matches you can receive. Consequently, it is crucial to check with the customer service desk prior to making several purchases to ensure you understand any restrictions.

How to Find the Ace Hardware Near Me?

Finding an Ace Hardware store near you is a straightforward process, thanks to their online store locator tool. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use it:

Access the Store Locator: Start by visiting the Ace Hardware store locator. This link will take you directly to the tool that helps you find the nearest store.
Enter Your Location: Once on the store locator page, you'll find a search bar where you can enter your location. This could be your address, city, state, or zip code. The tool is designed to understand various types of location inputs.
Browse the Results: After entering your location and hitting the search button, the locator will display a list of Ace Hardware stores near you. The results typically include the store's address, distance from your location, and other pertinent details like store hours.
Select a Store: From the list, you can select the store that is most convenient for you. Clicking on a store will often provide additional information, such as contact numbers, specific services offered, and sometimes even promotions or events specific to that store.
Directions and Maps: For added convenience, many store locator results offer a link to view the store on a map. This feature can be especially useful if you are not familiar with the area. You can also use this map to get directions to the store from your current location.
Visit the Store or Contact Them: With the store’s location and contact details in hand, you can plan your visit. If you need specific items or services, it's always a good idea to call the store ahead of your visit to check for availability.

How to Get A Price Match at Ace Hardware Store?

Once you get an Ace Hardware store that price-matches, go to a competitor store such as Home Depot and find a product to price match. Ensure that the item is identical in both stores and meets the criteria for a price match.

Once you have found a price-matched product, contact Ace Hardware employees and request a price match. You will be required to prove the lower price in the competitor store. Once you've made your request, the worker will do anything they can to meet or beat the competitor's price.

You may also interested in "Does Home Depot Price Match Amazon?"

Does Ace Hardware Offer Price Adjustments

What if you have already purchased the product? Can it still get price matched? Ace Hardware may refund the amount difference if you request a price adjustment. To do so, carry your receipt and proof of lower price from the competitor store. After verification, you will be issued a refund of the amount difference.

Please notice that there is a limit on how long you can wait for a price match to be offered after purchase. So before issuing a price match request, confirm with your local Ace Hardware. The decision to provide a price adjustment rests solely with the manager of the Ace Hardware store.

Which Stores Does Ace Hardware Price Match?

Ace Hardware stores will reportedly match the pricing of its major competitors. These include stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot, as well as their own sale rates. If you find an item from a local shop that is cheaper, see if Ace Hardware would match the price.

Will Ace Hardware Price Match Online?

Yes, if you buy items from Ace Hardware’s website, you will be eligible for a price match within 30 of making the purchase. To get the price match, you can use the customer service portal or contact them directly. Just like with the brick-and-mortar stores, you will be required to provide proof of lower price.

Ace Hardware's price matching policy requires you to submit an online request for a refund and have it approved by a manager. If your request for a price match is accepted, Ace Hardware will issue a refund via the same payment method used to make the initial purchase.

Why Is Ace More Expensive?

Ace Hardware is perceived as pricier than larger competitors due to its cooperative business model, smaller store sizes, and specific inventory management practices. Each Ace store is independently owned, allowing for customization to local needs but missing out on the economies of scale that benefit larger chains. Their smaller size limits bulk purchasing, leading to higher merchandise costs. Additionally, Ace's preference for convenient locations and emphasis on customer service result in higher operational and staffing costs.

Although Ace offers price matching, policies vary by store due to independent ownership. Ace positions itself as a service-oriented, convenient alternative to big-box stores, focusing on customer experience rather than the lowest prices. Consequently, while Ace's prices may be higher, customers enjoy the benefits of convenience, excellent customer service, and locally tailored product selections.

Other Ways to Save Money When Shopping at Ace Hardware

If price matching is unavailable in your local Ace Hardware store, you dont have to worry. There are plenty of other ways to save money while shopping at the hardware store. The following are some ways you can save money when shopping at Ace Hardware stores.

Reward Programs: Did you know that you get ten redeemable points with every dollar you spend at Ace Hardware? The points can them be redeemed at $5 for 2500 points. When you spend more than $50, you qualify for perks like free shipping.

Discount Coupons: Using a discount code, consumers of Ace Hardware can save as much as fifty per cent (50%) off their total purchase price. Coupons and discounts are valid for single usage only.

Military Discounts: Are you a veteran or currently serving in the army? Ace Hardware offers a 10% discount to all active and retired military members on all of their products and services. If you qualify, make sure you take advantage of the discounts.

Bottom Line

Since each of Ace Hardware's 500 locations is privately owned, their respective online price-matching policies vary widely. Regardless, most Ace Hardware locations will match the prices of big competitors and similar businesses. For an item to qualify for price matching, it must resemble the sold item at Ace Hardware. Additionally, the item must not be under a special discount at the time of purchase.