Athleta price adjustment: How to get your money back

A tale as old as time: you buy it at full price, and then it’s on sale.

Fortunately, smart shoppers can still get a good deal, as long as the brand has a price adjustment policy. Athleta is one such brand that lets you reclaim the difference if the price of a product drops shortly after your purchase.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the Athleta price adjustment policy to help you get your money back. We’ll also explore Settlemate, an app that puts price adjustment requests on autopilot so you never miss a refund.

What is a price adjustment?

A price adjustment happens when you buy an item, usually at full price, and later claim a partial refund if the item’s price drops within a set timeframe. “Partial refund” is the difference between the price you originally paid and the new, discounted price.

This retail practice is perfect for shoppers who don’t want to wait for big sales and deal with the crowds they bring. Instead of holding off and risking that your favorite item goes out of stock, you can buy it now and claim the difference if the price drops soon after.

Price adjustments aren’t just a win for customers. They unlock a range of benefits for retailers, including:

• Building customer trust and loyalty: Shoppers are more likely to go back to a brand that values their satisfaction and promotes pricing fairness.
• Reducing returns: Issuing a partial refund is often easier and cheaper than processing a full return.
• Staying competitive: Brands are always vying for customers, and a generous price adjustment policy adds to their appeal in a competitive market.

Note: Price adjustments shouldn’t be confused with product returns or exchanges. You keep the item but receive the price difference as a refund.

Athleta’s price adjustment policy: A quick walkthrough

Athleta’s price adjustment policy lets you claim a refund if the price of an item you purchased drops shortly after your order. There are some eligibility rules to keep in mind here:

• You can request a one-time adjustment if the price of the item you’ve bought drops within 14 days of the order date.
• Final sale items don’t qualify.
• You can’t get a price adjustment for items you’ve bought with a promotion code or another discount (except for free shipping).
• Athleta in-store price adjustments don’t cover online purchases.

While most retailers require proof of purchase (like a receipt) to process a price adjustment request, Athleta asks for your order number, which you can find in your order confirmation email.

Tip: Athleta can update its price adjustment policy at any time. It’s always a good idea to check the retailer’s website before submitting a request.

What other promotions does Athleta offer?

Besides its price adjustment policy (which doesn’t have an expiration date), Athleta offers a variety of benefits and promotions to its customers, including:

Athleta has a page dedicated to coupons and promotions where you can find all current offers.

How to request a price adjustment at Athleta?

To claim a price adjustment at Athleta, you’ll need to take the following steps:

1. Keep an eye on your purchases: To take advantage of Athleta’s price adjustment policy, actively monitor the prices of the items you’ve bought. Pay special attention to the dates, as you have 14 days from your purchase to request a refund.
2. Have your order number ready: Athleta requires your order number to process the price adjustment request. Keep it handy to avoid delays.
3. Contact Athleta’s customer support: While you can call the retailer’s customer support, chatting is usually faster and more convenient. Go to Athleta’s website, click the Chat with us button, and include your order number in the message to speed things up.
4. Receive your refund: Price adjustment approval isn’t instant. You’ll typically wait a few days for Athleta’s team to process your request. If your request is approved, the price difference will be refunded to your original method of payment.

Tip: Customer support agents may be new to the job or not fully familiar with the price adjustment policy. If you’re absolutely sure you’re eligible for a refund, don’t give up if your first request is rejected—politely point out the policy as stated on the website. A little persistence can pay off with a refund.

Common pitfalls when requesting price adjustments

Requesting a price adjustment on your own is a legit way to claim a refund, but it’s not always that simple. Here are a few potential pitfalls to keep in mind:

1. Time-consuming process: Monitoring the price of a single item can already be a hassle, let alone juggling multiple products from different retailers. The time and effort required to track price drops and communicate with customer support can wear you down.
2. Possible delays: Athleta’s customer service isn’t available 24/7, and agents can get busy. Waiting for a response could eat into your 14-day window, and in the worst-case scenario, you might miss your chance to claim the price difference.
3. Inconsistent policies and support: Even when policies are clearly stated on the website, some customer service agents may be reluctant or unsure how to process your request. Plus, different retailers have varying policy rules, making it extra difficult to manage price adjustment requests across multiple stores.

If you want to skip the stress of tracking prices and deadlines or dealing with customer support, there’s an easier way: Settlemate does all the work for you. It monitors price drops and automatically files adjustment requests, so all you have to do is sit back and wait for your refund.

How Settlemate puts price adjustment refunds on autopilot

Every store has different rules for price adjustments. But you don’t need to memorize every policy; Settlemate Retail Savings Autopilot does that for you, and even takes action on your behalf.

The Settlemate app will:

1. Automatically find your digital receipts in your inbox.
2. Continuously track for price drops within eligible windows.
3. Auto-file requests with the right documentation.
4. Notify you when your money is on its way back to you.

Automate price adjustments end-to-end with Settlemate Retail Savings Autopilot. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play today.

Settlemate stands behind the value of your membership with a simple promise: if the verified value you receive in your first year doesn’t cover your subscription costs, we’ll extend your membership so you have more time to recover that value. Learn more about our Value Guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

What is Athleta’s return policy?

You can return items within 30 days of purchase (for in-store buys) or delivery date (for online orders). Athleta has an extended holiday returns policy, which allows you to return products purchased between October 14 and December 24 until January 15 or 30 days after the purchase, whichever is later. Exceptions can apply, so make sure to check Athleta’s website for the latest details.

Does Athleta match its online prices for in-store purchases?

Athleta doesn’t clearly state whether it matches its online prices for in-store purchases. If you spot a deal, it’s best to ask a staff member directly to get first-hand information.

Can you return an Athleta item to a Gap store?

Although Athleta is owned by Gap, you can’t return an Athleta item at a Gap store. Returns can only be made with the brand where the purchase was made.

Which other retailers have price adjustment policies?

Price adjustments benefit both retailers and customers, so it’s no surprise that many popular brands offer them, including: