You finally tackled that Home Depot run: a new drill, fresh paint, maybe a few extras, all lined up for your latest project. Then, just days later, you spot those exact same items heavily marked down.
After the initial sting fades, a practical question pops up: Will Home Depot refund the difference if the price drops?
The short answer is yes, but only if you know the rules of Home Depot’s price adjustment policy.
In this guide, we’ll show you how Home Depot price adjustments work and what to watch out for. You’ll also find out how Settlemate automatically tracks price drops and handles the price adjustment request for you.
What is a price adjustment?
If the price of an item you bought drops shortly after your purchase, you may get the difference back by requesting a price adjustment.
It’s a win-win for both sides: you get a little extra cash in your pocket without having to return and repurchase the product, while the store builds trust by demonstrating its commitment to fair pricing.
Most price adjustment policies come with a few ground rules:
- Time limits: You have a set window, typically 7–14 days, to spot a price drop and submit a claim.
- Eligibility: Not all products qualify. The product on sale must be identical to the one you bought and usually immediately available for purchase.
- Exclusions: Sale codes, final clearance items, or gift promotions are often excluded from price adjustments.
- Proof of purchase: You must provide a receipt or order confirmation that shows exactly what you bought and at what price.
What is Home Depot's price adjustment policy?
Home Depot gives you two ways to save, depending on whether you’re dealing with a price drop after purchase or trying to get the best price before checking out:
- Price adjustments: If the price drops after your purchase or you find the same item cheaper at a qualifying competitor, you can request a refund for the difference.
- Low price guarantee (price matching): If you find an identical product for less at an approved competitor (like Amazon, Walmart, or Target), Home Depot may match that price while you’re shopping, whether in-store or online.
Here’s how the two programs compare:
Note: Home Depot often has the same prices online and in-store, but differences can happen due to local promotions or inventory availability. If the price difference is intentional, Home Depot typically won’t match it.
How to request a Home Depot price adjustment
Requesting a price adjustment at Home Depot involves a few simple steps:
- Confirm the price drop: Check if the item you bought is now listed for less, either on Home Depot’s website or a competitor’s website. Make sure it’s the exact same product and that it’s still available for purchase.
- Gather your purchase details: Pull together whatever Home Depot will need to verify your request. This typically includes a receipt or order number, along with clear proof of the lower price, like a live product link or an ad.
- Submit your request: With everything ready, reach out to Home Depot via live chat, phone, or an in-store visit. A customer service associate will review the details and confirm if your purchase qualifies for a price adjustment.
- Get the difference back: If the request is approved, Home Depot will refund the price difference to your original payment method, which can be a credit or debit card, PayPal, or cash. If you paid with a gift card, the refund is usually issued as store credit.
Important: Home Depot typically locks in the price at the moment you submit your request. If the price drops again afterward, that new lower price usually won’t apply to your adjustment.
What gets in the way of claiming a price adjustment refund?
Home Depot’s price protection policy is more flexible than most, and plenty of shoppers say it works smoothly in practice. One Redditor with a textbook price adjustment case specifically mentioned that their refund was approved in ten minutes.
And yet, many eligible refunds, at Home Depot and elsewhere, never get claimed. The reason isn’t the policy; it’s everything around it.
You're the one responsible for noticing the price drop, which means checking the retailer’s website constantly after your purchase or keeping tabs on competitor listings. Miss the drop by a day, and the opportunity to get your money back may be gone. Catch it in time, and there’s still some work to do:
- Find the right receipt or order details
- Make sure the product is an exact match
- Gather proof that meets Home Depot’s requirements
- Get in touch with customer support and follow up if needed
Approvals aren’t instant, and even with a generous refund window like Home Depot’s, processing delays can push you past the deadline. When you’re juggling purchases across multiple retailers, each with its own rules, deadlines, and fine print, the whole thing can turn into a tedious, error-prone chore.
Thankfully, all it takes is an app on your phone to make sure you never leave money on the table. Settlemate turns price adjustments into a background task, tracking price drops and automatically submitting eligible claims so you can focus on your home renovation projects.
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:
- Automatically find your digital receipts in your inbox
- Continuously track for price drops within eligible windows
- Auto-file requests with the right documentation
- 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.
Not sure if the app’s right for you? Settlemate offers a generous refund policy. You’ll qualify for a full refund if your one-year subscription ends up costing more than the amount you recover through the app.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get a price adjustment at Home Depot without a receipt?
Home Depot typically requires proof of purchase, and a receipt is the easiest way to provide it. But if you’ve lost yours, there’s still hope. A customer service representative may be able to look up your purchase using your credit card details, phone number, or online account history. You can also check your purchase history to retrieve a copy of the receipt. As long as Home Depot can verify the transaction, you may still be eligible for a refund.
Who gets a 10% discount at Home Depot?
Active duty service members, veterans, and their spouses are eligible for a 10% military discount on qualifying purchases. You’ll need to verify your status through Home Depot’s third-party partner, then apply the discount in-store using the Home Depot app or your phone number, or online by signing into your account.
How to get a better price at Home Depot?
There are a few ways to lower your total at checkout. Sign up for Home Depot’s email or text alerts and receive an instant coupon for $5 off your next $50 in-store purchase. You can also get 10% off select furniture, home accents, bedding, and bath items by joining Home Depot’s Style & Decor email list. If you shop for work or large projects, the Pro Xtra loyalty program offers exclusive discounts, volume pricing, and personalized rewards.
How other major retailers handle price adjustments
Rules for price adjustments vary from one store to the next, and knowing all of them is the trickiest part of claiming a refund. To spare you the research, we’ve compiled the key details for major retailers in the table below:
