Under the Median: Savings Alert! HyVee Is Price Matching!

This was my view from the car as I whizzed down Sheridan Road on a cold, snowy afternoon! No, I didn't snap the photo. My son did. "We Price Match!" Those are magical words for those of us looking to save money on feeding our family!

Let the celebratory music begin! While at HyVee today, doing research for this blog post, I asked a check out clerk how long HyVee has had this program. She answered that her understanding was that HyVee has always offered price matching, but they just now have decided to brag about it.

By all means! Let the bragging begin!

I'm glad to help shout the clarion call of grocery savings at HyVee! Thrifty-minded people were heartbroken when Walmart stopped matching prices. Well, HyVee is excited to fill in the gap, step up their game, and give us the ability to price match, once again!

I have written several times in the last six months about my growing love of HyVee. They are working hard to earn a portion of my grocery budget and they are succeeding! Here are links to some posts, which I have previously written about HyVee.

HyVee Made My Holiday Parties Easier, Healthier, and Less Expensive

My 20% off HyVee Produce Haul

HyVee Thanksgiving Deals and the Power of the Raincheck

HyVee's Price Matching Program!

I contacted the Sheridan Road HyVee directly to get the scoop on their price-matching policies. Here's what I found out. It's super important that you follow these four steps.

When you go:

1. Take along the physical ad of the local competitor you are asking them to price match.

2. Be certain the ad is current.

3. It needs to be the same item or the equivalent.

4. If a store brand is the sale item, you may substitute the equivalent HyVee store brand item.

*The substitution must be equivalent. So, if Kroger has their store brand of peanut butter on sale for $1.49 in the 16 oz. jar, then you may purchase a 16 oz. jar of HyVee peanut butter for the same price.

You need to check your local HyVee to see if they are offering price matching.

In Peoria, this offer is good at the SHERIDAN ROAD HyVee location!

*I contacted the North Peoria HyVee and asked if they were also offering price matching. As of the printing of this post, I have not heard back from them. If they are, indeed, throwing their hat in the ring, I'll be sure to let you know ASAP.

UPDATE! On January 20th I received confirmation from the North Peoria HyVee that they, too, are participating in the price match offer! Good news! If you live in Central Illinois you can shop at either Peoria HyVee location and take advantage of price matching!

Bonus Idea!

HyVee regularly offers special gas points when you purchase specific products and use your HyVee Loyalty Card. But, every once in a while they offer an extra special incentive. On these weekends, it makes perfect sense to make your grocery purchases at HyVee, where you'll simultaneously be able to take advantage of price matching and terrific savings on gasoline.

Let me demonstrate my line of thinking. This weekend, January 18, 19, and 20, you will earn 25¢ off per gallon with every $50 purchase. So, on a $50 purchase, you earn 25¢ off per gallon. Spend $100 and you receive a 50¢ per gallon discount.

Let's' compare this same scenario to Kroger fuel rewards. With that same $50 purchase at Kroger, you would net 50 fuel points. Since 100 fuel points is equal to a 10¢ per gallon discount, then 50 fuel points is worth just 5¢ per gallon. This weekend, that same purchase at HyVee will net you 25¢ per gallon! Given the fact that the price of gasoline is steadily rising, this is a huge difference!

I Gave it a test run!

I wanted to see how this new program would work, so I gave it a test run. This post gives you the scoop. I dish all the details on my experience, show you exactly what I bought, and list how much I saved on each price matched item. I conclude with an analysis of how much money I saved by doing ALL my weekly shopping at HyVee.

What are your thoughts?

Are there grocery stores in your area who price match?
How much does this affect your choice to shop there?
Central Illinois readers, are you excited to have a price matching option available, once again?
Have you given this a try and what was your experience?
Leave your feedback in the comments section.