Officeworks has quietly updated their price beat T&Cs to exclude paid-membership stores such as Costco.
It was a pleasant experience to price beat at OW against Costco but not it becomes a history.
Officeworks Stops Price Beating Paid-Membership Stores (Costco)
mrhorse on 28/05/2025 - 12:16
Last edited 28/05/2025 - 12:22 by 1 other user
Last edited 28/05/2025 - 12:22 by 1 other user
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I did it once for an Apple TV. First store refused because of this unofficial Costco 'membership' policy, second one beat them, but got the feeling the manager just wanted to get it over and done with, and didn't feel like an argument.
In my experience OW don't even price match at the best of times
I've never been refused a price match at OW.
Shows how inconsistent their policy is when some stores do it and some don't. I got rejected on an Amazon listing for a 4K Blu-ray drive that had the same brand, same box art, same model number, same model name, same USB 3.0 connection (according to the box) but USB 2.0 was mentioned in their sloppy description so it was rejected based on that because "they are different products" even though no USB 2.0 4K Blu-ray drives exist.
They had three staff collectively make an effort to reject the price match. Complete waste of resources.
I second this experience. The staff member handling it was really keenly looking for reasons to reject the price match request on an iPad from Big W, like looking for store radius, stock levels, model numbers (they found the colour I originally wanted wasn't in stock, and only matched on another colour that was available despite all being the same price).
Never had an issue as long as the model number was the same and it was in stock…
I've also had a similar experience with a price match in store. However when I went home and contacted them through their web chat, they beat the price and allowed me to pick it up from the same store that rejected the price match. It was pretty satisfying in the end to show the staff member that I got the price I wanted in the end.
yep, its always better to shop around and support the store offering the best prices
Well it was fun while it lasted.
Did save me $500 or so on an Iphone 16 pro max
I got knocked back 2 times when trying to price match Costco , so I guess it’s business as usual anyway
Godspeed
paid-membership stores such as Costco.
You don't need a membership if you have a gift card.
Must've been the recent iPad Match-a-thon that caused this to happen.
Nope
I think so too. I think oz bargainers got to them.
Officeworks has quietly updated their price beat T&Cs to exclude paid-membership stores such as Costco.
Kinda fair as it wasn't open to all, only those who PAID the membership.
Not true. You can still go to costco if you have a costco giftcard. That doesn't require a membership (i.e. someone with a membership got you a giftcard).
You can still go to costco if you have a costco giftcard.
That is true, but still not open for all. The question Office works applies to all price matches is, can you walk into the store right now and purchase the item? ie is it in stock.
So if you are not a member or prearranged a gift card for access, that answer is no. Which is what applies to most people trying to price match Costco as true Costco shoppers just buy from Costco.
someone with a membership got you a giftcard
So you have to know someone who is a member and purchased you a gift card ahead of time. So you still need a PAID membership to get access.
Rather than crying over officeworks not matching Costco anymore, just buy the item from Costco. They gave you the best price in the first place, office works wasn't even trying.
Costco has better returns policy too.
Get the costco executive membership and get 2% cashback
You'd have to spend $3,250 a year to break even from the regular membership. I guess its alright for those who do their regular shopping there, but most things in costco aren't the cheapest, even if its bulk amount.
Now we wait and see who will be the first to get one under this new policy!
I've also read they will now no longer match Amazon with free Prime Delivery. They are now factoring in all non-member Amazon delivery fees.
What about Amazon's free shipping above $59?
That's standard for non-prime members so nothing extra for Officeworks to consider for products above $59.
Well guess I will never walk into an Officeworks ever again. Been there once in 3 years and that was for a price match which they fought tooth and nail to reject. Will not be sorely missed.
until you need printer paper urgently…
I don’t own a printer, I only print what I need at work. That’s the Ozbargain way.
But you work from home…
@jv: I can go into the office if needed, such as printing a form I may need to do once every full blood moon
You can get printer paper from Woolies or Coles and both of those are likely to have longer opening hours than Officeworks, therefore be more suitable for urgent purchases.
Not Reflex…
@jv: It's good to see that advertising works on some pple.
Maybe I should only use HP branded paper in my Samsung (now HP) printer?
@jv: What kind of differences do you see between Reflex and other brands?
For me the biggest difference is the age / condition of the toner in my laser printer, not the brand of paper I use.
What kind of differences do you see between Reflex and other brands
Reflex is the only one that has never jammed my printer…
I'm glad that OW in my circumstances mostly sells products I want at the same price as other retailers, which means I rarely have to price beat, which I dread doing because as you say, they try every trick in the book to deny you and they scrutinise everything so closely (although to be fair, i've had OW staff say to me that people go to the effort of creating fake websites just to get price beats), it's almost not worth it.
I'm the opposite… Will not give up until I get a price beat. I believe 99% of the time I managed to make it work.
Do any other stores price match costco? Ie. good guys, harvey norman?
Trying to buy a new iphone hehe
It's hit and miss. I've seen some mention in the past that if you show them the Costco price and your membership card they may do it, but are under no obligation to.
In my experience OW don't even price match at the best of times so the policy change means nothing.