So, you bought an item on your wishlist. Maybe you even got it on sale. But shortly thereafter, the exact same product at the exact same retailer is cheaper than when you bought it. If only you had known.

Luckily, that pain you feel in your wallet doesn't have to be the end of the road. With a little research (and some cleverness, when necessary) you can probably get that money back.

Check the store's price protection policies

A handful of retailers offer price adjustment—also referred to as price protection or a price guarantee—which will refund you the difference between what you paid at the time of purchase and the sale price. This policy will apply only within a limited timeframe after a purchase, typically anywhere from 14 to 30 days.

Keep in mind that price adjustment is different from price matching. The latter refers to a policy in which a retailer will match a lower price offered by a competitor on an identical item. This is usually only available before you make a purchase, though you can still use this to your advantage to shop around for the best deal.

Note that the list of retailers that offer these benefits is short and does not include Amazon. Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and Costco are a few of the major retailers that have some kind of pricing policy.

However, price protection and price matching are likely to come with significant restrictions and exclusions. For example, price matching may be limited to a few select competitors, and some retailers may not offer it at all during major sale seasons like Black Friday, Cyber Week, and Memorial Day. As Wirecutter notes, even finding the fine print can be difficult, much less taking advantage of it.

While credit card issuers used to offer price protection—allowing you to submit a claim for a partial refund without going through the retailer—that benefit is practically extinct unless you hold one of a few select cards.

Bargain with customer service

If a retailer doesn't have a published price protection policy (or if they do, and it doesn't seem to apply to you), it doesn't hurt to reach out to customer service and ask if they can help. Consumer Reports found that even Amazon may budge when contacted directly. But this may work with smaller retailers in addition to big-box stores as long as you're within the return window. Note that you may have to settle for store credit, which only makes sense if you plan to shop with the retailer in the future.

Return and repurchase

If none of the above gets you the savings you want, consider returning the item for a refund and buying it again at a lower price (again, this is probably the best option for Amazon purchases).

A few things to consider to maximize your refund:

• Are you within the return window?

• Do you still have the receipt or confirmation?

• Does the item meet return criteria for being unworn, unused, unwashed, in its original packaging, etc.?

• Does the retailer offer refunds to the original payment method or store credit only?

• Does the retailer offer free returns, or will you pay for shipping?

• Is there a nearby brick-and-mortar location where you can bring the returns?

Obviously, you must be within the return window to get a refund (unless you used a credit card that has extended return benefits that apply even if the retailer's window has passed). Some retailers will accept returns for longer during the holiday season, and it's good practice to check return policies before you buy anyway.

If you have your receipt and can get back every dollar you paid (ideally without having to pay anything for return shipping or restocking), then it may make sense to return your original item and buy it again on sale. But if there are limitations, such as getting store credit, being refunded at the current sale price, or paying a premium to send the item back, consider whether you'll really save anything in the end.

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