BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (WCCO) — Stores are already competing for your holiday shopping dollars. Walmart announced today it will match prices of competitors even after the purchase is made.

Here is how it works: Walmart says if you buy something at their store and later find it on sale somewhere else, Walmart will give the consumer a gift card for the difference.

The matching policy is in effect for purchases made between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25.

The Walmart policy includes one of the most popular holiday purchases: toys.

With Walmart promising to make up the difference, how do prices at other chains compare?

At a Target in Bloomington, busy mom Niki Nenovich said she just doesn’t have time to check out prices.

“I don’t comparison shop. I just purchase what I see cause if I don’t get it then I’ll forget about it,” Nenovich.

But mom Meredith Bickel said, “Price is a big consideration.”

Bickel said she makes time to comparison shop. And we found it does save money.

Take a look at the price differences for the same items bought at the Bloomington Target off Penn Avenue and the Toys “R” Us just a few blocks away.

The price for the Nerf 35 Dart Rapid Blast gun was $34.99 at both stores.

The price for Weebles Turn ‘n Tumble Home was $29.99 at both stores.

But My Own Leaptop was less at Target — $19.99 compared to $24.99 at Toys “R” Us.

Little People School Bus was also cheaper at Target — $18.89 compared to $19.99 at Toys “R” Us.

The biggest difference was Bop It which was $18.99 at Target and $29.99 at Toy “R” Us — a difference of $11.

Bickel said she regularly finds substantial price differences.

“Usually Toys “R” Us is more expensive but they’ve been having some sales — buy two, get one free or buy one, got one 50 percent off, which makes them more comparable,” she said.

Walmart’s matching offer does have a very big catch: it does not include Black Friday’s ads.

In a statement, Toys “R” Us said they will offer “exceptional values and deals every day throughout the holiday season.” Toys “R” Us also said they carry a number of toys exclusively.

Target said they already price match. According to their website, “if you find an item in a competitor’s printed ad that is priced lower than it is at your Target store, we will match the price.”