Let's Make A (Good) Deal! Some Shoppers Unaware They're Missing Out On Easy Way To Save Money

BURBANK (CBSLA.com) —  Bargains are sometimes like needles in haystacks -- they're there, but you have to know where to look to find them.

Sherill Watts of Burbank loves to look for bargains.

"I always shop the sales," she says.

But CBS2's Jeff Vaughn said many shoppers don't know that you don't always need a sale or coupon to save money.

"They may not advertise it, but a lot of stores have price matching policies," says Kevin Brasler of Checkbook.org.

Often if you find an item for less at a nearby store, or even online, many big cains will honor the lower price.

"We found it was very easy," says Brasler.

He recently sent mystery shoppers out to put the match policies to the test. What they found was getting a better deal was easier than you might think.

"We thought we'd run into problems doing this honestly and in the end we found that it was extraordinarily easy," Brasler says.

Vaughn was told about a number of savings, many of them significant.

• $70 off when Bed, Bath &Beyond matched Amazon's price on a vacuum.

• Best Buy cut $140 off the price of a sound bar to match online competitor NewEgg.com.

• Home Depot sold a $99 tool kit for the Lowe's price plus an extra 10 percent off.

Checkbook.org did say at Home Depot shoppers had to put in a little extra effort.

"At Home Depot, we always had to get a manager on the scene," Brasler says.

Bottom line, shoppers can save a lot of money if they're willing to spend a little more time in the store.

"I find that most stores are very friendly and helpful about doing [price matching,]" Watts said.