How we compare prices
No mystery algorithm: we collect published prices, match products by model number, add delivery, and sort by what leaves your wallet. Here is the whole method.
1. Where the prices come from
We read prices from retailers' own product pages and product feeds. Everything shown on PriceNow is the price the retailer published for that item in New Zealand dollars, inclusive of GST. Our current catalogue of 7382 products was last captured on 2026-08-23.
2. How products are matched
Two stores rarely name the same product the same way. We match listings using the strongest identifier available, in this order:
- GTIN / barcode — the EAN or UPC, when a retailer publishes it
- Manufacturer model number — e.g. MSZ-AP35VGKD, normalised so dashes and spaces don't matter
- Brand, name and key specifications — used only to confirm a match, never on its own
This is why the search box accepts a model number straight off the box or the invoice: it's the same key we match on internally.
3. What “cheapest” means
The headline price is the retailer's product price. On the product page you can switch to including delivery, which adds each retailer's standard national delivery cost so the ranking reflects what you actually pay. Where a retailer's delivery depends on your address or the item is click-and-collect only, we show the price without delivery and say so.
- All prices are in NZD and include GST.
- Stock status is shown as published by the retailer: in stock, low, or out of stock.
- Sale prices show the retailer's own “was” price where one is published.
4. Price history
We snapshot prices as we recapture them and chart the movement on each product page. For newly tracked products the chart starts on the day we began tracking and builds from there — we don't back-fill history we didn't observe.
5. Independence and how we make money
Ranking is by price, always. Some retailers partner with us and we may earn a commission on click-throughs or sales. Partnership never buys a higher position, never hides a cheaper competitor, and never changes the price you pay. If we ever show a placement that is paid, it will be labelled as such.
6. When we get it wrong
Retailers change prices constantly, and feeds occasionally go stale or mis-map a product. Always confirm the final price on the retailer's site before you buy — that price is the one that counts. If something looks wrong, tell us at support@pricenow.co.nz or via report a wrong priceand we'll correct it.
Retailer and want your prices included? See for retailers.