When you are scrambling to pick up those last minute gifts, wouldn't it be nice to know if you were getting a good deal? Maybe a tool that you can use that will compare prices?

There are actually apps for your smart phone that can do just that, and some retailers are changing the way they do price matching to complement the technology.

Meteorologist Frank Waugh braved the crowds to give it a try, using the app Red Laser on an iPhone. Barcode scanning applications are available for both iPhones and Androids.

To use the app on an iPhone just find the barcode on your item, then center the code in the middle of the screen while the phone scans. After scanning a list of local and online retailers shows up. The user then can quickly see if any other stores in the area have a lower price.

“By using that application they are going to know the cheapest prices and they really only want to go to that one store or two stores to make it happen. So that's were Best Buy really makes it convenient. We will honor that application,” says Mike Siet, Manager of the Mishawaka Best Buy.

“We only match local prices, as far as some of the online deals and other states and other cities we can't do but if it pulls it up on that application online right here locally we will get you taken care of today.”

Many of the employees actually carry smart phones with apps like Red Laser and they can tell you if you are getting the best deal before you buy.

Meijer and HH Gregg have similar price matching policies to Best Buy, meantime Wal-Mart and Target still require you to bring in a paper ad.

To learn more about these applications or how to get them on your phone, click on the Big Red Bar.