As the primary shopper in the household, it’s my goal each week to stay within our predetermined budget for groceries and household items. I accomplish this by perusing store ads, using coupons, and shopping at multiple stores. While it’s not uncommon to find me shopping a few times a week at different locations to try to find the best deals, I’d prefer to shop at one place.
As part of Walmart’s commitment to deliver everyday low prices, they’ve simplified their ad match policy, which is currently the strongest one on the market. Walmart’s goal is to make it easy for customers to save money without having to shop around at multiple stores. If you find a lower price advertised at another store, simply notify an associate, who will match the advertised price at the register (the item must be identical). In order to assure that the policy is implemented across all stores, Walmart has provided extensive associate training on their ad match policy.
Here are just some of the ways Walmart matches a competitor’s price:
- Buy one, get one free ads with a specified price
- Competitors’ ads that feature a specific item for a specified price at a specific retailer
- Preferred shopping card advertised prices for specific item
If you’d like to read the entire policy, I encourage you to visit their corporate website.
In order to put Walmart’s policy to the test, I went in to the store with a competitor’s ad which advertised a product for about 20 cents less than Walmart’s price.
As I mentioned in my video, getting the competitor’s advertised price was quick, easy, and hassle free. If you want to take advantage of the policy, you’ll have to do your research ahead of time. To be quite honest, I had a difficult time finding an item that was priced lower at a competitor, as Walmart’s prices truly are consistently lower than most stores on most items. But knowing that Walmart will match a competitor’s price means that I might be able to save a little gas and a little time by limiting the number of stores I frequent in search of every day low prices.
Have you had an opportunity to try out Walmart’s ad match policy? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Disclosure: I participate in the Walmart Moms program and am compensated for my time and honest opinions.
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One company I found out after a long trip to my local walmart that they will not match…. WALMART.COM!. I needed a TV for an event and found a television for $50 less at walmart.com than the one at Target so I ventured off to the walmart that was closest to me. Come to find out the instore price was the same as target’s price (more since they don’t have a debit card discount) and Walmart would not match their own price. When asked what about if I order it on the website on my phone standing here in line to pick up in the store and get one of the ones they have there. I was told those are not for online sales, you’ll have to wait a week to pick a different one up in store, even though we have them here.
I went back to target and used my 5% off target “DEBIT” card and purchased it that night for almost the same price, no wait.
Hi Casey….that’s so interesting about not matching the online site…I’m going to look into that….
I tried it yesterday at our local Walmart Marketplace (It’s only a grocery store) I had my ads with the products circled that I wanted to match. I was able to save on onions, potatoes, and cantaloupe, about $5 total. My issue is trying to remember the “rules”. I also know I’ve been told that there are certain stores whose price they will not match. I wish I could find a list of their competitors. I plan to try it again. I’ll try a little each week until I really learn how to do it well. I did find the cashiers to be very helpful. It saves on running from store to store. I love that.
Hi Paula! That’s awesome that it was easy and it worked. I will have to see if I can get that list…..stay tuned ok? I’ll post or email you when I find out…..Love the feed back!!
I haven’t tried it yet but if it works that easily, I am really excited about it! As you mentioned though, their prices are already pretty low, so I’m not sure how many things I’ll find for less (but it’s nice to know I have that option). Thanks for the info!
Hi Jen!!! How are you? Yes! I was surprised at how easy it was….and how difficult it was to find a lower price! Haha!!! : ) Hope you’re well….would love to see you soon….
do you know if they will match a lower price if you also intend to use a coupon? If so, this would cut out my trips to Food Lion for all their great weekly buys (Food Lion doesn’t double coupons, just like Wal-Mart doesn’t, so if I can cut them out altogether, that would be great).
Also, will they match store brand to store brand (for example: the Food lion store brand of mustard vs. the Great Value store brand of mustard…same size)?
They have started to match even if you don’t have an ad, they will match store brand to store brand. They also price match and accept any manufacturer coupon. They will not price match other Walmarts or online.
I have tried to do the match ad, some Wal-Mart and their associate will argue you down an refuse to sell the items to you with the ads to match and they will only allow you to purchase the limit. I am not a retailer just a customer that when I find items on sale I like to stock up ( we are talking about 4 or 5). A store in our area some time have items like 10 for $10 but I don’t need all 10, at these Wal-Mart they want you to buy all 10 before you can beat their (WalMart’s) price. What the joke is when it was that you tell the cashier what you wanted to comp- price alot of dishonest people were taking full advantage an abusing it not all of us are that way. I just want to go into Wal-Mart with my ads comp it and have no problems, if it is gonna be the way I just go to the other store and spend my money gladly without all the hazzle and may not save alot of money but a peace of mind is worth the price, to where people will be glade to have your business.
please explain the bogo free policey i hace been told two different things.