12 Mistakes We Make When Shopping at Walmart

Millions of people shop at Walmart each day. It offers millions of products at low costs, but not everyone is saving as much money as they can.

Shopping at Walmart should be done consciously. Not because there’s anything wrong with the store, but because you could be making some serious shopping errors that cost you additional savings.

Based on my experience and that of shopping experts, you could be missing out. Take these tips into consideration next time you visit your local Walmart, because who doesn’t like more money in their pocket?

1. Not Downloading the Walmart App

There are so many reasons to download the Walmart app. The first and most important one is that it can highlight sales for you on items you might not be aware of.

The app is also great for telling you exactly where you can find items on your shopping list. No more searching tirelessly through every single aisle in a store only to find out you passed it by half a dozen times (been there).

2. Using or Not Using Walmart +

Walmart+ is a bit of a catch-22. If you’re a frequent shopper at the big box store, the membership program will give you access to additional perks, such as free shipping, pharmacy benefits, access to Paramount+, and fuel discounts.

The downside is if you pay the membership fee, which as of 2024 starts at $49 per year, and you don’t shop there regularly, it’s literally money out the door.

3. Not Buying Store Brands

Store brands are a great way to save money. I buy them as often as I can. Walmart has a few — Great Value and Equate — that offer cost savings on vastly similar products.

That’s not to say they’re all the same, some have a noticeable difference in quality. But most of the products are right on par with big brand names for much less.

4. Not Using Coupons

You’re already likely at Walmart to save money, so why not add even more on top of that? The big-box retailer gladly accepts manufacturers’ coupons, so go ahead and stack those savings.

Just remember, if you have a Walmart account, the store will honor your paper coupons over those added to your account, which can cost you Walmart Cash, if you participate in that program.

5. Thinking Bigger Is Cheaper

There’s the belief that buying a bigger size or a bigger package of something means you’re getting a better deal. Yet, that’s not always true.

Before you decide to buy that jumbo package of toilet paper or the large container of hand soap, make sure it’s really a steal and not the same price per unit.

6. Not Taking Advantage of Pickup Discounts

Did you know that if you shop online, you can choose delivery or in-store pickup options? Doing the latter can save you some money on some items.

Walmart will advertise a discount for some items if you pick them up at your local store rather than have them shipped directly to your home. It can’t hurt to check for this option before hitting that buy button.

7. Thinking Walmart Always Has the Lowest Price

Don’t get me wrong. You’ll find a lot of things for cheaper at Walmart than at its competitors, but not everything.

It’s a good idea to use a price comparison tool, or simply look at other fliers or websites before you head to Walmart to ensure you truly are getting the best price.

8. Not Using Price Match

Walmart has a limited price match policy. While it does not match competitors, it does match its own online store. However, there are restrictions.

The item in question has to meet the exact same specs as the one in-store and be sold by Walmart directly, not by a third-party retailer on the website.

9. Not Capitalizing on Grocery Discounts

The grocery department in Super Walmarts has to turnover goods or they risk throwing items out if they hit expiration dates. When you’re shopping in the food section, look for yellow tags.

The tagged items are typically those approaching their best-by date but are still good for consumption, even meat. Simply freeze by the date on the package and voila, you have an inexpensive meal for a later date.

10. Going During Peak Hours

What does going in off-peak hours have to do with saving money, you ask? Good question. When you shop during peak hours, you’re shopping among a large crowd. That means additional stress and you might not be as alert to sales as you would if you went during quieter hours.

The best times to avoid the crowds are early mornings and later evenings.

11. Not Using Walmart Credit Card – If You Have One

If you already have a Walmart credit card, it can be handy when you purchase groceries and other specified goods. Why? Because the retailer gives you cash back for those purchases. It’s 5% if you shop online and 2% if you shop in-store.

If you don’t have a credit card — and don’t want one, but still want the savings — you can get Walmart’s prepaid debit card and earn 3% and 1% back for online and in-store purchases, respectively.

12. Not Checking for Rollbacks

One of the things Walmart is known for is its rollbacks. The company uses the large signs to display when an item’s price has been lowered from its original cost, alerting customers to a potential deal.

Rollbacks can last a few days or weeks, so it’s best to take advantage of the deals — if you want to — before time runs out.