Just A Heads UP

**Holly** · 10-24-2009, 11:57 AM

Was at Walmart yesterday ( I hate shopping there but have no choice right now )
Their brand products were more than name brand
I was also looking at their elbow macaroni they had the 16oz 2 for $2.00 but the 32oz ( same exact weight ) was $1.74
Pays to compare and shop slowly if you can. Just my op.

I bought the 32 oz one. ( every penny saved is in my pocket not theirs )

**Luckybustert** · 10-24-2009, 12:05 PM

I ran into the same thing last time I shopped at WM. I was getting some bread flour and started to pick up the 5 lb bag when I noticed the 10 lb bag was less. My husband said "good catch, most people would have just assumed the 5 lb bag was cheaper" and I think he's right. I think Wal-Mart literally banks on the assumptions we make about what is cheaper....it definitely pays to check those assumptions!

**Missourimom** · 10-24-2009, 12:15 PM

I've noticed this too at our Walmart.You really have to keep an eye on Walmart now days. They absolutely are not the cheapest anymore.

**sabrelvssammy** · 10-24-2009, 12:24 PM

poor sam walton....his dream is going to be driven into the ground by his next generations.... never fails.....

**Libby** · 10-24-2009, 01:44 PM

Great catch Holly! Keep up the supersleuthing!

I usually try to keep my grocery shopping done at the local discount grocery store where their store brand is truly cheaper then the brand. Some people guffaw at me for standing in the aisle calculating the cost per unit on my phone but its my hard earned pennies that I'm trying to keep! Why would they care?

I have noticed that in some cases its better for me to pay a bit more to buy the smaller package b/c I simply will not get through it all let alone the larger bulk size. Depends on your personal consumption right?

**nancycg56** · 10-24-2009, 03:00 PM

I've seen this at my local non-WM grocery stores, too. I've been trying to pay better attention no matter where I shop. Most recently I caught it with 5 lb sugars - the 10 lb was cheaper - at Food Lion.

I already don't like grocery shopping....

**Hamada** · 10-24-2009, 03:17 PM

Will definately keep this in mind when shopping!!!Thanks.

**frugalfranny** · 10-24-2009, 04:41 PM

Great catch Holly.....and thanks for the reminder that we need to watch these things.

The ounces/weight on the packaging are changing so fast right now that it is hard to keep up. TP squares = DOWN, ounces on toothpaste = DOWN, ounces on some coffee = DOWN, ounces on packaged meat = DOWN....:YIKES:

**wunsagin** · 10-24-2009, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by sabrelvssammy

poor sam walton....his dream is going to be driven into the ground by his next generations.... never fails.....

you are so right, this was/is not his dream. And remember how they used to promote "Buy American"......... ha! that's a joke

**NikoSan999** · 10-24-2009, 04:54 PM

I do a huge amount of BOGO at Publix. The last 4 weeks I've caught mistakes. There will be something that does not right up free. Last night was not BOGO but their brand chips 2 for $4. Regular $3.69 which was what they rang up as.
The first time it happened I was quiet and just told her to take the Ragu off. I had 4 jars, 2 of which were free. I got done and went to the assistant manager. We walked to the aisle and he said yes they are. He just gave them to me. I said I need to go pay, I haven't paid. He said No, just take them. It's fine. Hey, works for me. Maybe make up for the 15 years before when I didn't watch the scanner.

What makes it hard is unloading the cart AND keeping an eye on what is ringing up at the same time. Drives me crazy.

When I worked at Walmart long time ago and they MAY still do this, is if prices are going to be raised, what is already on the shelf stays the same until it is gone then the new shipment costing them more reflects the new price. Which means their brand may be selling better and quicker and the new higher price reflects sooner than the name brand which is selling slower and is now cheaper.

If this IS what they are doing then it's a good thing cause they aren't raising the prices on the already stocked that was bought by them at the lower cost. Hope I'm making clear what I mean. Not taking up for them but honestly they used to do this a few years ago.

**savvy_sniper** · 10-24-2009, 04:55 PM

I ALWAYS check and compare prices! Hubby asks me WHY don't I just grab one of whatever I need. I tell him I am comparing unit prices to MAKE SURE I get the best deal.

The larger size is not always the best deal. Sometimes the smaller size is a better deal. I recently bought a bunch of small jars of peanut butter. They were on sale and MUCH MUCH lower than any of the other sizes.

I also look for the red shelf tags at Kroger. They are discontinued items and are generally a really good deal. I learn my lesson a while back. I bought one of something and went back the next day and somebody had cleaned out the whole shelf.

**ravenmaniac** · 10-24-2009, 05:04 PM

Good catch. I pretty much always check the prices of what I buy. Prices change so often you can't just grab what you are used to buying.

I really don't care. My money is being spent and I'll determine what I'm going to buy.

**calimomx2** · 10-24-2009, 06:07 PM

I'm noticing the same at my Walmart

**NewLeaf** · 10-24-2009, 06:43 PM

I've noticed the same at my WM. Also, the variety of brands for sale has gone down. For example there is the Great Value brand and maybe one or two other brands. Recently it was sugar. There was GV or Domino, that's it.

My grocery shopping takes my alot longer these days because of price comparing and couponing, but it's worth it.

I also look for clearance items. Today I scored 13 bags of shredded cheese for .91cents ea. because their date was up tomorrow. I put them all in the freezer.

**ladytoysdream** · 10-24-2009, 06:53 PM

In Walmart, there might be several shelves with red tags on them for clearance. I check them out every so often.
Currently they have canning items marked down to move.
I got some sure jell this past week.

Try to check out other shelves / areas. In my opinion, the more pricey stuff is on the outside perimeters and main aisles.
When I was trying to find the hubby some work pants, the first few pairs I bought, came from the outside aisle. By checking the other display, just in a bit, I found pants for him $ 4 cheaper a pair.
And I have noticed sometimes that a price on the shelves does not match the register price.