WalMart This Week

**CrazyHomemaker** · 04-11-2011, 10:25 AM

I went to WalMart this week. I figured I'd use all of the coupons that can't be doubled elsewhere...75 cent, $1, $2, etc. I was going to get a good deal here...WRONG!

Well, I was greatly disappointed. I had visions, which quickly turned to delusions, as I started my round of the store. Everything I usually buy has gone up in price, which made me sad. I've been watching the prices rise for about 6 months, now. Almost all of the coupon items were nowhere to be seen in the store! I used $10 worth of coupons this week and spent a great deal of money there. Granted I just started back couponing a little while ago, so I'm not complaining about that. Some of the newer coupons were for newer items, which no other store has on their shelves either. Understandable. But the majority of the coupons were for tried and true brands. Never mind the fact a lot of the shelves are bare or the shelves blocked to look full.

I've pared down my shopping needs last year so I don't have to go to WM very often. Now, it will be less and less. I have medicines I get there and that will be the only thing I will get there from now on, if I can help it. I definitely won't be buying groceries there. It's not worth it when I have two decent grocery stores near each other on the other side of town which have items on their shelves. If I need sundries, I can go to the Big Lots next to the grocery stores.

My neighbor is going to pare down her WM shopping, too. She was really miffed at the prices. We just had a gripe session yesterday about it. Dealing with WM has finally come to a head for me.

Anyone else REALLY upset with WM?

Thanks for letting me vent.

**2ndGenGranola** · 04-11-2011, 10:31 AM

I'm not one of those "blame WM for all the worlds problems" type of person. In my experience, prices are up everywhere. WM is up along with the other grocery stores. I go to WM because it is convenient. However, I'm finding more and more deals online.

**Cricketlegs** · 04-11-2011, 10:42 AM

My problem with walmart is not really the prices.

1. They made the store "better" by making the isles wider but they lost half the variety. I would not have thought I could go to get something at walmart and not find it but alas now I do. Oh I WISH Target was on my side of town! It's the whole not wanting to blow my gas that hurts me with Target although the dollar stores DG and FD are doing a great trade these days since they added more foods that are name brands and they take coupons.

2. Surly checkers--life is just tooo short for that and dealing with the crowds. I like my local bag your own. The prices are good, the checkers are friendly, and it isn't crowded and they take my coupons.

**HappyMama** · 04-11-2011, 10:47 AM

I just wanted to give you a virtual hug CH, know how that can feel when going shopping and wanting a special deal, or coupon and it not turning out.

Not sure if this will help you or not, but supposedly they are bringing more products back and working on the shoppers frustration. I mainly shop co-op and bulk now . I hope you can find more deals soon. Here is the article :

Wal-Mart's bringing back thousands of products - Apr. 11, 2011

**freebs** · 04-11-2011, 10:56 AM

I very seldom go to walmart, maybe 1 time per year and that is to get lawn mower blades and chainsaw chains that i cant get anywhere else. I do not buy groceries there and i buy clothes at garage sales. I can get $4 meds almost anywhere now so no need to use walmart for that!

**Sophia** · 04-11-2011, 11:45 AM

Wal-mart has gone up a lot but so have other stores. I'm upset because 2 of the 4 wal-marts that I can go too. Don't want to match prices anymore. At the one that was my favorite to go to, the last time I was there I had 3 people up to the register because they didn't want to match prices. One of my friends was there and had to leave a ton of stuff because they wouldn't match prices. I use to go there and get about 85 % of what I needed because they would match prices even store brands. But they don't want to do it anymore and if they do they give you a hassle about the name, size. I just don't go as often to them. TC

**Rhayne** · 04-11-2011, 12:01 PM

I hardly ever use coupons at Walmart unless they're high value coupons, free coupons or if the item ends up free or under 1.00.

**Russ** · 04-11-2011, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Cricketlegs

My problem with walmart is not really the prices.

1. They made the store "better" by making the isles wider but they lost half the variety. I would not have thought I could go to get something at walmart and not find it but alas now I do. .

Funny you mention that...

Last year, Wal-Mart had strayed from its "everyday low prices," the bedrock philosophy of founder and namesake Sam Walton. Late last year it has been again emphasizing low prices across the whole store, instead of heavily promoting selected items.

It has also been adding back thousands of products it had culled in an overzealous bid to clean up stores.

Wal-Mart ad campaign: 'Low Prices. Every day.' - Business - Consumer news - Retail - msnbc.com

**Russ** · 04-11-2011, 01:00 PM

oops.

Happy Mama beat me to the punch.

**savvy_sniper** · 04-11-2011, 01:14 PM

I find I can generally beat WalMart's prices at Kroger and HEB. I only purchase a couple of items any more at WalMart that I can't find elsewhere. Plus the closest WalMart to me is nasty,dirty, crowded, and the shelves are NEVER fully stocked.

**imagine** · 04-11-2011, 01:27 PM

My experience at my walmart is different.

They generally are the cheapest expect for Aldi's and a sale or two at kroger or the local grocery store.

They price match wonderfully. They tend to know so when you tell them they just nod (use to have to have the ad but now at least I don't)

I shop in the mornings so the shelves are generally full. Then again I'm normally only buying a few of an item not tons of each.

The cashiers are nice. They do flinch a bit when I use coupons but they breath a sigh of relief when the coupons works.

I can always find store person to answer my questions. Which they do very nicely.

They have a wider selection then our grocery stores do.

It is clean.

Either it is just my area or my store or the time of day.

Sorry to hear about your Walmarts

**NikoSan999** · 04-11-2011, 01:43 PM

I don't go as much as I used to. Went yesterday and was floored...yet again.
Went to get milk and eggs there as I had to stop anyway and just didn't want to stop at Aldi's to save $1.25. Start the car..stop the car...start the car again..didn't pay.
Standing in front of the milk...theirs was still $3.48 BUT the two other brands beside theirs were $5.74 amd $5.44. These two brands are here in Florida so WTH???!!!!
Almost $6 a gallon for milk when the dairies here are in abundance?
Don't know that that is Wal Mart tho and haven't been in Publix for a few days but will check what those same brands are there.
And I agree, no matter what day or time of day the shelves are partially empty. The check out aisles open are cut so far back the wait is ridiculous. Used to be if there were 3 people in line they would open another.
Yeah, I'm disappointed with Wal Mart. Most of mine is Publix with the BOGO and coupons that are not argued over.

**CrazyHomemaker** · 04-11-2011, 05:21 PM

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm glad there are still some good WM's out there.

**piney** · 04-11-2011, 07:58 PM

The Target here in town is a lot higher then walmart and more traffic out that way so i just go to walmart get upset some time they need people that that wan't to work not just there to visit with friends and kill time until shift is over and some of there prices is cheaper then Dg or Fd or krogers i don't guess there is any perfect place in this town to shop.

**mauimagic** · 04-11-2011, 08:23 PM

Be thankful you have choices!! Haven't been in WM for a while - it's 45 minutes away and gas is now $4.74/gal - definitely need to multi-task before I drive over.

I can handle a lot when I shop, but I handle it much better when people are pleasant!!