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The Do's and Don'ts of Shopping at Walmart

Keep an eye on these do’s and don’ts to get the most out of your Walmart experience.

Walmart store south San Francisco bay area
Updated Dec. 17, 2024
Fact checked

Some trips to Walmart are better than others, especially if you know some popular Walmart hacks to get the best deals and have the best experience.

Check out this list of the do’s and don’ts of shopping at Walmart, and make sure you’re getting the most out of your experience so you can stock up and save money.

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Do: Use the Walmart app

Aleksei/Adobe walmart app icon

The Walmart app is a good way to find extra deals or earn perks that you can use to save money on your next Walmart run.

Use your smartphone to download the mobile app and take advantage of deals or find better ways to shop like checking a price or tracking orders. You can even order curbside pickup or have your next grocery order delivered right to your door.

Don’t: Pad your online order to save on shipping

Ngampol/Adobe businessman holding credit card

You may want to try to save a few dollars by getting free shipping on your order through Walmart’s website, but don’t pad your order just to get the free shipping. You could end up spending more with the impulse buy than shipping would have cost originally.

One option is to make a list of things you need to order and put a large order in all at once rather than smaller orders frequently so you bundle your purchases together and get over the shipping threshold.

Do: Check on the clearance section

MelissaMN/Adobe clearance and sale section

Walmart has a great clearance section full of rock-bottom deals.

Make a habit of checking the clearance aisles for things you may need and you may find a treasure that you want for less. Just be sure to be careful your cart doesn’t fill up with impulse buys.

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Don’t: Miss out on post-holiday deals

goodluz/Adobe couple window shopping during sale

Don’t forget that some great holiday deals show up in the clearance section after the holiday.

Instead of rushing to stock up before a holiday like Halloween or Christmas, hold off until those items get marked down to stock up and be ready for next year.

Do: Try Walmart+

Jess rodriguez/Adobe walmart application

Walmart+ costs $98 a year, but you may be able to save more than that if you join.

Sit down with your budget to decide if you can cover the additional cost with extra savings like discounts on delivery costs and shipping, member savings on fuel, or making returns from the comfort of your home.

Don’t: Limit yourself to in-store shopping

Atstock Productions/Adobe delivery man holding a grocery

You don’t have to stick to in-store shopping to get deals at Walmart.

The store carries a wide variety of products on its website that you can have delivered to your door for less than other online retailers. You can also try grocery delivery or store pick-up to see if they’re more convenient for you.

Do: Check the price match policy

Thomas Dutour/Adobe empty till in a walmart supermarket

Walmart has a price match policy that can help you keep extra cash in your wallet — if you’re paying attention.

Compare prices between Walmart’s website and other retailers. If there’s a difference, you can get the lower price as part of the company’s policy.

Don’t: Forget about return policy limits

Vladimir Razgulyaev/Adobe girl looks at the receipt

Walmart has a 90-day return policy for most items, which can be limiting compared to other retailers.

You’ll want to confirm that the items you purchased can be returned in 90 days, as some have time limits or additional restrictions.

Do: Compare prices

stokkete/Adobe customer comparing products

Walmart can be one of the lowest-priced options when it comes to shopping, but you may be able to get a better deal.

If you’re shopping online, compare prices to other retailers like Amazon and Target to see if you can get the same product for less money.

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Don’t: Forget your coupons

Monkey Business/Adobe woman in grocery aisle

Walmart doesn’t have its own store coupons but will accept manufacturer’s coupons.

Bring a paper version of the coupon with you when you visit Walmart to ring up the extra savings when you check out.

Do: Shop for groceries at Walmart

ashtproductions/Adobe woman grocery shopping

You may think of Walmart as a store for household goods, clothes, or toys, but Walmart also has a wide selection of groceries that can help you save extra cash compared to a typical grocery store.

Check out Walmart’s store brands like Great Value and Sam’s Choice to get extra savings on items that may be just as good as name brands.

Don’t: Wait until the end of the day

stasknop/Adobe clock face on red background

Sometimes, the early bird gets the best deals, including at Walmart.

You can get fresh products and great deals that are actually stocked on the shelves in the early morning before crowds can limit your shopping experience or buy out items that you need.

Bottom line

wolterke/Adobe walmart store exterior

Walmart can be a great option if you’re looking to save money on groceries, household items, and other necessities.

Remember to check the Walmart app or search for products online to see if you can get additional deals when you shop at the store.

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