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11 Things You Should Never Buy at Walmart

Walmart has low prices on many items. But in a few cases, you are better off shopping somewhere else.

shopping at a Walmart store
Updated Nov. 14, 2024
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You can save money shopping at Walmart, that's for sure. The retail giant is known for its low prices.

But you shouldn’t buy everything at Walmart. In some cases, you might get items of better quality or cheaper by shopping somewhere else.

Which products should you strike from your Walmart shopping list? Here are a few items you should never buy at Walmart.

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Party supplies

luckybusiness/Adobe Little boy in birthday cap holding pile of birthday presents

If you plan to throw a party soon, you might be tempted to head to Walmart to buy supplies. However, there is a good chance you can get a better deal elsewhere.

For example, a smart shopping hack is to get party supplies such as paper plates and napkins at a dollar store.

Shoes

leszekglasner/Adobe Hiker woman with trekking sticks climbs steep on mountain trail

Walmart has a good selection of cheap shoes. But it is a mistake to expect top-quality footwear here.

While saving money on shoes is great, it doesn’t mean much if they quickly fall apart and you need to buy a replacement pair soon. Sometimes, it’s worth paying a little more to get something of higher quality that will last.

Fresh produce

MVProductions/Adobe fruits and vegetables in a supermarket

Walmart is a one-stop shop for some buyers: They pick up home decor and clothes while also grabbing some food from the grocery section of the store.

But you might find a better selection of produce at your favorite grocery store. In addition, Walmart has gotten a fair amount of criticism for having produce that is lower in quality than what you can find elsewhere.

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Wrapping paper

triocean/Adobe woman wrapping Christmas presents

Sure, you could pick up wrapping paper at Walmart. And odds are it won’t cost you a fortune to buy it from the retailer.

But this is another item where you will probably get a better deal at a dollar store.

Furniture

Prasanth/Adobe dark blue sofa and recliner chair

Check out your local Walmart if you need a small piece of furniture that doesn’t need to be too sturdy.

But skip your local Walmart if you need something that will last a long time. In those situations, it might be better to invest a little more money and shop at a furniture store.

Photos

Studio Romantic/Adobe grandparents reading a book

You can pay Walmart to print out your photos. But odds are good that you will find a better price if you are patient and wait for deals at other retailers.

Or, perhaps you can save even more by printing out your photos at home.

Electronics

Micah C/peopleimages.com/Adobe playing a video game together

Electronics can be pricey, and you might automatically assume that Walmart will give you the best deal on these expensive items.

But in many cases, you can get better deals elsewhere, particularly during big sales. And other retailers might have a wider selection of everything from laptops to televisions.

Gift cards

billtster/Adobe walmart interior gift card

Your local Walmart likely sells a wide selection of gift cards. However, there are ways to get these cards at a better price elsewhere.

For example, Costco sells many gift cards at a price that is lower than face value. You can also turn to the internet to score bargain gift cards at sites such as Raise.

Meat

Lubo Ivanko/Adobe male butcher

Meat can get expensive, and you might not get the best price if you buy it at Walmart.

Grocery stores often have sales on various types of meat. If you shop carefully, there is a good chance that the price you pay during one of these sales will be lower than what you would pay at Walmart.

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Great Value toilet paper

Roman/Adobe Charmin toilet paper

Walmart puts its Great Value store label on a number of items, from food to household goods and more. But while some of these items are good deals, you should leave others on the shelf.

Many people complain that Great Value toilet paper doesn’t offer the same quality as name-brand versions of toilet paper. You may have to spend a little bit more for the name brand, but you’ll get plenty of additional quality.

Rotisserie chickens

Costco members know that buying a rotisserie chicken from the retailer is one of the great Costco hacks.

Walmart also sells rotisserie chickens, but critics say they are often fatty and that Walmart’s seasoning is not great.

This might be an example of where sticking with Costco’s tried-and-true birds is a better deal.

Bottom line

jetcityimage/Adobe walmart logo on trolley inside store

Walmart can be a good place to save money and boost your bank account. But not every item is a great deal at the retail giant.

So, compare prices carefully and make sure that the Walmart item is a good buy before you add it to your cart.

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Author Details

Jenny Cohen

Jenny Cohen is a freelance writer who has covered a bit of everything, from finance to sports to her favorite TV shows. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and FoxSports.com.