As one of the world‘s largest retailers, Walmart is known for its "everyday low prices." But even the most diligent bargain hunters can experience the frustration of buying an item at full price, only to see it go on sale a few days later. Luckily, Walmart offers a price adjustment policy that allows customers to recoup the difference if an item‘s price drops shortly after purchase.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about Walmart‘s price adjustment policy, including how it works, what purchases are eligible, and tips for maximizing your savings. We‘ll also dive into some expert insights and real-world examples to help you make the most of this money-saving retail hack.
Understanding Walmart‘s Price Adjustment Policy
Walmart‘s price adjustment policy states that if you purchase an item at Walmart or Walmart.com and find that it has been lowered in price within 7 days of your original purchase date, you can request a price adjustment and receive a refund for the difference between the price you paid and the new lower price.
According to a 2019 study by Profitero, Walmart changes prices on up to 15% of its online assortment daily. And as discussed by retail industry consultant Carol Carter to CNBC, "On average, retailers will adjust prices between 3-10 times over just a 20-40 day period…so there‘s a significant chance of the price of an item changing in the week after you purchase it."
This means shoppers who take advantage of Walmart‘s price adjustment policy could stand to save a substantial amount. Let‘s look at a hypothetical example:
Say you purchase a Ninja air fryer at Walmart for $129, but 5 days later, the price drops to $99 during a promotional event. By requesting a price adjustment, you‘d be eligible for a $30 refund – nearly 25% of your original purchase price!
Of course, individual savings will vary depending on the item and the timing and magnitude of price drops. But across multiple purchases over time, taking advantage of price adjustments can really add up.
What Purchases Are Eligible for Walmart Price Adjustments?
Walmart‘s price adjustment policy covers a wide variety of items across nearly every category, including:
- Apparel & Accessories
- Home & Furniture
- Appliances
- Electronics
- Toys & Video Games
- Sports & Outdoors
- Auto & Tires
- Groceries & Household Essentials (non-perishable only)
Notably, some exclusions apply – price adjustments cannot be requested for:
- Items sold by third-party Marketplace sellers
- Clearance or rollback prices
- Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals
- Thanksgiving Day specials
- Alcohol and tobacco products
- Perishable groceries
- Walmart Custom Cakes
How to Request a Price Adjustment
The process for requesting a price adjustment differs slightly based on whether you made your original purchase online or in a physical Walmart store.
For In-Store Purchases
- Bring your original receipt to the customer service desk or any checkout lane within 7 days of purchase.
- Show the associate your receipt and inform them of the price drop.
- The associate will verify the new price and process your refund for the difference.
For Online Purchases
- Contact Walmart.com Customer Service by phone, email, or live chat within 7 days of your purchase.
- Provide your order number and request a price adjustment due to a lower price.
- Once the price drop is confirmed, your refund will be initiated to your original payment method.
It‘s important to note that store-bought items can only be price adjusted against in-store prices, while online purchases can only be adjusted against Walmart.com prices.
Expert Tips for Maximizing Your Price Adjustment Savings
To get the most value out of Walmart‘s price adjustment policy, consider these pro tips from shopping experts and seasoned Walmart customers:
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Be proactive in monitoring prices after your purchases. "The onus is on the customer to notice price drops, so you have to stay vigilant to reap the benefits," says Joanie Demer, co-founder of The Krazy Coupon Lady. She recommends setting calendar alerts to check prices a week after buying big ticket items.
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Leverage technology to track price changes effortlessly. "Browser extensions like Keepa, Karma, and PriceBlink have Walmart-specific features that can alert you if something you bought goes on sale," says Kyle James of RatherBeShopping.com. "Deal forums like Slickdeals also have dedicated threads where members post Walmart price drops," he adds.
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Look beyond percentages to actual dollar amounts. "A 50% price drop on a $10 item is only going to save you $5, but a 10% reduction on a $500 TV is a hefty $50 adjustment. Focus your energy on the higher-value items," advises Walmart-focused deal blogger TaraSue Nelson.
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Combine price adjustments with promotional offers for maximum discounts. "Before I buy anything at Walmart, I check their coupon portal and relevant discount codes," shares @WalmartMama, an influencer specializing in Walmart deals. "Then if the price drops later, the price adjustment stacks on top of those initial savings."
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Consider ‘returning‘ and rebuying if you‘re past the adjustment window. "Walmart gives you up to 90 days to return most items. If you notice a price drop after the 7-day adjustment period, you can always return the item and rebuy it at the lower price. It‘s a bit more legwork, but still worthwhile for pricey purchases," notes frugal living expert Lauren Greutman.
Walmart Price Adjustments vs. Other Major Retailers
While many major retailers offer price adjustment policies, the details vary considerably between stores. Here‘s how Walmart stacks up against some of its biggest competitors:
| Retailer | Price Adjustment Window | Key Exclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | 7 days | Clearance, Black Friday/Cyber Monday, alcohol, perishables |
| Target | 14 days | Clearance, Target Circle offers, gift cards |
| Best Buy | 15 days (My Best Buy members), 7 days (non-members) | Contract cell phones, major appliances, 3rd party gift cards |
| Amazon | No formal policy (case-by-case basis) | N/A |
| Kohl‘s | 14 days | BOGO offers, rebates, Kohl‘s Cash earned on adjusted price |
As evident, Walmart‘s 7-day adjustment window is on the shorter side, with Target, Best Buy, and Kohl‘s offering more generous timeframes. However, Walmart‘s policy is still fairly comprehensive in terms of eligible purchases.
Interestingly, retail behemoth Amazon does not have a formal price adjustment policy, though they have been known to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for customers who inquire about recent price drops. This may be due to Amazon‘s dynamic pricing model, where prices can fluctuate multiple times per day.
The Psychology and Strategy Behind Price Adjustments
So why do retailers like Walmart even offer price adjustments? On the surface, it may seem counterintuitive – why incentivize customers to seek out refunds on already-completed purchases?
The key lies in behavioral psychology and customer loyalty. "Price adjustments provide shoppers a sense of fairness and control," explains consumer psychologist Dr. Kendra Stanton. "They reduce buyers‘ remorse and increase trust in the retailer."
Studies have shown that price is the number one factor influencing customer loyalty in retail. By offering price adjustments, Walmart sends the message that customers can feel confident in their purchase decisions, without fear of overpaying or "missing out" on a better deal.
However, the reality is that the vast majority of shoppers don‘t take advantage of price adjustments, even when they‘re eligible. A survey by PriceSpider found that only 7% of consumers always request price adjustments when possible, while 38% never do. Walmart likely factors this into their pricing strategy, banking on earning more than they refund.
As Marshal Cohen, Chief Retail Analyst at The NPD Group explains, "Retailers build these ‘just in case‘ policies into their financial models…they know most people won‘t go through the effort, so it‘s a low-risk way to build customer goodwill."
Real-World Price Adjustment Success Stories
To see the value of Walmart‘s price adjustment policy in action, look no further than these real-world examples from savvy shoppers:
"Last year, I purchased two iPads from Walmart.com as Christmas gifts for my kids. They were $379 each, but literally two days later, the price dropped to $299 during a flash sale. I contacted Walmart customer service about the price adjustment and got back $160! It was a huge relief." – Sarah K., San Diego, CA
"I‘m an avid Walmart shopper and I always pay close attention to prices. Recently, I bought a set of Goodyear tires for my truck at $684. Lo and behold, five days later they were marked down to $595. I took my receipt back to the auto center and got the $89 adjustment no problem. It paid for a nice date night with my wife!" – Javier R., San Antonio, TX
"Walmart‘s price adjustment policy saved my family‘s summer road trip. We had purchased a high-end car roof bag for $250, and then saw it advertised for $200 literally as we were packing the car to leave. My husband called Walmart.com from the driveway and got the adjustment processed before we even pulled out. The $50 covered a tank of gas!" – Emily P., Durham, NC
These examples illustrate the tangible benefits of staying vigilant and proactive about price adjustments, especially on higher-cost purchases. As Javier and Emily‘s stories show, the savings can really make a difference, freeing up funds for other financial priorities.
The Bottom Line
In the high-stakes game of retail, Walmart‘s price adjustment policy is a powerful tool for budget-conscious shoppers. By understanding the policy‘s ins and outs, monitoring prices post-purchase, and strategically requesting adjustments, savvy customers can ensure they‘re getting the best possible deal every time they shop.
When combined with price matching, savvy coupon usage, and other savings strategies, price adjustments can contribute to substantial savings over time. And in an era of inflation and economic uncertainty, every penny counts.
Whether you‘re a die-hard Walmart fan or an occasional shopper, it pays to understand and utilize their price adjustment policy. With a little knowledge and proactive planning, you can maximize your savings and stretch your hard-earned dollars further.
So the next time you score a great deal at Walmart, don‘t hesitate to check back and make sure it was truly the best price available. Your wallet (and your peace of mind) will thank you.