Walmart 101

I live in a small town and Walmart is where I go to get almost EVERYTHING.  We do have a Super 1 and a Walgreens but the bulk of  my shopping is done at Walmart.  With this being said,  I have to get the best deals I can with the options I have. Hopefully the tips below will help you to save money.

The first thing you need to do before shopping at any store is to know the store policy.  You can view and print the Walmart Coupon Policy online (Jan 2012) . You should keep it with you when you shop using coupons.

Walmart Coupon Policy

We gladly accept the following types of coupons*

• Print-at-home internet coupons
  • Must be legible
  • Must have "Manufacturer Coupon" printed on them
  • Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
  • Must have a valid expiration date
  • Must have a scannable bar code
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons with a specified price
  • Are acceptable in black and white or color
  • May not be duplicated
• Manufacturers' coupons
  • For dollar/cents off
  • For free items (except those printed off the Internet)
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons
  • Must have "Manufacturer Coupon" printed on them
  • Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
  • Must have a valid expiration date
  • Must have a scannable bar code
  • May not be duplicated
• Competitors' coupons
  • A specific item for a specified price, for example, $2.99
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons for items with a specified price
  • Have a valid expiration date
  • Are acceptable in black and white
• Soft drink container caps
• Checkout coupons ("Catalinas")
  • Printed at our competitors' registers for dollar/cents off on a specific item
  • Must have "Manufacturer Coupon" with specific item requirements printed on them
  • Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
  • Must have a valid expiration date
  • Must have a scannable bar code
  • Are acceptable in black and white
  • May not be duplicated

We DO NOT accept the following coupons:

• Checkout coupons
  • Dollars/cents off the entire basket purchase
  • Percentage off the entire basket purchase
• Print-at-home Internet coupons that require no purchase
• Competitors' coupons
  • Dollars/cents off at a specific retailer
  • Percentage off
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons without a specified price
  • Double- or triple-value coupons

*The following are guidelines and limitations:

• We only accepts coupons for merchandise that we sell.
• Coupons must be presented at the time of purchase.
• Only one coupon per item.
• Item purchased must be identical to the coupon (size, quantity, brand, flavor, color, etc).
• There is no limit on the number of coupons per transaction.
• Coupons must have an expiration date and be redeemed prior to expiration.
• If coupon value exceeds the price of the item, the excess may be given to the customer as cash or applied toward the basket purchase.
• SNAP items purchased in a SNAP transaction are ineligible for cash back.
• WIC items purchased in a WIC transaction are applied to the basket purchase and may not be eligible for cash back. Refer to state-specific WIC guidelines.
• Great Value, Marketside, Equate, Parents Choice, and World Table coupons have no cash value and are ineligible for cash back or application to the basket purchase.
• The system will prompt for supervisor verification for:
  • 40 coupons per transaction.
  • A coupon of $20 or greater on one item.
  • $50 or more in coupons in one transaction.

 Don't worry if all of this seems a bit overwhelming. You don't have to memorize everything, just know the basic policy. You will notice that some cashiers are very coupon friendly and some just don't have a clue. If you think that the cashier is wrong about something, ask to speak to a manager! Do this nicely ! Always be polite ( Yes, I know you are stressed and tired) even when they cashier is rude to you. This is where having the policy in  hand can help. You can point out that yes, you do take internet coupons or that yes, you can get the product for FREE.  Just remember, the store manager has the final decision.

If  you need corporate office, you can contact them at :

Walmart Customer Service — 1-800-WALMART (1-800-925-6278)

Almost everyone has seen the Walmart commercial about price matching but it is something they have been doing for years.  Another great way to save money at Walmart is to PRICE MATCH.  You can price match almost anything.   My favorite items to price match is produce.   Since you don't get many coupons on produce, price matching is a great way to save money   One of our small local stores (that I never shop at) had "vine ripened tomatoes" on sale for .99 lb.  Walmart had "vine ripened tomatoes" for 2.48 lb.  I simply pointed out that I wanted my tomatoes at the comp ad price and viola ....cheaper tomatoes !!