Walmart promises to help shoppers “Save Money, Live Better,” but some products aren’t quite as good a deal as you might think.
These items are surprisingly expensive:
Gift Wrap
According to FinanceBuzz, wrapping paper is a no-go when shopping at Walmart. While Walmart offers rolls of gift wrap for around $1, you’ll get less product than at similar retailers. Dollar General, for instance, charges the same for a roll with an extra 2.5 square feet of wrapping paper.
Maple Syrup
Don’t overpay for maple syrup at Walmart. The store sells a 32-ounce bottle of generic Great Value pure maple syrup for over $15. Sam’s Club offers an organic version that’s under $12.50 for the same amount of product.
Appliances
Home appliances like dishwashers and fridges aren’t worth buying at Walmart. The store charges $359 for a Frigidaire 24” stainless steel dishwasher, which is only $300 at Best Buy and Home Depot.
Walmart also sells a Frigidaire stainless steel French door refrigerator for over $1,500. However, the same fridge is available for hundreds less at American Freight.
Organic Produce
Walmart’s seemingly affordable organic produce can be tempting, but the store tends to overcharge. Organic bananas, for instance, are $0.74 per pound at Walmart, compared to $0.66 per pound at Sam’s Club. The same goes for vegetables—a 16-ounce container of organic baby spinach is almost $5 at Walmart but only around $4.65 at Sam’s Club.
Batteries
You could be paying dollars more for batteries at Walmart. A 24-pack of Energizer AA batteries costs around $16 on Amazon, but Walmart sells the same product for almost $18.
Bulk retailers also offer better prices on large battery quantities. Costco offers 40 Duracell Power Boost AA batteries for only $21, which would cost over $31 at Walmart.
Toys
Avoid Walmart if you’re stocking up for your next family game night. The big chain store charges steep prices for many familiar toys and board games.
The classic Monopoly game, for instance, is almost $20 at Walmart versus under $15 on Amazon. Similarly, a LEGO Star Wars Clone Trooper & Battle Droid Battle Pack Set is several dollars cheaper on Amazon.
Furniture
You might think you’re getting a steal buying furniture from Walmart’s in-house Mainstays brand. However, many consumers agree that the label’s low prices equate to low quality.
Mainstays’ wooden dressers, couches, and bed frames often fail to hold up after a year or two of regular use. While Mainstays can be a good option for niche items, like decorative lamps and ottomans, you’re better off purchasing large furniture elsewhere.
Organic Milk
Alternative retailers offer lower prices on organic milk than Walmart. A half-gallon Organic Valley whole milk container is nearly $5.30 at Walmart. In contrast, this product costs under $5 at Sprouts and Publix.
Books
Walmart is far from the cheapest place to buy physical book copies. For example, the popular fantasy book Fourth Wing costs over $15 at Walmart for a paperback edition.
However, you can buy a hardback copy for under $10 at Book Outlet. Your wallet will thank you for ditching the Walmart books in favor of free library rentals or affordable pre-owned options.
Ground Beef
Think twice before grabbing a package of Walmart ground beef. Stores like ALDI offer more competitive prices on this mealtime staple.
Walmart sells a 2.25-pound tray of 80% lean/20% fat ground beef for $5.30 per pound. Meanwhile, a 2-pound tray of the same meat product at ALDI is only $4.50 per pound.
Phone Accessories
Next time you shop at Walmart, skip the phone accessory section. You may not get as good a deal on items as you think.
For example, Walmart sells a 10-foot-long MFi-certified USB-C charging cable and wall block for around $10. However, you can get a 3-pack of the same item for less than $13 on Amazon.
Clorox Wipes
You can save money on cleaning supplies by shopping at Amazon instead of Walmart. Both retailers sell a 3-pack of Clorox cleaning wipes, totaling 225 wipes. Alternatively, Amazon offers the product for nearly $0.30 less.
Don’t overspend on these Costco offerings
While Costco offers competitive pricing for many everyday essentials, some items are surprisingly overpriced. Avoid these costly products during your next Costco trip.
12 Overpriced Costco Products Ripping You Off
Not all Trader Joe’s products are created equal
Many shoppers flock to Trader Joe’s for its quirky snacks and seasonal goodies. However, these items are a complete waste of money.
17 Overrated Trader Joe’s Products That Are Ripping You Off
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
