Why do I not “love” Walmart There are a few really basic reasons. So many people stand by their prices, and I can’t always disagree
with that, but I have one sincere gripe:
I never leave there with “something extra.” I don’t receive a reason to return, i.e. a gift card, reward
bucks, or even Catalinas!
Price matching is a PITA. I find it so tedious to separate out my
price matches, and then have to go through them all one-by-one, often in
multiple ads, with the cashier. And
make sure to read the fine print!
Heaven forbid you try to buy something in another ad marked as “select
varieties.” I feel like I’m haggling at
a garage sale. Why does Walmart do
this? Because they know that it’s time
consuming, and not everyone will want to do it. Very rarely do I buy enough to make it worthwhile.
No Catalinas.
I really love walking out of stores, especially Meijer, with coupons to
come back with. Walmart does not offer
this. Even better, often times Meijer
provides me with general store coupons, such as x dollars off an x amount
laundry purchase, which I can use with a Manufacturer coupon! Target does this as well. This doesn't happen at Walmart.
Gift cards.
If I buy diapers at Walmart they’re more or less the same price as at
Meijer or Target; the manufacturer sets the price. However, if I buy the right amount, Target will give me a gift
card for doing so. It’s the same with
TP, paper towels, and laundry detergent.
So, why not go to Target, and get a gift card for my gift kitty?
Purchase perks. The mPerks program at Meijer rewards me for shopping there. For example, if I buy $40 in paper, laundry,
and cleaning items this calendar month, I can get a reward for $6 off my next
purchase. There are also coupons for
base amounts, such as $10 off once you've spent $300. Also, there are mPerk coupons.
Example: Cheerios are on sale
for $2.50/box. I had two 50-cent off
MQs. When I went to my mPerks page, I
found a store coupon for another $1 off two boxes. So, by purchasing my Cheerios at Meijer, I
saved an additional dollar that I wouldn't have been able to do elsewhere. Finally, if I buy my box of Huggies at
Meijer, I get $20 towards baby rewards.
Once I get to $100 spent, I earn $10 off my next purchase.
Store brands are everywhere. I buy generic whenever I can. Do I really need name-brand broth to
marinate chicken in the crock-pot? Not
really. While there are a few Great
Value-branded products that my family specifically purchases, do I need to
purchase all of my store-branded products at Walmart My answer is “not necessarily.” I can get a can of cream of chicken soup
anywhere.
Bear in mind that my family did not shop at Walmart much
growing up. Chicago is a city that is
loyal to its local grocers, and with an older Mom, I understood her loyalties. Walmart only came to Chicago in the early 90s, and my Mom was almost 50 by
then. My mom probably goes to the local
Italian grocery store (Valli Produce) more often than Walmart I just don’t have a great deal of loyalty to Walmart and can’t wrap my arms around going in there and just spending money,
not getting anything back. Their “only
game in town, one-stop shopping” POV doesn't get me in the door. I live in Chicago; I have options. Most other stores give me reasons to come
back; Walmart just doesn't provide those same options.
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