The End of Walmart Ad Matching (and Why It’s Not a Big Deal)

Photo Credit: Consumerist

You may have noticed those annoying blue signs at the checkout lanes as you checkout at your local Walmart. You know, the ones that let you know that the super amazing Walmart Ad Matching policy you’ve used for what seems like forever, is ending. Take a breath guys, believe me when I tell you it’s not nearly as bad as you’re expecting and there’s plenty of reasons why.

Check out the Facebook Live Video we did on the Walmart Ad Match Policy HERE

The ONLY stores affected by the End of the Walmart Price Matching Policy have been notified and they have put advertisements or notices around the stores (the number sits at just 800 stores right now). Walmart HAS NOT released a list of affected stores, regions, or areas that this will happen in. The ONLY way to know is by visiting your local store and checking for the blue signs with the date it will be ending. So what is Walmart doing to compensate for the loss of this policy? Walmart has said they will be permanently lowering the prices of tons of items all over the store to help compensate so to speak. Many readers have reported this has yet to happen in their areas and there may be a reason guys…..this takes time!

I personally have noticed at some locations that prices on items that are BEYOND popular are lower and staying that way. For example, the Great Value Brand Pasta boxes are below $1.00 each and in most places I’ve seen around $0.88 or so each ALL DAY EVERY DAY!

Ways to STILL save at Walmart without the Ad Match Policy:

• Use those coupons! Nothing has changed with Walmart allowing coupons (although per store may vary on specific rules)
• Walmart is rolling out their Walmart Grocery Pickup Service in more locations (you don’t even have to LEAVE YOUR CAR and there’s coupon codes ALL THE TIME)
• Savings Catcher will STILL Work. Make sure you have the Walmart App downloaded to upload your receipts to.
• Use those FREE Cash Back Apps still.

Here’s the thing guys, we shopped at Walmart before this Ad Match Policy was around and there are ways to survive the end of it entirely. If your local Walmart has NOT stopped their Ad Match Policy then keep on keeping on while you can and use it the right way! If your store has stopped there are STILL ways to save. Overall this policy change is NOT the end of saving at Walmart and it will benefit other areas in the stores with prices. (You can STILL price match Walmart.com but more often than not on grocery items this may not help)