Walmart is a great store to learn to coupon at because they have a pretty simple couponing policy. Combining Walmart’s low prices with coupons and the right rebate apps can lead to incredible savings! Although Walmart doesn’t offer standard store coupons, you can still shop smart to score freebies, take advantage of grocery promos, and navigate Walmart clearance.
And let’s not forget about Black Friday at Walmart! If you’re shopping for toys, Apple products, or video games, Walmart is the place to be. On top of that, Walmart has an event called Walmart Deals, their version of Prime Day. This year it took place from July 8th to July 11th. During this event, you can score items from electronics, home, toys, travel, and more. Check out all the details about Walmart Deals Days here.
They also host their Walmart+ Week, where they lower the prices for Walmart+ members for an entire week. If you’re a member, this is one of the best times of the year to shop at Walmart.
I’ve broken down store policies for you in this post, along with some tips on how to save even more. Read on to learn how to coupon and maximize your savings at Walmart!
Couponing at Walmart 👇
Lesson 1: Coupons
As per Walmart coupon policy, Walmart does not offer store coupons nor do they accept digital/mobile coupons. Instead, they rely upon “everyday low prices”. They also do not accept coupons online, however, they do accept them when you shop in-store.
1. Manufacturer coupons
Walmart accepts manufacturer coupons that state “manufacturer coupon”, have a scannable barcode and an expiration date. You may find manufacturer coupons in your local paper or print free manufacturer coupons here. There’s a limit of 1 coupon per item, and 4 identical coupons per household, per day (unless otherwise noted on coupon). There is no limit on the number of coupons (variety) that you can use in a total transaction.
2. Internet Coupons
Walmart accepts valid, internet manufacturer coupons for the manufacturer’s items with a scannable GS1 barcode and are not expired that validates to their master file.
They do not accept internet coupons for free items with no purchase requirements. Note that it has to be a clear print with no distortions or alterations of any kind.
3. BOGO Coupons
They accept Buy One Get One coupons as long as they are dollar/cents off. They do not accept percentage off BOGO coupons (e.g. Buy One Get One 50% off). You cannot combine BOGO manufacturer coupons. In other words, you cannot use two BOGO manufacturer coupons on two items and get both for free.
Note: Coupon Overage
Walmart does not give cash back nor will any overages apply to the remaining items in the transaction if the value of a coupon is greater than the purchase value of the item, including WIC and SNAP. The value of a coupon will be applied up to the price of the item and any excess value will not be applied to the transaction total.
Note: What to Expect
In general, Walmart leaves it to the management to have the final say in whether they will accept coupons/price matches or not. For example, you can go to one store where they will allow you to use 8 coupons, while at another 10 miles away they will say the limit is 2. This is just a rough example, but you get my point – at the end of the day, it’s up to the manager/supervisor to decide as they see fit.
So what I can recommend, in case you see there’s a clash with the official policy, is to stay calm and pull up their coupon policy on your phone for reference.
Lesson 2: Walmart Price Match Policy
While they used to offer competitor Walmart price match policy, they now offer it when you shop at Walmart in-store and want to price match with Walmart.com. The customer must inform the Walmart associate of the price match at the time of checkout. The identical item (i.e., size, model, quantity, brand, or color, etc.) must be currently in-stock and available to purchase on Walmart.com at the time the price match is requested. Note that they do not price match Walmart.com prices that are on special events (including but not limited to clearance, Rollback, Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals, or other limited-time promotions).
Lesson 3: Weekly Deals & Freebies
To help you save time, we do the legwork of finding all the beast deals you can score every week. Bookmark Walmart Deals & Freebies and make sure to check back weekly so you don’t miss any of the savings!
Lesson 4: Walmart App
The Walmart app (available for iOS and Android) is beneficial for two main reasons:
- Mobile shopping for pickup and delivery: Anyone can use the app for this purpose.
- Scan & Go: This feature is exclusive to Walmart+ subscribers.
If you subscribe to Walmart+, the subscription program for grocery pickup and delivery, you gain access to the Scan & Go feature, which saves time. The primary advantage of Scan & Go is that it keeps a running total of every item you scan and put in your cart while shopping in-store. This is especially useful if you tend to make impulse purchases or if you’re on a tight budget.
Another perk of Scan & Go is at the self-checkout line. Simply scan the barcode in your app, and it automatically charges your linked debit or credit card. This means no unloading, bagging, swiping, chipping, tapping, or touching of any kind is needed. All you need to do is show your e-receipt to the self-checkout monitor and leave the store.
You might still have to wait in the self-checkout line. However, the convenience of the running total and the contactless process is a significant advantage.
Lesson 5: Cashback Apps
Walmart does not accept digital coupons, however there’s a great alternative in the form of cashback apps. Walmart is one of the the most featured stores in terms of cashback offers, especially on Ibotta. Just make sure to link the two apps and you’re good to go!
This is one of the best ways to save at Walmart – by combining manufacturer coupons with Ibotta rebates. This can often lead to freebies or even a little extra cash in your Ibotta account. Note that other cashback apps can stack their offers with manufacturer coupons too, but Ibotta is the most popular one, so I’m using it as an example.
However, note that Ibotta updated their coupon policy in 2023. Some offers now include restrictions that prevent stacking Ibotta rebates with manufacturer coupons, paper coupons, digital coupon codes, or digital retailer rewards.
So before attempting to combine coupons with Ibotta rebates, be sure to check the fine print of the offer. If it states, “May not be used with other coupons or promotions,” then stacking is not allowed.
Lesson 6: Walmart Cash
Walmart has a cashback system that works similarly to the Ibotta cashback. You can find the offers on eligible products at the Walmart Website when you shop online or you can use the app if shopping in-stores. These are provided by the product’s manufacturers. It’s super easy to use! Find out the details about Walmart Cash here.
Lesson 7: Walmart Clearance
Walmart items might be marked down throughout the month, but for the best selection, always check the clearance items at the beginning of the month.
The location of clearance items varies in each Walmart. Generally, clearance products have their own aisles, but during holiday markdowns, Walmart may designate a few specific aisles for clearance items. Additionally, always check the endcaps for clearance items.
To Keep in Mind about Clearances
There are many myths about Walmart price tags, such as the belief that prices ending in “1” mean the item won’t be marked down again or that clearance prices always end in “00.” Don’t believe these.
One true myth is that you can see the most recent price change date on the price tag. However, since there’s no set markdown schedule, this information isn’t particularly useful.
Lesson 8: Clearance vs Rollback
Once an item is marked as clearance at Walmart, its price can continue to decrease, but it will never return to its original price.
Walmart rollbacks, however, are temporary price reductions that last four to ten weeks before reverting to the original price. To find out how long a rollback may last, check the date when the rollback began.
Meat, Produce & Bakery Markdowns
Produce, meat, and bakery items are usually marked down at 8 p.m. on the day before their “best by” date. If you find an item one day before its “best by” date that hasn’t been marked down, you can ask a Walmart employee to do it for you.
Lesson 9: Walmart+ Perks
It might seem like an exaggeration, but I’ve done the math. With a Walmart+ subscription ($98 a year or $12.95 a month), all your same-day grocery deliveries over $35 are free. If you place one to two orders a week, here’s what you’ll pay with Walmart+ compared to regular Walmart grocery delivery:
With a Walmart+ subscription: $98 – $155.40 per year
Without a subscription: $413.40 – $826.80 per year
Additionally, you get several other perks, such as free next-day and two-day shipping with no minimum purchase, discounted prescriptions, and a free subscription to the Paramount+ Essential Plan. If you’re still on the verge, at least try the Walmart+ free trial at no cost.
Lesson 10: Return Policy
The Walmart return policy allows you to return almost everything within 90 days, including damaged and defective items and nonperishable foods. Prescription glasses can be returned within 60 days, and electronics within 30 days.
However, there are some items you can’t return, such as prescription drugs, gas-powered items, and BB guns.
If you return an item that involved a coupon, you will only get the amount you paid. Walmart does not credit you for the coupon.
Lesson 11: Walmart Black Friday Deals
Whether you’re shopping Walmart’s Black Friday deals online or in-store, you can expect discounts of up to 40% on popular holiday items like TVs and toys.
If you’re planning to shop in-store on Black Friday to snag those “Special Buy” doorbusters (manufacturer discounts that Walmart passes on to customers), use the color-coded maps in the Walmart app to navigate the store. In the past, we’ve seen deals like a Roku SE for $17 (regularly $50) or a Nintendo Switch bundle for $299 (regularly $399).
You can also take advantage of these deals online, with free shipping on orders over $35, or opt for free store pickup. Plus, these deals aren’t limited to Black Friday alone. Walmart hosts Black Friday Days twice in November. In 2023, the first event began online on Wednesday, November 8th, and in stores on November 10th. The second event started online on Wednesday, November 22nd, and in stores on November 24th.
Walmart+ members enjoyed early access to these deals from 9am PST to 12pm PST (12pm ET to 3pm ET) on November 8th and 22nd.
Additional Helpful Information:
Most seasoned couponers will tell you that they have had at least one negative Walmart experience. I’ve learned that this typically arises from lack of training on all of the various policies and savings offers that Walmart has. When you’re learning how to coupon at Walmart, keep in mind that you will encounter a newbie cashier or two that is unaware of some of the store policies. Be patient and kind (as I know you already are).
And in case you run into an unsolvable issue with a cashier, my best suggestion is to request the manager on duty and try to resolve the issue while still in-store. If that route is impossible or unsuccessful, you may want to take down the date, time and store location number. Then, contact Walmart customer service when you get home. You can email them here or call 1-800-WALMART to speak with a customer service representative.
Love Free Stuff? Click here to see all current Freebie offers. Plus, for tips on how to score Free Samples, watch my video here.
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