Walmart has once again passed Amazon as the biggest retailer in the known world. With that said, it constantly surprises me how many shoppers assume the Walmart price is the lowest, thus there is no need to try and find ways to save even more. Well, I’m here to tell you that the low everyday price at Walmart is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to saving a buck or two. Here are 9 awesomely clever ways to save money at Walmart, aka Wally World.

Crack the Walmart Price Tag Code

Did you know you can tell if a clearance item at Walmart is about to get even cheaper simply by looking at the price tag?

According to an anonymous Walmart employee tip, here is what you need to know to crack the price tag code:

• Price ending with a 7 is typically the original price. Examples include $2.97 or $5.57. Know that you’re paying full price if you see a price ending in 7.
• Price ending with a 5 or 0 is the 1st markdown price. Examples include $3.25 or $45.00. This price is better than the above obviously, but not the cheapest the item may potentially go.
• Price ending with a 1 is the FINAL markdown price. Examples include $4.91 or $57.01. This is the holy grail at Walmart and is the cheapest price the item will go.

The key takeaway from this information is to check inventory levels and buy accordingly.

If you find a product with an ending price of 5, and there is ample inventory on the shelf, it will probably be worth your while to wait and come back when it is even cheaper.

PRO TIP: DIY PRICE DROPS WITH THE WALMART APP

Use the Scan & Go feature in the Walmart app to scan items yourself in-store.

Sometimes, the app shows lower prices than what’s displayed on the shelves, allowing you to claim the lower price at checkout via the Walmart online price match.

Focus on Clearance and Rollback sections as they’re hotspots for hidden discounts. Items marked as clearance or rollback often scan even cheaper than the displayed price.

Also, items close to their expiration date (like perishable foods) can scan for additional discounts not reflected on the shelf.

Walmart often updates its pricing system in the early morning or overnight. Visit the store during these times and scan items for newly applied discounts.

See Also: Shop Smart at Walmart: Employees Tell Me the Smartest and Dumbest Buys

Look For Clearance Deals (Not in the Clearance Section)

So this tip is gonna sound a little counter-intuitive.

Don’t go looking for the best clearance deals in the actual clearance section at Walmart, especially when shopping for consumer electronics.

Instead, look down low in the glass cases/cabinets in your local Walmart’s electronics section.

I got this tip from a current Walmart employee who said, “Most marked down, high end electronics are held in cabinets near or under their respective items.

Most reduced items are not displayed and rarely have price tags.

Ask to see their clearance specifically in cases. At the change of major seasons many older model items will be switched out for newer ones.”

Turns out this is where they store excess inventory, and they also use the glass case as a theft deterrent.

I personally have found big deals on Samsung tablets, GPS units, high-end external hard drives, and Bluetooth speakers. All of which were priced below Amazon.

It should also be pointed out that not every Walmart is set up with the cases/cabinets in the electronics department but it’s always worth a look.

See Also: 7 Target Clearance Tips: Learn How to Save BIG at Tarzhay

Find Screaming Refurbished Deals

A fantastic way to save money at Walmart, especially on electronics, is to buy refurbished items that still come with the manufacturer’s warranty.

But how do you find these refurbished deals? It actually couldn’t be easier, yet most Walmart shoppers have no clue how to find them.

All you have to do is simply type in “Refurbished” into the search bar on Walmart.com and you’ll instantly be connected to some amazing deals.

Right now you can find a refurbished HP laptop for $100 off, a Xbox One console for $40 off, and a 39″ Vizio LED HDTV for only $169.99. Pretty awesome savings.

Shop Early in the Morning

When it comes to scoring a clearance deal on bakery items, produce, and meats you’ll want to shop early.

This is especially true for grocery meats according to CBS News. “Normally, by 8 a.m., the meat department has discounted their meat, and you can grab some great deals.”

By early, I mean try to shop on weekday mornings between 8 – 9 a.m..

Employees typically do their clearance markdowns early in the morning.

So by shopping early you get “first dibs” and save money on meat, bread, fruits, and vegetables.

Some of the items may be nearing their “sell by” date but if you’re planning on eating the item that day (or the next) it doesn’t really matter.

PRO TIP: NEGOTIATE FOR A BETTER DEAL

When shopping for meats, look for packaged meat with a Sell By Date of today’s or tomorrow’s date and politely ask an employee if they can mark it down for you.

99% of the time they’ll print out a yellow Clearance price tag to put on the meat, which will save you a whopping 40% off the original price.

If you have the freezer space, this is a great time to stock up and save BIG.

See Also: We Breakdown the Walmart Return Policy So It Makes Sense

Get FREE Money Back on Coupons

From the Walmart site, “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.”

For example, if you use a coupon at Walmart for $2 off a box of Fruity Pebbles, and the cereal is on sale for $1.75, you’d actually get $0.25 back to be used on the balance of your purchase.

Even Fred Flintstone would like that deal. BTW, in case you hadn’t guessed, I love me some Fruity Pebbles.

Score Free Shipping on Orders Under $35

Unfortunately, Walmart has a free shipping threshold of $35 or more to qualify for free 2-day delivery.

This often leads to overspending as shoppers fill up their virtual basket with stuff they don’t really need, just to qualify for free shipping. Not smart.

Instead, consider using the Walmart Free Store Pickup program which gives you the ability to order online, and in most cases, pick up from your local store on the same day for NO charge.

Once you place your online order, just wait for a Walmart app notification, text, or email when your order is ready to be picked up.

Then just notify them via the Walmart app that you’ve parked in the designated spot and a Walmart associate will bring your order to you.

PRO TIP: USE “BRICKSEEK” FOR HIDDEN CLEARANCE

BrickSeek.com lets you search for hidden clearance items at your local Walmart. Simply enter the product’s SKU or UPC code to uncover deals not labeled on shelves.

Simple go to BrickSeek.com and select “Walmart Inventory Checker” from the menu.

Next, input the item’s SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) or UPC (Universal Product Code).

You can find SKUs/UPCs on Walmart.com or by scanning the item’s barcode with the Walmart app.

Next, enter your zip code to check inventory and pricing at Walmart stores near you.

BrickSeek will display the following:

• Current price (including hidden clearance markdowns).
• Stock availability at nearby stores.
• Store-specific pricing variations.

Bottomline, uses BrickSeek’s insights to prioritize which Walmart stores to visit for the best deals.

Buy Refurbished Electronics

Buying refurbished electronics from Walmart can be an excellent way to save money without compromising quality.

Refurbished products are often priced 20-50% lower than new ones, making them an affordable option for high-ticket items like laptops, smartphones, and TVs.

Walmart partners with trusted refurbishers to inspect, repair, and test items to ensure they meet manufacturer standards.

Most refurbished items come with a warranty (typically 90 days, but sometimes longer). This ensures you’re protected against defects or issues post-purchase.

Walmart offers a broad range of refurbished products, including:

Electronics: Laptops, tablets, smartwatches, gaming consoles.
Home Appliances: Vacuum cleaners, coffee makers, kitchen gadgets.
Tech Accessories: Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and chargers.

PRO TIP: UNDERSTAND THE WARRANTY

When buying refurbished electronics from Walmart, be sure you understand what the warranty covers, such as parts and labor, and how long it lasts.

For extra peace of mind, you can often add an extended Walmart Protection Plan at checkout. These plans cover additional repairs or replacements.

Read the listing carefully for details on the item’s condition, included accessories, and potential cosmetic imperfections.

Pair refurbished electronics with discounted refurbished accessories (like cases, keyboards, or chargers) for additional savings.

Find “Hidden” Deals on Walmart.com

Let’s be honest, the Walmart site is not the easiest to navigate and can be darn right frustrating.

This is especially true when trying to find their online clearance section as they often fail to place the link “above the fold” in their site navigational structure.

The solution to this problem is simple, yet little known among bargain hunters.

All you have to do is type “Clearance” into the Walmart.com search bar and you’ll get instant access to all of their clearance deals.

A few of the hidden deals that I found include $29.99 Apple EarPods for $9.49, a $129.99 Lifetime Basketball System for $79, and a $7.99 Insten HDMI cable (2-Pack) for only $2.49.

Never Pay Full Price for Walmart+

Walmart+ is a game changer for many shoppers as it gets you free grocery delivery, free 2-day shipping, a free Paramount+ account, and up to 10 cents off per gallon of gas at Walmart and Sam’s Club gas stations.

A subscription will run you $99/annually unless you know what you’re doing.

Specifically, every June and early-November for about a week, Walmart slashes the price in half down to $49.

Always wait until June or November to sign-up and save an EASY fifty bucks.

Also, if you’re on any kind of government assistance you can get Walmart+ for ONLY $49 all year long.

Ask the Reader: I hope these tips can help you save. What’s your best tip for saving cash at Walmart? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Photo by Mike Mozart

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)