Walmart can be super convenient, but with so many items, shopping elsewhere is a better decision. In most cases, buying these products from an alternate source can result in better quality goods as well as saving some money. In this article, we’ll go through 17 items from Walmart to avoid.
Gift Cards
Gift cards from Walmart are something you should avoid, as they sell for their exact face value at the store compared to retailers like Costco that offer discounts. Online platforms such as Gift Card Granny also provide both discounted rates and cash back if you buy from them instead.
Table Settings
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for table settings on a budget or want to pull off a fancy dinner party—there are better places to shop than Walmart. Comparable products are available for less at dollar stores, and higher quality options elsewhere cost a little more but are often of better quality than Walmart.
Tires
When it comes to tires, it’s more cost-effective to shop somewhere like Costco. As shared by The Motley Fool, “Costco tires are affordable and come with free benefits that can make tire installation cheaper than competitors.” Walmart’s tire services, on the other hand, cost extra, causing an unnecessary drain on your earnings.
Kitchen Appliances
You may find that you need to replace your kitchen appliances frequently if you buy them from Walmart. With that said, we suggest you shop around for higher-quality brands that will last longer and therefore help you save more of your hard-earned money in the long term.
Disposable Utensils
A dollar store should be your first stop for disposable utensils, rather than Walmart. Though it may be more convenient to pick some up at Walmart, if you tend to purchase them often, it’s better to look around and shop elsewhere for greater savings.
Diapers
If you want to get the most diapers for your money, then Walmart isn’t the best place to go. Services such as Amazon Family offer 20% off diapers, and buying in bulk ensures that a lot of money is saved in the long run.
Toys
You can often find lower prices online for the same toys you find in-store. BuzzFeed recommends online stores like The Little Market, Target, and Uncommon Goods. Amazon is also a good option! Keep this in mind when shopping for Christmas (where the costs online get even lower comparatively) and birthday gifts.
Video Games
Walmart has a limited selection of video games, and its lack of sales and discounts makes it not the best store to buy from. Sites such as Steam and Amazon, however, offer frequent sales, and community feedback indicates both better service and delivery from these alternate sources.
Books and Music
In this day and age, most people find it more convenient to subscribe to services such as Spotify and Apple for their music—often cheaper than buying physical copies. Meanwhile, books are usually found much cheaper, with a much wider selection, on Amazon.
Magazines
Sites such as Magazines Direct offer significant savings on subscriptions and also have plenty of coupons that can be used to save money. Though Walmart can be convenient if something happens to catch your eye, it tends to cost more per issue due to the lack of subscription savings when buying in-store.
Wrapping Paper
According to Earth 911, “Approximately 4.6 million lbs. of wrapping paper is produced in the U.S. each year.” If you want to get the best quality or are okay with Walmart’s quality but want to spend less, we suggest shopping elsewhere.
Greeting Cards
Greeting cards at Walmart are often marked up, despite being readily available for less at other stores. Both online alternatives and specialty card stores offer cheaper cards with far greater options for customization and the option to have them delivered.
Jewelry
If you’re looking to purchase some jewelry, don’t go to Walmart. The jewelry here is said to be of poor quality compared to that of dedicated jewelers. Shopping for jewelry at specialty stores also guarantees a better selection. Not to mention, you’re not going to enjoy a luxury shopping experience at Walmart.
Prepaid Phone Plans
Among the benefits of a prepaid phone plan is that “there’s no long-term contract requirements or overage charges for minutes that exceed the monthly plan,” as per Yahoo News. It’s easy to get one at Walmart, but it’s said that the store’s plans have inferior network coverage and customer service compared to alternatives.
Large Appliances
Large appliances, such as refrigerators or washing machines, are known to be very limited in terms of selection at Walmart. It’s often found that specialized stores offer better warranties and customer service, and they usually have better deals available to customers.
Paper Products
Although Walmart can be convenient when you need some paper in a pinch, you’ll find that better prices can be found elsewhere if you shop around. This is particularly useful if you run your own business, as it can help you cut down on costs considerably.
Generic Supplements
The main issue with generic supplements from Walmart is the regulatory concerns associated with them. Alternative brand-name sources are a safer bet, as they’ve already established a high level of trust with consumers. Other issues, such as label accuracy and the quality of the content in Walmart supplements, are also potential problems.
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