Walmart Says Alleged “Pricing Conspiracy” Is Just A Simple Mistake

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

In the past we’ve reported on Target’s fuzzy math, retailers failing to understand what “clearance” means, and department stores being sued for allegedly inflating the original price of items in order make discounts look more attractive. These issues appear to have combined at Walmart, where one shopper says the company is running a “clearance conspiracy”: slapping clearance tags with much higher prices on formerly less expensive items.

A Reddit user posted several photos he claims shows the nation’s largest retailer is running a ploy in which customers pay more for items on clearance than they would when the product was full-price, The Huffington Post reports.

The photos show the clearance section and several items at a New Jersey Walmart. The man says in one instance, he found a flashlight on clearance with a sticker for $10.97. However, under that tag he found another Walmart sticker that showed the flashlight was previously being sold for $5.99.

An XBOX 360 game showed a clearance sticker with the price $29.96, but, again, underneath that tag was another showing the price as $19.




(SillyPickle)

This was enough for the man, who didn’t address the issue with store employees, to proclaim, “I’ve uncovered a clearance conspiracy at Walmart.”

A Walmart spokesperson denied the accusation, telling the Huffington Post that there was nothing funny happening in the clearance aisle.

“This is an isolated incident and a pricing error in this store,” the spokesperson said, noting that had the man attempted to purchase one of the items he would have been charged the lower price.

Shopper Photographs Apparent ‘Clearance Conspiracy’ At Walmart [Huffington Post]

 

[Tony D]

I shop at Walmart about 4 times/yr. Each time, I purchase only a few items. Each time in the last year, I was charged more than the shelf-listed price for an item. Each time I mentioned it to the cashier, they took my word for the correct price. Didn't even price check. Wondering if this happens so often that it's an accepted practice.

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

Depending upon the total price of the item, you could have either gotten the item free, if it was under $10.00 or they would have to give you $10.00 off the purchase price of the item.
They have a price accuracy policy but here's the thing, you have to request it, they won't offer it to you voluntarily.
They got off cheap with you, Tony. It didn't cost them anything.

 

[Tony D]

Thanks, I'll be looking for that next time I'm there.

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

You're welcome, Tony.
I have a habit of checking all stores price accuracy policy, wherever I shop.

 

[Tony D]

I needed a couple of things so I went to Walmart. Purchased 3 items. All scanned correctly for a change.

The notice at the register stated that they would correct inaccurately scanned items. Nothing about this $10 policy. That may be a Canadian thing, not US.

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

You are right. The price scanning accuracy guarantee is still in effect in Canada.
The US guarantee is no longer being offered.
It turns out that the price accuracy guarantee was part of a legal settlement that USA Walmart agreed to in 2008.
It was a four year agreement... which has now ended.