Has your Walmart changed their Ad Match policy?

My local Walmart has a new price matching policy posted on their registers.  (Thanks to Marci at Couponin Momma from TX for bringing that to my attention)

The upshot is this: if you are price matching more than one item, you must have the ad even though the national policy posted online here says that you do not need the ad ever.

*The following are guidelines and limitations:

• We will match any local competitor’s advertised price.
• We do not require customers to have the ad with them to honor a competitor’s ad.
• Items purchased must be identical to the ad (size, quantity, brand, flavor, color, etc.)

I was curious if this was a new national policy or if it was just my store so I contacted customer service, here’s the salient portion of our conversation.

Aarn Farmer: Here’s my question. My Walmart has a new policy posted stating that if you are PMing more than one item you must have the ads. Your online policy says you don’t need the ads ever. Which is correct?
Katonya: Aarn, the process varies from store to store.
Katonya: I completely understand how you feel, because my local Walmart store states the same thing of the ad needs to be provided to price match.
Aarn Farmer: OK, so there isn’t a set policy nationwide?
Katonya: That is correct Aarn
Aarn Farmer: ok. Thanks a ton. One more thing. Would you know the approximate percentage of stores ignoring the online policy?
Katonya: Aarn, unfortunately, we do not have a database confirming which stores that varies regarding their price matching policies.
Katonya: And you are very welcome.
Aarn Farmer: Ok. That’s all I need then. Thank you

Kind of makes you wonder if anyone even remembers this commercial.

Do you remember?

What you need to know

#1   The first thing you need to know is the reasoning here.  The reason they initially didn’t want you to show the ad is for time’s sake.  Walmarts are very busy and scouring ads for every order would be a killer on their already-to-long “customer standing in line” time.  However if you are PMing several things, the store just wants to make sure it’s not being taken advantage of.

#2   I’ve been saying for years to always take your ads with you so hopefully this won’t cause any changes to your shopping routine.  Remember to sign up for your favorite store’s mailing list to get your ads, check your newspaper, and have them bookmarked on your smart phones to be able to access them quickly.

#3  Most importantly, know your store’s policy.  Make sure you know what they will be looking for.

Hope that helps!

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