Walmart Coupon Policy and Price Match Policy Changes

There have been a couple of small changes to the Walmart Coupon Policy, I don’t think they are going to make any huge difference but they may cause a little confusion. In a way that only Walmart and an attorney can do they have added  some vagueness that is sure to confuse some under trained cashiers.

I have highlighted the changes that I can pick out so you can see them. There are three changes that I think are going to cause some issues

• We have the ability to limit the number of identical coupons and the number of coupons for the same item per transaction.
• Item purchased must be identical to the coupon (size, quantity, brand, flavor, color, etc).

• The system will prompt for supervisor verification for:
  • 4 or more like coupons per transaction.
  • A coupon of $5 and over.
  • $50 or more in coupons in one transaction.
  • Coupons totaling a percentage (%) off of the total sale.

I completely understand why Walmart has made some of these changes, but I wish they would have been more clear. The “we have the ability to limit” change is going to be read by some as “I have the ability to limit if I think this is too good of a deal” It was put in to deter shelf clearing but will undoubtedly hurt large families, but all in all not the end of the world.

The items purchased must be identical to the coupon is going to renew the timeless battle of what is written or what is pictured on the coupon. This was put in for all the people that believe if a coupon scans it is ok to use it, even they know it is for the wrong item. This one I can see being a pretty ugly battle for some. Be nice……. really, be nice.

All of the changes in the “system will prompt for a supervisor verification” are going to be interpreted by some as “if it beeps it means no”

Overall, Walmart is trying to limit coupon fraud and shelf clearing which I totally get and support. For the love of all that is good and holy could you please add a little clarity AND something that says you may ad match and use a coupon!!!!!!!

I think the positive to take away is that I think it is safe to say that they are not getting rid of Price Matching and moving on to just the Savings Catcher if they are making changes to the existing policy.

With that, let’s move on to the Walmart Ad Match Policy. There are only two changes that I saw and they are simply things that define or specify a little more and shouldn’t really affect anyone.

Walmart Coupon Policy

We gladly accept the following types of coupons*

• Print-at-home internet coupons
  • Must be legible
  • Must have “Manufacturer Coupon” printed on them
  • Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
  • Must have a valid expiration date
  • Must have a scannable bar code
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons with a specified price
  • Are acceptable in black and white or color
  • May not be duplicated
• Manufacturers’ coupons
  • For dollar/cents off
  • We honor the manufacturer limitations 
  • For free items (except those printed off the Internet)
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons
  • Must have “Manufacturer Coupon” printed on them
  • Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
  • Must have a valid expiration date
  • Must have a scannable bar code
  • May not be duplicated
• Competitors’ coupons
  • A specific item for a specified price, for example, $2.99
  • Buy one get one free (BOGO) coupons for items with a specified price
  • Have a valid expiration date
  • Are acceptable in black & white or color
  • May not be duplicated
• Soft drink container caps
• Checkout coupons (“Catalinas”)
  • Printed at our competitors’ registers for dollar/cents off on a specific item
  • Must have “Manufacturer Coupon” with specific item requirements printed on them
  • Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
  • Must have a valid expiration date
  • Must have a scannable bar code
  • Are acceptable in black & white or color
  • May not be duplicated

We do not accept the following coupons:

• Checkout coupons
  • Dollars/cents or percentage off the entire basket purchase
• Print-at-home Internet coupons that require no purchase
• Competitors’ coupons
  • Dollars/cents off at a specific retailer
  • Percentage off
  • Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons without a specified price
  • Double- or triple-value coupons

*The following are guidelines and limitations:

• We only accept coupons for merchandise that we sell.
• Coupons must be presented at the time of purchase.
• Only one coupon per item.
• We have the ability to limit the number of identical coupons and the number of coupons for the same item per transaction.
• Item purchased must be identical to the coupon (size, quantity, brand, flavor, color, etc).
• Coupons must have an expiration date and be presented within the valid dates.
• 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.
• In all situations, we reserve the right to limit purchase quantities to typical retail purchase quantities or one-per-customer or household and to exclude dealers.
• Store Managers have the final decision in taking care of the customer.
• SNAP items purchased in a SNAP transaction are ineligible for cash back.
• WIC items purchased in a WIC transaction are applied to the basket purchase and may not be eligible for cash back. Refer to state-specific WIC guidelines.
• The system will prompt for supervisor verification for:
  • 4 or more like coupons per transaction.
  • A coupon of $5 and over.
  • $50 or more in coupons in one transaction.
  • Coupons totaling a percentage (%) off of the total sale.

Walmart Ad Match Policy