Additional Coverage:
- Walmart shopper points at a major issue over product pricing: ‘Make sure you are checking’ (marketrealist.com)
Is Walmart Playing Pricing Games? Shopper Alleges Major Discrepancy Between Online and In-Store Prices
A recent incident has sparked debate among shoppers and raised questions about pricing practices at retail giant Walmart. A TikTok user documented a significant price difference for the same cat litter product, leading to speculation about “surge pricing” and even customer tracking.
The story unfolded when TikTok user @discokingj was browsing for cat litter on Walmart’s online platform. He found a specific model and size listed for a wallet-friendly $12.42.
Opting for in-store pickup, he added it to his cart, only to find the earliest pickup slot was late in the evening. Thinking he’d simply grab it from the store earlier, he headed to his local Walmart.
However, a surprise awaited him. The exact same cat litter, which he had just seen online for $12.42, was priced at a hefty $29 on the store shelf. His video detailing the experience has since garnered over 46,000 views, igniting a discussion about how prices are determined in today’s retail landscape.
The TikTok user presented a couple of theories to explain the stark discrepancy. One possibility, he suggested, is “surge pricing” or “dynamic pricing,” where prices fluctuate based on demand.
Another, more intriguing theory, posits that the retailer might be tracking user behavior, personalizing prices based on individual browsing habits and purchase history. He also highlighted the growing trend of major retail chains adopting digital product pricing displays, which he believes could facilitate price manipulation based on real-time demand.
Adding to his suspicion, @discokingj pointed out the “precariously coincidental” timing of the price hike. He speculated that the item he had been eyeing online, and for which he had physically come to the store, suddenly surged in price just as he was considering purchasing it, leading him to believe he might have been under surveillance.
“So, if you do, like, delivery or pick up or something like that, then it changes – like, the price, depending on you and your account and what it knows about you. But the other idea about it is that it also tracks you throughout the store,” he stated in his video. Further fueling his concern was the observation that other cat litters of the same size were all priced around the $12 range, with the exception of the particular one he wanted.
This isn’t the first time Walmart has faced accusations of “surge pricing.” While the retail giant has previously denied using such tactics, many customers remain unconvinced.
Other users have also reported instances of prices changing once they entered a store. Some businesses have even been criticized for not displaying physical price tags, allowing for potential price adjustments based on demand.
While Walmart has yet to issue an official statement regarding this specific incident, @discokingj urged fellow shoppers to be vigilant. “Regardless if it’s true or not, make sure you’re checking those tags every time before you buy,” he advised, using hashtags like #walmart, #groceryshopping, #moneyhacks, and #savingmoney to spread his message.