In addition to being a convenient one-stop shopping destination, Walmart stays popular with customers thanks to its reputation as having some of the lowest prices around. In fact, one of the few things that hasn't changed about the store is its ability to provide a great value to shoppers on a budget. But while many assume the mega-retailer can never be beat, it's not always the best option for every item. Read on for the most overpriced things at Walmart, according to retail experts.
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1 | Maple Syrup
Edgar Lee Espe/ShutterstockGrabbing a breakfast table staple like maple syrup might seem like a no-brainer if you're on a grocery run at Walmart. However, retail experts caution it's not the best deal out there.
"You can get larger bottles of pure maple syrup at Walmart, but the price per ounce isn't as impressive as what you'll find at stores like Costco," says Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews.com. "For instance, a 32-fluid-ounce bottle of Great Value-brand pure maple syrup at Walmart is nearly $16, or about 50 cents per ounce. However, at Costco, you can get a 33.8 fluid-ounce bottle for around $14.20 or so, depending on if you shop in-store or online, which works out to 42 cents per ounce in-store or 44 cents per ounce ordering online (as it's $14.99 online)."
Not only does it beat Walmart on price, but she also adds that Costco's Kirkland Signature maple syrup is also organic. "It's rare to find organic goods that cost less than their standard counterparts, so this makes choosing much easier for many shoppers," Ramhold says.
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2 | Dog Food
Jaromir Chalabala/ShutterstockIt's only natural to want the best for the four-legged members of your family. But if dogs could understand pricing or shopping in general, they'd likely warn you that Walmart might not be the place for you to buy their food.
"This Purina One Dry Dog Food at Walmart will run you $31.58. However, if you were to buy the same 16.5-pound bag from Chewy, it would cost you $30.28," says Samantha Landau, consumer expert at TopCashback.
She also adds that you can save five percent by scheduling with Chewy's "Autoship" program, dropping the price even lower to $28.77. "This is especially cost-efficient if your pet goes through their food supply fairly quickly," Landau tells Best Life. "In general, Chewy typically has lower prices on many pet products and is a great place to compare prices on your pet essentials."
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3 | Cascade Platinum Plus Dishwasher Pacs
iStockRunning your dishwasher is a serious time saver when it comes to getting chores done. Unfortunately, if you're buying your detergent in the wrong place, you could be missing out on saving money. According to Ramhold, Cascade Platinum Plus Dishwasher Pacs sold at Walmart are one such item.
"A pack of 62 dishwasher pacs there runs around $22.94 or about 37 cents each. However, if you shop for the same product at Costco, you'll get a container of 81 pacs for around $25.13, which is about 31 cents each," she says.
And, of course, she adds that they're even cheaper when you find them on sale at the warehouse retailer. "A difference of 6 cents may not sound like much, but it's one of those things that can definitely add up over time," Ramhold says.
4 | Treadmills
iStockIf you're thinking about creating a home gym, a treadmill can be a great place to start. But before you make your purchase, consider where you're buying it from.
"At Walmart, the NordicTrack 1250 Treadmill sells for $1,999. However, if you buy directly from NordicTrack, the treadmill is $1,799," says Landau. "That's $200 in savings, which can go towards other home gym items or workout clothing."
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5 | Store-brand Trash Bags
Mike_shots / ShutterstockTrash bags are the type of everyday essential that might seem like a natural Walmart purchase, but experts caution that you can get more for your money elsewhere.
"While you can get a box of 120 13-gallon-sized bags with a lavender scent for $18.37 at Walmart, it might not be worth it in the long run," says Ramhold. "That works out to 15 cents per bag, while at Costco, you can buy a box of 200 Kirkland Signature 13-gallon sized bags for $18.57, or about 9 cents per bag."
"If you go through a lot of trash due to a bigger family—or tend to use trash bags for storage and organization—Costco is clearly the better way to go for your money's worth," she adds.
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6 | Workbenches
golero/iStockHome improvement stores like Lowe's and The Home Depot aren't the only shopping options for DIY home projects. But when it comes to certain essential tools, they still might be a better option than Walmart.
"If you need an area to work on home improvement projects, a workbench is a good item to have. Walmart offers this Duramax Two-Drawer Rolling Workbench for $630. However, Home Depot offers the same exact product for $442.99," says Landau. "This makes the Home Depot option almost $200 cheaper. Instead, you can put that additional $200 towards a toolset or funding your first DIY project."
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