Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
Walmart is in the process of testing a new savings feature called Savings Catcher. Currently this concept is only being tested in these select markets: Atlanta-GA, Charlotte-NC, Dallas-TX, Huntsville-AL, Lexington-KY,Minneapolis-MN and San Diego-CA, but could be expanded in the not too distant future.
The process seems to be fairly simple. If you shop at Walmart and don't do price matching at the register, you can get the benefit of price matching “after the fact”. The goal is to take away the need for you to hunt for the lowest prices on food and household items but still get the lowest prices and save time and money.
Here's how it works:
You set up an account on www.walmart.com, log onto the Savings Catcher page and type in the TC number near the bottom of your Walmart receipt or scan the barcode from your receipt using the Walmart app scanner. Savings Catcher compares prices of every item on the receipt to a database of advertised prices from your local competitors. They've hired an undisclosed third party to provide them with this information. The advertised prices being compared are retailers with physical stores in your area and does not include online rivals.
If the competitor offers a lower advertised price on an identical item/items you purchased, Savings Catcher, gives you the difference back on a Walmart Rewards eGift card. You can use your credit immediately in-store or online or accumulate the savings.
How does it work if you've used coupons? Not a problem according to the Walmart Savings Catcher FAQ's. They will still give you the price difference from the original Walmart price of the item, before coupons, to the competitor's advertised price.
There are some items that the Savings Catcher won't compare: store brand items, deli, bakery and weighed items like produce and meat; general merchandise items; non-branded items; tobacco, firearms, gasoline, tires, prescription drugs, optical and photo products and services or products that require a service agreement such as wireless, automotive or financial products.
If you price match at the register, this feature really won't offer any additional savings. However, if you simply go shopping at Walmart without checking ads, that is the time to use the Savings Catcher to make sure you didn't miss any deals.
Sounds like a winner for the Walmart shopper or those looking to ensure they are getting the lowest sale price!
