Walmart is known for offering affordable prices on almost all of its inventory. But that doesn’t always mean you’ll find the best deal at this big-box store.
These 18 items are better left on shelves and bought elsewhere.
1. Meat
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone recommending the meat at Walmart. Sure, it may be cheap, but it also has a reputation for tasting nasty, with Redditors saying the quality and flavor are “horrible.”
2. Fish
If you’re concerned the meat isn’t high quality enough, imagine how the fish is. Bottom line: Walmart isn’t known for selling fresh, high-quality seafood. If you want to take that chance and cheap out on the salmon or shrimp, good luck.
3. Furniture
If you’re furnishing a dorm room on the cheap, sure, Walmart isn’t the worst place to grab some accent pieces. But if you’re looking for anything like a dresser, dining table, or sofa, think again. Not only are the items not made to last, but they simply look cheap.
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4. Luggage
Airlines aren’t easy on luggage, with even the strongest, most expensive pieces getting dinged here and there. Unless you want to buy a new suitcase after every trip, don’t bother with Walmart luggage. It’s notorious for falling apart fast.
5. Shoes
Walmart’s shoe selection may seem worth it, with trendy looks for cheap. But the low price translates to low quality. Don’t expect great comfort, and do expect them to fall apart fast.
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6. Gift Bags and Wrapping Paper
One would think these types of items would be great to stock up on at Walmart. But they’re not that great of a deal. Head to a dollar store to find gift wrapping and bags for less money.
7. Batteries
Walmart is not known for cost savings when it comes to batteries. It’s better to head to a membership club like Costco or Sam’s Club to get more for your money.
8. Great Value Toilet Paper
One word: Ouch. Redditors say that Walmart’s brand of toilet paper feels like sandpaper. Toilet paper is one of those items that you shouldn’t cheap out on — after all, you use it multiple times a day.
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9. Produce
Like meat and fish, there’s usually not a great selection of produce at Walmart, and what’s there isn’t necessarily fresh. Find a nearby farmer’s market if you can, where it’s often cheaper (or at least the same price) to get produce that’s much fresher and possibly even organic.
10. Gift Cards
There’s been a scam for years where thieves write down the number on those cards in the display rack, then wait for someone else to activate it so they can make purchases. It’s just too easy to mess with these cards to take the risk.
11. Great Value Cereal
Price matters, but so does taste. Many Great Value cereals seem like they should be just as good as the cereal they’re knocking off, but some Redditors say they taste like cardboard compared to the real thing.
12. Toys
Walmart doesn’t sell toys any cheaper than any other store or Amazon. Your best bet is to wait for Black Friday deals on toys, which starts earlier and earlier every year.
13. Printer Ink
There are better options than Walmart for printer ink, an item that can be quite expensive. It’s best to shop around online to find the best deal rather than grabbing it from Walmart.
14. Anything Made of Wood
Solid wood items in Walmart are a rarity. Most items that claim they’re wood are actually made of particleboard, which doesn’t last and ages quickly.
15. Electronics
Walmart rarely has the best deals on electronic items. Plus, its electronics selection usually leaves something to be desired. But the biggest negative? If you have a problem with your item, the customer support is terrible. Walmart pales when compared to customer service at designated electronics stores.
16. Party Supplies
As with wrapping paper, Walmart doesn’t have the best deals on these types of basics. Head to the Dollar Store to save some bucks. The only caveat: If you’re looking for something with a special theme, and Walmart is the only place nearby that has it, do what you have to do.
17. Bicycles
Bikes sold at actual sporting stores are better quality than what you’ll find at Walmart. If you’re looking for a cheap little kid’s bike, Walmart isn’t the worst option, but a quick online search for used bikes is likely to get you something better for the same price (or less).
18. Frozen Food
You never know know how long a frozen item was sitting out before it was put in the freezer while stocking. While this may be the case for any grocery store, you’d be wise to skip that frozen dinner at Walmart.
