You need a new television or laptop and don’t have a lot of cash on hand. You know you can’t go to an expensive store that specializes in large electronics, but you also know there’s a Walmart not far away. It’s always been your go-to for inexpensive items of any kind, but should you really be buying electronics from Walmart?
Founded by Sam Walton in 1962, Walmart began as a discount store and is still the go-to across America for just about any item you could find, according to TheStreet. By the time the 20th century ended, Walmart had grown so much that it became the largest employer in the United States. In fiscal year 2020, Walmart’s annual revenue was nearly $524 billion. In 2021, the superstore’s annual revenue was $559 billion, a 6.72% increase from the previous year (via Macrotrends). Walmart’s slogan is “Save Money. Live Better,” but saving money doesn’t always mean you’re getting the best shopping experience, especially when electronics are involved.
You may be better off staying away from Walmart's electronics
While Walmart’s electronic selection is name brand, unlike many electronic items at corner dollar stores, they may not be top-of-the-line name brand, according to Cheat Sheet. In fact, Banking Rates claims you can find cheaper deals at other large retailers.
“While Walmart is very competitive when it comes to the pricing of electronics, it doesn’t always have the lowest price,” shopping expert Trae Bodge told Banking Rates. “Prior to investing in a 4K TV, use a deal site, like Slickdeals, to look for deals at competitors, like Amazon, Best Buy, Target or Newegg.”
Hayley Peterson, a writer for Business Insider, claimed she had customer service trouble when shopping for an Apple Watch at Walmart, explaining that the salesperson didn’t even know what the item was. Peterson then decided to shop for the watch at Best Buy, a store that revolves its entire business model around electronics. She related that she had a much better experience, concluding that expert salespeople in specialty stores are likely your best bet when shopping for electronics.
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