What to Do When a Rollback Happens After You Buy
How to handle a price drop at Walmart if you’ve just paid full-price.
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Walmart shoppers live for Rollbacks, which are temporary price drops on products — indicated with big red tags — that can last for months, weeks, days, or just a few hours. So, it’s important to jump on one fast. (If the item is something you need, of course. Buying things just because they’re on sale isn’t a good savings strategy!)
But what happens if Walmart puts an item on Rollback just days or hours after you purchased it?
For true bargain hunters, few things are worse than missing a deal. That extra money could’ve been in your pocket … or in your bank account, earning interest. Gah!
Can You Get a Rollback Price Adjustment?
The answer is: maybe. As a general rule, Walmart won’t simply refund the difference if you bought pre-Rollback. Like with competitor price matching, policies have become stricter over the years.
But here’s a hack to get around that: For a nonperishable item in undamaged condition, just return it and then make a new purchase at the lower price. Simple as that. (Make sure to bring your receipt. If you used a credit or debit card, bring the card with you, too.)
It’s a bit of a hassle — for yourself and the Walmart workers — but hey, we’ll never judge anyone for going the extra mile to save a buck.
Pro Tip: Set Price Alerts
Browsing your local Walmart’s aisles is the best way to keep track of Rollbacks since discounts vary at individual stores. But online sleuths can get notified when a specific item at Walmart.com drops below their target price with third-party apps like Price Tracker for Walmart (available on Android and iPhone). Discover when an item goes on sale — before or after you buy it.