The rise of fast fashion worldwide has made it easy to snag trendy clothing for just a few bucks. However, Americans still spend hundreds of billions every year on apparel.
In 2023 alone, the average U.S. household spent about $655 on women’s apparel and $406 on men’s clothing. This is roughly $1,061 per year on apparel, according to Consumer Expenditure Survey data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
And while prices may seem low, shoppers are noticing that quality isn’t what it used to be.
On top of all this, one Walmart shopper claims there’s even more going on than just cheap materials and high turnover.
Woman says Walmart is being ‘shady‘
TikTok user Meagan (@meaganreininger) shared a “tip” for fellow Walmart shoppers. Her video has already been viewed over 411,300 times.
“This message is for anybody who likes to shop at Walmart. You’re gonna wanna hear this,” she said, before showing a row of simple No Boundaries tops.
According to Meagan, Walmart is altering its tags. “If you’ve shopped at Walmart recently, they’re doing this shady thing where they take all the perforated pieces off the tags,” she explained, zooming in on several shirts with torn-off tags.
She then pointed out that some tags are left untouched, revealing a different price. “Every once in a while, you’ll find one that still has the actual price left on it,” she said, showing a top marked $5.
The sign above the display, however, listed the price as $7.98. “They’re marking it up. And then when you take it to the register, it’s gonna ring up $7.98. But if you can take one that still says, ‘Well, this is $5,’ then they have to honor this price,” she added.
“Yeah, Walmart’s being shady,” she concluded.
She addresses the backlash
While Meagan initially allowed comments on her video, they’ve since been turned off.
But she later responded to the pushback she received from what she called “Walmart superheroes.”
“All of you came for me in the comments like the Walmart superheroes you are,” she said. “Maybe you forgot that Walmart is a major corporation that doesn’t give a [expletive] about you.”
She suggested that many commenters defended the price increase by blaming tariffs. But Meagan dismissed that idea, pointing to Walmart’s financial growth. “Walmart had a 4.22% increase in their revenue in 2025,” she said, adding that tariffs wouldn’t “touch” the company’s bottom line.
According to data from Macrotrends, her claim checks out: Walmart’s revenue did increase by 4.22% in 2025 compared to the previous year.
Is Walmart required to honor the price on the tag?
Texas law treats pricing transparency seriously. Under the Federal Trade Commission Act and backed by federal and Texas consumer protection principles, displaying multiple prices—even on torn-off tags—strongly suggests the retailer must honor the lowest price shown.
In practical terms, if Walmart displays a $5 price on the original tag but rings you up at $7.98, you may be within your rights to demand the lower price or pursue consumer protection remedies.
@meaganreininger @Walmart we see you and we don’t like it. Those shirts are $5 quality at the most. #walmart #walmartfinds #scam ♬ original sound – Meagan
The Mary Sue has reached out to Meagan and Walmart for comment.
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