Another shopper has come out about the latest trend to hit retail apparel departments.
In a viral video, Brittany Davidson (@brittanydavidsonn) says she was at Walmart when she spotted a pair of shorts with a tag on it that said it was $22. The prices on all the other tags had been ripped off.
She takes the shorts to self-checkout and notices they’re ringing up at $24. When she asks an associate to adjust the price so it reflects what’s on the tag, she’s told that the store cannot honor it. Davidson says she was first told the price difference was because item sizes varied. However, a larger pair of the shorts was also ringing up at $24.
Preemptively acknowledging commenters who would tell her that $2 is nothing to be upset about, she says it’s not about the amount. Her problem is that workers are ripping off the price tags, electronically raising item prices, and then not honoring the printed price for the few items that still have tags.
Fortunately, she says she was able to get the store to honor the printed price. She adds that when she asked a worker whether they thought it was wrong that the store was essentially pulling a bait-and-switch, the worker responded, “Oh, that’s not the case. They’re supposed to be ripping off the tags. This isn’t a new thing.”
‘Target and Dollar Tree are doing the exact same thing’
In the comments section, some viewers said price increases were the result of tariffs. Others argued that since the items were already in-store and not newly imported, the prices should not have changed. Several pointed out that other stores were engaging in the practice, and at least one said it’s not new. Then, some argued that not only was it possible for Walmart to adjust the digital price to the printed price, but it was also the law.
“How did you think tariffs work?” one questioned. “Target and Dollar Tree are doing the exact same thing.”
A second argued, “They also didn’t pay tariffs on the stuff that’s already out. So they’re scamming.”
A third wrote, “I had them adjust a clearance item today. It rang up at $10, sticker said $1. They absolutely can.” In the same vein, a fourth said, “Its actually a law that they have to honor the displayed price.”
Another who claimed to have inside knowledge wrote, “As a former KOHLS employee this has been happening for years at every retailer. They rip off old prices, and up it.”
Are tariffs to blame for price changes at Walmart?
It seems so. As we previously reported, Walmart said it would raise prices on goods in response to tariffs. However, it did not specify which items would be affected. Experts suggested apparel would be an affected category. Of the goods CNBC tracked after the price increase announcement, at least one of them that went up was apparel. Still, the outlet is unsure whether price increases are wholly or in part due to Trump’s tariffs.
Are other stores doing this?
Yes, several customers have recently gone viral for calling out Walmart, Target, Dollar General, and Dollar Tree for these pricing practices. Customers have noticed prices on clothes at Target and Walmart being ripped off and items ringing up higher than the price on the tag (when a tag can be found, that is). A Walmart apparel worker revealed in a later deleted video that she had been instructed to rip all the tags off because prices were increasing. A Target apparel worker also said they had to remove tags from items because most prices were going up by $5-10.
Regarding the dollar stores, the Ohio Attorney General sued Dollar General in 2022, accusing the store of advertising items at one price only for them to ring up for a different one. Days later, he filed a suit against Family Dollar for the same practice. More recently, at Dollar Tree, a customer noticed a circular red sticker covering the $1.25 printed price of an item. She says when she asked a worker about it, she was told everything would be going up to $1.50. The CEO said the store would raise prices in response to tariffs, but the hikes wouldn’t be across the board. The company said it would be “strategic” by doing things like adding more products that cost more than $1.25.
Does Walmart legally have to honor the price tag, even if the register price is higher?
According to FindLaw, “In almost every jurisdiction, you are entitled to pay the lowest advertised price or lowest retail price listed on the item. This includes any sale price or reduced price that may be applicable.”
What should you do if the register shows a higher price than advertised?
- Alert the cashier. Show them the advertised price you expected to pay.
- If the cashier disagrees or you’re at self-checkout, alert a manager. FindLaw states, “Provide evidence, such as an advertisement or coupon, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), the former price, and the sale price. Typically, if you do this in good faith, the retailer will honor your request.”
- Confirm that the evidence matches the item you’re trying to buy. “You may need to compare UPC numbers or do a price comparison,” FindLaw states.
- If you’re online shopping, immediately call the retailer to explain the situation. Don’t wait, as prices may change in the meantime.
- If you’re still charged the wrong price, send respectful and evidentiary correspondence to the corporate office.
- If the situation is egregious and still unaddressed, contact the consumer protection department of your state’s attorney general’s office.
The Mary Sue has contacted Davidson via email and Walmart via media contact form.
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