This Walmart Hack Will Change How You Shop

Walmart is not only the largest retailer in the U.S; it's the largest in the world. As such, the company has relationships with third-party sellers scattered across the globe. And that's where this hack comes in. 

If you're always on the lookout for a better deal, it's possible to take advantage of the relationships Walmart has built with more than 130,000 other retailers, all vying for your business. 

Here are three ways Walmart has changed my shopping experience.

1.  I never have to shop in store

Walmart has used a portion of its estimated $1.56 billion daily sales to spruce up its digital presence. I use the Walmart app at least once a week to order groceries, delivered right to my door for free thanks to a Walmart+ membership. 

As a cool aside, I don't even have to pay for the membership because it's a perk I get from The Platinum Card® from American Express. When you use the card to pay for your Walmart+ monthly membership, you get a monthly statement credit covering the full $12.95 amount. (Terms apply; enrollment may be required.) The amount I tip the driver doesn't come close to how much it would cost me to take time away from my job to shop. 

2.  I can save a ridiculous amount of money

My husband and I had just made our 21st move (this was three moves ago). We were settling into a house in Kenosha, Wisconsin and needed a few new furnishings. Since we didn't need much, I became mega-focused on hunting down what I wanted. 

I got it into my head that I had to have two recliners that look like classic wingback chairs. Oh, and I wanted them to be covered in a beautiful fabric. I had no idea what that fabric would look like, but was sure I'd know it when I saw it. 

For weeks, I searched for the elusive chairs, like Ernest Shackleton looking for the South Pole. Every day, I would spend time with a cup of coffee and my laptop, scrolling through stores' websites. I'd nearly given up when I came across a furniture store I'd never heard of before. The clouds didn't part and I don't recall angels singing, but the thrill was there just the same. I found the chairs of my dreams. Unfortunately, they cost hundreds more than I'd budgeted.

I found the manufacturer's name, type of fabric, and measurements in the description for the original chair. I vaguely remembered that Walmart carries third-party products from around the world, so I checked the Walmart website, and sure enough, it had the exact same chairs -- for hundreds less.

Since that time, I rarely make a purchase without checking Walmart's website. For example, when we moved into our current home, we needed more new items than usual due to a ridiculous incident with our moving company. Through the Walmart website (and mostly third-party sellers), I've been able to purchase drapes, kitchenware, and other furnishings without breaking the bank. 

A couple of weeks ago, I decided that setting up a small coffee station in the kitchen would save counter space. I only had 40 inches of wallspace to work with, and wanted a small, rustic console with glass doors. I definitely didn't need it to be high-quality furniture, because it would barely be seen from the nook I wanted it to occupy and I knew it would be covered with several coffee makers. 

There was a small console with great reviews at Kohl's for $480, and I was super excited to find the exact same thing on the Wayfair site for $370. The Walmart price, including $50 shipping from a third-party seller, was $296. I didn't save a fortune, but when your spouse hopes to retire one day, every little bit into the retirement fund helps. 

Here's the thing, though: I don't always find the best price at Walmart. Still, I've learned that checking can pay off. 

3.  Buying from Walmart is like hiring the biggest kid on the playground as a bodyguard  

We have a little more space in this house, so I had an extra bedroom I could decorate for our three granddaughters. To get three beds into the room, I purchased a full bunk bed with a twin-size trundle bed under it. Again, I found what I wanted through a third-party Walmart seller.

Unfortunately, the bunk bed arrived missing an entire section. The moment I let Walmart know, it was on the case. The seller was equally responsive. I suspect that's because when a smaller company has a chance to sell its products through the largest retailer in the world, it would prefer to stay on that retailer's good side. The third-party company wasn't able to get the third box to us for some reason, but quickly provided a refund. 

I like knowing that I can return a purchase by either taking it back to a Walmart store or asking Walmart to help me deal with a third-party issue. It's like having a retail bodyguard, someone looking out for my interests.

No matter how I feel about a particular retailer, I will always shop around. You never know when you're going to find a better deal. Right now, though, I'm taking advantage of the improvements Walmart has made to its app and e-commerce site.