I was recently at my local Walmart and noticed that an entire shelf of pasta was practically empty. I then turned the corner and noticed that their ground coffee selection was almost cleared out. It was on a Sunday afternoon and it made me wonder when Walmart does their restocking. So I started asking around and got all the answers to my restocking questions. Here’s everything you need to know plus some tips to how to use this information to save money on your next grocery bill.

How Often Does Walmart Restock?

Every weekday in the middle of the night.

Walmart restocks general merchandise like groceries, clothing, home items with night crews during the week.

They are typically done restocking shelves by 7 a.m.

I was told they get 1-2 trucks of goods per day and they try to send products “truck to shelf” with little inventory in the back of the store.

Is There a Day of the Week That is Best to Shop?

Monday – Friday when stores open.

To get first dibs on hot items, it’s best to get to Walmart shortly after the doors open during the week.

See Also: Does Walmart Price Match? Yes, But Surprisingly ONLY Online

Is There a Worst Day to Shop?

Sunday afternoon.

By far the worst day to shop for non-perishables is Sunday afternoon as most shelves haven’t been restocked in over 48 hours and you’re gonna find some very picked over aisles.

This is a bummer for many families as Sunday is often the only day of the week when people have time to shop and meal plan for the following week.

If at all possible avoid Sundays and shop on the way home from work on Monday for more selection.

When it comes to perishables like produce, dairy, and even meats, most stores get a delivery truck EVERY DAY of the week so it shouldn’t matter what day you shop, just shop early if you can.

Do Different Departments Restock on Different Days?

Yes.

While Walmart does not have the same restocking schedule as Target, they absolutely have department that need more frequent restocking.

I was told by an employee that the departments that get restocked the most often are

Are Perishable Items Stocked More Frequently?

Yes.

Meat and grocery items are stocked at night during the week, then again during the day as needed.

Hack Alert: The key here is to shop early in the morning for meats for ONE simple reason…by 8 a.m., the meat department has discounted their meats for quick a sale, and you can grab some great deals, often up to 75% off.

How About Popular Electronics?

Wednesday morning.

I was told by a Walmart employee that the vast majority of electronics get restocked in the wee hours of the morning on Wednesday.

Not sure if every Walmart works the same, but it’s worth asking especially around Christmas when hot electronics tend to sell out quickly.

See Also: Do This With Your Walmart Receipts and Earn Free Cash

Does Walmart Only Restock at Night?

No.

If Walmart runs out of a product, but has more inventory in the store, they’ve been known to pull stock from the back, or from shelving, and restock during day shifts.

This is especially true if you ask them to check for more inventory and they locate some.

I’ve personally had Walmart employees pull down a BBQ that was out-of-stock on the floor, but was clearly visible in the shelving above.

A couple workers pulled out the forklift, closed off the aisle for safety, and got the BBQ down for me.

It was much appreciated and all I had to do was politely ask.

Is Restocking Different Around Black Friday or Christmas?

Yes.

The store is going to be stocked very differently on Black Friday, with many endcaps and aisles bursting with doorbuster deals.

Expect the biggest differences in the electronics and small kitchen appliance departments, with new “made just for Black Friday” products everywhere.

They’ll often be restocked during the day on Black Friday and Saturday as stuff sells out.

Do All Walmart Stores Stock the Same Items?

No.

While all Walmart locations carry the same staple and grocery items, they also carry items that are VERY specific to their geographical location.

For example, Walmart locations in Nebraska carry a ton of University of Nebraska football shirts, hats, and jerseys. You aren’t going to find those items in Iowa or California, unless you shop on the Walmart website.

Some locations even carry merchandise and clothing from local high schools which is super cool.

See Also: 19 Retailers That’ll Price Match Walmart’s Low Prices

Does Walmart Restock Their Website Differently?

Yes.

The products stocked at Walmart warehouses are obviously not stocked in the same way as physical retail locations.

I was told by a Walmart warehouse representative that stock tends to roll in more randomly, and recently has been effected by supply chain backlogs.

Walmart also states that they sometimes run out of stock between the time you checkout from the website, to when they actually attempt to process your order. 

If this happens, they’ll send you an email to inform you that your order has been cancelled.

It will be up to you to check back to see when/if the item is available.

Can I Get a Rain Check on Something That is Out-Of-Stock?

No.

Walmart does not offer rainchecks when shopping in-store or online.

But it’s worth noting that Walmart does have a quasi layaway program through a service called Affirm that might be worth checking out if you would like to buy now, but pay later.

Ask the Reader: Are you a Walmart employee and know more about their restocking schedule that I do? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Walmart is known for providing a huge variety of discounted items to customers. Walmart Supercenter stores, though popular, are sometimes few and far between, especially in cities or more urban locations. However, Walmart in recent years has introduced its Walmart Neighborhood Market stores which are essentially just like Walmart, but on a smaller scale. In this article, you’ll learn more about Walmart Neighborhood Market stores and how they’re different than regular Walmart stores.

What Exactly Is a Walmart Neighborhood Market?

Walmart Neighborhood Markets are smaller-sized Walmart stores that give the same low prices as a traditional Walmart, just with a smaller store size.

Neighborhood Markets are more convenient and accessible and tend to have more local items, better service, and some healthier food options.

Think of them more inline with the size of a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods.

See Also: 3 Things To Do With Your Walmart Receipt That’ll Earn You Money

Where Do They Tend to Be Located?

Due to the smaller size of Walmart Neighborhood Markets, they are often located in more urban areas.

Meanwhile, regular-sized Walmart stores are located in more rural or suburban areas.

Are Neighborhood Markets Smaller Than Regular Walmart?

Yes.

Walmart Neighborhood Markets are smaller than regular-sized Walmart locations

In fact, Walmart Neighborhood Markets are about one-fifth the size of a regular Walmart.

Is a Neighborhood Market More Expensive?

Yes.

Generally speaking, Walmart Neighborhood Market stores are more expensive than regular Walmart stores.

This is because the Neighborhood Market stores are in a sense more specialized and you’re paying for convenience in an urban area, rather than at a Walmart Supercenter store.

Do They Have a Pharmacy?

Yes.

Walmart Neighborhood Market stores do have full-service pharmacies.

See Also: Walmart Pharmacy: Here’s EVERYTHING You Need to Know

Do They Have a Photo Center?

No.

Walmart Neighborhood Market stores do not have photo centers.

Therefore, you can only expect to find photo centers at regular Walmart stores.

What Products Do They Sell?

Even though Walmart Neighborhood Market stores are significantly smaller than regular Walmart store locations, they still sell an extensive list of products.

Here are products you can find at Walmart Neighborhood Market stores:

– Fresh produce

– Packaged foods

– Dry foods

– Canned goods

– Dairy and eggs

– Meat

– Fish

– Medications

– Alcohol

See Also: All The 160+ Walmart Stores Closing (Many are Neighborhood Markets)

What Products Don’t They Sell?

Although the Walmart Neighborhood Market stores still offer a wide variety of items.

It’s worth noting that they inevitably don’t sell as many items as the Walmart Supercenter stores.

Here are some items Walmart Neighborhood Market stores don’t sell:

– Electronics

– Clothing

– Appliances

– Furniture

– Auto Parts

Do They Sell Alcohol?

Yes.

Walmart Neighborhood Market stores sell alcohol, given it is in a state that permits it.

What is Their Return Policy?

You have 14 days to return electronics and luxury items at Walmart Neighborhood Market stores.

Also, it’s worth noting that you CAN return stuff from a Walmart to a Neighborhood Market and vice versa.

Electronics include the following:

– Computers

– Computer and video game hardware

– Printers (excluding 3D printers)

– Camcorders

– Digital cameras

– GPS units

– Digital music players

– Tablets/e-Readers

– Portable video players

– Drones

– Pre-paid and post-paid cell phones

And, luxury items include the following:

– New and preowned apparel above $300

– Fine art

– Loose gems & gemstones

– Jewelry & watches above $300

– Collectibles (e.g., coins, stamps)

– Memorabilia

For all other items, you have 30 days to return them.

When it comes to whether you can return Walmart Neighborhood Market store items to a regular Walmart (and vice versa), the answer is: yes and no.

As long as the store sells that item at its location, then you CAN make a return.

However, if it doesn’t, you may be asked to return it to the other store.

For example, if you bought something at a regular Walmart Supercenter store and try to return it at a Walmart Neighborhood Market store, they will only accept the return as long they sell the product at the Neighborhood Market store too.

Otherwise, you’ll probably be asked to return it to a Supercenter location.

Ask the Reader: Do you shop regularly at a Walmart Neighborhood Market? Do you like it more or less than a regular Walmart location?

By Kyle James

Whether you’re looking for ice cream, a new pair of socks, or car batteries, Walmart has it all. However, Walmart’s return policy can get a bit tricky, especially given they sell such a vast variety of items. If you recently bought a car battery at Walmart, you may be curious whether it follows Walmart’s standard return policy, or has a manufacturer’s warranty of its own. In this article, you’ll learn the ins and outs of Walmart’s car battery return policy so you can make the most of it when needed.

What Car Battery Brands Does Walmart Sell?

EverStart is the brand of car battery that all Walmart locations sell.

They sell several different variations of EverStart car batteries, including:

–  EverStart Value

– EverStart Plus

– EverStart Maxx

See Also: What Are the Return Hours at Walmart? Here’s What You Need to Know

Do ALL Car Batteries at Walmart Have the Same Return Policy?

Yes.

All car battery brands at Walmart follow the same return policy in that Walmart allows for returns and exchanges on new car batteries within 90 days of purchasing the batteries.

However, after those 90 days are up, depending on the specific type of warranty your car batteries have (or don’t have) will determine how long you have to replace the batteries.

Within the EverStart car battery brand, the different variations of batteries come with different warranty time frames.

– EverStart Value: 1-year warranty

– EverStart Plus: 2-year warranty

– EverStart Maxx: 3-year warranty

The price difference in these 3 batteries is also something to take into account when deciding which warranty you might want.

I used my 2004 Chevy Silverado as a guide and priced the 3 variations of EverStart batteries and it broke down like this (see screenshot above):

– EverStart Value: $69.74

– EverStart Plus: $109.76

– EverStart Maxx: $139.84

So you’ll have to decide if you want to pay upfront for a longer warranty, or roll the dice on the 1-year “Value” battery.

What is the Manufacturer’s Warranty?

Even though Walmart has a standard 90-day return policy, all Walmart car batteries have at least a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Some batteries even have a warranty period of up to 3 years.

As mentioned above, EverStart Value has a 1-year warranty, EverStart Plus has a 2-year warranty, and EverStart Maxx has a 3-year warranty.

See Also: Walmart Tires: Are They a Good Deal and Good Quality?

When Do I Contact the Manufacturer Rather than Return the Battery to Walmart?

It’s likely the easiest choice to take your car battery to Walmart and file a warranty claim at Walmart, rather than contacting the manufacturer.

If the standard Walmart 90-day return policy has passed, but you still have time under the manufacturer’s warranty, you should still first go to Walmart to file an EverStart warranty claim.

To file your EverStart warranty claim at Walmart, tell an employee in the automotive department that you’d like to file a claim for your car battery.

Don’t forget to bring the battery and your receipt with you.

How Can I Tell if My Battery is Bad or Defective?

There are several signs that you have a bad or defective car battery, including:

– Your car is slow to start.

– Your car clanks or clicks, but won’t start.

– Your car’s dash light will turn on, but your car won’t start.

While it’s inevitable that an old car battery will have some problems, if you recently bought a car battery and notice the above signs, it’s worth trying to return for a new battery.

See Also: Do This With Your Walmart Receipts and Get Free Cash

What If I Ordered My Car Battery via Walmart.com?

If you ordered your car battery via Walmart.com you can still return it, you’ll just have to do so in person.

Visit your nearby Walmart Auto Care Center or the automotive section of your Walmart to return your car battery.

Be sure to have your Walmart.com order number with you to verify proof of purchase.

From there the Walmart employee will test the battery you are returning to check if it is in fact not working.

From there you’ll have a choice of receiving a refund OR making an exchange for another car battery.

Ask the Reader: Have you ever had to use Walmart’s return policy on car batteries? Did you end up using the manufacturer’s warranty or Walmart’s return policy?

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Mike Mozart.