Wal-Mart Savings Catcher
By: Jacob Gilmore
For those who spend an endless amount of time price-matching items, Wal-Mart's new Savings Catcher service is the perfect tool for you. Wal-Mart has long been known for their low prices compared to their competitors, but this new shopping feature just may help you save even more!
HOW IT WORKS
Instead of filtering through the weekly sale ads to find the best prices, the Savings Catcher simplifies the solution to a complex problem. Rather than matching advertised sales prices at the checkout line, the customer can now download the Savings Catcher app from either Google Play or Apple's App Store (also available on Wal-Mart's website). First, there are two ways to discover whether you're eligible for any savings on the items you bought: (1) Scan the receipt with your smartphone or (2) Type the receipt number into Wal-Mart's shopping app.
Instead of filtering through the weekly sale ads to find the best prices, the Savings Catcher simplifies the solution to a complex problem. Rather than matching advertised sales prices at the checkout line, the customer can now download the Savings Catcher app from either Google Play or Apple's App Store (also available on Wal-Mart's website). First, there are two ways to discover whether you're eligible for any savings on the items you bought: (1) Scan the receipt with your smartphone or (2) Type the receipt number into Wal-Mart's shopping app.
Next, Wal-Mart compares you're recently bought items from their stores with the sales prices of its competitors. Once it finds a lower price from another competitor, it displays the difference between the prices and automatically funds the savings onto an electronic gift card. To redeem your gift card, either print your savings receipt or bring your phone with you and the cashier will scan the barcode.
Here's a video tutorial about Wal-Mart's Savings Catcher:
Here's a video tutorial about Wal-Mart's Savings Catcher:
CONCERNS
However, there is a drawback to using the Savings Catcher in comparison to traditional price matching at the register. The service takes up to three days to notify the customer of any savings. To be equitable, this process is prolonged because it allows Wal-Mart to price-match on a consistent and effective basis. Another 'catch' to this innovative idea--there's a limit of seven receipts (scans) per week. Hopefully, no one needs to shop at Wal-Mart, or any store, more than seven times in a week. Some other important factors are in the fine print: the app mostly covers only grocery, health, and beauty items. Sorry, that 1080p 120Hz LED-LCD television that's overpriced at your local Wal-Mart won't be eligible. Also, store brand or private-label items aren't able to get you money back simply because they aren't sold anywhere else.
However, there is a drawback to using the Savings Catcher in comparison to traditional price matching at the register. The service takes up to three days to notify the customer of any savings. To be equitable, this process is prolonged because it allows Wal-Mart to price-match on a consistent and effective basis. Another 'catch' to this innovative idea--there's a limit of seven receipts (scans) per week. Hopefully, no one needs to shop at Wal-Mart, or any store, more than seven times in a week. Some other important factors are in the fine print: the app mostly covers only grocery, health, and beauty items. Sorry, that 1080p 120Hz LED-LCD television that's overpriced at your local Wal-Mart won't be eligible. Also, store brand or private-label items aren't able to get you money back simply because they aren't sold anywhere else.
PRICE-MATCH SAVINGS
Sci-Tech Today writer, Michael Lee, made several small trips and one large trip to Wal-Mart to test out their new service. For the multiple small shopping trips Michael made, he saved $11.99 in price matching on approximately $300 spent. On the big shopping trip, he spent $214 and got back $7.92. Although the savings aren't eye dropping, it's an easy way to pay for your dinner that night.
IS IT WORTH IT?
The question that comes to mind is whether or not Wal-Mart's Savings Catcher is worth using or not. It's tough to say whether or not its meant for all types of customers, but for the casual shopper it is definitely an easy steal. Especially if you tend to diversify where you shop at. In conclusion, to be able to save money at the palm of your hand with the assistance of technology is remarkable.
The question is whether or not consumers as whole believe it is worthwhile? Also, should Wal-Mart look to expand the eligible product line beyond just the basic essentials such as grocery, healthy, and beauty items? What else could Wal-Mart improve with their Savings Catcher service?
Source: Sci-Tech Today
YouTube video: What is Savings Catcher from Wal-Mart?
If you are a serious bargain shopper that always wants the best deal and you are okay with consistently shopping at Wall-Mart then this is a great deal in my mind. It is also an awesome idea on Wall-Mart's part to take their price-matching guarantee to the next level by using technology that most everyone has now. I guess an exception might be that the people who would find this app the most useful might not be able to afford a smart phone to use this app. Regardless it is still a great idea and will most likely help Wall-Mart to shut down smaller businesses across the World. Chalk on another point for the big guys.
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