The internet loves a good deal.
Across social media, users have gone viral after sharing their tips for getting everyday goods at heavily discounted prices. For example, many users have documented their attempts to purchase so-called “penny items” from stores like Home Depot.
One TikToker recently shared a pricing error they found at Walmart. But will the store really honor it?
Did This Man Really Discover A $2 Television at Walmart?
In a video with over 963,000 views, TikToker @outlaw1990 shows himself walking through a Walmart location.
“I’m about to head to the register with my 228 cents,” he starts. “Walmart better honor this, because, um…”
As he trails off, he shows a TV that appears for sale on the floor of the Walmart location. The television is marked at 228¢. If that were the case, the television would be available for just $2.28.
“About to go up there with all 228 pennies,” he concludes.
Does Walmart Have To Honor This Price?
In short, no.
For context, the television shown for sale in the video appears to be a Vizio 55″ Class 4K UHD LED HDR Smart TV. This television is currently available on Walmart’s website for $237.
Given this context, it immediately becomes clear — if it wasn’t already obvious — that the listed price was an error. But in cases like these, is Walmart forced to sell you an item for this price?
As noted by KOMO News, the answer is, generally speaking, no. First, a store has the right to refuse most sales if it so chooses. Second, as long as the low price was not intended to deceive, the store does not have to honor it.
For example, if a store advertised that one could get a television for less than $3, then tried to charge over $200, they would likely be found to be deceptive. However, if a single sign simply mismarked the price as under $3, but price checkers and employees still identified the amount as over $200, then a customer would likely not have a solid case that they deserve the television for the advertised price.
Has This Ever Worked?
Generally speaking, if an item is advertised in error at one price, but correctly listed in the system at a higher price, and there’s no intent to deceive, it’s unlikely that the customer will get the item for the low price.
However, as mentioned above, there are occasionally items on store shelves that are listed for incredibly low prices. For example, sometimes, stores will list inventory as costing just a penny in order to mark in their systems that the product is to be returned or destroyed. Some internet users have been able to purchase these products at the quoted rate of $0.01 — though they can sometimes have a lot of difficulty doing so.
@outlaw1990 @Walmart sooooo yall going to let me get this tv for $2.28 or what? #walmart ♬ original sound – outlaw90
Commenters Say He Should Try It Anyway
In the comments section, users said that he should attempt to purchase the television anyway. According to some commenters, he may even find success doing so.
“If you take a picture of the sign, they have to honor it. But someone about to get fired,” wrote a user. As noted above, this does not appear to be true.
“When I worked at Walmart I would had honored it for you,” offered another.
“I’m buying every single one of them and reselling for $10 a piece cuz I make profit and someone gets a steal without price gouging,” joked a third.
The Mary Sue reached out to Walmart via media relations contact form and @outlaw1990 via TikTok DM and comment.
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- The de-puffing wand we swear by is now $30 off.
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