Walmart vs Target (without RedCard discount)

[AlabamaBound]

Hello!

I'm going to be moving to Alabama in about two months from Canada. For the first 4 to 6 months that I'm there, I won't be able to work (moving down on a fiance Visa and there are some restrictions involved with it). I have saved a decent amount of money to live off of, but I have to make every dollar count.

I have some hotel loyalty points that I can use towards purchasing American retail store gift cards. I plan on using them in order to stretch my savings, so I will be using the cards almost exclusively for toiletries (not going to be concerned with shopping for clothes or household items while I'm unemployed). I'm just wondering, out of the two stores, in general, which one has better prices?

I know a lot of people here are fans of Target because of the RedCard discount, but since that won't apply when it comes to gift cards, which store is my best bet? I will most likely get some of both since certain items may be better priced at each store, but would you go 50/50 on them, or weigh more heavily towards one store over the other?

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[dansamy]

Walmart is usually cheaper by 5-20% depending on the product. Target will let you stack coupons though.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

How are you planning to pay for rent, utilities and gas for a car if you are only buying Walmart or Target Gift cards?

 

[wekhogan]

How are you planning to pay for rent, utilities and gas for a car if you are only buying Walmart or Target Gift cards?

Read the second sentence of her post.

 

[Swimalie]

I rarely shop at Wal Mart and am in Target weekly. When I check prices, I notice Walmart is higher in our area. I prefer Target for their brand and their prices.

 

[ajh88]

I think overall Walmart is less expensive. However, if you are willing to spend some time, you can get some great deals at Target by matching sales, coupons, Target coupons, and Cartwheel offers. You may also find one store or the other is more convenient for you. We have about 4 Walmart locations and only 1 Target within 30 miles of our home. I happen to loathe our Target and it is much further away, so sometimes even if there is a great deal, it isn't really worth the extra effort to get there, KWIM? It won't take long for you to figure out what items are cheaper and where. Walmart also price matches ads, so if a local grocery store has a great sale, you can get the price at WM. I know Target has a price match policy too, but not sure if it applies to groceries?

 

[plummer925]

Here in my area Walmart is a good 10-20% lower prices than Target on most things (toiletries, etc). Some 'big' items they have even a better discount for.

Walmart price-matches sales (like Target). They have a MUCH better return policy (in my opinion).

I don't care for Target - the quality is a bit higher in some things, but to me it seems like a store that people who are too snooty for Walmart shop at (at least in my area...I am NOT saying that about ANY DIS Board people!!).

Targets are cleaner - I don't feel gross after leaving there. Targets are not as packed with merchandise as Walmart. But they are more expensive.

I have only purchased things at Target 2-3 times because of cost.

 

[sunkissed4]

Thanks to cartwheel and stacking coupons at Target I never step foot in walmart anymore. It's always overcrowded with miserable people!

Since you're moving to Alabama check out Publix for your groceries. Shop their sales and it's often cheaper than walmart and customer service is one of a kind.

 

[Angie789]

If you are only looking at the regular prices, around here (I am also in the southern US) Walmart is about 10% cheaper (of course, this varies depending on the item, but overall it's about 10%).

HOWEVER - Target has much better policies when it comes to saving money. They allow you to stack manufacturer's coupons, Target store coupons, and use their Cartwheel app. It takes more time to prepare (but you aren't working...) but you can almost always come out ahead at Target if you strategize.

I recommend checking out totallytarget (dot) com. She does the work for you in figuring out all the deals!!!

And, for the record, if preferring to shop in a cleaner and more peaceful environment makes me a snob, then that's a label I will happily wear.

 

[luvmy3]

Walmart is definitely cheaper here for grocery items but unfortunately their shelves are never stocked.

 

[msmama]

I also think the Target generic store brands are better than Walmart. Using Target brand shampoo is no different than using the name brand, while Walmart brand feels cheap to me. For me, the quality of Target is better (I wear Target clothes, eat Target food, use Target brand just about everything and none of it feels cheap to me, Walmart does/can).

The downside is, I think you have to be very disciplined to save money at Target. It's very easy to go in for two things and leave with a cart full. Walmart, I think, as much as I hate it (and haven't been to in years) is easier to get in and get out.

 

[mrsp1030]

In our area there is no difference in price. In fact, I did a price analysis of the products I buy and with target and utilizing sales and the cartwheel app, I was always ahead of Walmart prices.

 

[poohfriend]

In some parts of Alabama, there are several Targets.
In other parts of Alabama, Walmart has the market locked up. In the areas where walmart is king, you'll find the prices are higher.

I use a combination of both stores. I find Target to be better organized/ clean. Walmart offers more value items than Target. So an aisle full of shampoo may be 85% value brands at walmart and 70% value brands at Target...and actually Target has an short aisle devoted to salon brands.

There are some products that walmart will have the cheaper price on and once I get used to it being cheaper I suddenly notice the price went up -- ALOT. Target tends to be more consistent with its pricing. In January Target will run a lot of cleaning supplies on sale. So it would be a great time to stock up.

Good luck on your move. It will definitely be a culture shock!

 

[crisi]

I find WalMart to be SLIGHTLY cheaper without the red card - but a very frustrating shopping experience. I can't FIND things. Now, I don't go there often and if I shopped there more often I'd find things easier, but I don't ENJOY shopping there, so its a vicious circle.

The cheapest deals on toiletries and such will be at a dollar store. There are several "dollar stores." But that means having cash.

I'd ask your fiance where he shops. Its pretty likely that where ever he shops will be where you start shopping for the first few months - if he always goes to Target, you will as well. If he's a Walmart shopper, he can be your native guide.

If you can hold off on getting the gift cards until you move, you can check out the local Target and Walmart and make a decision for yourself - if you have to drive an extra five miles to get to one or the other, it won't be worth the savings. (My Walmart is at least five miles farther than my Target - which is just over a mile from my house - another reason I can get into Target and find what I want blindfolded, but need a native guide at WalMart).

 

[dsneprincess]

I find Walmart to be cheaper than Target. I rarely, enter or purchase at Target anymore, as I have been burned by their return policies too many times. I would second the dollar store for some toiletries/cleaning items although that won't help with credit card points. Good luck with your new life!!

 

[wiigirl]

Walmart is usually cheaper by 5-20% depending on the product. Target will let you stack coupons though.

 

[mom2my3kids]

We dont have Target in my town, but Walmart is pretty cheap.. I tried Kmart for the first time in years and they are so much more expensive IMO...

 

[ceecee]

Target is usually a little higher than Walmart in my area, Target is always clean and Walmart is not. Even when it was new it looked dirty, the salespeople are not very helpful and seem to hate being there as much as I do and don't get me started on the check outs, why have all these registers when only 2 are open??? People will always go thru the express checkout with carts full to the top and it takes forever and I have seen so many people shop lift, by scanning one item and putting something else in the bag even thought they have cameras on them.
Why buy gift cards at all? Just watch the sales and shop accordingly.

 

[ssawka]

We don't shop at either very often, thanks to Costco and Amazon. However, the few times that I do have to go to either, I find WalMart to be cheaper, but Target is generally a more pleasant shopping experience. WalMart is cheaper because they hire cheap labor and make them all part time so they do not have to pay benefits. Also, I think WalMart generally carries lower quality products. There are times when I do have to go to WalMart though, because for certain items Target does not have much of a selection.

 

[ajh88]

WalMart is cheaper because they hire cheap labor and make them all part time so they do not have to pay benefits. .

Don't fool yourself - Target does this too (DH worked there ever so briefly).

To the OP, I forgot to mention warehouse clubs - Sam's and Costco. We don't have a Costco here (and not sure if they have gift cards available to you as rewards), but you can use Wal-Mart gift cards at Sam's and it *might* be worth the cost of a membership because on certain things, you can definitely save money shopping warehouse!