Walmart vs Target (without RedCard discount)

[mrsmomo]

Walmart is cheaper and so are their products. Myself and a group of students did a lengthy project on Walmart and found that they actually have their suppliers alter their products so that they may buy them cheaper to sell them cheaper. Bottom line your not getting tner same product @ Walmart.

I have also found through shopping there that regarding the food check the dates they are usually closer to their experation date @ Walmart, and their fruits and vegetables start to go bad faster than those I buy @ other grocery stores.

 

[threecrazykids]

I am honestly NOT being snarky when I say this but I've never understood the whole "experience" factor when shopping.

What do people mean by "it's a more pleasant experience" to shop at Target than at Walmart?

I guess I don't look at my grocery shopping trips (regardless of where it is) as something I should pause and take in the moment.

I get where people say that Target is "nicer", I do...they have a Starbucks in there, the carts don't frequently pirouet like a ballerina, etc. but I'm there to get what I gotta get, and get out!

I'm on a mission, I don't typically make time during these trips to take in my surroundings and relish the "experience" or whatnot.

Am I missing out on something here people? Because grocery shopping to me is just one more chore on the list that has to get done, and not something I do for "me time" (even though that's sometime's the only "me time" I may get in a week).

As far as products go (store brand to store brand) I've never compared Target to Walmart so I can't speak to that...it's just easiest for me to take all my adds to Walmart and price match every single item I'd have to run all over town for...it's quick, easy, and always the lowest price (for me) with the price matching.

 

[crisi]

I am honestly NOT being snarky when I say this but I've never understood the whole "experience" factor when shopping.

What do people mean by "it's a more pleasant experience" to shop at Target than at Walmart?

I guess I don't look at my grocery shopping trips (regardless of where it is) as something I should pause and take in the moment.

I get where people say that Target is "nicer", I do...they have a Starbucks in there, the carts don't frequently pirouet like a ballerina, etc. but I'm there to get what I gotta get, and get out!

I'm on a mission, I don't typically make time during these trips to take in my surroundings and relish the "experience" or whatnot.

Am I missing out on something here people? Because grocery shopping to me is just one more chore on the list that has to get done, and not something I do for "me time" (even though that's sometime's the only "me time" I may get in a week).

As far as products go (store brand to store brand) I've never compared Target to Walmart so I can't speak to that...it's just easiest for me to take all my adds to Walmart and price match every single item I'd have to run all over town for...it's quick, easy, and always the lowest price (for me) with the price matching.

I'm willing to pay for an experience that I find enjoyable. You aren't. People are different.

In the Twin Cities there are a number of chains of luxury grocery stores. I don't often shop there, but I know people who do (I don't let my husband grocery shop - he makes a beeline for a place that sells $5/lb grapes and $40/lb cheese). They like the ambiance and are willing to pay for it.

(Do an image search for Kowalski's markets).

 

[threecrazykids]

I'm willing to pay for an experience that I find enjoyable. You aren't. People are different.

In the Twin Cities there are a number of chains of luxury grocery stores. I don't often shop there, but I know people who do (I don't let my husband grocery shop - he makes a beeline for a place that sells $5/lb grapes and $40/lb cheese). They like the ambiance and are willing to pay for it.

(Do an image search for Kowalski's markets).

That looks like a beautiful grocery store! But like you said...you're going to pay for it. Maybe that's where my hangup is...I'm not willing to pay for the experience.

 

[crisi]

That looks like a beautiful grocery store! But like you said...you're going to pay for it. Maybe that's where my hangup is...I'm not willing to pay for the experience.

I don't go there very often unless I need something they carry or its really on my way for a quick stop (they have a good bakery, I go out of my way for their bakery, and we will pay for the Christmas Prime Rib from there, the quality difference is worth it - but I won't buy laundry detergent there). But I will pay what works out to be a few bucks a trip for Target. By the time I'm done, its a few bucks per trip because its closer (less gas and less of my time), I have a red card, there is a small donation to my kid's school. So a few bucks for cashiers who aren't surly, a store that is better organized and much cleaner, and - this isn't a small thing - a company that is a major employer where I live (Minneapolis is Target's corporate offices and a lot of my friends depend on the company for their jobs) - I'll do that.

 

[dansamy]

What they mean is that the denizens of their local Walmart stores are People of Walmart poster children.

 

[mrgame101]

I find the Walmarts near me never have enough registers open, and the ones that are the cashiers are sooo slow. The stores are too packed with merchandise pallets in the center walkway that you cant see what they are selling and some aisles are not accessable at all.
Targets are more cleaner near me and I find the price difference is so small that to me its worth it for the Target experience.

 

[threecrazykids]

I don't go there very often unless I need something they carry or its really on my way for a quick stop (they have a good bakery, I go out of my way for their bakery, and we will pay for the Christmas Prime Rib from there, the quality difference is worth it - but I won't buy laundry detergent there). But I will pay what works out to be a few bucks a trip for Target. By the time I'm done, its a few bucks per trip because its closer (less gas and less of my time), I have a red card, there is a small donation to my kid's school. So a few bucks for cashiers who aren't surly, a store that is better organized and much cleaner, and - this isn't a small thing - a company that is a major employer where I live (Minneapolis is Target's corporate offices and a lot of my friends depend on the company for their jobs) - I'll do that.

See, for me, it's never equated to just a few bucks per trip. "A few" to me is $5-$10.
Target (for me) is easily $25 a trip more than Walmart...probably more. Every so often I get a wild hair and will do a Target (and sometimes Hy-Vee) run just to compare. I seriously left Hy-Vee after getting about 2 aisles in. I put everything back and went to Walmart. I just couldn't do it.
I do most of my "basics" shopping at Aldi, and anything I can't/won't buy there I get at Walmart.
Maybe if I took the time to do the coupon stacking and apps etc. at Target it would be a bit closer...however, in that overall aspect very little of what I buy ever has coupons, let alone stackable ones.
I don't know...I guess maybe it's just tried and true for me so I stick to it. Maybe I'm due for another Target test run.

 

[4shinystars]

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.

I find that is true in my area also. And to be perfectly honest, the Target store is cleaner and has more helpful employees than Walmart.

 

[crisi]

See, for me, it's never equated to just a few bucks per trip. "A few" to me is $5-$10.
Target (for me) is easily $25 a trip more than Walmart...probably more. Every so often I get a wild hair and will do a Target (and sometimes Hy-Vee) run just to compare. I seriously left Hy-Vee after getting about 2 aisles in. I put everything back and went to Walmart. I just couldn't do it.
I do most of my "basics" shopping at Aldi, and anything I can't/won't buy there I get at Walmart.
Maybe if I took the time to do the coupon stacking and apps etc. at Target it would be a bit closer...however, in that overall aspect very little of what I buy ever has coupons, let alone stackable ones.
I don't know...I guess maybe it's just tried and true for me so I stick to it. Maybe I'm due for another Target test run.

I'm talking $2 or $3. But my trips are never over $100. I don't buy much at Target.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I am honestly NOT being snarky when I say this but I've never understood the whole "experience" factor when shopping.

What do people mean by "it's a more pleasant experience" to shop at Target than at Walmart?

I guess I don't look at my grocery shopping trips (regardless of where it is) as something I should pause and take in the moment.

I get where people say that Target is "nicer", I do...they have a Starbucks in there, the carts don't frequently pirouet like a ballerina, etc. but I'm there to get what I gotta get, and get out!

I'm on a mission, I don't typically make time during these trips to take in my surroundings and relish the "experience" or whatnot.

Am I missing out on something here people? Because grocery shopping to me is just one more chore on the list that has to get done, and not something I do for "me time" (even though that's sometime's the only "me time" I may get in a week).

As far as products go (store brand to store brand) I've never compared Target to Walmart so I can't speak to that...it's just easiest for me to take all my adds to Walmart and price match every single item I'd have to run all over town for...it's quick, easy, and always the lowest price (for me) with the price matching.

Comparing our local Walmart and Target stores:

- Walmart has higher ceilings, feels more warehouse-y, much louder. Target has finished ceilings, absorbs more sound, is not so loud. = More pleasant shopping experience

- Walmart stacks items in the center aisles, Target does not (except on Black Friday). At Walmart, I feel like I have to avoid people all the time because there's not enough room for 2 carts to pass each other. Target's aisles are wider and not cluttered. = More pleasant shopping experience

- Walmart often has very few cash registers open and they rarely open a new one when they see lines getting lengthy. I was at Target a couple of hours ago and my sister and I headed to a line with 2 people in it and a young man walked up and said, "I'll help you right here," and opened his register. Admittedly, I rarely shop at Walmart, but the last several times I've been there, I've had 2-3 items and had to wait in long lines to buy them.

I don't know why people don't like Target's return policy. I had a Halloween bow/arrow set to take back this morning that I'd bought a few weeks ago. I gave the customer service rep the item and my Redcard and she gave me back $10 and change. Easy peasy. If you use the same card there all the time, they do receipt look-up. You have 120 days with your Redcard and 90 days otherwise.

I do try to stack manufacturer and Target coupons, get Cartwheel and Redcard discounts and feel like even if I'm not saving over what the same things would cost at Walmart, I'm not way off, either. I buy groceries at Publix for the same reason. I drive past a Winn-Dixie and a Super Walmart to get to Publix and go a little further to Target. Totally worth it. If it makes a snob, I'm ok with that.

 

[eliza61]

I am honestly NOT being snarky when I say this but I've never understood the whole "experience" factor when shopping.

What do people mean by "it's a more pleasant experience" to shop at Target than at Walmart?

I guess I don't look at my grocery shopping trips (regardless of where it is) as something I should pause and take in the moment.

I get where people say that Target is "nicer", I do...they have a Starbucks in there, the carts don't frequently pirouet like a ballerina, etc. but I'm there to get what I gotta get, and get out!

I'm on a mission, I don't typically make time during these trips to take in my surroundings and relish the "experience" or whatnot.

Am I missing out on something here people? Because grocery shopping to me is just one more chore on the list that has to get done, and not something I do for "me time" (even though that's sometime's the only "me time" I may get in a week). :rotfl2:

As far as products go (store brand to store brand) I've never compared Target to Walmart so I can't speak to that...it's just easiest for me to take all my adds to Walmart and price match every single item I'd have to run all over town for...it's quick, easy, and always the lowest price (for me) with the price matching.

yes you are missing something. Let me ask you some thing, how much would you shop at a store that was dirty, poorly lit, and nasty? You would shop there because it's a "chore"? If the grocery store was in a bad neighborhood would you go? those are 'experiences". If you went into any store and the sales help was unkempt, rude, slovenly, would you shop there? those are "experiences"

Ok, so most of my time in real life is spent doing ordinary chores. It's spent at work and doing mundane things. No matter what I do I want the time to be pleasant, stress free. I work 50 miles away from home, I brought the nicest car I could afford at the time because I want the "experience" of driving back and forth to work to be as pleasant as it can be.

Shopping in a pleasant environment is totally important. I spend a lot of time doing it. Why would you go some where weekly that was dirty, crowded and poorly lit (my walmart). parking is horrendeous, it's packed and loud. I don't care if it's not "me" time. It's time out of my life.

At my target if I'm looking for some thing, I spot an employee they immediately stop and walk me to the area I need to be in. Walmart? I'm lucky if I can find someone. that's an experience. I prefer to shop where I can get help and not waste time.

 

[eliza61]

Op, I wanted to also give you another option instead of buying gift cards.

I live in NJ so not sure how it works down south. In my area we have "mega" supermarkets. The shoprites are usually huge. I have found grocery wise, I do much better than at a walmart or target especially for food.

#1. they match the warehouse prices on staples. milk, bread, eggs and cheese.
#2 they usually allow me to combine coupons with sales.
#3. they usually double the coupons. so rarely do I not get at least 1 dollar off. walmart and target do not.
#4 I have found their produce and meat departments much better. I don't have a super target but the one near me, I wouldn't touch their fruits with a ten foot pole.

Now there are so many reasons why I don't shop walmart. clothes are cheap and poorly made, store is filthy all the time, packed on weekends and poorly lit. Add that to the fact that I worked at walmart and they treated all their employees like crap on a stick prevents me from ever step in one.
I went to the one in Orlando once because I was at disney and with others who didn't want to drive and it was also bad.

 

[littleelf]

My impression was that Target was generally more expensive than Walmart. But I did a spreadsheet for the grocery items we buy most often (mostly to convince my husband not to always get everything at the grocery store) and what I found for many things was that Target was one penny more expensive. Yes, one cent only. I only compared grocery items that were the same brands and sizes, but they were really basically the same price at both places. The grocery stores in the area were generally higher.

As for the "experience" our Target and Walmart are right next to each other, but Target's checkout lines are easily 5 minutes shorter most days and they are much, much better at keeping things stocked. And employees will check inventory if something is not on the shelf and get things out of the back for you. That's not happening at Walmart. Plus Target has much better clearance sales--though that might actually make me spend more!

 

[crisi]

#1. they match the warehouse prices on staples. milk, bread, eggs and cheese.
#2 they usually allow me to combine coupons with sales.
#3. they usually double the coupons. so rarely do I not get at least 1 dollar off. walmart and target do not.
#4 I have found their produce and meat departments much better. I don't have a super target but the one near me, I wouldn't touch their fruits with a ten foot pole.

I also do way better at the grocery store for food. There are a few things I can get at Target that the grocery store I go to most often doesn't carry - but for the most part, the grocery store carries a LOT more food.

But toiletries - my grocery store has a weak selection and its more expensive. Same with cleaning supplies and laundry detergent. That's my Target list.

(And I do shop Target for "fashion" jewelry and scarves, yoga pants that I can bum around the house in, and clothes that my daughter will get a single school year out of).

 

[dansamy]

OP, much also depends on WHERE in Alabama you are moving. In some areas, there's not a Target within an hour's drive. In some areas, Walmart is the ONLY place to buy food.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I only shop at Walmart as my store of last resort.

(WHy do they build 20 cashier lanes and then hire 2 cashiers? )

They are however often cheaper. I just have not reached that stage. (Sorry but the place just drives me crazy, poorly designed, messy etc...)

 

[ImDMous]

The first time we went to Walmart, we decided never to go back if we could help it. It's just too "eewwww-y" for me. I guess I'm a Target snob.

Our cashier was very involved in a heated conversation and had no time to acknowledge us. She was too busy arguing ... with herself.

I'm all for everyone being able to have a job and support themselves, but there was probably some other position she would have been more suited for. This has been our experience with most of the employees when we've had to go back on rare occasions (including my cousin who unfortunately works for them), none of them care if you are there or not.

I've had several Target employees who were also less than polite, happens anywhere. But it's not the norm at Target. Most of the time they are friendly and helpful and just make it so much nicer to be there.

 

[threecrazykids]

yes you are missing something. Let me ask you some thing, how much would you shop at a store that was dirty, poorly lit, and nasty? You would shop there because it's a "chore"? If the grocery store was in a bad neighborhood would you go? those are 'experiences". If you went into any store and the sales help was unkempt, rude, slovenly, would you shop there? those are "experiences"

Ok, so most of my time in real life is spent doing ordinary chores. It's spent at work and doing mundane things. No matter what I do I want the time to be pleasant, stress free. I work 50 miles away from home, I brought the nicest car I could afford at the time because I want the "experience" of driving back and forth to work to be as pleasant as it can be.

Shopping in a pleasant environment is totally important. I spend a lot of time doing it. Why would you go some where weekly that was dirty, crowded and poorly lit (my walmart). parking is horrendeous, it's packed and loud. I don't care if it's not "me" time. It's time out of my life.

At my target if I'm looking for some thing, I spot an employee they immediately stop and walk me to the area I need to be in. Walmart? I'm lucky if I can find someone. that's an experience. I prefer to shop where I can get help and not waste time.

When you put it that way, I completely understand what you're saying. I have never experienced anything remotely close to that at the Walmart I shop at. It's not "new" by any means, but it's a supercenter. If my Walmart was a shopping "experience" as you've described above, then yes, I would probably find another store to shop in, and maybe it would be worth it to spend more $. Especially if I literally felt unsafe.

I also have to mention that when I typically shop I do NOT go during the "normal" hours where everyone and their brother is in the store either. I know how packed stores are on the weekends during what I would call "normal" hours. I typically do my shopping on my flex days (I work a flex work schedule) at 10am on either Thurs or Fridays, or, if I have to go on the weekend I'm there no later than 6am. The shelves are nice and stocked, I don't have anyone "in my way" when I'm shopping, etc. I know where everything is too so I have no issues there.
I don't buy clothing or anything there (except for random t-shirts, undies, socks) so I can't speak to the quality...however for the price I wouldn't expect much.

I do get what you're saying though...if my store felt unsafe, yes, I'd find another store.

 

[threecrazykids]

The first time we went to Walmart, we decided never to go back if we could help it. It's just too "eewwww-y" for me. I guess I'm a Target snob.

Our cashier was very involved in a heated conversation and had no time to acknowledge us. She was too busy arguing ... with herself.
I'm all for everyone being able to have a job and support themselves, but there was probably some other position she would have been more suited for. This has been our experience with most of the employees when we've had to go back on rare occasions (including my cousin who unfortunately works for them), none of them care if you are there or not.

I've had several Target employees who were also less than polite, happens anywhere. But it's not the norm at Target. Most of the time they are friendly and helpful and just make it so much nicer to be there.

I would have had to ask her how her day was going...both of them.