Walmart runs a very disingenuous operation, and that is a very generous statement. When one…read moresearches for an item of interest online, one is typically presented with the item at a price that is frequently attractive and competitive with other online retailers, and one in particular that needs not any mention.
A number of options are available for delivery and local pickup. Typically, the price is displayed prominently, in bold, with a higher price crossed out, as if to indicate a discount. Somewhere below this discounted price is the disclaimer "Price when purchased online."
While, on the face of it, this may appear to be a perfectly reasonable proposition from a legalistic, pragmatic perspective, it is a rather deceptive practice that attempts to allow Walmart to compete with certain other online retailers that operate under a completely different business model.
The issue is a type of bate and switch in that one is enticed by the attractive price advertised, and thereby encouraged to buy the item from Walmart. As Walmart's primary value proposition is the ability to shop locally and purchase and enjoy the item that same day, the problem arises when such a desire is pursued by the customer.
When attempting to purchase the item locally at the advertised price, the customer is then informed that the discounted price is only available when purchased online - which, to be fair is stated on the item's web page - however, one cannot simply then purchase the item online and pick it up right there at the store. No. It must be shipped to the customer's residence. It cannot even be shipped to the store for pickup at a later date. This is what me and my wife have been told on more than one occasion. Is this the true policy? I don't really know.
So, in this scenario, we recently desired an item and went to the local store to purchase it. Of course, we were told that we could not purchase the item at the advertised price at the store, and would need to purchase the item online to enjoy the offered $30 savings. So, of course, we left the store and purchased the item from everyone's major competitor and received it two days later.
This practice of Walmart is unfair and very deceptive. While it is understandable that they would want to compete directly with this other online retailer, it is not at all acceptable that they should do so under the same brick-and-morter name and business model. If they want to establish an online presence as a retailer operating as a remote seller and shipper, then they should do so under a distinctly and easily identifiable business domain separate from their physical, geographic business persona.
Under their current policies and procedures, they are unfairly presenting an alleged advantage to the Walmart shopping experience that really doesn't exist. The crux of the issue lies in the customer's inability to purchase said item at the discounted price without doing so in a remote, ship-to fashion - even after driving to the store and expending time, gasoline and stomach acid. This is not only incredibly stupid, but detrimental to Walmart's profitability and investor commitment as a conventional retailer ostensibly servicing the real, UNvirtual purchasing public.
I believe this to be an unlawful practice and I fully intend to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission citing Walmart as a false advertiser and practicer of deceptive and unfair business practices.
