Kelly Tyko|Treasure Coast Newspapers
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Walmart has made a few updates to its smartphone app ahead of the busy holiday season.
Some changes are expected to be popular amongshoppers such as the ability to find the location of an item in store and easier returns.
The world's largest retailer also has rolled out a way tobypass the checkout line bringing the register to its customers. Plus, those with Apple devices can ask Siri "Howbusyis theWalmartstore?" to figure out the best time toshop.
But onechange to Walmart's Savings Catcher programhas left some rethinking their grocery shopping routines.Before Oct. 29, it was possible to earnmoney back when buying groceries with cash, check orcredit card.
Now, Walmart Pay is the only way to use the 4-year-old program.
Savings Catcher compares the price paid on select grocery items in-store with competitors prices based off sales circulars. If competitors, which include Aldi, Publix, Target and Walgreens, have a lower advertised price than what a customer paid, Walmart gives the difference on a gift card.
Some shoppers whoprefer to pay with cash or a physical plastic debit or credit card say they feel the move discriminates also because not everyone has a smartphone.
And not everyone is comfortable paying with mobile payments.
Chuck Strunk, of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, is one of the shoppers who says he will no longer use Savings Catcher. He has used the program since it started and estimates he’s saved $200.
“I won't use Walmart Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay or any other type of pay that requires my cell phone. I don't trust them,” he said, adding he mainly uses his phone for talking and texting.
Easier process?
Walmart officials said in a statement they don't share data about customers and usage but the majority of active Savings Catcher users were enrolled in Walmart Pay prior to the change.
“The majority of active Savings Catcher users should be able to continue to use Savings Catcher in stores where it is offered — using the new process of submitting their purchase via Walmart Pay — should they choose,” the company said in the statement.
Walmart officials saythe new process will allow users to "seamlessly and consistently submit and spend rewards within the same convenient Walmart Pay experience."
Some shoppers agree and say they might be able to save more.
Robert Nelson, of DeFuniak Springs, northwest of Panama City, said he will continue using the program and thinksthe changestreamlines the process. He’s been using Savings Catcher for about a year and has earned back more than $100.
“So far I am not seeing a problem. Before I had to remember to scan the receipts with my phone which I did not always do,” Nelson said.
Andria Gregory, of Carthage, Missouri, also is comfortable using mobile payments and was a regular user of Walmart’s grocery pickup service, where employees delivered her groceries to her at her car.
Before the change, she was able to submit her receipts to Savings Catcher but that’s no longer an option.
“I’m frustrated that I am forced to use Walmart Pay if I want to save money,” Gregory said. “I’m forced to go in the store and give up the convenience of grocery pickup and I’m forced to enter my debit or credit into their system for Walmart Pay."
Cashback apps
Savvy shoppers who also use cashback apps to earn more money back on purchases may have difficulty continuing to use programs like Ibotta and Coupons.com.
Currently, these programs require users to submit a photo ofa cash register printed receipt in order to submit the rebate offers.
It is possible to get a printed receipt but a cashier, and often manager, needs to be involved. This means it can slow downthe line and self-checkout may not be an option.
I recently attempted to get receipts for my Walmart Pay purchases and was told by cashiers it wasn't possible. I pointed out it was and a manager had to assist the cashiers.
It added less than a minute to the checkout once everyone was on the same page and it was possible to print the receipt. Hopefully this will become easier in the future.
Kelly Tyko is a consumer columnist and retail reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers andTCPalm.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This column reflects her opinion. Read her Bargainista tips atTCPalm.com/Bargainista,follow her on Twitter @KellyTykoand email her at kelly.tyko@tcpalm.com.Sign up for her weekly newsletter atwww.tcpalm.com/newsletters.
