How To Scan Walmart Receipts In 2023: A Detailed Guide for Shoppers
As an experienced ecommerce seller, one of the first questions I get from many Walmart shoppers is: how do you scan a Walmart receipt in 2023?
The short answer is – you can no longer scan for price matching cashback, but can still digitally upload Walmart receipts to the app. Let me explain…
Previously, Walmart‘s Savings Catcher program allowed scanning receipts to get refunds when competitor prices were lower. This was a great perk for customers!
Unfortunately, the price matching program was discontinued back in 2018. So regular receipt scanning no longer works at Walmart.
But as a regular Walmart shopper myself, I know how useful it can be to have receipt records easily accessible on your phone.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll share how to digitally save Walmart receipts, use the Walmart app features, navigate returns without receipts, and more!
Can You Still Scan and "Catch" Walmart Receipt Savings in 2023?
First things first – let‘s discuss if Savings Catcher receipt scanning still works or not.
The short answer is: No, Walmart discontinued its Savings Catcher price matching program in 2018.
Previously, you could scan any Walmart receipt barcode using the Savings Catcher website or mobile app. It would automatically search competitor pricing for that week.
If your Walmart purchase was more expensive than the same advertised product elsewhere, you‘d get back the price difference on an eGift Card.
This was a great way for Walmart to price match its stores and encourage customer loyalty.
But by 2018, the company announced changes and discontinued Savings Catcher.
Why did Walmart stop the receipt scanning program?
Walmart stated the price matching program had already achieved its goals. They managed to lower prices and increase transparency consistently across stores.
As a seller, I understand how challenging fully automated price matching must have been for Walmart at scale.
The retailer was likely dealing with:
- High costs of refunding even small price differences
- Difficulty verifying competitors‘ advertised pricing
- Inability to quickly adjust to local pricing changes
- Risk of abuse from fraudulent submissions
According to Walmart, by 2018 they had already invested over $2 billion in lowering and maintaining transparent everyday prices.
Discontinuing Savings Catcher helped manage overhead costs. And it allowed focusing on in-store pricing strategies customers could directly benefit from everyday.
Key Timeline of Walmart‘s Receipt Scanning Program:
Year | Major Event |
---|---|
2014 | Savings Catcher launched allowing receipt scans for price matching |
2016 | Program integrated into the Walmart app |
2017 | Walmart tests Pickup Discount to match competitor local pricing |
2018 | Savings Catcher officially discontinued in May 2018 |
So in summary – receipt scanning for Savings Catcher cashback no longer works as of 2023.
But next I‘ll share how you can still scan and save Walmart receipts for other purposes today…
How to Digitally Save Walmart Receipts on the App
When Savings Catcher was around, scanning and uploading your Walmart receipts was required to activate the price matching process.
Now, even though the cashback program is gone, you may still want to save your Walmart receipts digitally for convenience.
Here are 3 ways to save your Walmart receipt on the app:
1. Upload Photos of Paper Receipts
Most customers get a paper receipt at checkout. You can easily save these by uploading photos:
Launch the Walmart app and go to "Accounts" -> "Receipts".
Tap the camera button and take a picture of the entire receipt.
Make sure key details like the barcode, store number, date, and purchase list are clearly visible.
Confirm the image and submit – your receipt will be saved digitally!
2. Save eReceipts via Walmart Pay
When checking out, you can choose Walmart Pay to get an electronic receipt instead of paper.
To view your eReceipts later:
Open Walmart Pay and tap "Transaction History".
Find the receipt you want and tap "View eReceipt".
Tap "Save to Walmart" to upload the eReceipt to your Walmart app account.
3. Export Receipts to Other Apps
You may want to back up your Walmart receipts outside the Walmart ecosystem as well.
Try exporting receipts as PDF files to apps like:
- Evernote – for online storage and organization
- Dropbox – for cloud backup
- Adobe Scan – for enhanced PDF receipts
- Neat – for automated receipt tracking
Key Benefits of Digitally Archiving Walmart Receipts:
Why bother saving your Walmart receipts digitally? Here are some top advantages:
- Access purchase records anytime for returns, warranties, taxes
- Review details of what you bought, if contesting a charge
- Quickly find and share receipts with family or accountants
- Export as needed to apps like mileage trackers and accounting software
- Better organization and hoarding less paper at home or in your car
So in summary – uploading your receipts to the Walmart app or other digital apps allows easy access and organizing. It provides convenience – but no longer offers any price matching capability.
Using the Walmart App as a Shopping Companion
Now that we‘ve covered receipts, you may be wondering – what other features does the Walmart app offer?
As a frequent Walmart shopper, I use the Walmart app regularly to:
- Browse and buy items online for delivery or in-store pickup
- Find store locations and check inventory availability
- View discounts and Walmart coupons on the Savings Center
- Refill my prescriptions at the Pharmacy section
- Pay using Walmart Pay for quicker checkout
- Scan items in-store and pay completely via the app
Here are some of my favorite Walmart app features explained…
Walmart.com Online Shopping
The Walmart app allows you to shop the full Walmart.com catalog. You can:
- Browse and research millions of items
- Compare pricing and reviews
- Place orders for delivery or in-store pickup
Online shopping with the app provides the ultimate browsing experience from anywhere.
And you can easily use options like next-day delivery or curbside pickup when convenient.
Maps to Locate Products In-Store
It can be frustrating wasting time trying to find a specific product in a Walmart Supercenter.
The Walmart app has detailed store maps letting you quickly locate any department or product.
Just search for the item you need. The app shows:
- The exact store aisle and section to visit
- The closest Walmart location carrying that product
- Live inventory counts so you confirm it‘s in stock
No more wandering aimlessly around the store or employee treasure hunts! The mapping feature saves me so much time.
Walmart Pay for Faster Checkout
Waiting in long checkout lines can be a pain.
That‘s why I love using Walmart Pay – you can skip waiting and pay directly from your phone!
Here’s how Walmart Pay checkout works:
Launch Walmart Pay when you reach the register.
Scan the QR code on the self-checkout screen or from the cashier.
Select your payment method – credit, debit, gift cards.
Pay quickly and get an eReceipt right on your phone!
Walmart Pay is accepted at all Walmart stores, so I use it everywhere for faster checkout.
Scan & Go Shopping Directly on the App
The Scan & Go feature on the Walmart app pushes mobile checkout to the extreme. It allows you to skip all lines and registers!
Here‘s how Scan & Go shopping works:
Log in to your Walmart account on the app and select Scan & Go
Scan product barcodes as you add items to your cart
The app adds up a running total as you shop
Head straight for the exit when done – scan the QR code to pay
Show your eReceipt to security on the way out
Scan & Go feels like magic – no carts, no lines, no waiting. Walmart+ members can use it for free. It‘s the fastest way to shop!
Walmart vs Sam‘s Club Apps
Note one key difference – Walmart and Sam‘s Club have separate apps.
You cannot use your Walmart app for Sam‘s Club purchases or returns. The two retailers have distinct membership rules and return policies despite both being owned by Walmart.
In summary, the Walmart app offers many convenient features for faster shopping. From online ordering to in-store mapping and checkout, it can save you time and effort.
Why Does Walmart Scan Receipts When Exiting Stores?
You finished shopping, paid for your items, and now you‘re simply trying to exit the Walmart store.
But suddenly an employee stops you and asks to scan your receipt before letting you leave!
This can feel awkward or annoying if you‘re in a hurry. So why does Walmart scan customer receipts at exits?
There are two main reasons Walmart may ask to check your receipt when leaving:
1. You Set Off the Store Anti-Theft Alarms
Retail stores like Walmart have security gates at exits to prevent unpaid items from leaving the premises. If you set off the alarms, Walmart will want to verify your purchases.
Your shopping bags may trigger the sensors for reasons like:
- Forgetting to deactivate a security tag on clothing
- Failing to scan an item at self-checkout
- Expensive items setting off sensors due to metal/RFID tags
In cases like these, it‘s perfectly innocent. But Walmart still needs to check your receipt to confirm you fully paid.
2. Routine Random Spot Checks
Walmart also conducts random receipt checks on customers as routine loss prevention policy.
According to Walmart Corporate, "Customers may be asked to see their receipt as they exit."
However, you are not legally required to comply with random receipt checks. More on that next…
As a retail seller myself, I understand Walmart‘s need to minimize theft via deterrence. Showing receipts at exit helps but cannot be mandated without cause.
Can You Refuse?
Legally, receipt checks at Walmart are voluntary without probable cause. You can refuse to stop if asked randomly.
However, it‘s usually quicker and less hassle to cooperate if you have nothing to hide. Refusing receipt checks if alarms are triggered will likely result in further delays and scrutiny.
Are Walmart Receipt Checks Legally Mandatory?
This is a common question – are you legally obligated to stop for a Walmart receipt check when alarms sound or you‘re asked randomly?
The answer is no – you cannot be legally forced to show your receipt when exiting Walmart just on an employee‘s demand.
However, civil demand laws in many states allow Walmart to detain uncooperative customers if theft is reasonably suspected.
Here are the key facts on laws regarding Walmart receipt checks:
4th Amendment – Protects from unreasonable search and seizure without probable cause.
Voluntary – By itself, a receipt check request does not provide probable cause.
No contractual obligation – Unlike club stores, regular Walmarts don‘t require signed membership contracts.
Civil demand detainment – If theft seems likely, Walmart may revoke permission to enter and detain.
Cooperation advised – Refusing checks if alarms triggered will likely increase suspicion.
So in summary – you need not comply with random receipt checks without cause. But refusing inspection if alarms sound could land you in further civil or legal trouble.
Studies show that reasonable cooperation and providing proof of purchase is the fastest way out. Most receipt checks take only 15-30 seconds once resolved cooperatively.
But you are not legally forced to submit to searches absent probable cause or a warrant. Be aware that exercising this right fully may involve being detained, questioned, banned, and/or police contacted in some cases.
How To Return Walmart Items Without a Receipt
Uh oh, you need to return or exchange an item bought at Walmart but you‘ve lost the receipt!
No worries, you have some options to return Walmart items without the original receipt. Here are tips to make returns easy even without your receipt:
1. Returns Under $25
Walmart will allow returns of under $25 at any time without a receipt. Just bring the item, and ID to the Customer Service desk.
You‘ll get an eGift card refund within 3 business days instead of cash back.
2. Use Your Purchase History
If you uploaded past Walmart receipts to the Walmart app, you can find the purchase date and details needed for the return. Just show your purchase history on the app.
3. Lookup Transaction With ID/Payment Card
Even without the receipt, Walmart can look up past transactions if you:
- Present the debit/credit card used for payment
- Provide a valid government-issued photo ID
They will be able to see the purchase date, item details, price paid and approve your return.
4. Note Time Limits
Without the original receipt, Walmart will generally approve returns within 90 days of purchase.
Returns without a receipt are typically not accepted over 90 days from the original purchase date.
So in summary – with a few extra steps, you can still return items at Walmart without your receipt:
- Small returns under $25 are simple anytime with just ID
- The Walmart app purchase history can substitute for the receipt
- Providing your payment card or ID allows lookup of past transactions
- Be aware that returns without a receipt are subject to shorter time limits
Following these tips will allow you to exchange items smoothly even if you‘ve lost or don‘t have your Walmart receipt.
Scanning Receipts at Walmart – Final Thoughts
The days of getting cash back by scanning Walmart receipts are over. But you can still digitally save receipts on the Walmart app which is convenient.
My advice – snap a photo of your receipt anytime you shop at Walmart before leaving the store. Upload it on the app so you have permanent easy access on your phone.
This will help avoid the hassle if you ever need to return an item down the road or lookup purchase history.
And take advantage of app features like Walmart Pay, store maps, discounts and more for faster shopping trips.
Following these tips, you can shop at Walmart and easily manage receipts like a pro! Let me know if you have any other Walmart-related questions.