Consumer 6: Wal-Mart pricing has KOTV viewers asking why?

Thursday, November 16th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A recent Consumer Six investigation found all Wal-Mart stores in the Tulsa area are not priced equally. Consumer 6 received calls from many viewers complaining that prices varied at different Wal-Marts, and stores would not honor each others lower prices.

Many calls came from area moms who were buying formula and found many variations in prices for the same product. Consumer 6 took a hidden camera to the five area Wal-Marts in Tulsa and Broken Arrow on the same day. We checked out about a dozen common products, and found price differences on about half of them.

The biggest variations were on formula prices.
Here are some examples.

Enfamil - Large Can
Store & Price
Admiral & I-244 -- 21.30
41st & Memorial -- 16.16
71st & 145th East Avenue -- 17.62
81st & Lewis -- 21.30
91st & Memorial --17.18

Enfamil - Small Can
Admiral & I-244 -- 9.38
41st & Memorial -- 8.64
71st & 145h East Avenue -- 8.12
81st & Lewis -- 8.08
91st & Memorial -- 8.08

Similac - Large Can
Admiral & I-244 -- 20.78
41st & Memorial -- 22.57
71st & 145th East Avenue -- 22.57
81st & Lewis -- 20.78
91st & Memorial -- 22.57

Similac - Small Can
Admiral & I-244 -- 8.36
41st & Memorial -- 8.17
71st & 145th East Avenue -- 7.57
81st & Lewis -- 7.58
91st & Memorial -- 7.58

DETERGENT

Liquid Tide - 32 Loads
Admiral & I-244 -- 3.78
41st & Memorial -- 4.54
71st & 145th East Avenue -- 4.77
81st & Lewis -- 4.88
91st & Memorial -- 4.35

Cheer - 60 Loads
Admiral & I-244 -- 9.48
41st & Memorial -- 9.48
71st & 145th East Avenue -- 8.97
81st & Lewis -- 9.48
91st & Memorial -- 10.57

Cheer w/Bleach - 33 Loads
Admiral & I-244 -- 6.38
41st & Memorial -- 6.38
71st & 145th East Avenue -- 4.72
81st & Lewis -- 5.97
91st & Memorial -- 4.75

SHAMPOO

Thermasilk
Admiral & I-244 -- 2.46
41st & Memorial -- 1.74
71st & 145th East Avenue -- 2.78
81st & Lewis -- 2.44
91st & Memorial -- 2.32

APPLIANCES

Dirt Devil Featherlite Vacuum
Admiral & I-244 -- 78.77
41st & Memorial -- 78.77
71st & 145th East Avenue â€“ 78.77
81st & Lewis -- 69.87
91st & Memorial -- 69.87

Emersom Microwave
Admiral & I-244 -- 84.72
41st & Memorial -- 79.94
71st & 145th East Avenue -- 79.94
81st & Lewis -- 79.94
91st & Memorial -- 69.87

OTHER

Slim Fast
Admiral & I-244 -- 4.74
41st & Memorial -- 4.97
71st & 145th East Avenue -- 4.97
81st & Lewis -- 4.28
91st & Memorial -- 4.28

Consumer 6 called Wal-Mart's headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas to find out why prices varied at the Tulsa stores, and why the stores weren't matching prices. A spokesperson told us each Wal-Mart store sets its own prices based on its nearby competitors. But he also said stores within the same area should honor each others' prices, in this case, that includes the five stores in Tulsa and Broken Arrow. He called Tulsa's Wal-Mart district manager to clear it up and make sure the five stores in the Tulsa area will match each otherâ€™s prices.

Wal-Mart says if customers have a receipt it would help, but it is not required. Talk to the store's manager or customer service desk to make sure the store matches its competitors prices, even when the competitor is another Wal-Mart.