When considering a new subscription service that promises to streamline your life and save you money, the buzz of marketing can be persuasive. But what happens when that shiny promise meets the messy reality of everyday use? That’s precisely what we’re diving into today, as we cut through the noise to explore Real User Reviews & Common Drawbacks of Walmart+. We'll uncover what members truly experience, beyond the carefully crafted advertisements, so you can decide if this particular membership makes sense for your wallet and your sanity.
At a Glance: Walmart+ Realities
Before we unpack the granular details, here’s a quick snapshot of what users are actually saying about Walmart+:
- Delivery isn't always "free": A persistent $35 minimum for local store delivery often leads to overspending or incurring a fee.
- Location, Location, Location: Free delivery coverage can be spotty, leaving some users out in the cold.
- The Substitution Struggle: Shoppers frequently report receiving incorrect or poor-quality substitutions for groceries, or missing items entirely.
- Customer Service Headaches: Resolving delivery issues or billing errors can be a frustrating, time-consuming process for many.
- Fuel Discounts are Niche: While a nice perk, the limited selection of eligible gas stations reduces its universal appeal.
- Value is Subjective: Infrequent Walmart shoppers often find the $98 annual fee doesn't justify the benefits.
- App Glitches: Features like Scan & Go, while innovative, can sometimes be unreliable, adding stress rather than convenience.
- Entertainment is a Bonus, Not a Core Feature: The Spotify and Paramount+ perks are appreciated but rarely the primary reason for subscribing.
Walmart+ in a Nutshell: What You're Paying For
Walmart+, launched in September 2020, stands as Walmart's answer to the booming e-commerce subscription market, aiming to inject convenience and savings into your shopping routine. For an annual fee of $98 (or $12.95 monthly), the service offers a suite of benefits designed to make Walmart a more attractive primary shopping destination. You sign up easily online or via the app, and a 30-day free trial lets you kick the tires before committing. If you decide to cancel, benefits continue until your paid period ends, though refunds aren't offered for the remaining time.
Key features include:
- Free Shipping & Delivery: This is arguably the biggest draw. You get free same-day or next-day delivery on groceries, electronics, and general merchandise from local stores, provided your order hits the $35 minimum. For items shipped directly from Walmart.com (not from local stores), there's no minimum.
- Fuel Discounts: Save up to 10 cents per gallon at Walmart, Murphy USA, Murphy Express, Exxon, and Mobil stations. You can even use Sam's Club pumps, though without an extra discount on top of your Walmart+ savings.
- Mobile Scan & Go: Skip the traditional checkout lines by scanning items with your phone as you shop, tracking your total, and paying directly through the app.
- Exclusive Early Access to Deals: Get a jump on major sales events like Black Friday, and gain early access to special product releases.
- No Minimum for Pickup Orders: Unlike standard Walmart pickup, members can place pickup orders for any amount without an extra fee.
- Entertainment Perks: Enjoy six free months of Spotify Premium and free access to the Paramount+ Essential plan (ad-supported).
On paper, it sounds like a compelling package. But the real story often unfolds in the experiences of everyday users.
The Unvarnished Truth: Common Drawbacks from Real Users
While the benefits sound appealing, user experiences often reveal a more complex picture. Let's delve into the most frequently cited pain points.
Delivery's Double Edge: Minimums, Missing Items, and Misfires
One of Walmart+'s flagship benefits, free delivery, frequently becomes a source of frustration. Many users sign up expecting unlimited, truly free deliveries, only to encounter various hurdles.
The Persistent $35 Minimum: Not Truly "Free" for Small Orders
This is perhaps the most common complaint. While Walmart+ touts "free delivery," a $35 minimum purchase is required for local store deliveries. Orders under this threshold incur a $5.99 fee. This subtle detail often leads to a dilemma: either you pay the fee for a small item you genuinely need, or you pad your cart with unnecessary purchases just to hit the minimum.
"I signed up for Walmart+ so I could stop running out for a single gallon of milk or loaf of bread," one user shared on a forum. "But then I have to spend $35? It defeats the purpose and often makes me just go to the store myself anyway." This experience highlights how the minimum can negate the convenience for quick, small grocery runs, which is precisely when delivery could be most valuable.
Location Lottery: Is Your Area Covered?
Free delivery availability is highly location-dependent. What works for a friend in one city might not be available for you just a few miles away. Users report signing up only to find that their specific address doesn't qualify for the same-day local store delivery or that certain products are unavailable for delivery in their region. This geographical limitation can be a significant letdown, especially for those in more rural or less densely populated areas.
Substitutions & Shortages: The Battle for Your Groceries
When shopping for groceries, accuracy is paramount. Unfortunately, a recurring theme in user reviews is the issue of substitutions. Customers frequently report receiving items that are poor substitutes, incorrect brands, or even damaged goods. Worse yet, orders often arrive with items simply missing, without prior notification or a clear resolution path.
"I ordered a specific brand of organic baby food, and they sent me a completely different, much cheaper brand of regular baby food without asking," a frustrated parent recounted. "It's not just the money; it's the trust. I need to know I'm getting what I pay for, especially with groceries." This not only undermines the shopping experience but can also lead to wasted money on unwanted items or a separate trip to the store anyway.
Delivery Delays and Missing Items: When Convenience Crumbles
The promise of same-day or next-day delivery often clashes with reality. Users report significant delays, orders being delivered to the wrong address, or packages left unattended in vulnerable locations. When issues arise, the convenience factor rapidly diminishes, replaced by annoyance and the need to spend time tracking down orders or contacting support.
The In-Home "Add-on": An Extra Layer of Cost (and Concern)
While optional, the In-Home Delivery add-on (an additional $40/year for direct-to-refrigerator delivery) introduces another cost layer. For some, the thought of strangers entering their home, even for convenience, raises privacy and security concerns, making it a niche appeal rather than a universally desired feature.
Value Proposition: Is $98 Worth It for You?
At $98 annually, Walmart+ is less expensive than Amazon Prime ($139/year), but the question remains: is it truly a better value for your habits?
The Infrequent Shopper's Dilemma
For those who don't shop at Walmart regularly, or who prefer to pick up their own groceries, the annual fee can be difficult to justify. The potential savings from delivery fees (which average around $32/month if you get weekly deliveries) only materialize if you actually use the service that frequently. Similarly, fuel discounts and Scan & Go benefits are only valuable if you frequently visit eligible gas stations and shop in-store.
Many users, after their free trial, realize they don't use Walmart's services enough to offset the cost. "I thought I'd use it all the time, but I only order groceries once or twice a month, and I don't buy gas at Walmart," one user explained. "The $98 just felt like an extra bill after a few months." When Deciding on Walmart Plus?, your shopping frequency is a critical factor.
Comparing Apples to... Amazon Primes
While Walmart+ is often compared to Amazon Prime, user reviews frequently point out that Walmart+'s offerings are less comprehensive. Prime boasts a vast ecosystem of entertainment (Prime Video, Music, Reading), cloud storage, and faster, more reliable shipping options across a wider array of products. While Walmart+ has added Spotify and Paramount+, these are generally seen as supplemental perks rather than core differentiators, especially if users already subscribe to similar services or aren't interested in ad-supported streaming.
Fuel Frictions: Discounts with a Catch
The 10-cent-per-gallon discount is a tangible saving, but its utility is often limited by external factors.
Limited Station Availability
The discount is restricted to Walmart, Murphy USA, Murphy Express, Exxon, and Mobil stations. For many users, particularly those who don't live near these specific brands, the benefit is simply inaccessible. If your daily commute or usual errands don't intersect with these stations, the fuel discount becomes irrelevant, despite being marketed as a key advantage.
The "Why Not More?" Frustration
Even for those who do use eligible stations, the 10-cent discount, while helpful, doesn't always feel substantial enough to sway purchasing decisions, especially when gas prices are fluctuating wildly. Some users express a desire for more significant savings or broader station acceptance to truly make it a compelling reason to subscribe.
App Glitches & Customer Service Headaches
Technology should simplify, not complicate. However, numerous user reviews describe frustrating experiences with the Walmart app and its customer service.
Scan & Go Stumbles: The Line You Can't Skip
The Mobile Scan & Go feature, designed to bypass checkout lines, is a great idea in theory. In practice, however, users frequently report app crashes, scanning errors, and payment processing issues. These glitches often force them back to traditional checkout lines, negating the intended benefit and adding to their in-store time and frustration. "I tried Scan & Go, but half my items wouldn't scan, and then the app froze when I went to pay," a user shared. "Ended up waiting in a regular line anyway, feeling foolish."
Billing Errors & Resolution Woes
Billing inaccuracies, such as being charged for items not received or for canceled orders, are another common complaint. What exacerbates these issues is the reported difficulty in resolving them.
The Search for Support: A Frustrating Journey
Customer service, whether for delivery problems, billing discrepancies, or app functionality, often receives low marks. Users frequently describe long wait times, unhelpful representatives, and a lack of clear resolution pathways. The perception is that getting help is a battle, not a service. This stands in stark contrast to the premium experience that a paid subscription should ideally offer.
Exclusive Access? Sometimes Just Early Access to Stress
The promise of early access to deals and product releases sounds enticing, especially for popular items or sale events like Black Friday.
Deals That Disappear
Users report that "exclusive access" doesn't always translate into a guaranteed purchase. High-demand items can still sell out rapidly, even with early access, leading to disappointment and the feeling that the perk is more about marketing hype than tangible advantage.
The FOMO Factor
For some, this feature creates a fear of missing out, encouraging impulse purchases rather than thoughtful shopping. If the coveted item sells out quickly, the early access benefit can feel like a tease.
Entertainment Perks: Nice, But Are They Core?
The inclusion of six months of Spotify Premium and free Paramount+ Essential is a welcome addition, but rarely a primary subscription driver.
Spotify & Paramount+: Are You Already Subscribed?
Many potential users already have preferred streaming services or are subscribed to Spotify Premium. For these individuals, the perk offers little or no additional value. It’s a bonus that often goes unused or duplicates existing subscriptions, making it less of a unique selling point and more of a nice-to-have, if relevant.
Less Comprehensive Than Competitors' Bundles
Compared to the entertainment libraries offered by competitors like Amazon Prime, Walmart+'s digital offerings, while growing, are still relatively limited and less integrated into a holistic digital ecosystem.
Beyond the Glitches: Who Walmart+ Does Serve Well
Despite the common drawbacks, Walmart+ isn't without its champions. For specific user profiles, the benefits genuinely outweigh the frustrations.
- The Weekly Grocery Hauler: If you consistently spend over $35 on groceries each week and prefer delivery, Walmart+ can indeed save you significant money on delivery fees. Avoiding those $5.99 charges multiple times a month quickly adds up, making the $98 annual fee a bargain.
- The Frequent Fueler: For individuals who regularly fill up at Walmart, Murphy, Exxon, or Mobil stations, the 10-cent-per-gallon discount can lead to tangible savings, especially for multiple vehicles or long commutes. Purchasing 20 gallons of gas weekly, for example, could save you about $8 per month, or nearly $100 annually.
- The Scan & Go Enthusiast (when it works): For those who frequent Walmart stores and successfully utilize the Scan & Go feature, bypassing checkout lines can be a major time-saver and enhance the in-store shopping experience.
- The Small Order Pickup Fan: If you often need just one or two items from Walmart but don't want to hit a minimum for pickup, Walmart+ offers genuine convenience.
Making the Call: Is Walmart+ Right For Your Wallet and Lifestyle?
Deciding whether Walmart+ is a worthwhile investment boils down to an honest assessment of your personal habits and needs.
Your Personal "Walmart+ Value Equation"
To truly assess the value, ask yourself:
- How often do I shop at Walmart? If it's weekly or bi-weekly, especially for groceries, the delivery savings are substantial.
- Do I consistently hit the $35 minimum for delivery? If not, are you willing to pay the delivery fee or intentionally overspend?
- Are eligible gas stations conveniently located for me? If you’re passing them anyway, the fuel discount is a bonus.
- Do I often pick up small orders? The no-minimum pickup is a clear advantage here.
- Do I value skipping checkout lines via Scan & Go? And am I prepared for potential app quirks?
- Will I utilize the entertainment perks? Or do I already have these services?
If your answers lean heavily towards frequent use of the core shopping and fuel benefits, then the $98 annual fee could easily pay for itself.
Leveraging the Free Trial: Your 30-Day Test Drive
The 30-day free trial is your best friend here. Use it as a genuine experiment. Place typical orders, try Scan & Go, check out the fuel discounts. Pay close attention to:
- Delivery reliability: Are items arriving on time? Are there missing items or unwanted substitutions?
- App performance: Does Scan & Go work smoothly for you?
- Actual savings: Calculate how much you would have saved on delivery fees and gas.
This hands-on experience will provide far more insight than any review can. It's the most effective way of Deciding on Walmart Plus? for your specific situation.
Maximizing Your Membership: Pro Tips
If you do decide Walmart+ is for you, a few strategies can help you get the most out of it:
- Link Rewards Credit Cards: Use a credit card that offers cashback on gas or grocery purchases to stack your savings. Some cards offer 5% back on these categories, turning your 10-cent fuel discount into even greater savings.
- Plan Your Deliveries: Consolidate your grocery lists to consistently meet the $35 minimum and maximize the free delivery benefit.
- Explore All Features: Don't forget the lesser-used perks like exclusive early access to deals. While sometimes frustrating, these can occasionally yield significant savings on popular items.
Common Questions About Walmart+ (And Their Real Answers)
Let's clear up some lingering questions that often surface about Walmart+.
Is Walmart+ really cheaper than Amazon Prime?
Yes, the annual fee for Walmart+ ($98) is significantly lower than Amazon Prime's ($139). However, they offer different value propositions. Walmart+ focuses heavily on in-store and grocery-related benefits, while Amazon Prime offers a broader range of digital entertainment and a vast product catalog with diverse shipping speeds. "Cheaper" depends on what services you prioritize.
Can I cancel Walmart+ anytime?
Yes, you can cancel your Walmart+ membership at any time. However, if you've paid for a monthly or annual plan, you will not receive a refund for the current billing period. Your benefits will simply remain active until the end of that period.
Does Walmart+ guarantee same-day delivery?
No, it does not guarantee same-day delivery. While same-day or next-day delivery is a benefit, it's subject to driver availability, store capacity, and your specific location. Orders placed later in the day may roll over to the next day, and certain products or areas might not be eligible for the fastest delivery options.
Are all Walmart items eligible for free delivery?
No. For items delivered from your local Walmart store (like groceries and general merchandise), a $35 minimum purchase is required for free delivery. For items shipped directly from Walmart.com (a wider range of products that may not be available in local stores), there is no order minimum for free shipping. This distinction is crucial and often a point of confusion for new members.
The Final Word: Navigate the Hype with Your Eyes Wide Open
Walmart+ offers a compelling vision of convenience and savings, particularly for loyal Walmart shoppers. The promise of free delivery, fuel discounts, and quicker checkouts is certainly attractive. However, the real-world experiences shared by users paint a picture of benefits often hampered by minimum purchase requirements, geographical limitations, service inconsistencies, and app glitches. Customer service, the backbone of any subscription, also appears to be a consistent point of contention.
Before diving in, take advantage of that 30-day free trial. Test the service thoroughly against your own shopping habits and local availability. Understand that while the sticker price is lower than some competitors, the true value of Walmart+ will ultimately depend on how frequently and effectively you can integrate its benefits into your daily routine. Don't let the marketing hype dictate your decision; let your personal experience and realistic assessment of the drawbacks guide you.