If you ever find a deal that looks too good to be true, chances are high that it is.
Often, stores will simply mislabel a price—or an item will end up in the wrong section and make customers believe they can get it for pennies.
Most stores will simply not honor this price. Still, that hasn’t stopped some internet users from trying to check out with these incredible deals. Recently, one TikToker user tried to complete such a transaction—only to be stopped by an employee. Why?
What Went Wrong With This Walmart Purchase?
In a video with over 128,000 views, TikTok user Chad Wilson (@chadwilsontattoo) shows a variety of Hart tools at Walmart. Every single item on the shelf is priced at 3 cents.
“It’s all marked for 3 cents, and she’s telling me that I can’t have it for that price because it’s marked wrong,” Wilson says, referring to an employee. In the background, an employee can be heard telling Wilson that he’s not allowed to record in the store.
“That’s false advertisement,” Wilson declares as the employee walks away.
Does Walmart Have To Honor This Price?
Like most people, Wilson would probably love to fill up his workbench for less than a dollar. Unfortunately, Walmart is simply not required to sell him the tools at the listed price.
Rhode Island’s laws in this area are relatively clear. According to RI Gen L § 11-18-10. (2024), which dictates “false statements in advertising,” any false listing must not only be untrue but “designed to be deceptive or misleading.”
This applies when customers have a genuine belief that they should be able to get the item for that price. For example, in 2024, Walmart faced a lawsuit after it was alleged that it charged customers more at the register than the price advertised on the shelves. However, the majority of discrepancies were small. In one case, customers were charged $3.64 for Crisco Pure Canola Oil at the register versus the $3.12 shelf price.
One could argue that these price differences are intended to deceive consumers. That said, both Wilson and the employees are likely aware that the 3-cent price is an error. Therefore, it would be difficult to say that the advertisement is “deceptive,” as many would agree that a reasonable person would not conclude that the store was genuinely selling expensive tools for pennies.
Could Walmart Still Honor The Price Anyway?
Still, some users on the internet are convinced that, according to Walmart policies, employees must honor the error pricing.
Although Walmart has seemingly not put out a statement about this idea regarding in-store purchases, Walmart workers on Reddit said that whether they honored a mislabeled price depended heavily on the specific circumstances of the attempted purchase.
“When it is a clearly unreasonable price. Like $97.00 for a riding lawn mower,” wronte one user about when they refuse to honor prices. “No normal person would expect that to be a real price. I am sure there are other reasons & that likely varies from store to store.”
“Customers move or dump things all the time. Unless something is locked up so we know it is our fault that the prices do not match, we only accept what is rung up,” declared another. “If they make a fuss just call for a manager. I really don’t care what price is finally decided but I have to follow the rules.”
In a comment, Wilson confirmed that the items did not scan for 3 cents.
The TikToker Responds
In a TikTok DM exchange with BroBible, the TikToker claimed that he believed the store was genuinely trying to get rid of the tools for 3 cents each. He only complained when he tried to check out and they rang up at a higher price. When an employee came to check the price with him, he started filming.
“I told her I used to work for that exact store and I know their policy is they have to honor the price on the shelf if it is for the right item. She then told me ‘Yeah, but they will fire me if I sell you that for 3 cents,'” Wilson stated. “That is when I pulled my phone out and you hear me say ‘I just want to record this.'”
According to Wilson, he later spoke to corporate, who affirmed that the price should have been honored. He said he was supposed to receive an update on the situation but has not as of the time of writing.
“It was obvious I wasn’t trying to take advantage of the situation because I only tried to buy like four or five of the ten different items with like 3 each on the shelf,” he added.
@chadwilsontattoo When @Walmart in Westerly RI refuses to sell items for the advertised price. Then tries to deny allowing you to record it.#Walmart #scam #walmartfinds #fyp
Commenters Are Divided
Even if Walmart does not legally have to honor the listed price, some insisted that they still should. Others countered that Wilson should know better than to expect power tools for such a low price.
“Still wild how Walmart employees still defend the corporation’s bottom line like the company cares about them,” said a user.“it may be their policy to honor it, not sure. but, no, when a mistake happens it is not false advertisement,” detailed another. “very common misconception.”
“Call corporate and tell them u have it on video. They owe u some products,” stated a third.
BroBible reached out to Walmart via media relations contact form and Wilson via TikTok and Instagram direct message.