Can anyone else confirm if Walmart increased prices on select merchandise? A reliable source told me that the Mena Walmart increased prices on tarp’s, small bottles of propane and something else but I don’t remember the item. I hope this is a misunderstanding, but if its not then they should be turned in to the State Attorney General just like any other price gouging dog should be! :box:
Overall I’m very proud of our Mena residents. We have not been victim to a lot of the usual natural disaster scams but anything is possible.

A good way to find out is have someone stop in at other Wal-Marts in close by cities and check the prices for you.

I have been to wal-mart twice since the storm .I did not notice any price increase what i did notice they were out of some things that were in demand at the time. I think wal-mart has help a lot during this disaster.

"Can anyone else confirm if Walmart increased prices on select merchandise?"

I don't believe that. It's out of character for them. WM goes out of their way during local disasters. Many of us remember the ice storm and WM. Think what it would have been like had WM been wiped out two weeks ago tonight.

walmart.com doesn't help, it says the price varies by store for propane bottles. so it would seem that it is not regulated by headquarters. it is possible they could be hiking the price. would be good if someone who is near a closer walmart could say for sure. Like possibly waldron.

I don't believe they would do that either. They do alot for the community, charities, schools, etc. We got twin packs of propane right after the storm for 5.47 I think. How much are they now?

I would say that maybe someone is just trying to start a rumor. :whistle:

I know Wal-Mart let a customer who bought generator at regular price get a refund and then buy it back for the clearence price...about $150.00 in the customers pocket. I personally know the person who got the $150.00, so it is not a rumor, it is a fact... I don't belive that is price gouging... :uhuh:

Since I don't know who you are or if you know my husband, you may be relating what happened to him. If not, then we make the second person that Walmart refunded that $150 to. We did not return the generator, we just called and asked if they would honor the price that was lowered right after our purchase and they said "no problem, just bring us your receipt". We did and they refunded the difference, with a smile.

The more likely thing that happened at WalMart is when the next shipment came in just after the storm the price was higher, not because of our storm but just because prices go up.

I think you need to find a new reliable source. Or better yet, check it out yourself. Walmart does not gouge anyone. And they give back to the community much more than you ever hear about. They are not one to brag on their good deeds to the community.

"And they give back to the community much more than you ever hear about. They are not one to brag on their good deeds to the community.'

Amen!

I agree that walmart does good things for the community but lets not pat them too hard on the back. They are wll compensated for their "good deeds". I don't think anyone is trying to start rumors but I do think this was an observation made by this individual. I agree that Mena would be in a bad situation if something would have happened to our WM, and yes I'm glad they are still here.

I have a buddy that has a rig to refill those beastly expensive little green bottles out of a 5 gal propane tank like you use on a gas grill on your deck.

Haven't seen it in operation yet, but he kept me lit up during the initial power outage from the storm.

I checked the price at Dukes and it was comparable to WM.

"...but lets not pat them too hard on the back"

But I think I will. :thumb: And James and others.

I'm inclined to agree; I remember the ice storm of 2000 ; they charged regular prices for batteries, etc. Some of the local stores I won't name tripled their prices!
So I can't see that happening at Wal Mart. I have my complaints against them, but that's not one of them!

As someone that would know, I know it is impossible to force the system to raise a price from a store. Its all home office directed and not left to the decision of one store. The only price manipulation that can be done at the store is to lower the price. And no, the prices didnt go up. And yes, anyone that bought a generator at the $637 price can get the refund for when they went to $500. What happened is all of those supplies came on what is called an emergency truck which means a store could get items (brands) they normally dont carry thus the generators. Once checked in a price change was sent down a few days later for the new retail price of $500.

As far a donations to the community and to childrens miracle network, the Mena store contributes about $40,000 a year.
Donations to the community after the tornado included flashlights to the police dept, water to the hospital, dog food for the human society, food to the churches feeding people and the total in donations was in the thousands of dollars.
Last saturday 50 employees volunteered their entire saturday to do clean up in the area. This qualified for a grant from the home office for $30,000 for the city of Mena.
This isnt to brag, its to help set the record straight.

STJ65 - When you qoute an unnamed "reliable source" and the info "they" provided you is completely false I'd say it's not an observation but a malicious rumor. I bought several of the small green propane bottles, some tarps, and several other items from Wal-Mart and did not notice an increase in price.

Wal-Mart has donated far more to this community that could be expected and deserve a pat on the back. As do their employees!

:thumb: :agree: