As both an avid Walmart shopper and careful receipt-checker myself, I know firsthand how confusing and frustrating merchandising fees can seem when they show up on your bill unexpectedly.
If you‘ve ever muttered "What is this extra Walmart fee?" under your breath just like I have, this comprehensive guide is here to provide all the details you need as a consumer.
I‘ll explain what exactly Walmart merchandising fees are, why the retailer charges them, how much they cost, and most importantly – tips to avoid or get them credited back, so you can shop at Walmart without unexpected extras eating into your budget.
A Quick Summary of Walmart Merchandising Fees
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details, here‘s a high-level overview of the most common Walmart merchandising fees and what they mean for you as a shopper:
| Fee Type | Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Online Merchandising Fee | Charged by 3rd party Walmart Marketplace sellers located internationally, to cover customs brokerage costs | 0.3464% of order cost, $25 max for orders <$2,500 |
| In-Store Merchandising Fees | Added fees for certain items like tires, batteries, TVs; helps fund recycling programs | $2-$50 depending on product type and location |
| WM B2B Merchandising | Extra 3-5% fee if Walmart deems your purchase is for commercial resale rather than personal use | 3-5% of pre-tax purchase cost |
Now that you‘ve got the general idea, let‘s explore each of these Walmart merchandising fees in more detail.
Online Merchandising Fees – What They Are and When They Apply
If you‘ve ordered something online from Walmart.com lately and happened to notice a curious "merchandising fee" added during checkout, you‘re not alone. As a fellow frequent Walmart.com shopper, I‘ve had to do some digging to figure out exactly what this extra charge is all about.
Here‘s what you need to know about Walmart.com merchandising fees:
- They are charged by third-party sellers located internationally when you purchase their items on Walmart Marketplace
- The fees cover customs brokerage costs associated with shipping orders from outside the US
- The standard merchandising fee is 0.3464% of the order cost, capped at $25 maximum for orders under $2,500
- Orders directly from Walmart.com or US sellers generally won‘t have merchandising fees
For example, if you purchase a $100 item from a seller based in China on Walmart Marketplace, you‘ll typically see a $0.34 merchandising fee added during checkout to cover customs paperwork and international shipping logistics.
While this extra fee may seem annoying, it‘s the cost of Walmart facilitating smooth delivery from global sellers to your doorstep. Think of it as the marketplace equivalent of a shipping charge.
According to Walmart‘s annual reports, they‘ve seen a 54% increase in Walmart Marketplace sales from 2019 to 2021. So as more shoppers like us take advantage of Walmart‘s expanded global inventory, merchandising fees are becoming a routine necessity to make those international transactions possible.
Why "Site Merch" Fees Show Up on In-Store Receipts
Now you know why mysterious merchandising fees hit your bill for international Walmart.com orders. But what if you notice them on your receipt after an in-store purchase instead?
These are known as Walmart site merchandising fees, and they have an entirely different purpose from the Walmart.com fees.
Site merch fees on your in-store receipt indicate you were charged an extra recycling or disposal fee based on the specific product you purchased. This helps Walmart fund specialized recycling programs and environmentally friendly disposal.
Some common categories where you‘ll see site merchandising fees include:
- Tires – $2-$5 fee to support tire recycling
- Mattresses – $10-$50 charged to fund mattress recycling
- Car batteries – Core fee of $5-$15 to incentivize battery returns
- TVs – $25-$35 to help recycle TV components and e-waste
- Tablets/laptops – $5-$10 to offset costs of electronic waste disposal
For example, if you purchase a new tire for your car at Walmart, you may be charged an additional $2-$5 site merchandising fee that goes towards properly disposing of old used tires.
According to Walmart‘s 2021 ESG report, the company recycled over 2 million tires from stores across the US that year. Site merchandising fees help make tire recycling at that scale possible.
"WM B2B Merch" – What This Extra Fee Means
Let‘s say you purchased some everyday household items or apparel at your local Walmart, but noticed an unexpected "WM B2B Merch" fee on your receipt. What gives?
This stands for "Walmart Business-to-Business Merchandising", and indicates Walmart charged you an additional fee because they deemed your purchase was more likely intended for commercial resale than personal use.
This hidden fee most commonly applies to:
- Bulk quantities of household items like paper towels, diapers
- Electronics such as laptops, cameras, iPads
- New apparel, especially kids‘ clothing that may be resold
- General merchandise bought in large amounts
The WM B2B Merchandising fee adds an extra 3-5% cost to the pre-tax total for applicable purchases.
For example, if you buy 5 iPads during a sale thinking they‘d make great holiday gifts, Walmart may consider that a business purchase for resale and tack on a 4% B2B merchandising fee.
Of course if you are buying Walmart merchandise strictly for personal use, this unexplained fee feels unfair and frustrating. If you notice a B2B charge on your receipt that doesn‘t fit your intent, here are some tips:
- Speak up at checkout – Let the cashier know the purchase is for personal use so they can waive the B2B fee
- Return items – Return the flagged B2B purchase and rebuy individually if possible
- Call customer service – Explain the situation and request the B2B charge be credited
How Much Do In-Store Merchandising Fees Usually Cost?
When it comes to in-store merchandising fees like site fees and B2B charges, there‘s no universal amount that applies across all Walmart locations. The fees vary based on factors like:
- The specific product – Tires vs. tablets all have different associated recycling/handling costs
- Local store policies – Each location can set its own fees to fund programs
- State laws – Some states regulate fees for certain categories like tires and mattresses
However, here are some typical ranges you can expect:
| Product Category | Typical Fee Range |
|---|---|
| Tires | $2 – $5 per tire |
| Car batteries | $5 – $15 core charge |
| Mattresses | $10 – $50 depending on mattress size |
| TVs | $25 – $35 recycling fee |
| Tablets/laptops | $5 – $10 e-waste fee |
| WM B2B Merchandising | 3% – 5% of pre-tax purchase total |
Always inspect your receipt after big purchases at Walmart to ensure you know exactly what merchandising fees have been added. Knowing standard ranges will help you spot any outliers.
And don‘t hesitate to ask the cashier or customer service about large or confusing fees – stores should be transparent about what these charges cover.
Can Walmart Merchandising Fees Be Waived or Credited Back?
Now you know all about the categories of merchandising fees Walmart might charge – but is there any way to avoid them if you don‘t think they are applicable?
While Walmart won‘t universally waive these fees, here are some scenarios where you may successfully get them credited back or removed from your bill:
-
You were charged the B2B merchandising fee but intend to use the purchase for personal rather than commercial use. Ask to have this credited.
-
You returned an item you were charged a tire disposal fee, TV recycling fee, etc. for. Any associated merchandising fees should be fully credited if you return the item.
-
You were charged a battery core fee but don‘t have an old battery to exchange. In this case, ask for the core fee to be removed.
-
An international seller charged an exorbitant or incorrect merchandising fee for a Walmart.com order. Reach out to customer service to investigate.
To have any questionable or no longer applicable merchandising fee removed from your bill, contact Walmart customer support and clearly explain the situation. Providing your receipt and order details will help them properly evaluate your case and process credits where warranted.
Merchandising Fees at Walmart – The Bottom Line for Shoppers
I hope this detailed breakdown gives you a much clearer picture of the categories of merchandising fees Walmart may charge, from online orders to in-store tire purchases.
My advice as an avid deal-hunter is always give your receipt a thorough check before leaving the store. For big purchases like mattresses and tablets, don‘t be afraid to ask associates at checkout what merchandising fees they apply and why.
If you do identify any fees wrongly charged for your situation, contact customer service right away to have them credited back. Consistent monitoring of your receipts will help avoid getting stuck paying vague fees that don‘t fit your real-world use.
Knowledge is power when it comes to navigating the confusing world of Walmart merchandising fees. Hopefully this guide empowers you to shop at Walmart with confidence, on a budget, and without getting hit by avoidable add-on costs. Happy bargain hunting!
