# WALMART Stuff That Pleasantly Surprised You **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 5, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054 "2010-12-05T19:01:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/1 "2010-12-05T19:01:31Z")
Normally, I don’t shop Walmart-because most of the stuff they carry is not really good. However, I did have a few pleasant surprises: -Faded Glory brand bluejeans-great fit and dirt cheap ($9)-as good as any other -Motion-activated light (exterior) the cheap one at walmart has lasted longer that the expensive ones I bought -“OP” brand shirt-good quality So Walmart has some good stuff-their bath towels look good-any experience? ---
**Author:** ![impatien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c89c15/32.png) [@impatien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/impatien)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/2 "2010-12-05T19:04:48Z")
Walmart has plenty of stuff that is as good as anywhere else. Paying more for stuff doesn’t always mean it will be better quality. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/3 "2010-12-05T19:05:52Z")
The Wal-Mart super store stocks better quality and much better variety of fresh veggies than the other markets around here. That probably says more about the other markets than it does about Wal-Mart although I do bet they have enormously fast turnover on the stuff they sell. I see no reason to go anywhere other than Wal-Mart for car batteries and tires. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/4 "2010-12-05T19:57:41Z")
My local doesn’t have a full grocery, so I can’t get veggies and the like. But; Marie Calendar’s Dinner: Walmart $2.50 Grocery down the street: $4.39 Tombstone Pizza; Walmart $2.98, Gdts $6.00 And similar deals on many other food items. Sure, they don’t have the same selection available. But for half the price, I’ll live with the choices. I’m very careful in shopping these days, because I’m largely broke. Some things they’re the same price as the grocers, some things I find cheaper at Target. So when I walk down to Walmart, I stick to the limited selection of items they have that I know are cheaper there. I can wait to get the other stuff some other time. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/5 "2010-12-05T20:15:17Z")
I have found the Great Value food brand to be equal, if not superior, to many name brands. Over the holidays we had the ruffle type of chips and there wasn’t a broken or burnt or small chip in the bag! The frozen vegetables are better than any other store brand I’ve ever tried. The broccoli is full of flowerets, not stems. The stir-fry is high-quality chopped vegetables. And on and on. I have yet to find a Great Value item that I am displeased with. This is coming from someone who has detested Wal-Mart for years. But they opened a grocery-only Wal-Mart near me, and it’s a joy to shop there. The store is frankly beautiful, the help is very nice and the aisles are wide. No blaring videos in every aisle, or the crush of the great unwashed. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/6 "2010-12-05T20:23:38Z")
Wal-Mart has good candles, about 1/4 of the cost of Yankee candles and the like. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/7 "2010-12-05T20:56:00Z")
I was pleasantly (and affirmatively) surprised one morning when I stopped into our local Walmart. The store was being remodeled and the shelves had been pushed back from the center. There, standing in a large circle, were most of the staff. Apparently they’d been called in for an incentive-boosting meeting. Mr. Team Leader Guy gave a cheerful talk straight from his marketing classes and the greedy, but patriotic, mind of his employer. Then when he was done he led the minions in about five minutes of chanting. After I got over the shivers I started to grin. Always knew those guys were evil. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/8 "2010-12-05T21:02:56Z")
I got my new glasses at Wal-Mart. Let me explain - I need my glasses the way a leg amputee needs a prosthesis, I’m crippled without them. As I have several issues with my vision my glasses have never been cheap. I am also flat broke. It was getting to the point I was having trouble functioning at work. Losing my job because I couldn’t get my dysfunctional glasses upgraded would have… well, it was freakin’ scary, let me tell you. I got my new glasses at Wal-mart. I can see 20/20 again. And I was able to pay for them. Yes, I was VERY pleasantly surprised! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/9 "2010-12-05T21:18:15Z")
True Value pie crusts. My mother in law made two pecan pies with them over Thanksgiving, and they were the best darn pecan pies with the best darn crusts we’ve ever had. I prefer something deeper and different for fruit pies, but man, for pecan and cream pies they’re ideal. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/10 "2010-12-05T21:27:23Z")
polarized sunglasses. $19 at Walmart. Hard to find anywhere else, and even then the price is closer to $50. ---
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/11 "2010-12-06T21:59:05Z")
Walmart used to sell a generic brand of benzoyl peroxide that was at least as successful as Persa-Gel at minimizing blemishes, but like 1/3 the price. I can’t find it anymore, and I’m not sure what happened. _sigh_ ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/12 "2010-12-06T23:17:47Z")
Walmart payed for a vacation. One year, they were selling $3.50 fishing lures for $0.05. I bought every single one of them and sold them on ebay for about $1.00. Same thing happened with KMart. They were shrinking the fishing section and had the bulk of their fishing lures on sale for 90% off. Bought a ton and put them on ebay! ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/13 "2010-12-06T23:18:48Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > polarized sunglasses. > $19 at Walmart. Hard to find anywhere else, and even then the price is closer to $50. You can find $20 polarized shades at fishing tackle shops (the ones around here, anyway) too. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/14 "2010-12-06T23:24:02Z")
We have not had a problem with anything that has had the Great Value label on it. I adore their Twist and Shout cookies. The best thing about working for Walmart was the employee discount on store brands. > [@Tethered\_Kite](#): > > Then when he was done he led the minions in about five minutes of chanting. > > After I got over the shivers I started to grin. Always knew those guys were evil. And this was the worst part. We had to do that &\*# Walmart cheer at 9am every morning: and this after we’d all been there all night. It was before they took the star separator out, and we’d always have to yell, “Give me a squiggly!” It’s not a squiggly, you idiots: it’s a star! :rolleyes: :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/15 "2010-12-06T23:32:26Z")
Once when stranded in Canada without the critical suitcase late on a Sat night (will never let hubby forget this, he packed the car), we had to buy clothes at a Wal-Mart because it was the only thing open. Needed nicer clothes, too, for the occasion we were in Canada for. I bought a suit…a $25 Wal-Mart suit. We swore we would never speak of it again, for shame. But it’s not a bad-looking suit. I still wear it occasionally, and every time I do people tell me how nice it looks and ask where I got it. I refuse to tell them. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/16 "2010-12-07T00:28:05Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > Wal-Mart has good candles, about 1/4 of the cost of Yankee candles and the like. I was just about to say this. They have the same huge jar candles, but they’re $5-$7. Literally the same smells, too. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/17 "2010-12-07T01:14:30Z")
> [@Ann\_Onimous](#): > > We have not had a problem with anything that has had the Great Value label on it. I adore their Twist and Shout cookies. The best thing about working for Walmart was the employee discount on store brands. Twist and Shout cookies are AWESOME! They used to have some Sam’s brand cookies; cc’s were great, and oatmeal raisin were pretty good. I love them. One thing about Great Value, though; some things are substantially cheaper, and some are only a few cents cheaper than the ‘brand’ name items. Their GV pickles, and soft drink mixes are excellent. We have a local dairy store, Braum’s, whose eggs are legendary, and I cannot tell a difference in quality from the pink case brand at WM (don’t know the name.) Plus, WM eggs are jumbos, and Braum’s’ are only XL. Sandwich meat, GV, is good. Their french fries aren’t bad. Hmmm…I try to sneak in a trip to WM daily, so I can’t be totally objective, but, I have no complaints. Wait! Some GV ice cream is really, really, good too. Can’t tell some of it from the local great ones. Some, I can’t recall, aren’t quite as good, tho. Best wishes, hh ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/18 "2010-12-07T01:19:58Z")
Oh, oh! I almost forgot the Equate generics. OTC’s are equal to the brand names, and 1/2 or sometimes 1/3 the price. Tremendous price savings. Esp. the sinus meds. Best wishes, hh ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/19 "2010-12-07T05:31:29Z")
My father swears their guacamole is super. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2010, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054/20 "2010-12-07T05:49:37Z")
I bought a waffle maker for about $15 or so. It’s kind of a piece of crap but the bottom line is is makes waffles and I wouldn’t have bought one at all for how much the makers usually cost. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-stuff-that-pleasantly-surprised-you/563054.md?page=2)