HOUSTON – Everybody wants to save money; but not all of us are willing to take the time to clip coupons and review sales ads. Now there's a new app that takes the work out of comparison shopping.
It was created by Walmart; and it's called "Savings Catcher" because that's what it claims to do -- catch savings you might have missed. Then it gives you money back.
You simply scan your Walmart receipt with your smart phone, or type in your receipt code online at https://savingscatcher.walmart.com/.
Consumer expert Amy Davis tested it out to show you how it works. On a recent shop, she spent $90.08 on 44 items. She scanned the bar code on the receipt with her smart phone.
Four days later, Walmart sent an alert that the app found lower prices that earned her a $5.55 credit.
It found some baby food she purchased cheaper at Toys R Us. Davis paid $6.48 for some Bertolli frozen soup at Walmart; but they found it in a Kroger ad for $4.99.
Quaker Instant Oatmeal was $2.50 at Walmart; but it was one dollar cheaper at Target. Walmart says the app searches the sales ads of nearby stores for lower prices on the items you purchased. According to Walmart, Savings Catcher does not currently apply to Private label / store brand items, deli, bakery and weighed meat items, General merchandise items, (including, but not limited to, electronics, media and gaming, toys, housewares, small appliances, office supplies, apparel basics such as socks and undershirts, sporting goods, home décor, bedding, books and magazines, shoes, jewelry, furniture and seasonal products), non-branded items or tobacco, firearms, gasoline, tires, prescription drugs, optical and photo products and services, or products that require a service agreement such as wireless, automotive or financial products.
Davis chose to get the $5.55 on a Walmart e-gift card that they emailed her. You can open a financial account with direct deposit called Bluebird by American Express to double your reward points.
You can accumulate up to $599.99 every year with the Savings Catcher app. Walmart says since the app rolled out at the beginning of August, it has found more than $2 million for its shoppers.