Buying Ammo at Walmart

[16Adams]

I had to see again. #1 Walmart stop saw a manager walking in. Greeted and said I'd like to buy some ammo can you help? She walked back with me and turned and said, I'll have to page a manager with the key, I'm the manager of lawn and garden. Page went out. No one arrived in 4-5 minutes. I departed. Went to Walmart #2 no one in Sporting Goods, went to Automotive and asked for help purchasing Ammo. She sent out page and a nice lady arrived in 45 seconds with a key. Bought 100 round box of 9mm target Winchester 115grain FMJ 24.95.

Maybe getting Automotive is the key. Thank y'all.

[Liberty]

I agree with your observations about Wal- Mart, but do not necessarily agree with your advice to others. Wal Mart competes on price, not service. They configure their distribution channels and everything else with the sole goal of lowering their costs and then try to undercut prices of competitors. Their approach is not an inherently good or bad thing, and is not targeted at every single customer.

If someone wants a higher degree of customer service, and is willing to pay slightly higher prices for most things then they are better off shopping elsewhere. But for some people, the lower prices are worth the trade off in poor customer service. I could just as easily tell you to buy all your clothes at Neiman Marcus, but that advice would be bad for a huge segment of the population.

You see the same thing in the airline industry. Spirit may have the lowest fare, but you'll probably have a more pleasant experience on American, United, or Delta, and for most people it is worth it to pay a little more.

The thing is at Academy or Cabela's I have pretty close to the same prices, but they don't have the Ammo locked up, and nobody around with a key. I don't require a lot of service just access to the the merchandise. They don't even trust most of their employees with the keys.

I still think its part of a larger plan to get out of the ammo business all together. They have come a long way since the day they took pride in American goods and sold guns in most of their stores. Maybe it has something to do with Hillary serving on the Board of Directors and the huge donations from Walmart.

[16Adams]

Google "Walmart ammo theft" "Walmart employee theft" and "Walmart shoplifting".

interesting reading

[Mick22]

The first article I came across had 3 individuals stealing "assault" rifle ammunition. I swear the media loves the word assault.

[JanieSue]

I can't even get them to get my paint :(

[rotor]

Locally I have several choices

1. WalMart but usually need to find the person with the key. I do get good prices on the value pack Federal or Winchester 12 g shotshells and no key needed. Also usually a good price on clay birds. When they have bricks of 22 they have not increased prices. They rarely have 22 though.

2. Academy, easy to buy, fair prices. When they have a sale I buy online and as long as you spend $25 they ship for free and I just pay the standard sales tax. Saves me a trip to the store. I don't know how they make a profit when they pay shipping. There are many people that work at my local Academy but you get very little help from most of them. One guy is very good but not always there. When it comes to firearms they do not take the locks off. Not a good place to buy a firearm in my opinion as you can not try the trigger of any gun they sell.

3. Atwoods, when they have a sale you can get very good prices. Unfortunately nobody seems to know what they are doing and it is very hard to get someone over to the firearms section. Usually what you want and what is on sale is not in stock. They do let you dry fire though. Today they had 9 mm 115gr FMJ at $9.99 a box in their advertisement but no listing of what brand it was. They couldn't even find it at the store.

4. LGS, reasonable prices on firearms and does have reloading supplies. Not cheap on powder but no hazmat fee. No great deal on ammo. Great service and this is where I buy my firearms if buying new. Usually cheaper than Academy for guns.

Mail order

If you know what you want SGAmmo very good. No sales tax but you pay shipping. I have never been charged sales tax on these purchases (yet). Most of the ammo I bought was great but I hate to buy 1000 rounds of untested brands. TargetSportsUSA also good and frequently provides free shipping. Recently able to stock up on 22LR from them. Of course they sell out quickly.

[Soccerdad1995]

Locally I have several choices

1. WalMart but usually need to find the person with the key. I do get good prices on the value pack Federal or Winchester 12 g shotshells and no key needed. Also usually a good price on clay birds. When they have bricks of 22 they have not increased prices. They rarely have 22 though.

2. Academy, easy to buy, fair prices. When they have a sale I buy online and as long as you spend $25 they ship for free and I just pay the standard sales tax. Saves me a trip to the store. I don't know how they make a profit when they pay shipping. There are many people that work at my local Academy but you get very little help from most of them. One guy is very good but not always there. When it comes to firearms they do not take the locks off. Not a good place to buy a firearm in my opinion as you can not try the trigger of any gun they sell.

3. Atwoods, when they have a sale you can get very good prices. Unfortunately nobody seems to know what they are doing and it is very hard to get someone over to the firearms section. Usually what you want and what is on sale is not in stock. They do let you dry fire though. Today they had 9 mm 115gr FMJ at $9.99 a box in their advertisement but no listing of what brand it was. They couldn't even find it at the store.

4. LGS, reasonable prices on firearms and does have reloading supplies. Not cheap on powder but no hazmat fee. No great deal on ammo. Great service and this is where I buy my firearms if buying new. Usually cheaper than Academy for guns.

Mail order

If you know what you want SGAmmo very good. No sales tax but you pay shipping. I have never been charged sales tax on these purchases (yet). Most of the ammo I bought was great but I hate to buy 1000 rounds of untested brands. TargetSportsUSA also good and frequently provides free shipping. Recently able to stock up on 22LR from them. Of course they sell out quickly.

Personally, I like Ammoman just a bit better. Prices are competitive with SGAmmo when you consider that Ammoman has free shipping plus a 2% discount on a future order, great availability, and super fast shipping.

[thatguyoverthere]

I guess I'm fortunate in that the Wal-Mart in Sherman seems to always have someone present and ready (with a key) working in sporting goods. They often do have very good prices there, too.

However, someone here on the forum recently told me of http://www.ammoseek.com I've tried that on-line operation and I really like it. Good thing about the ammoseek web site is that they don't sell ammo, but they list prices for dozens of different suppliers, with prices updated literally every few minutes. Instant comparison shopping. They also have a "key" to show comparative shipping & handling charges from each supplier.

Using their web site, I have found one particular supplier that has very good prices and has next day delivery to my house. Next day delivery is unheard of for me, because I live waaaay out in the sticks.

I try to support the local merchants where I can, but sometimes they do seem to make it more difficult than it has to be.

[hovercat]

I can't even get them to get my paint :(

When remodeling a Wal-Mart, you are not permitted to use their paint. Just a FYI.

[howdy]

If you are ever in NW Houston, stop by the Freedom munitions store. They have cases and cases and cases of ammo just piled up. They have all the common center fire ammo, no .22LR or exotic rounds. The prices are the best in town. I know some people do not like Freedom Munitions but it has always worked well for me.

My Walmart has the same problem with the key. I will only wait if they have .22lr in the 333/500 bricks. They will let you buy 3 bricks of .22lr.

[Soccerdad1995]

If you are ever in NW Houston, stop by the Freedom munitions store. They have cases and cases and cases of ammo just piled up. They have all the common center fire ammo, no .22LR or exotic rounds. The prices are the best in town. I know some people do not like Freedom Munitions but it has always worked well for me.

My Walmart has the same problem with the key. I will only wait if they have .22lr in the 333/500 bricks. They will let you buy 3 bricks of .22lr.

Is that the place that sells reloads? If it's the same place, I stopped by but didn't see any name brands I recognized, and the pricing on their reloads was pretty close to what name brand factory ammo costs.

I never have trouble finding ammo. It's just that some places are pricier than others.

[Scott B.]

I popped over to the nearby Walmart this afternoon to get some Federal 12ga #8 for the weekend. Pretty decent prices. Nobody minding the counter, but I was able to grab 3 cases for $21.74 each.

Lugged my haul up to the 12 items or less register. All single guys checking out. Guy in front had a case of beer and the guy behind me had potato chips. I think the gentleman working the register was entertained.

I imagine if it was only folks buying ammo or hunting licenses, Walmart wouldn't mind staffing the sporting goods counter. But, usually it's the worst of the lookie loos and those with a 50/50 chance of clearing that NICS check.

[JRG]

There are three Walmarts near us in middle Iowa. NONE have the sporting goods counter manned. If I want ammo, I HAVE to go find someone to help me.

Joe

[TexasFlash]

By all means, please continue to avoid Walmart...more for me Seriously, I guess I'm fortunate, but the Wally closest to me has had someone available every time I've gone in; many times asking me if they can open the case for me as soon as I pause to see what's in stock. Lately, the case is full, so please continue to go to Academy or shop online and give me a chance to deplete it at a leisurely pace.
Dave

[WinoVeritas]

I sit between two Super Walmart's 3-5 miles to one or the other. One most always has someone at the ammo counter or very nearby stocking shelves; the other is like trying to find hen's teeth. With exception of anything .22LR or Mag, they have most everything else at competitive prices compared to the two Academy's I sit between, 5-7 miles.