Alabama man goes through Walmart self-checkout. Then he uses a scanning trick to dramatically alter the price

If there was ever a need for “hacks” to save on groceries, the time may be right now. As grocery and gas prices continue to rise, along with inflation, Americans are definitely feeling it.

According to a report by The Economist, the United States is facing a “grocery-price shock,” partly fueled by the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. Fertilizer prices have risen, which will continue to make vegetables pricier.

More expensive fuel means anything that requires transport will become more expensive, which is essentially everything.

One Alabama TikTok creator has a “hack” for Walmart shoppers looking to save on groceries while shopping at the chain.

What’s the Walmart Shopping ‘Hack?’

“Tell you how to get your groceries free at Walmart,” TikTok creator @catt.ghoti begins, filming inside the store. “Gonna roll them back.”

He corrects himself. “Not for the freeskie, but for the cheapskie,” he says.

First, he says, shoppers have to figure out what’s on the menu for dinner that week. He then picks up a variety pack of Pure Balance Chicken, Vegetables and Brown Rice Stew. This is dog food.

“So you see right here, it’s $9.94 for a variety pack,” he jokes. “The chicken and the beef… six days of dinner.”

The item is normally priced at $9.94, but the creator says he’s going to show viewers how to get it for free.

He walks over to the self-checkout and scans the item.

“Boom, you see it’s $9.94, right?” he says. “After you scan it, you bag it. Throw it in the bag.”

Then comes the supposed trick. “Once again, you see the total, $9.94,” he says. “Take it out, that scan twice. Take you a dollar. Put you a dollar in there.”

After inserting the dollar into the cash slot, he tells viewers to grab the bag and leave.

“Now you may be saying to yourself, bro, you know they got cameras and they can see you,” he says. “And you’re right. They do have cameras. They can see me. But they’ll never see me again.”

He ends by comparing the stunt to the recent Kimberly-Clark distribution warehouse fire in Ontario, California.

“One may also say, all of that just for some groceries?” he says. “Let me just remind you, a [expletive] burnt down the entire warehouse for a livable wage. I’m just getting some groceries.”

In the caption, he wrote, “Want to beat inflation? Well here’s a unique way to do just that. get your groceries for the low low at Walmart with this cheap grocery hack.”

Is the ‘Hack’ Real?

The video is clearly a comedic skit and not meant to be used as guidance, which the TikToker also made clear in the comments.

Additionally, intentionally leaving a store without fully paying at the self-checkout could get you in trouble, including being banned from the store, having police called, or even facing formal criminal charges.

There is also security staff monitoring self-checkout areas, and the entire process is recorded by security cameras. If you act illegally, there will likely be proof.

Commenters Took It Seriously

In the comments section, some viewers took the video seriously and argued that this is why stores are pulling back on self-checkout.

“That is why Walmart is getting rid of self checkout,” one user wrote. “And people will have to wait in longer lines again.”

“This is why Walgreens is leaving Chicago,” another said.

“Not embarrassed at all, crazy,” a third wrote.

@cat.ghoti Want to beat inflation? Well here's a unique way to do just that. get your groceries for the low low at Walmart with this cheap grocery hack. #savemoneytips #moneysavingtips #groceryhaul #cuponerasdetiktok #inflation ♬ original sound – CAT GHOTI

The Mary Sue has reached out to @cat.ghoti via TikTok messages for comment. We’ve also contacted Walmart via contact form.

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