Walmart Review

Wednesday, December 4th

2024 Birthday Party Supply Store Reviews

Walmart

• Prices starting at $0.97
• Characters and games for party themes
• Kid and adult options
• 90-day return policy
• "A+” rating from the BBB

A huge name in retail, Walmart is known for its affordable shopping experience. As for party supplies, Walmart has a competitive selection of over 1,000 different birthday party items. There are 9 different themes as well as a variety of generic "happy birthday” options at Walmart. The themes mostly appeal to kids, but there are quite a few fun add-ons like piñatas or balloons. The only downside is that Walmart doesn't specialize in parties, but they carry many other items you might need alongside party supplies, offering a one-stop shop for celebration day.

Party supplies not separated by age

Like a few other options in our review, Walmart doesn't separate the party themes between "kid” and "adult” themes. Instead, they're all listed separately. However, it is clear that some are more kid-focused than others. Some examples include "Fortnite Party” or "Frozen”. On the other hand, it seems the generic "happy birthday” styles are the ones left for the adults. There are a handful of color options or themes like "black and white dot” that aren't specifically birthday themed that might appeal to adults also.

Full range of colors and luxe-styling

For the price comparison at Walmart, we checked the prices for three items commonly sold by almost all retailers in this review.

• First, we looked at decorative birthday banners. Walmart has a wide selection of party banners, with prices ranging from $2.98 to $30, which is comparable to other large retailers in our evaluation.
• In terms of party favor bags, there were a competitive number of options with prices ranging from $0.97 to $15.
• Finally, we looked at the pricing for disposable flatware. Walmart had an impressive selection of over 1,500 individual options, with prices ranging from $0.97 for a 10-ct plate set to $48 for a plate, cup, and utensil pack that provided enough units for 10 place settings.

Search filters need an update

One of the things we didn't love about browsing Walmart's website was the user experience. It was hard to narrow down search parameters, and often even when we clicked on "birthday” specific headers, options for "weddings” or other occasions would be mixed in. This will make it much harder for customers to find what they need, so even with a large collection of party options at Walmart, it isn't the ideal place to find what you need quickly.

90-day return policy in-store or online

What if you're not completely happy with your purchase? To initiate an exchange or return, here's what you should keep in mind: you have 90 days from the date of purchase to return or exchange an item, except for certain exceptions. You may return items to the store, for free via mail, or by scheduling a pickup from your home. Please bring your in-store receipt, Walmart.com, or Walmart Business order number and they will refund the purchase price along with the applicable taxes and fees to the original payment method.

Good rating but poor reviews

In terms of feedback, Walmart has been facing some criticism from customers across different review sites, with an average rating of 2.2 stars out of 5. Although Walmart has an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau for customer service, the overall shopper satisfaction level is comparatively lower than other retailers. Despite having a vast customer base, Walmart has received negative feedback for long checkout lines, poor store conditions, and lack of availability of certain products. However, Walmart is actively addressing these issues and working towards improving the customer experience. And, of course, most of those issues won't affect you as an online shopper.

Middle-ground option for your party

Overall, Walmart is a middle-ground option for party supplies, offering a competitive selection of over 1,000 different birthday party items, including various themes that mostly appeal to kids. Walmart also has a wide range of products for decorative banners, party favor bags, and disposable flatware, on top of its usual retail offerings like food, clothes, or home supplies, making it an option for a one-stop shop. One downside is that Walmart's website search filters need an update, which makes it difficult for customers to find what they need quickly. And with lower than average customer satisfaction, the good qualities are balanced out by the less positive ones at Walmart. For these reasons, this retailer is right in the middle of the pack as an option for buying party supplies, but the low prices keep Walmart as a contender.