BlackStone Tailgater from Walmart Vs. other Retailers.

[fchidsey0144]

sorry if this question is redundant, I did some searching and did not come up with an answer.



I see the BlackStone tailgater for sale at Walmart for 160.00 and all of the other Retailers average around 300.


So I suspect the Walmart version is made of lessor quality or something to reduce the cost.



So I am looking for Opinions and any facts to support the differences in the unit.



Thanks

[phipps33]

Have you compared them feature for feature? I could see the Walmart version maybe having a couple fewer features. I’ve also heard that Walmart will have manufacturers make a “special” version of a product for them at a lower cost. Be interesting to know if they are identical or what the differences might be. Are the model numbers the same? That would be the first indicator.

[fchidsey0144]

Ya, that is kind of my question here. I really dont like purchasing anything from walmart. I suspect that the version they are selling is a down graded version maybe not using as high of a quality steel or metals.

[pgandw]

Most manufacturers won't change materials for a cheap Walmart version. That's generally too costly to implement unless Walmart is buying your entire production. What Walmart does do is guarantee the size of the buy so efficient production can be planned at the very low price Walmart is willing to pay. Walmart does not remove the brand name - except on house brand food - to keep customers interested in the brand.

Walmart may have a manufacturer remove "features" that the public doesn't care about to help lower the cost. Walmart buys very carefully - an adequate to medium quality product at the lowest price Walmart can squeeze. Walmart doesn't sell top quality, but doesn't sell a lot of junk either. Selling junk drives up costs of returns too high for the Walmart model which is quantity on a small markup.

Almost all the large retailers now have a slightly different model number so you can't make exact comparisons from store to store. Costco, Target, and Walmart all have different model numbers for essentially the same product.

I do shop carefully at Walmart and Costco, making sure the features I'm interested in are present. I have come to dislike Costco's model of doing one time buys of an off-brand product for which there is no support, consumables, or parts a year later.

Fred W

[Skip12]

Can you share links to both? I don't see any Tailgater for that price. Fwiw, I have a 22 inch Blackstone at my camper and a 36 inch at home. I love both of them. I also have a Tailgater that just never seems to get hot enough.

[aceinspp]

I have bought several of these and the only reason they maybe cheaper is they buy in bulk and get a good price, and are just as good as buying elsewhere. Later RJD

[fchidsey0144]

Here are a couple examples, the InVastor link is the one that is sold through Walmart


https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...f4-AYIQ8wIIpQU


https://shopkoopman.com/products/bla...gn=sag_organic

[rmac04401]

I would not hesitate to buy it. I had a 22 inch black stone griddle with foldable tans that I paid 175 for. Last thanksgiving Walmart had a black stone 22” griddle with integrated stand for $99. The one for $99 was as good as the $175 model. Just stand was integrated and not removable. The interstates stand one I have at house and the one that breaks down I have for camper.

[Aford]

We love the tailgater. We got it a couple of years ago for about 170.00 with good sam member discount from Gander. Our local tractor supply had one last year for 190.00. I don't think it is too suspect for Walmart to be able to get it cheaper with their buying power.

[lcv800]

Just make sure you're comparing apples to apples. The unit itself I'm betting is the same, but does it come with the hood? Cover? Table/legs? Carrying case? I got my 22" grill for $99, but then spent a ton buying the above.

Rusty

[{Tpc}]

I have the tailgater and I can attest to it not getting hot enough, particularly though when wind is involved. If you have any kind of wind, it is a problem.

I don’t think there is much difference between the one from Walmart vs the others. They probably have old stock and haven’t lowered the price or something.

We bought ours directly from black stone for what it’s worth.

[D W]

More and more Walmart is going to an open P.O. business model with manufacturers. You order the item through Walmart.com and the item is drop shipped directly from the manufacturer to you. This model eliminates shipping costs to their distribution centers, and then to their stores. Also eliminated is inventory management costs. Last year I ordered a set of MORryde steps from Walmart. They were $100 cheaper than anywhere else. They were delivered to my front door in 4 days, and there were no shipping costs. They came directly from MORryde.

[SetauketJeff]

Originally Posted by {Tpc}

I have the tailgater and I can attest to it not getting hot enough, particularly though when wind is involved. If you have any kind of wind, it is a problem.

I don’t think there is much difference between the one from Walmart vs the others. They probably have old stock and haven’t lowered the price or something.

We bought ours directly from black stone for what it’s worth.

You can make a simple windscreen for it using simple tools for about $5 in metal from one of the big box stores. Just google the how to videos for Blackstone Tailgater.

[SetauketJeff]

Just communicated with Blackstone about the availability of their Tailgater Grill. Last season BJ's was offering the Tailgater Combo for $99, and the carry cases were another $50 if you shopped right. The rep sent me a rendering of what will be available this Fall. Not yet on a slow boat from China. Don't see the drip trays, but do like the covers, wheels and handle. Also looks like no carry case would be needed and you may even be able to hang it from the handle...

[fchidsey0144]

Well, Just an update here, We decided to go with the Camp Chef Tundra, as we could find it in stock and I was able to order the grill for it as it fits all of the 16" camp Chef accessories. it came with the Griddle.. so here is hoping that is going to suite us.... I think it will.

[{Tpc}]

Originally Posted by SetauketJeff

Just communicated with Blackstone about the availability of their Tailgater Grill. Last season BJ's was offering the Tailgater Combo for $99, and the carry cases were another $50 if you shopped right. The rep sent me a rendering of what will be available this Fall. Not yet on a slow boat from China. Don't see the drip trays, but do like the covers, wheels and handle. Also looks like no carry case would be needed and you may even be able to hang it from the handle...

I like the look of that, it seems that they decided a cover would be good for the griddle side, and maybe they added more panels to block wind from underneath?

The biggest question is does it still weigh a million pounds? I have the og tailgater combo and I had to move it from pass through to interior rear storage to fix a heavier than I wanted tongue weight.

Ive never encountered a heavier grill setup, but I imagine the full griddles are just that.