Wal-Mart

Carl of Rome, NY November 15, 2009

I too attended the early morning electronics sale at my local Wal-Mart. After reading a story on CNBC about Wal-Mart’s plans to control the crowds, and their bragging of those same plans, I just had to write. Wal-Mart says that the lines for these types of sales are to be supervised by Wal-Mart associates, but when I arrived at my local store and got into what I could only assume was the electronics line(since no associate was “supervising” it), I was told, by the other customers, that yes, this was the laptop line but that I had to find the associate and tell him I wanted one and get on the list. I found the guy and was told, "Yes, we have enough." As I returned to the line with the associate, and saw more people in the line, we were told again, "Yes, we have enough." In fact, that phrase was heard at least half a dozen times. They said that they had 36 laptops, and I ended up number 33.

So naturally, as they kept repeating that magic number of 36, and the phrase, "Yes, we have enough" (which was sometimes said to customers, and other times to fellow associates) the excitement built as my end of the line crept nearer and nearer to the registers. I only got "near" a register, never to one because before I ever got to the front of the line the announcement was made, "No more laptops". I left the store, empty handed and in shock. I did not cause a scene but left quietly, extremely disappointed. By the time I walked to my car I was incensed.

I work in retail so I fully understand the fact that each store only gets so many of each item for these types of special sales. I understand and accept that. But hearing that phrase, repeated like a mantra, “Yes, we have enough”, not once, not twice but half a dozen times, only to discover that they did not was more than merely disappointing, it was infuriating.

So I did what any rational person would. Instead of causing a scene at the store I went home and e-mailed Wal-Mart using their customer service form to file a complaint. I made it perfectly clear that I was unhappy with the service at their store, and that reason was not that they ran out of laptops but rather the insistence that “Yes, we have enough” when they clearly did not. If the associates had said “We don’t have enough”, “We might not have enough” or even “You can take your chances” I would have understood and left empty handed and disappointed but not angry. It was this insistence that “Yes, we have enough” that fueled my rage. I could not be any clearer in telling them that issue was not that they ran out before we could all be served, but rather this constant reassurance that they did indeed “have enough” was the problem.

Apparently they do not mind losing the 5 to 6,000 dollars I spend a year in groceries and household goods at their store. Wal-Mart’s response was a message left on my voicemail, no name, no return number, but a woman's voice saying that they did their best and that she “really wanted to talk to you” about it. If she really did want to talk to me a name or call-back number would have been nice. She totally missed the point of my complaint. It was not that they ran out but that their associates continued to tell everyone that they did not have enough. But it is fine now, I am sure that their competitors with appreciate the added business since I will not spend another penny at Wal-Mart. That could have been avoided if their associates had simply said the truth. “We don’t have enough for everyone”, instead of this insistence that “Yes, we have enough”.

July of Midland, MI November 12, 2009

This is about a Walmart supercenter primarily serving a city of Midland (Michigan) and vicinity where, luckily for us, economical situation is a little bit more prosperous than in the State of Michigan as a whole. I have a feeling that the "little inconvinience" (as it was characterized by a manager of grocery department) I am now observing weekly can somehow be related to the the situation where there are still some folks with money to spend around here. Shortly, the "little inconvinience" is that Grocery department does not seem to know what items are happen to be on sale at every particular moment. Whatever is on sale, it will be rang up at its full price. Usually this item located al least in two places at the same time, but only one price tag reflects "sale price". The "key code" remains the same. So, for example, tomatoes on the vine were recently put attractively in a bin near the door and there they had the price tag of 1.25/lbs (usual price was 1.98/lbs). In another bin at the same time the very same tomatoes were offered for 1.88/lbs. All of them will cost either 1.88 or even 1.98 at checkout.

The same happened with almost all types of seasonal produce over the last 3 or 4 months, and recently with frozen goods as well. For customers like me who used to buy a lot of produce, the "savings" thus lost can easily come to 10 and more per week. I have no choice but to look over a cashier as a hawk to be sure that prices come up right, and when I detect wrong one, it usually takes up to 15 min. to get a manager, let them go and see the different tags and re-do the receit. They usually (but not always) are sorry and do not argue but it still rather irritating. I tried to talk with grocery department workers and manager about this issue and they usually willing to help on time-to time basis, but the problem persists. I wa told that the "computer system is the problem" but it is truly difficult to believe. Furthermore, I'd lived in several areas and shopped in different Walmarts and that's the only one where I constantly encounter this kind of problem.

Michael of Medina, OH October 24, 2009

First of all, I would like to start by saying that my wife and I spend alot of our hard earned money at Walmart, due to the good prices and convenience of the store. We are there if not every other day than at least twice a week. In the past, I have purchased boots for work. I picked out the Herman Survivors. The first pair I purchased split across the entire sole, through to my socks within 3 months, rendering them useless to me. They are comfortable and the uppers held up good. So, i thought maybe i will give them another try, perhaps i walked on something that caused the split. I purchased my second pair and once again, within 4 months the same exact thing happened. The boots were still in great shape, but they were useless to me for my job. So, like an idiot, i bought a third pair thinking it could never happen three times. Lo and behold 200 or so later im left with nothing to show for my money. If i would have known this was going to happen, i would have purchased a 180 pair of Redwings that are garaunteed for life and they would have replaced the split soles for free.

I made several attempts to get the manager and department employees from Walmart to remove the boots from the shelf and speak to their supplier about the defect. Well, the boots are still there and i discovered that the Herman boots used to be an American made product that sold out to Walmart and are now constructed in China. I would like to continue doing my shopping at Walmart because I have 4 children and times are very hard for us. I'm struggling just to keep a roof over their heads and feed them. It's a total shame that a person like myself who gets up every morning to go to work has to worry about if the boots i chose to purchase for my line of work, would keep my feet safe and dry and get me through my work days without falling apart. (at least while they are still new) If Walmart were any kind of an American icon like they say they are they would start by removing faulty products from their shelves or at least listen to the consumer when we bring it to their attention about the faulty products. Because in reality we the consumers are the lifeline of Walmarts existance and we are also the quality control department.

I don't have any receipts for my boots, but i just wanted to make my point, I want to see this resolved and the boots removed from the shelves, because in the meantime there will be alot of consumers fooled by the beauty of the product and spend money they can't afford to throw away on this boot. Shame on Walmart for taking advantage of underpriveliged people who put their trust in them only to find out that Walmart doesnt care what they sell, just so they sell it. If nothing is done about this, my friends and family will reconsider our shopping destinations. And it will prove to me and my family that Walmart is purposely trying to steal from people who are not well off to begin with and have no compassion for the trouble they are putting people through. And finally, I have no receipts, But I could show you years of cancelled checks and debit card receipts from years of purchases made at Walmarts around the greater Cleveland area.

I would like to have my money returned to me for at least one of the three pairs of boots i purchased. If not, I would like to receive another pair of boots of my choice to compensate for my loss. I'm still working in sewage with a newer pair of these boots with a crack in the sole soaking and destroying socks that were also purchased from Walmart. If there is no response to this, my final step will be the Better Business Bureau and the media. Thank you for your time.

H1N1 of houghton Lake, MI October 21, 2009

I think it should be mandatory that our so called Wal-Mart SUPERCENTERS should have sanitizing wipes available at all times to clean off the germs that linger on the handles of OUR shopping carts. WAKE UP WAL-MART! GET WITH THE GAME! Less SICK or DEAD people means more shopping people. More shopping people, means more in your greedy wallets. DON'T BE SO CHEAP!

Elva of elysburg, PA October 7, 2009

After using your percolator for the last 5 years,(one per year) we have experienced a common problem with each one. The pot goes thru it's perking cycle but it doesn't process the water through the basket, which results in very weak coffee or no coffee at all. We have to manually pour the water through the basket a couple of times every time we attempt to make coffee. We would like to compliment the design of the pot being that it is made with stainless steel rather than plastic. We would like to continue using your product providing the problem is resolved.

Patricia of Neosho, MO October 3, 2009

Bought a loaf of this bread, & not a third of the way into it, I noticed something wedged into the bottom crust on one slice. Upon examining it further, it appeared to be something green... maybe a grain, I had hoped. But, no... IT WAS A BUG!!!! Thankfully, I noticed it before eating it! How disgusting!

Carol of Knightstown, IN September 24, 2009

I purchsed 2 of the Victor electronic mouse traps at Wal-Mart. They did not work. I had one plugged in above right above my toaster. There was a mouse in my toaster and droppings all over the counter.

Bill of Hurlock, MD September 20, 2009

1. Contacted 1-800- on Sunday 20 Sept. 2009 Operator’s name is May. Explained line on left side of screen appears like a burn in mark. Asked for date of purchase [February 2008] which I only knew was last year with stimulus money. Did not buy extended warranty. I asked if there were any consumer law suits since it is a prevalent problem with this model LC320EM82S, 32” Digital LCD HDL TV. She said that she would file a complaint for me with the company. She also verified my name, address and phone number. I advised her that this was a prevalent which she did acknowledge. She was very polite and understanding.

Gloria of MOUND CITY, KS September 19, 2009

I have written to [them] several times before about this store. {They] have a super store and nothing in it. I do believe when we had the origional store we had more to choose from. I have asked for several items that I purchase in other stores whem I'm in their area and then come here and ask for these items and get NO WHERE!

All they ever say is it is not on computer. Items include Plastic sheets for bedding, slim fast bars, 8 rolls of Sparkle towels (Super rolls that equal 12 for price of 8) and other items too. The only item that I can't get at any other Walmart is Diet RC.

Please check into this store. If I had a TARGET here I would surely drop This store for good. It doesn't do any good to have a store close to you (25 miles) when they do not have products you use and want. I must drive to Walmart stores farther away to get what I want and then I'm not saving any money at all. [They] want to take over everything and give us nothing in return. I know I will again never hear a word for [them]...As I have never received a response from [them].

Marika of Melbourne, FL September 18, 2009

I bought a horizon organic milk at Walmart & it had chunks of white things in it it looked like cottage cheese I used it in my coffe not seeing it at first it was a mug w/a lid then the next day used it & saw chunks.I have the carton & was going to return it.I felt sick after drinking some ,I am very disapointed & may have to call the Walmart head quarters to file a complaint.

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