What I did Saturday & why I don't shop Wal-Mart!

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Cybrvanr

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2005
Messages
1,287
Don’t ask me why I bought a battery at Wal-Mart, honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking! After about 6 months of use, the battery in my Chevy Van that stopped taking a charge. I had all my receipts together, so I removed the battery from the van, and drove it back to the Wal-Mart I bought it from in my other car. Assuming that this was a matter I needed to bring to the automotive service department, I pulled around back to the service center, removed the battery from the trunk, and took it inside.

Behind the counter sat a tiny little teenage girl with hugely teased up hair.

ME: “I have a battery here that will not start my van, it’s only 6 months old, and I would like to exchange it for a new one”

Teenage clerk: “Oh, we don’t do that here, You’ll hafta like take that up to the customer service counter in the front of the store okay!?!?!”

ME: “okay, let me get a cart, since it’s heavy” I walked away to find a cart

Teenage Clerk: “Sir, you can’t leave this here”

ME: (walking away) “Just a moment, I’ll be back!”

I found an abandoned cart in the home improvement section, came back and got the battery. And took it up front. The line at the customer service counter was VERY long, and it took almost 30 minutes to get up to the clerk, a large black woman with a really bad attitude.

Clerk: “Howbz kaan I helb u suuh”

Me: “I have this car battery that won’t start my van and I would like to exchange it”

Clerk: “Whichdu hall dis batree all duh way up heuh when automobiv take cara dat!”

Me: “I spoke with someone in automotive, and they told me to see you about this”

Clerk: “Hu tolbyuah dat!”

Me: “ A small blond teenage girl at the service counter with lots of makeup and teased up hair”

Clerk: “ I dunno hu bat tiz meme kawl”

She picks up the phone, dials a few numbers. The PA system in the store squawks up “BEEEEEEP! SCRATTCH!!!!! Kan Iz hav sumone in da automobiv kum to da cuzztumah serbiz dezzzk”

She takes another customer in the line, and eventually picks up the phone a few more times after noticing nobody is coming up, and says the same thing. Eventually this skinny little teenage wigger boy comes up to the counter that has a huge gold chain around his neck, A wal-mart hat turned to the side, and jeans baggy enough for a sumo-wrestler to wear.

Auto tech: “Wazzup Tanesse”

Clerk: “ dis boi wanna return dis batree”

Auto clerk: “Welz Iz got tez dat first. Iz be riit bak, gotta git a meta”

A few more minutes went by, and the automotive tech returns with a little plastic analogue multi-meter about the size of an I-pod. He puts the probes on the battery terminal.

Auto Clerk: “Dat batuhreez got tweeelve bolts, iz gut”

Me: “ Well, you just tested it without a load on it, the voltage won’t be that high when it’s actually being used”

Auto Clerk: “Welz d onlee wa tu tez dat batuhree iz tu doozit in uh kaa, U got da kah dit came outta”

Me: “No, it wouldn’t start, so I bought it up here in another car”

Auto Clerk: “Whii chu do dis. I’ll letcha bi anudah batuhree youz can put in da bad kaa. Driiv dat kah up heyah and Iz tezt da ka tu and figuah owt if ya got da bad kah tu. If da kah aint bad den Iz getcha money back on da new batuhree. Iz be heya til 8 tuniit juz holler fuh me at da cah centah”

Me: “Sounds good, I’ll just live down the street, I’ll be back shortly”

I drove home with a new battery and the old one. I installed the new battery in the van, put the old battery in the back, and drove the van back up to the Wal-Mart.

Me: “I’m here to see Trevor, he told me to bring my car back up so he could test it and make sure the electrical system wasn’t bad”

Teenage auto clerk: “ Ooh, sorriee (smiling) Trevaaa like got off fifteen minutes ago, he’s gone”

Me “Well, I need to speak to someone that can test my car and refund my battery then.

Teenage auto clerk: “Allrightee then, Ill get somebody”

She gets on the phone and calls someone “Like, there’s this guy at the counter here and um, Trevaa told him he needs his car tested for a bad battery, can you help him?”

A few minutes later this redneck looking kid shows up at the counter.

Auto clerk 2: “Whacha got goin on”

Me: (explained this whole story you’ve previously read)

Auto clerk 2: “ Well, I dunno why he woulda told ya dat. Weze can only give ya a new battery, we caint getcha money back”

Me: “Well, now I’ve got two of this stupid piece of junk batteries that I can’t return…I only need one! You all have ripped me off!”

Auto clerk 2: “Juz pull your van in da gayrage while I calz d managa”

He checks the van out and finds nothing wrong with the vehicle. Shortly, the manager shows up, who didn’t look any better than any of the other people that came by. The clerk explains to him what happened, I do to

Manager: “Well I can’t take that second battery back because you’ve already broken the shipping seal on it and it’s not bad. I can take the first battery back and give you another one, but since there was a bituva mixzup I’ll be nise and juz give you in store credit for that one”

He goes to the register and punches a few buttons, and out comes a receipt paper with a negative balance on it.

I pull the car around front after this fiasco and re-enter the store looking for some cheap Chinese junk worthy of my $50. I didn’t find much appealing, so I just bought a little food. I then had to wait in the checkout line for what seemed like an eternity to buy what amounted to about $10 worth of food.

I handed the clerk the store credit receipt. She looked at it a bit, then called another manager up to the cashier desk and asked her “what do I do wit dis? He ain’t got fiftee dolarz wotha stuff hea!?!?!” “Ask him for a credit card, and just credit his balance” So, I handed the checkout clerk my Visa check card, she runs it, and credits my account for $40, and gives me the $10 worth of food in a bag without a thank you, just a “hereyougo”

So ***3 HOURS LATER*** I finally got most of my money back for their bad battery!
 
Remember !

At Walmart you are *ALWAYS NEXT* in line. <p> It dawned on me one day waiting in line at Wal Mart, I had gone at an excruciatingly busy time, the sign staring down at me - *YOU ARE ALWAYS NEXT* in line. NEXT NEXT NEXT. I abondonded my cart and went home. LOL
 
cybrvanr

WOW, you are much more patient than I am. I would not have even bought another battery and gone home, I would have been bending the ear of the store manager at that point (and I'm usually very forceful since I'm pretty mad by the time I call for a store manager). The store manager would have also gotten an earful about professionalism, i.e. - about the sideways hat and baggy pants of Trevor. I'm usually easy going but the one thing that will set me off is poor customer service. When I'm the customer in a store or in a restaurant, I expect good service. No ifs, ands, or buts!

I guess I'm lucky, I've never had trouble returning a battery at Wal-Mart. I rarely go there, but I have bought several batteries and they usually hold up well.
 
Go to Costco. Their batteries are excellent.

Also KMart now sells DieHard batteries! That's where I got my last one.
 
8 open would be wonderful

Most the time only 3 are open 2 at one end of the store and 1 ant the far end thats it, and the cashiers only speak mumble.
 
A Big FEH for Wal-Mart!

I really hate shopping at Wal-Mart. There's something about steak and underwear in the same grocery cart (at a Super Wal-Mart) that doesn't sit right (no pun intended) with me. I've never had a problem with service at my local store, but I just feel the items are cheesey, disposable crappage. I don't like the idea of buying a Chinese microwave that will break in six months. Heck, even the plastic Christmas Santas are made in China! What's a gal to do?

Go Sudsman....I LOVE TARGET!! (but not the Super Targets). Most people that I see working there actually seem to like it....must be the Starbucks kiosk in the store! LOL
 
I love Target too...but I will shop at Walmart to stretch my budget as well.

Also, Target has discontinued their big and tall sizes for men, and I'm 6'3/240....need stuff that's cut big around the shoulders.

That was a BIG mistake that Target made, IMHO...

XXL fits, but I like comfort.
 
don't like WalMart

I don't like WalMart, and I don't shop there.
Does anyone remember when WM had signs all over their stores, proudly proclaiming all of their goods were "Made in America"????? The way WM does business sure has changed since Sam Walton died.......
 
Does anyone remember when WM had signs all over their stores, proudly proclaiming all of their goods were "Made in America"?????

Oh yes, even as recent as 8 years ago!
 
I go in occassionally and sometimes buy stuff. Have never had a bad experience, but then I wouldn't go on a weekend either. I've known a few people who work at WalMart and they enjoy it, but then again these are woman who really don't need the job and living on a single income with kids. There's a new Super Wm opening here in the next month or two, almost completed, and they're hiring so I may just apply for something to do part time. It would appear that about 80 percent of the merchandise is made in China but then so is the stuff selling at all the other stores.

The other day I took mom out shopping and we stopped in an upscale furniture store. I mentioned to mom that none of this furniture seemed to have a brand name like Broyhill etc and wondered if it "was made in China" The stuff looked very fancy and ornate but when you looked closely you could see that it wasn't of high quality, just high price. So when the salesgirl approached I pointed to a nice leather club chair and asked her if it was made in Canada or the USA and she said actually "no, it's an offshore product" ? I said,, what's that mean, made in China and she said yes. Then I noticed a Toyota commercial on tv the other night touting all the plants they have in the US but when you read the little disclaimer at the bottom it says something like "manufactured from US and Globally sourced parts" What's the matter are they afraid to use the word "imported"
 
Walmart is a no-go for me too.

I can't say I have ever had a bad experience and I used to shop the Sams Club that was near my home.

I haven't shopped since I realized just how cut throat this Largest Employers is. Their policies are horrible.

wether it is doing everything they can to break unionization or putting whole small town shopping districts out of business with the arrival of their ugly sprawling stores on the edge of town. Do you know that in China the Walmart stores are Unionized, but not here in America. And then trying to use public policy to get cities or towns to take private property and then sell it to walmart so they can build their hidious stores.

As far as shopping Sams. I realized that buying in bulk encouraged me to over eat and over shop. I don't need or desire to do either. It is amazing how many overweight people shop at Sams. kinda sad.
 
I've never shopped at a Wal-Mart. There are none near our house, and it just doesn't seem to be worth the effort. Plus, for as "friendly" as they like to make themselves out to be on their commercials, they were terrible to my dad when he forgot where he parked his car in their lot (he got a little forgetful there towards the end) And it wasn't like he was at a big-city Wal-Mart, it was the one in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Give me Sears any day: They stand by their products, they pay their employees a decent wage, and they have been wonderful to their employees who were called up for the war (see link)

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp
 
Sears is #2 on my $#!tlist after Wal Mart. The one in Wayne, NJ, the employees are too busy yapping on their phones about their latest boyfriend's bling bling Escalade, to actually help you.

Wal mart? I avoid them. I don't like their bussiness practices, I don't shop there. Pretty easy in NJ though.

Don't get me started on Home Depot...

I've had to deal with Radio Shacks at times. Good lord those are useless, now. Tandy's in deep doo doo financially. Can't imagine why...
 
RER Wall Mart

I agree with you all I hate the Wall mart in Palm Springs with a spssion!!!!!! nothing but stupid kinds with the IQ of a cocke bottel and all heve snotty attudes!!!!
The old Wall mart in Cathedral City was not all that much better. I red the store manager the riot act one day because I called for help to get something down from a shelf and I had to wait 20 minutes so I got the item down my self and and some snotty bitch cleark got very very rude about it. I told her in the politest voice I could muster up at that monent " you will regret treating me that way" and walked off after tossing the Item back on the floor. She did regret it. I had two witnesses as to how bitchey she was and was termanated on the spot by the manager. The only time I go in is if I am taking my aunt their for an errond and she is less than nice if pissed off. My hat is off to her at 75 for not taking crap from the store.
yes about seven years ago it was nice but not any more!!!!!
 
RER Wall Mart

I agree with you all I hate the Wall mart in Palm Springs with a spssion!!!!!! nothing but stupid kind with the IQ of a cocke bottel and all heve snotty attudes!!!!
The old Wall mart in Cathedral City was not all that much better. I red the store manager the riot act one day because I called for help to get something down from a shelf and I had to wait 20 minutes so I got the item down my self and and some snotty bitch cleark got very very rude about it. I told her in the politest voice I could muster up at that monent " you will regret treating me that way" and walked off after tossing the Item back on the floor. She did regret it. I had two witnesses as to how bitchey she was and waqs termanated on the spot by the manager. The only time I go in is if I am taking my aunt their for an errond and she is less than nice if pissed off. My hat is off to her at 75 for not taking crap from the store.
yes about seven years ago it was nice but not any more!!!!!
 
nasadowsk, you might find the Paramus Park Sears store a lot better to deal with, if you don't mind the trip.
 
Where's the Cachet

I have been in Walmart a couple times. I don't get it. Nothing is obviously cheaper, the store is usually dirty, you have to park miles out and the line at check out is always long. To save 2 cents on a bottle of Suave shampoo isn't worth it. Locally, I wonder where the people are when they aren't at Walmart. They seem to be the same ones who ride Greyhound, use laundramats and shop at Wal-mart. Not very nice, not very smart, not very patient, notvery well dressed and frankly Too Much in all the wrong ways.
Kelly
 
I hate Wall-Mart--Wall Mart is BAD for me!!I do only go there maybe twice a year-and thats to get the Carnation Malt mix for my Vita-Mix,and Blendtec drinks.Thats it.Now if some other store sold the Malt powder-I wouldn't even go to Wally-World" at all.And with Cybrvanr's experience with the battery-I will not go there for any car parts.some folks call them "Getto-Mart" that name fits!!If only they would clean up their stores and get better USA made products-there would be hope for them.Too bad Target doesn't have a food section and carry the Carnation Malt mix.Kroger used to have it.Winn Dixie used to have it-but they closed down the beautiful store they used to have here.
 
Sometimes WalMart is the only place

WalMart sells a private-labeled blood glucose test device for under $10. The test strips (where the money is, like razor blades) cost half of what other brands' strips cost. The meter performance is good as it is some real brand underneath. Buying strips is the single sole reason I ever go to WalMart. You can pay for the things at the pharmacy register and not have to wait in the long checkout lines.
 
I think the price differential here in the New York metropolitan area might be a little more pronounced.

I can't honestly say I buy a lot of health and beauty-aids type items, but I do buy their diet soda! The Sam's choice brand is 58 cents a bottle, unlimited, tastes good, and I do stock up....supermarket brands aren't nearly as good, and Pepsi runs 79 cents-$1.19 on sale, maximum four bottles, regular price $1.49....so it adds up. I'll buy "George" slacks, sweatshirts, socks, and the like....the stuff isn't bad compared to everything else out there, and the cost savings are substantial. For plain-vanilla type music and supplies for my light sculptures, I wouldn't buy anywhere else. Their small electronics are horrendous, but I'm told the new ILO LCD television sets represent very good value, and I'd buy one if I needed another set. Probably the biggest savings I realize is gardening tools and flowering perennials, bushes, etc. The nurseries in northern New Jersey are very expensive, and believe it or not, the Walmart stuff never dies on me!

The sales associates in Secaucus range from surprisingly helpful to just okay, but better than in other Walmarts, and I get around the customers jabbering by wearing my Walkman earphones and listening to music while shopping.

Not nuts over their laundry products selection...I'd rather hit Costco for that.

It's not everyone's cup of tea, but, to a certain extent, WalMart works for me.
 
I won't shop any WalMart unless I am under court order..

...and I live in Arkansas! I'll take Target any day.

I hate WalMart!! As has been stated here enough times, the Customer Service does not exist. I don't get the greeter at all! What's the point when the rest of the service is so bad?

We used to have self checkout and the newer WalMart closest to my house and that helped but they took them out. I asked one of the clerks why they took it out and she said it was because they had too many complaints. Don't know what that meant. I haven't shopped there since.

I find better prices at Kroger for most of my groceries. I used to buy my produce at Sam's and really liked it but we now live about 30 miles from the closest Sam's so I shop at the Kroger 2 blocks from our house.
 
There are soooooo many other stores in the ATL area that one can successfully avoid just about all big box stores. Walmarts are always cramped to me, Targets are too spread out, and KMarts you are never quite sure what you are going to find there.
 
I have two Wal Marts within 5 miles of my home, one east and one west. The one to the east was nice when we moved here in 2001, now it is trashed out, dirty and nasty. You can find tons of fast food wrappers, car seat boxes and even television boxes strewn all over the parking lot. The aisles inside the store have merchandise laying all over the place. This one seems to be the favourite for all of our local minorities and red necks. As Jason has said this one has 30 check out lanes, but never more that 6 or 8 are manned at any given time. And if you go in there after 8pm there may only be 2 or three checkout lanes open. The thing this place has is that it is directly between the airport and my home so it is very convenient to pick up something on the way home. One funny thing though is that if I am just coming in from a trip and I am still wearing my uniform little kids in there will follow me around staring. And some times a checkout clerk will even ask me if I am really a pilot!
So I take off the Wings and epulets before I go in there now.
Now the Wal-Mart to the west is another story. It has been open about three years. It only has two manned checkouts and a ton of self checkout machines. The store is clean as well as the parking lot. But you also dont see many minorities in this store anyway. I guess they prefer to be waited on then using the self checkout machine.
What we have found is that Wal-Mart does have lower prices on some items, but my wife said that you really have to know your prices as some things are higher than your normal food stores like Krogers. I guess they have to make their money somewhere.
Last time I was in the one to the east I looked at some of the cutomers. Jeesh, lots of grossly overweight mamas in there. And if you look, the entire family if fat. Papa, Mama, and all the kids are very overweight. And if you look in their shopping carts you will see tons of junk foods and TV dinners and very few vegtables and fruits. I even saw one woman who was at least a 300 pounder wearing white Spandex pants with those little shoes that dont have any backs on them and a powder puff on the front. You usually see ladies of the evening wearing them.
Also you see tons of fat people using the battery powered carts in the store. I am not so sure all of them need these. I think some of ther people using them may just be too lazy to walk.
 
OMG!!! what a story!!

I have a Walmart 5 minutes from my house, and another across the parking lot from work. Both very convienent, but I seldom shop either one. I also pass by a Target going to/from work so I stop there, ONLY if I have to...
About the only things I buy in those stores would be deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, and dog food.
Jack eats regular Purina Beneful, Wal Mart is the cheapest for a 20 pound bag.

Cyber I give you credit for your patience, I would have gone stark raving, screaming nuts on those people!!
 
We're getting two Wal Marts in our area and so far it's been quite a story.

I live east of Pittsburgh and soon, ground will be broken for a Wal Mart three miles from me, on what used to be a mini golf course and a farm. Some businesses are trying to fight it but looks to be a done deal. All of the roads leading to the area, which are now two lane country roads, will have to be expanded and now there will be a chaos bin of traffic.

The other Wal Mart site, west of the city, may have made the national news. This area, which used to be the site of a state mental hospital that was closed for 20 years, has been the site of a major landslide that closed off a major highway and national railroad lines. When this happened, trains were backed all the way to Harrisburg and Columbus, both 200 miles away. It took three weeks to clean up the slide and open part of the road and railroad. Turns out that this land is still unstable and probably not a good place for any development. Probably the best thing for Wal Mart to do would be to donate the land for use as a natural park area and find another location for Wal Mart, but no, they want that location. All of this for just another place to spend money.

I have to admit though, we do shop Sam's Club and I have gone to Wal Mart for things that can't be wrong like motor oil, light bulbs, tennis balls, but would never buy clothes there. And yes, people are fat and as I will explain, Wal Mart can be unsafe!

I do clerical work for a hospital and type emergency room reports and have found that several people have been shoved, tripped, and pushed aside and ended up in the emergency room becuase another customer just had to get a bargain at Wal Mart. Several of these people have been the employees, who have customers pull them and shove them away to get a bargain. Yes, saving money can be tough!
 
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