Tonight, I made my once-in-several-months visit to Walmart. I despise Walmart, but in my small town, sometimes it's the only place to find certain items like a plain, simple, landline phone without an answering machine or any other gadgets. While I was there, I picked up a few other items.
As I walk through the store, I feel something like panic rising in my chest, so I take a few deep breaths and try to chill. It's a terrible place, with the noise, the high ceilings, near chaos in the grocery area, with carts coming at you from every direction and around every corner.
I finish my shopping and go to checkout where the lines are long. I spot a self-checkout machine with no one around and decide to try it, although, in the past, I've most often been unsuccessful in completing the process without help from a human being - which Walmart resents, because if you are using self-checkout, you're then supposed to do it YOURSELF. With the scan of my first item the machine yells at me to put the item in the bagging area or press the button to skip bagging. I put the item in the bagging area, and the machine yells at me that there's something in the bagging area that does not belong there. I move the item to the cart and that seems OK, so I continue, and the rest of the process goes well. I have to slice the card a few times as I try to figure out which side goes where from the little picture, which is very confusing, at least to me, but that is a minor complication.
Then I look for my receipt, which is nowhere to be seen. I stop an employee and ask her about my receipt. "It's right here," she says, around the corner of the machine and out of sight. Should it be in view? Of course not! This is not supposed to be easy. It's a challenge! The noise and the chaos and the high ceilings are to get you rattled so that you thoroughly appreciate the fact that shopping at Walmart is a daunting undertaking and not for the fainthearted.
I check my receipt, and my print paper is scanned twice. It costs $1.88. I think, "I'll let it go." Then I think, "No. This is Walmart. I want my $2.00 back." I'll have to go to Customer Service to have that done, which can be an ordeal worse than eternal damnation, but tonight the gods are smiling on me, and no one else is there. I get my $2.04 refund, and I go out the doors feeling semi-triumphant but determined not to repeat a visit to the place for at least several months.
Oh, Mimi, descent into the bowels of the corporate antichrist--how horrid! I am so sorry you were driven to this. (Yes, I have shopped there myself. Once.)
ReplyDeleteUgh. I hate Walmart.
ReplyDeleteI have been there and I try very hard not to go. That said, where I live there are options and I understand your situation.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds so horrid. But I am glad you got your $2 back. It is not like it would have gone to anyone who deserved it.
As for self-checkout, here is my two cents... They never work right!
Recently I was at Home Depot. There was one line with about 10 people in it ad the only cashier. There were several self checks, all empty.
Now I happened to buy one very light item so when I "put it in the bagging area" it would not register. It kept yelling at me to put my item in the bagging area.
Of course it took forever to get a human to help me.
I think if my only choice is self check, then I should get the employee discount!
Mimi, your determination won out; I'm glad you got your $2 back. What an ordeal. Blah.
ReplyDeleteIt was sweet, I tell ya, sweet to get my $2.00 back. Why? It was my $2.00. I didn't win anything from them. But they did not succeed in wearing me down to the point of letting them keep my $2.00. And that is a victory.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a Walmart fan either. I think it's hard to find things there. But where I'm from we also have this Other Discount Store, and it would be Disloyal for me to shop at Walmart. (Hint: it's the one with the red circles).
ReplyDeleteI remember going to the south with the youth group several years ago and being amazed at the Walmarts bigger than some small towns in South Dakota.
Diane, I like the one with the red circles better, too, but I have to go one town over to shop there.
ReplyDeleteI try to stay out of Walmart but they have the only catfood the critters will eat. And it is the cheapest available. Like Mimi, there are some items that are only available there unless I want to drive more than 20 miles. Only the closest one has self-checkout. I had had no problem with it until yesterday when I had nothing but problems. I never have problems with the machines at Home Depot but I'm one of the few who use them. Lots of folks use the Walmart ones because the place is understaffed.
ReplyDeletePiskie, understaffed is understatement.
ReplyDeleteI honestly can't recall the last time I was at Wal-Mart, although I'll admit to over-frequenting the red concentric circle store. (Red concentric circle store = amazing. Girls XL = Women's M, but at half the price!)
ReplyDeleteLiving in New Brunswick and being in my 20s I can make claim that if I can only get it at WalMart I don't really need it... and while the human rights issues tied with most stores aren't good, WalMart takes the cake.
Oh well, you have to do what you have to do Mimi...
but admittendly I LOVE self-checkout
just about -everything- we own, eat or wear comes from Costco or Trader Joes.
ReplyDeleteIs there a Costco near there?
I haven't been inside a Walmart since 1997, I think.
I've used self-checkout at Walmart - it's comforting to see that "Blogger" word-check does not recognize "Walmart" as a legitimate word - three or four times, principally because it's the easiest checkout to get to (the West Columbia rednecks hate it - with reason - and will not go near it, preferring to stand patiently for hours - them and their numerous, rather less patient children - in lines 15 and 20 deep, waiting on a "live" cashier), But enough class-warfare for one day.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I have used it, it has locked up, each time for a different reason, and I have had to wait for a "real" person to hit the bypass button. I have no problem with identical self-help systems at the grocery store - just Walmart.
It's v. definitely not just you.
This made me giggle and cheer.
ReplyDeleteThe "David" Mimi won out over the Goliath Walmart.
Woo hoo!
"The one with the red circles" is several cuts above Walmart. Among other things, incidentally, it stocks a cosmetic range from the English company Boots the Chemists, which quite surprised me when I first saw it. The Boots range includes their now-celebrated anti-wrinkle application, actually effective, according to the British media. Seems that in the UK they can't keep the stuff on the shelves. At Target (there - I've said it) it languishes unpurchased. If any of us yearns to look as youthful as the US's new 69-year-old ambassador to the Vatican (check over at MP if this reference sails over your head) Boots "Facelift in a Drum" is there for the buying.
ReplyDeleteAll of you must understand that I live in the boonies and don't have many choices. The next city over, Houma, La., has many more, but it is growing fast and is a traffic nightmare.
ReplyDeleteWhy it's growing, I can't imagine, because it is south of me and closer to the Gulf of Mexico. A hurricane will not treat it gently. It has to do with the oil and gas business, I believe.
I like to shop at Target. It's a much more pleasant experience. I go there when I get up my courage to face the traffic in Houma.
We have no Costco nor Trader Joe nearby. If we had an alternative to Walmart, do you think I would go there? I had checked at Office Depot before I headed to Walmart.
Lapin, is that Boots wrinkle cream guaranteed to make me look younger than the 69 year old ambassador to the Vatican? I'll look for it next time I go. Do you use it?
Well, you lucky, lucky American folk, according to BBC radio this morning the supermarket chain Tesco, having covered the entire green space of the U.K is now going for world domination by entering your market (so to speak). It will trade under the name "Fresh and Easy".
ReplyDeleteDo not shop there, they are evil and will take over like vermin.
D.P.
Fresh and Easy? You're kidding! Me in my youth. No. Now I'm kidding. I was a chaste Roman Catholic schoolgirl.
ReplyDeleteWhatever the chain is called, we'll have the clash of the titans over here when it comes. It should be interesting.
Do I use it? Is that a question to ask a gentleman? If this is the sort of thing that comes from consorting with English clergymen ......
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't use it - between my mother's excellent genes and all the fat puffing out my skin, I don't need it anyway. I have a couple of sixty-something British female friends who do use it, however, and who swear by it. I'll check with them; find out the name it's marketed under this side of the pond (the UK name is different) and get back to you. It really did have great reviews in the UK press.
Lapin, by all means share the name of the anti-wrinkle cream with us. It can't hurt.
ReplyDeleteWell, in rural texas my 20 mile drive is to get to the walmart - anything else is at least 40. So, I do frequent the grey and blue behomoth. And let me say a hearty congratulations to Mimi on her well-earned victory.
ReplyDeleteI never use the selfcheck out - the stupid things drive me crazy, and wind up taking longer than waiting in line. Of course, I have found the latest challenge of the Wal-mart check-out: the underpaid cashier who doesn't put all of your bags where you notice them, followed by arriving home and realizing that you are short a bag. The ultimate dilemma: drive 20 miles in righteous indignation to get your $5.00 worth of stuff, or chalk it up to the cost of a lesson learned?
Oh bugger! Wife is out and she knows the boots wrinkle cream and it does, indeed, fly from the shelves. If Lapinbizarre cant remember it I'll post it when she who must not be named returns.
ReplyDeleteD.P.
No, no - just remembered!
Protect and perfect serum.
(We are too young in this household to use it so I am unable to endorse it. My mother-in-law on the other hand....)
As Paris Hilton asked, apparently seriously, "Is that where they sell wall stuff?"
ReplyDeleteThink that the Boots stuff has a different name in N America.
Ma chere Grandmere, it could have been far, far worse.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.behindthecounter.com
I'll say no more and let the site speak for itself.
Also, I'd rather kiss David Virtue on the lips... with tongue... while feeling up his bounteous bazooms... than use a self-checkout.
"Refine & Rewind", Boots No 7 line.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.target.com/Boots-Refine-Rewind-Intense-Perfecting/dp/B000PSTIZA/sr=1-5/qid=1194545845/ref=sr_1_5/602-7047308-5580615?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Aboots&page=1
David, some folks have no understanding of shopping in small towns or rural areas. At least I don't have to drive 20 miles to have the pleasure of shopping at Walmart.
ReplyDeleteAnd those spinning bag holders are a problem. I've left my bags, too. At self-checkout, you don't have the bags on the spinning holders.
The problem is to decide which is the least annoying way to get out of the store with ALL of your purchases, without double scanning of an item.
DP, OK, Protect and Perfect Serum in the UK. But Lapin says it's sold under another name here in the US. I'm waiting breathlessly for that name.
Of course, I know that you're a mere lad and would have no need for such a thing.
My, my... and this thread goes on.
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing is that I caught this late last night when -- get this -- I had just come home from our closest Walmart Supercenter (we've got something like four that I know of within spitting distance so that may tell you how thoroughly rural we really are). Now I confess, I rant and rave (mostly to the children -- my captive audience) about Walmart labor practices, imports, etc. -- but, truth be told, I stay away mainly because I detest the parking lot and the traffic engineering on the private road that goes back to it. Yet, last night, on a cold, dark, snowy and sleety evening on my way home from choir practice, I gave in when my daughter (miles away on the road home from soccer practice) called with her plea for poster board, construction paper, and autumn stickers or decor for her late-night school project, due in the a.m. So, of course, where else does one go for such things at 10 p.m.?
Now, here's the real confession: I kind of enjoyed it. There was hardly anyone about but store personnel (it usually is well-staffed even during the busy time with many checkouts open at once and none of the "self-service" variety -- an experiment that bombed at Kmart -- too complicated for us folks in the hinterlands -- generally required two storepersons to help with a single "self-serve" transaction).
I was planning on running out in the wet snow to the car as fast as I could and not worry about the poster board getting wet (not very sympathetic to my daughter's last minute demands), but the lady at the checkout insisted that we first roll it with a loose rubberband and then use one of the big bags to cover it. Then, on my way out the door, I had a nice, brief chat with the greeter, bemoaning late-night school projects, and he said something nice about my daughter having fun and wasn't it nice she was doing her schoolwork (like who can argue with someone saying nice things about your kid?). He was obviously having a slow greeting night and it was pleasant talking to him.
My only complaint about the entire trip was that at one point I not only saw Christmas decor, goods, etc. but I heard "O Little Town of Bethlehem" on the piped in Musak. As someone who once worked holiday breaks in department stores, I can attest that forced consumption of Christmas music for even a couple weeks is NOT a good evangelism tool for store personnel. Bah Humbug (at least for November).
End of Walmart meme!
Klady, since we're confessing, I was startled to see the Christmas products already out, but I went ahead and bought a Christmas bowl that was similar to one that I had been searching for for a long time.
ReplyDeleteFor this year, at least, no more complaining from me about the Christmas stuff out so early. If I had not bought the bowl last night, it would surely have been gone by December.
Early in the morning and late at night are the very best of times to go to Walmart.
I do feel bad for you if you don't have a Costco nearby. I don't think we could live far from a costco. Back in Chicago, then in Arizona and now here in Washington we depend on the Costco.
ReplyDeleteI call it the mother ship.
Honestly, though, I like shopping there because they pay their employees well and provide decent benefits.
Mimi, next time that you and I are in the same city I am taking you with me to the nearest Costco.
Mimi, next time that you and I are in the same city I am taking you with me to the nearest Costco.
ReplyDeleteDennis, I would love that. And what will you buy me when you take me there?
Happy shopping, you two. I hear Costcos are great. But check out where they are currently located:
ReplyDeleteUS locations.
None in Louisiana and nothing even in New York away from the NYC area (not even Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, or Buffalo, as far as I can tell).
This strikes me as another one of those cultural divides. Gosh, we didn't even have a bookstore within 60 miles of here until Barnes & Noble came in -- guess when? -- as part of the Walmart Supercenter complex that opened just a couple years ago.
I had a very close friend who suffered terribly trying to support her family while working for Walmart in lower management positions. But she still shopped there because that was what there was in the semi-rural area in Illinois where we lived. In some areas, it may become the only place to buy groceries. That's the biggest part of the Walmart tragedy -- not so much whose products they buy or their labor practices (sins committed by many, , many other companies) but how they drive out just about everyone else.
Since the arrival of Walmart in our community quite a few locally-owned businesses of many kinds have closed. We are down to one local grocery chain and Walmart for groceries, whereas we once had five grocery chains and several small stores.
ReplyDeleteWalmart is a predator operation.
Mimi, dear, how subtle of you; don't pay her any mind, Dennis, she's just being playful.
ReplyDeleteThus far I've refused to shop except at Salvation Army, but I can't do so forever, even including the local chain's, like Bob's.
Gimmes are nice, too, says the man in sweatpants (dirty), a Cashmere sweater, and a Wild Turkey Tee Shirt, as he does laundry. I like Union-made in the US when possible.
Mercy; where did that apostrophe come from? "chains" was my meaning.
ReplyDeleteJohnieb, you looked very nice and - as I told you - unexpectedly respectable when we met in New York. You are a walking commercial for shopping at the Salvation Army.
ReplyDeleteLook at that. Apostrophes from nowhere!
Lapin, I'm just now seeing your comment about Refine and Rewind. I thought you were joking about the name, but I went to Target's website and it's real. That's a strange choice for a brand name.
San Angelo Texas is the largest town worth anything out near my farm. When asked what they are doing for the weekend, I have heard people say that they were going to WalMart. Seriously. It's the family activity on Saturday.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'd rather just send my check directly to China. But, I am lucky to have lots of options in Austin. I understand your situation Mimi. And YEA for you. That's $2 for our side, and a giant leap for shoppers everywhere!
Lindy
Lindy, it's the Saturday pleasure of many folks here, too. Chacun à son goût. It baffles me.
ReplyDeleteI have to screw up my courage and get into attack mode before I go there.
Did you read about the toys made in China which are laced with the date rape drug?
I hate Walmart too. But confession time: I work there. This has not helped my attitude towards the company one whit (though the people I work _with_ not _for_ are almost without exception great folks). I'd love to work somewhere else...doing more to help people and less to hurt the environment...but right now it's a matter of I need a place to sleep and the cats need to be fed. Your description of the noise and the echoey-ness is spot on and I haven't yet come home without a headache.
ReplyDeleteKate, dear, notice I did not pick on the workers. Walmart exploits their workers. It's the company's shame, not their employees. Nothing is ever as simple as we would like it to be, and people still need those jobs.
ReplyDeleteI can well imagine that you go home from work with a headache. God bless you, Kate.
I did notice that, yes. And thank you for that -- some people can't see it quite that way. Ahh, well, it's survivable if naught else.
ReplyDelete