For the sake of a $2.00 curtain rod for my granddaughter's bedroom window, I went to Walmart. Grandpère, the Walmart shopper in the family, bought the wrong size rod, so I went to change it and get the right size. I went to Customer Service where I felt great satisfaction in getting $3.70 back from Walmart.
I found the right size rod, picked up a bottle of cheap make-up, which seems to be the only brand to which I am not allergic, and headed to checkout. I tried the garden section, where, if the gods smile on me, the line is not too long. Today, the gods were angry, and it was long. I went to the regular checkout, stood in one line for a few minutes, went to another line, saw that it was self-checkout, which never works for me, and that one woman had a full to overflowing buggy, returned to the garden section and waited with my two items. The gentleman in front of me, with a full buggy, offered to let me go ahead of him - an angel in disguise, surely. I check out, and I'm outta there.
All the while I'm waiting, I'm in a state of near panic, debating with myself whether I will put the two items on a shelf and get the hell out of there or wait it out. What a terrible place.
UPDATE: Thanks to David G. for the picture. David, this is a keeper, because I write a post nearly every time I go to Walmart, and I'm sure that I will use it again.
I answered my phone while shopping the other day. My boss said "How are you?" I said "Terrible---I'm standing in the Evil Wal-Mart."
ReplyDeleteI hate that place with the white-hot passion of a thousand burning suns. But I'm a single mother on a tight budget--and I can get most stuff there at half what I would pay for it at the fancy grocery store or Target.
What's a girl to do? Sigh.
Every single time I think I can suck it up and go to walmart for the prices, I find the experience so horrible that I remember - again - why it's so not worth it to shop there. Terrible, terrible place.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't get me started on their corporate business practices ...
I did my grocery shopping there this morning. I went at 9:00 to make sure I'd miss the holiday crowd, so it wasn't so bad. But this is a small-town Walmart, open less than a year, so they still care about the people who shop there. There are a couple of others in my area that make me feel like cattle.
ReplyDeleteDoxy, I don't blame anyone who shops there. How can I? We do. Walmart is the only place in town which stocks certain items.
ReplyDeleteBefore I posted, I searched around to see if there was a picture of a Walmart store with a big red "X" over it. I was surprised that I could not find one.
Hilary, I'm thankful that Grandpère does not share my phobia, because he makes the Walmart runs.
I'm convinced that the reason some of their employees are surly is because they are so badly treated by management.
You passed up the opportunity to post the Walmart Bingo card, Mimi. Or were you just egging me on?
ReplyDeleteRuth, when Walmart had the smaller store here, I found shopping there easier.
ReplyDeleteLapin, I could not post that. It is too cruel. But I see that you linked. Shall I post your email address, so the complaints can go to you?
ReplyDeleteLapinbizarre@yahoo.com should make it, tho' it may lie months unnoticed and unread.
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky that you have someone who can usually make your Walmart runs! So glad someone ahead of you let you go ahead.
ReplyDeleteOh, but Mimi---I blame myself!
ReplyDeleteI know how evil they are. I watched them come into my grandparents' small town in Arkansas and run all the mom-and-pop stores out of business...and then raise their prices.
My friend Maggie, who is a regular reader of yours (though she doesn't comment often) and a wonderful human being (besides being a wonderful new deacon), says that we need to remember that Wal-Mart makes it possible for people who are struggling economically to buy groceries, clothes, etc. that they could not otherwise afford. I try to keep that in mind---but it's hard. Shadow and light are always fighting for balance, aren't they?
Cheers,
Doxy
Lapin beat me to the Walmart Bingo Card reference. If it makes you feel any better about Walmart, though, my bride who works at the library, says she sees all those same people in the library on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it out of Walmart ok
I would suggest that folks periodically price check - Walmart is good at luring folks in with the myth of universally cheaper prices - think of all those strange end cap items with the bizarre prices, but once there not everything is cheaper. I avoid WalMart as much as possible - but I avoid all the box stores as much as possible. It must be very hard not to have alternatives. Must feel a bit like having to shop at the "company store" back in the day - powerless.
ReplyDeleteLapin, thanks. At least it's a place to vent, even if the mail is not soon read.
ReplyDeleteJan, I know how lucky I am. I also know I sound like a crazy woman when I mention my fear of a panic attack, but it's real. I can just see a video of me going from line to line, four different lines just today.
Doxy, I think of the folks who are in a tight financial squeeze and really have no choice. A number of local businesses were forced to close their doors when Walmart first came to town.
Bubs, I was a librarian, too, and I found the library patrons somewhat different from the caricature of the typical Walmart customer. Of course, the caricature of a Walmart customer is not true. We did get our share of crazies in the library. They seemed drawn to us.
We have Walmart here (Chengdu, China) also. We don't usually go there, mainly, I'm ashamed to say, because it's on the opposite side of town, and in a city of 12 million, that's a long way. We did brave it a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday. It was the first anniversary of their opening, half of the city was in there, they must have been giving things away. I was trying to buy a vacuum and was having difficulties with communicating which one I wanted to the young man helping me. They only display one and the rest are on shelves somewhere. It was a frustrating experience for both of us, we finally decided that he was telling us that the computer said they had them, but he couldn't find them. Anyway, I digress, while waiting, my sweet husband was nice enough to point out that they were playing "Happy Birthday" over and over and.... We had to resort to singing "It's a Small World" just to keep what was left of our sanity. I won't be making the trek to Walmart again anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteAs a Wal-mart employee, I'm sorry so many people have such bad experiences. I don't blame you for going elsewhere,but I'm afraid it's not just management making workers surly--it's customers. Yes, there are long lines because fewer workers is a BIG factor in it's lower costs. Not having more workers is stressful for everyone. This is not the cashier's fault.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, many customers aren't patient and curse,hit, and yesterday I was threatened with being shot because someone's insurance wouldn't pay for their meds.Most cashier new hires don't last 3 weeks and it's not management that's the reason.
A bit of advice: expect long lines on weekend afternoons(inc. Friday),around holidays, and around the first and fifteenth of the month.Earlier in the morning is better.(Mon. and Fri. are busiest for doctors and the Pharmacy).
Happy Thanksgiving-wherever you buy dinner. I really will be trying to smile and keep everyone moving quickly.
I guess that one of the many advantages of living in Central America is that I have never been to Wallmart. I haven't even been to Wallmart when visiting the U.S.A.
ReplyDeleteSara, does the Wallmart in China sell products made in the U.S. by cheap estadoünidense labour? Just wondering.
God bless you, Chris!
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time, many, many years ago, I had a very surly waitress at Pizza Hut. I was so miffed by her bad attitude that I was about to leave without giving her a tip. And then I overheard her telling a colleague about what a really crummy day she'd had---and it totally changed the way I looked at the people who work retail. (This was before I spent years working retail myself!)
Having a crummy day doesn't give you the right to treat others in a shabby manner, of course---but I realized that everyone is human, and most people are doing the best they can under the circumstances.
As a result, I make it a point to chat in a friendly way with the servers and the cashiers and to remember that they are human. I am often rewarded by a genuine smile and a moment of connection when I do. I've had my own "off" days, and I hope that someone will give me the benefit of the doubt when those days come.
Cheers,
Doxy
Chris, first to you. Thanks for checking in. Today, in all my Walmart craziness, I never treated an employee badly. I've worked retail, too, and I've had experiences with ugly customers. They can be mean. I try to be respectful to employees everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and many more pleasant customers than uglies.
Sara, I suppose the language problem was no one's fault. I'm glad you used song and humor to keep you both sane.
ReplyDeletePadre Mickey, we can tell you don't go to Walmart. You don't even know how to spell it.
Doxy, thanks for your kind words to Chris.
Thanks for the kind words and encouragement, Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteThe great advantage of places such as WalMart and CosCo is that they keep the crowds away from the stores I go to where, in order to compete, they are very helpful and their prices reasonable. And that's why I like WalMart.
ReplyDeleteCP
CP, that's one way to look at it. We have one locally owned market, with three branches. Without them, our only option for groceries would be Walmart.
ReplyDeleteSince Walmart is about a mile from my home, I used to go there all the time for groceries, but checking out is a major pain, it'll take Forever!!
ReplyDeleteNow I shop at Publix for groceries, ...the prices may be slightly higher (though Publix has 2 for one sales all the time), but the service (checking out, butcher, deli, etc.) is usually quick, courteous, and efficient.
Wally World has always been a pain at the checkouts no matter if you have 5 items or 50, it will still take the same amount of time to check out (usually not less than 10 minutes).
I used to think Walmart scoured the SSI rolls for employees (considering...),..and I still feel the same way..lol.
Maybe I'll apply for a job as a "greeter" when I retire next month. Doubt I'll last five minutes with my cheery disposition,
ReplyDeleteSince you don't have Haloscan, I can't post the image I made for you ...so just go to my blog, and I'll post it there for you, and you can save it.
ReplyDeletePhil, go for it! I'm sure you can manage not to smile ALL the time.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I will go see.
I love to draw,..and the PC is a Bitch when it comes to drawing,....paper and pencil are the best mediums.
ReplyDeleteI also love to learn from the PC, and plain Ole life.
The Fundies try to convince people that all GLBT persons are {Satanically Evil}, while exhibiting TRUE Satanic Behavior in their everyday lives.
Remember the Hymn Jesus Loves Me This I Know .....
I didn't think so!! (
Renz, Jesus loves you - and me, too! This I know.
ReplyDeleteGrandmére Mimi, I believe it is the owners of said store who don't know how to spell its name.
ReplyDeleteThat's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Sigh. I hate Walmart, but we are on a fixed income, and it's impossible to beat their prices which are unfortunately important for us. Still, I keep looking for another place with decent prices and convenience to get away from that awful place.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit to being much more fond of Target and Costco - tho' we have one of those fancy new Wal-Marts on the west side of town that're trying to lure the upscale types from places like Whole Foods, Central Market, and such.
ReplyDeletePadre Mickey, (or Robina?), it's a good story. Stick by it.
ReplyDeleteAFeather, the purpose of the post is NOT to lay guilt on the shoulders of the workers or shoppers at Walmart. I admit that my reaction is extreme, but there it is. I come close to panic when I'm in the store. Please, go about your shopping in peace.
David, what on earth is a fancy Walmart?
Gram, I can relate to the panic you feel at WM - too much stimulation, too crowded, easy to get lost...give me the willies. I hope your profession of love was not Wounded Bird Irony.
ReplyDeleteI used to work at a Crown Books when I was in college - they created the concept of remaindered books - it was a no frills discount book store and people would get miffed that we didn't gift wrap, wouldn't order, etc. I wanted to remind them - don't expect full service retail at a discount store - but the best I could muster was an overly sweet "Have a nice day!" in which they knew what I was really saying - I went to a concert where Cliff Everhardt said down south that's what they mean when they smile and say "Well, Bless Your Heart..." Is that true, Gram?
Renz, you have it right. Sensory overload is part of the problem, especially the damn blaring loudspeakers.
ReplyDeleteThe "love" is a kind of habit, but true fondness is behind it - no irony.
We do not have Walmart but have similar. K-Mart, Target and Woolworths (different company to the US) However they all have registers for those with less than 8 or less than 12 items. Some people abuse them but I feel guilty if I have just one more than the number displayed.
ReplyDeleteBrian, we have Target and K-Mart in a neighboring town. I actually like Target, but it's one of their smaller stores, not the giant size.
ReplyDeleteGrandmére,
ReplyDeleteI immediately thought of your post when I read this article:
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/11/28/2008-11-28_worker_dies_at_long_island_walmart_after.html
Besides the brutality of the incident, the comments are the story are equally indicative of peoples' inability to be even decent to one another.
Of course, there isn't a cheap enough TV (or whatever) on the planet to get me into a store today.
Hilary, thanks. I posted on this. I didn't use my Walmart picture, because it could have happened at any number of places - I think.
ReplyDelete