Wal-Mart set to close 269 stores worldwide,154 in U.S. (1 Viewer)

[Ministry of Pain]

I post it with a little flare but don't act like none of you get hostile when prices are not accurate. I said its been 6 months, I don't frequent the big dept stores or retailers because of this, I know I'm going to hate it when I get to the cash register and items are priced different so I try to shop mostly on line. At the local grocery stores, they don't even bother to go check prices, I tell them the price is wrong and they adjust BECAUSE if I walk them to the display then its FREE. And I also will berate the manager on the walk asking how many other folks paid higher prices today because you all do not ring them up correctly...they love when I start talking about the big picture.

 

[Chadstroma]

I post it with a little flare but don't act like none of you get hostile when prices are not accurate. I said its been 6 months, I don't frequent the big dept stores or retailers because of this, I know I'm going to hate it when I get to the cash register and items are priced different so I try to shop mostly on line. At the local grocery stores, they don't even bother to go check prices, I tell them the price is wrong and they adjust BECAUSE if I walk them to the display then its FREE. And I also will berate the manager on the walk asking how many other folks paid higher prices today because you all do not ring them up correctly...they love when I start talking about the big picture.

Your 'flare' is you being a total smelly rear end.

And no, I don't get hostile. I will inform them with something along the lines of "Oh, it was priced at X" and that simple little comment usually takes care of the problem about 90% of the time- sometimes with them checking and sometimes not. The other 10% may actually take a little more effort with some conversation or talking to a manager. I honestly can not think of a time that I didn't get the price change (and heck, many times an extra $ off or other concession as a form of apology) with being nice and handling it like a normal well adjusted emotionally stable adult.

Just keep shopping online- trust me, no one wants to deal with someone like you.

 

[James Daulton]

I post it with a little flare but don't act like none of you get hostile when prices are not accurate. I said its been 6 months, I don't frequent the big dept stores or retailers because of this, I know I'm going to hate it when I get to the cash register and items are priced different so I try to shop mostly on line. At the local grocery stores, they don't even bother to go check prices, I tell them the price is wrong and they adjust BECAUSE if I walk them to the display then its FREE. And I also will berate the manager on the walk asking how many other folks paid higher prices today because you all do not ring them up correctly...they love when I start talking about the big picture.

I really don't get hostile if prices are wrong.

Weren't you in retail? Did you enjoy getting berated by customers? Maybe try to think of the golden rule next time?

Or just continue to be a #####, whatever floats your boat.

 

[timschochet]

Macy's is also closing several of their stores.

 

[Ignoramus]

"Flare" is what a hemorrhoid does, MoPe.

Not sure if that's what you're going for, or if the word you really want is "flair."

 

[Mors Venit]

Good

Tell that to the 10,000 Americans that will lose their jobs.

Its for the greater good. The beast must be slain.

You aren't really understanding what's going on, are you?

Probably not

 

[Chadstroma]

Beyond the desire to be a decent human being- if that does not move you then general effectiveness should:

-If the customer is a jerk, there is a half and half chance of how an employee will react- they will fold because they are scared or intimated or just want to get the person out of the place as fast as possible or they will tend to look for a way to not let them get their way.

-If the person is nice then people who deal with the public will often try to go out of their way to resolve the issue and keep you happy. If they don't usually a manager is driven to do so.

You won't always get your way in being a decent person to people but you certainly give people the opportunity and they seem to react well- even more so if you have a real honest grievance.

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

I don't get the hate for Walmart. Is it the low prices?

It's that they ran every mom n pop off they could and the general public is to blame for falling for most of it. Low prices came at a steep cost in terms of jobs. Most Wal-Mart employees are working poor and you add that to the damage a Wal Mart does to local economy and you start to not like them. I did rape a Wal Mart manager on a display that was mis-marked and acquired sets of colored pencils for all my Title I kids. It was pretty bad what I did but I said it like this...100 sets vs the loss vs your job when I call and say how you would not honor the prices and I started filming with my camera. At the least I told him they will demote you for incompetency, who would build an end cap like that?

And that was about 6 months ago. I go very infrequently and when I do I am usually looking for employee frack ups I can exploit.

I put the historical accuracy of your stories at about 30%.

The 30% that he is a jerk off to someone? Yup... agreed.

I just don't believe (or maybe I subconsciously don't want to believe) that there is someone who puts themselves into hostile disagreements as frequently as he does.

 

[Chadstroma]

I don't get the hate for Walmart. Is it the low prices?

It's that they ran every mom n pop off they could and the general public is to blame for falling for most of it. Low prices came at a steep cost in terms of jobs. Most Wal-Mart employees are working poor and you add that to the damage a Wal Mart does to local economy and you start to not like them. I did rape a Wal Mart manager on a display that was mis-marked and acquired sets of colored pencils for all my Title I kids. It was pretty bad what I did but I said it like this...100 sets vs the loss vs your job when I call and say how you would not honor the prices and I started filming with my camera. At the least I told him they will demote you for incompetency, who would build an end cap like that?

And that was about 6 months ago. I go very infrequently and when I do I am usually looking for employee frack ups I can exploit.

I put the historical accuracy of your stories at about 30%.

The 30% that he is a jerk off to someone? Yup... agreed.

I just don't believe (or maybe I subconsciously don't want to believe) that there is someone who puts themselves into hostile disagreements as frequently as he does.

You don't deal with the general public that often do you? There are certainly real life Ministry of Pain types out there. Now, whether he acts as he says or it is schtick... I can't say... but people that act that way in real life do exist for sure.

Sadly.

Pathetically.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Beyond the desire to be a decent human being- if that does not move you then general effectiveness should:

-If the customer is a jerk, there is a half and half chance of how an employee will react- they will fold because they are scared or intimated or just want to get the person out of the place as fast as possible or they will tend to look for a way to not let them get their way.

-If the person is nice then people who deal with the public will often try to go out of their way to resolve the issue and keep you happy. If they don't usually a manager is driven to do so.

You won't always get your way in being a decent person to people but you certainly give people the opportunity and they seem to react well- even more so if you have a real honest grievance.

What's the markup on being nice? Does it cost more?

We often hear "it doesn't cost anything to be nice." Just wondering if we can quantify it for those who prefer data points over anecdotes.

IME you can get what you want without being a complete jerk. But you do have to ask. Sometimes repeatedly, but eventually you'll be speaking with someone empowered to correct the wrong.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I've said this about Walmart in previous threads, their marketing strategies are idiotic and very shortsighted. Their goals from everything I understand are always to push in store sales and not nearly as focused on eCommerce. In store sales are great, but without focusing more on eCommerce, they'll be a dinosaur one day.

Seems like Walmart and Target have let Amazon run away with online segment.

It's idiotic. Unless they shift strategies, they'll continue losing large amounts of market share.

There will always be a need for giant stores that sell crappy merchandise for little money. White trash folks need some place to feel at home.

I do find it funny that you call someone else an ####### in this thread after posting that last line.

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

I don't get the hate for Walmart. Is it the low prices?

It's that they ran every mom n pop off they could and the general public is to blame for falling for most of it. Low prices came at a steep cost in terms of jobs. Most Wal-Mart employees are working poor and you add that to the damage a Wal Mart does to local economy and you start to not like them. I did rape a Wal Mart manager on a display that was mis-marked and acquired sets of colored pencils for all my Title I kids. It was pretty bad what I did but I said it like this...100 sets vs the loss vs your job when I call and say how you would not honor the prices and I started filming with my camera. At the least I told him they will demote you for incompetency, who would build an end cap like that?

And that was about 6 months ago. I go very infrequently and when I do I am usually looking for employee frack ups I can exploit.

I put the historical accuracy of your stories at about 30%.

The 30% that he is a jerk off to someone? Yup... agreed.

I just don't believe (or maybe I subconsciously don't want to believe) that there is someone who puts themselves into hostile disagreements as frequently as he does.

You don't deal with the general public that often do you? There are certainly real life Ministry of Pain types out there. Now, whether he acts as he says or it is schtick... I can't say... but people that act that way in real life do exist for sure.Sadly.

Pathetically.

I'm a Systems Analyst so no, I don't generally work with the public. Perhaps I should be thankful.

 

[The General]

How much of this is people buying their low priced crap on Amazon?

 

[James Daulton]

I've said this about Walmart in previous threads, their marketing strategies are idiotic and very shortsighted. Their goals from everything I understand are always to push in store sales and not nearly as focused on eCommerce. In store sales are great, but without focusing more on eCommerce, they'll be a dinosaur one day.

Seems like Walmart and Target have let Amazon run away with online segment.

It's idiotic. Unless they shift strategies, they'll continue losing large amounts of market share.

There will always be a need for giant stores that sell crappy merchandise for little money. White trash folks need some place to feel at home.

I do find it funny that you call someone else an ####### in this thread after posting that last line.

How would you define the fine folks who typically frequent Walmart? I suppose if I said that a Nascar race was a gathering of rednecks, you'd find offense with that too?

 

[MaxThreshold]

I don't get the hate for Walmart. Is it the low prices?

It's that they ran every mom n pop off they could and the general public is to blame for falling for most of it. Low prices came at a steep cost in terms of jobs. Most Wal-Mart employees are working poor and you add that to the damage a Wal Mart does to local economy and you start to not like them. I did rape a Wal Mart manager on a display that was mis-marked and acquired sets of colored pencils for all my Title I kids. It was pretty bad what I did but I said it like this...100 sets vs the loss vs your job when I call and say how you would not honor the prices and I started filming with my camera. At the least I told him they will demote you for incompetency, who would build an end cap like that?

And that was about 6 months ago. I go very infrequently and when I do I am usually looking for employee frack ups I can exploit.

I put the historical accuracy of your stories at about 30%.

The 30% that he is a jerk off to someone? Yup... agreed.

I just don't believe (or maybe I subconsciously don't want to believe) that there is someone who puts themselves into hostile disagreements as frequently as he does.

You don't deal with the general public that often do you? There are certainly real life Ministry of Pain types out there. Now, whether he acts as he says or it is schtick... I can't say... but people that act that way in real life do exist for sure.Sadly.

Pathetically.

I'm a Systems Analyst so no, I don't generally work with the public. Perhaps I should be thankful.

I worked retail for 13 years (assistant manager) before moving into my current career. Yes, you should be thankful.

With that said, very rarely did I ever get into it with a customer and most of the times I resolved the situation by giving them what they want. Because, seriously, I wasn't going to argue over 50 cents or a dollar. Satisfying the customer only means that you've guaranteed that they will be coming back.

 

[MaxThreshold]

I've said this about Walmart in previous threads, their marketing strategies are idiotic and very shortsighted. Their goals from everything I understand are always to push in store sales and not nearly as focused on eCommerce. In store sales are great, but without focusing more on eCommerce, they'll be a dinosaur one day.

Seems like Walmart and Target have let Amazon run away with online segment.

It's idiotic. Unless they shift strategies, they'll continue losing large amounts of market share.

There will always be a need for giant stores that sell crappy merchandise for little money. White trash folks need some place to feel at home.

I do find it funny that you call someone else an ####### in this thread after posting that last line.

How would you define the fine folks who typically frequent Walmart? I suppose if I said that a Nascar race was a gathering of rednecks, you'd find offense with that too?

Can you define the customers that visit Target? Or Kohls? Maybe you could start a list with your stereotypes? What stores should I shop at that you approve of?

 

[James Daulton]

I've said this about Walmart in previous threads, their marketing strategies are idiotic and very shortsighted. Their goals from everything I understand are always to push in store sales and not nearly as focused on eCommerce. In store sales are great, but without focusing more on eCommerce, they'll be a dinosaur one day.

Seems like Walmart and Target have let Amazon run away with online segment.

It's idiotic. Unless they shift strategies, they'll continue losing large amounts of market share.

There will always be a need for giant stores that sell crappy merchandise for little money. White trash folks need some place to feel at home.

I do find it funny that you call someone else an ####### in this thread after posting that last line.

How would you define the fine folks who typically frequent Walmart? I suppose if I said that a Nascar race was a gathering of rednecks, you'd find offense with that too?

Can you define the customers that visit Target? Or Kohls? Maybe you could start a list with your stereotypes? What stores should I shop at that you approve of?

Sure thing. If you shop at Target or Kohl's there's a decent chance you're not white trash. Happy to help!

 

[TenTimes]

I don't get the hate for Walmart. Is it the low prices?

It's that they ran every mom n pop off they could and the general public is to blame for falling for most of it. Low prices came at a steep cost in terms of jobs. Most Wal-Mart employees are working poor and you add that to the damage a Wal Mart does to local economy and you start to not like them. I did rape a Wal Mart manager on a display that was mis-marked and acquired sets of colored pencils for all my Title I kids. It was pretty bad what I did but I said it like this...100 sets vs the loss vs your job when I call and say how you would not honor the prices and I started filming with my camera. At the least I told him they will demote you for incompetency, who would build an end cap like that?

And that was about 6 months ago. I go very infrequently and when I do I am usually looking for employee frack ups I can exploit.

You are awesome.

Was going to be my exact reply.

 

[culdeus]

Walmart has people fooled their stuff is cheap. Same #### on amazon for cheaper.

Sam's has decent deals but you can s&s on amazon and get them close and not have to be exposed to all the fat people

 

[Long Ball Larry]

I've said this about Walmart in previous threads, their marketing strategies are idiotic and very shortsighted. Their goals from everything I understand are always to push in store sales and not nearly as focused on eCommerce. In store sales are great, but without focusing more on eCommerce, they'll be a dinosaur one day.

Seems like Walmart and Target have let Amazon run away with online segment.

It's idiotic. Unless they shift strategies, they'll continue losing large amounts of market share.

"Nonsense" - Blockbuster

 

[the moops]

I heard they still have some slick Wrangler jeans for cheap

 

[The General]

Amazon has spent years setting up distribution. The Amazon website kind of sucks but the way they can deliver stuff to you is really amazing. WalMart has its work cut out trying to catch up with them in that regard.

 

[McGarnicle]

Occasionally I'll go to Walmart for staples like pool shock, lump charcoal, bug spray, etc. I don't get the looking at prices thing. It costs what it costs and I get the hell out of there.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I've said this about Walmart in previous threads, their marketing strategies are idiotic and very shortsighted. Their goals from everything I understand are always to push in store sales and not nearly as focused on eCommerce. In store sales are great, but without focusing more on eCommerce, they'll be a dinosaur one day.

Seems like Walmart and Target have let Amazon run away with online segment.

It's idiotic. Unless they shift strategies, they'll continue losing large amounts of market share.

There will always be a need for giant stores that sell crappy merchandise for little money. White trash folks need some place to feel at home.

I do find it funny that you call someone else an ####### in this thread after posting that last line.

How would you define the fine folks who typically frequent Walmart? I suppose if I said that a Nascar race was a gathering of rednecks, you'd find offense with that too?

I didn't take offense to anything you wrote, I just found it amusing.

Maybe it's just the area I am in (just outside of Madison), but there always seems to be a mix of people at Walmart - lower income, college students, elderly, people rolling up in their caddies. It is always a fun mix of humanity. Basically people who don't have money, or don't want to spend more on the same stuff somewhere else.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Walmart has people fooled their stuff is cheap. Same #### on amazon for cheaper.

Sam's has decent deals but you can s&s on amazon and get them close and not have to be exposed to all the fat people

Sure, but I would bet that a lot of lower income families still don't have computer/internet use at home. Isn't it still about 25-30% of households don't have internet in the US? That is a lot of people and I would bet a high % of lower income people. I find it as amusing that stores like Target have fooled people that their stuff is that much better just because they can sip their $6 coffee while shopping there.

 

[James Daulton]

I've said this about Walmart in previous threads, their marketing strategies are idiotic and very shortsighted. Their goals from everything I understand are always to push in store sales and not nearly as focused on eCommerce. In store sales are great, but without focusing more on eCommerce, they'll be a dinosaur one day.

Seems like Walmart and Target have let Amazon run away with online segment.

It's idiotic. Unless they shift strategies, they'll continue losing large amounts of market share.

There will always be a need for giant stores that sell crappy merchandise for little money. White trash folks need some place to feel at home.

I do find it funny that you call someone else an ####### in this thread after posting that last line.

How would you define the fine folks who typically frequent Walmart? I suppose if I said that a Nascar race was a gathering of rednecks, you'd find offense with that too?

I didn't take offense to anything you wrote, I just found it amusing.

Maybe it's just the area I am in (just outside of Madison), but there always seems to be a mix of people at Walmart - lower income, college students, elderly, people rolling up in their caddies. It is always a fun mix of humanity. Basically people who don't have money, or don't want to spend more on the same stuff somewhere else.

The Walmart's here near Baltimore are certainly not a fun mix of humanity, that's for sure.

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

I've said this about Walmart in previous threads, their marketing strategies are idiotic and very shortsighted. Their goals from everything I understand are always to push in store sales and not nearly as focused on eCommerce. In store sales are great, but without focusing more on eCommerce, they'll be a dinosaur one day.

Seems like Walmart and Target have let Amazon run away with online segment.

It's idiotic. Unless they shift strategies, they'll continue losing large amounts of market share.

There will always be a need for giant stores that sell crappy merchandise for little money. White trash folks need some place to feel at home.

I do find it funny that you call someone else an ####### in this thread after posting that last line.

How would you define the fine folks who typically frequent Walmart? I suppose if I said that a Nascar race was a gathering of rednecks, you'd find offense with that too?

I didn't take offense to anything you wrote, I just found it amusing.

Maybe it's just the area I am in (just outside of Madison), but there always seems to be a mix of people at Walmart - lower income, college students, elderly, people rolling up in their caddies. It is always a fun mix of humanity. Basically people who don't have money, or don't want to spend more on the same stuff somewhere else.

Madison, WI?

 

[the moops]

The Amazon website kind of sucks

 

[MaxThreshold]

I've said this about Walmart in previous threads, their marketing strategies are idiotic and very shortsighted. Their goals from everything I understand are always to push in store sales and not nearly as focused on eCommerce. In store sales are great, but without focusing more on eCommerce, they'll be a dinosaur one day.

Seems like Walmart and Target have let Amazon run away with online segment.

It's idiotic. Unless they shift strategies, they'll continue losing large amounts of market share.

There will always be a need for giant stores that sell crappy merchandise for little money. White trash folks need some place to feel at home.

I do find it funny that you call someone else an ####### in this thread after posting that last line.

How would you define the fine folks who typically frequent Walmart? I suppose if I said that a Nascar race was a gathering of rednecks, you'd find offense with that too?

Can you define the customers that visit Target? Or Kohls? Maybe you could start a list with your stereotypes? What stores should I shop at that you approve of?

Sure thing. If you shop at Target or Kohl's there's a decent chance you're not white trash. Happy to help!

Do you have a list of stores that have the James Daulton Seal of Approval? Just want to check that before I go shopping.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I've said this about Walmart in previous threads, their marketing strategies are idiotic and very shortsighted. Their goals from everything I understand are always to push in store sales and not nearly as focused on eCommerce. In store sales are great, but without focusing more on eCommerce, they'll be a dinosaur one day.

Seems like Walmart and Target have let Amazon run away with online segment.

It's idiotic. Unless they shift strategies, they'll continue losing large amounts of market share.

There will always be a need for giant stores that sell crappy merchandise for little money. White trash folks need some place to feel at home.

I do find it funny that you call someone else an ####### in this thread after posting that last line.

How would you define the fine folks who typically frequent Walmart? I suppose if I said that a Nascar race was a gathering of rednecks, you'd find offense with that too?

I didn't take offense to anything you wrote, I just found it amusing.

Maybe it's just the area I am in (just outside of Madison), but there always seems to be a mix of people at Walmart - lower income, college students, elderly, people rolling up in their caddies. It is always a fun mix of humanity. Basically people who don't have money, or don't want to spend more on the same stuff somewhere else.

Madison, WI?

Yessir

 

[Lester Burnham]

The net net is they're adding stores but closing the smaller/under-performing ones first.

Definitely. That said, glad to hear they are keeping the neighborhood markets. They opened one right across from our grocery store (Harris Teeter) and while it doesn't have everything, it is on the right side of the traffic light, so quicker for me and everything I get there is cheaper than Harris Teeter. They just don't have the deli with Boar's Head and things like that, but for regular brand name stuff, they are easily 20% or so cheaper unless it's on sale. It's funny how it seems like a lot of people don't like shopping there because of the name, but unlike some off their super centers, it is nice and clean and quick to get in and out. There are some Walmart's that I have been in where it was an unpleasant experience, just inventory all over the place and bins/aisles a mess. Much rather go in Target and use my 5% off target card, but I do like the neighborhood market.

Harris Teeter is awesome. I wouldn't be caught dead walking in a Wal-Mart if I had one in my town (Actually, I don't go to Wal-Mart as is so I guess blame guys like me for their slump).

Harris Teeter is the poor man's Wegmans.

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

I've said this about Walmart in previous threads, their marketing strategies are idiotic and very shortsighted. Their goals from everything I understand are always to push in store sales and not nearly as focused on eCommerce. In store sales are great, but without focusing more on eCommerce, they'll be a dinosaur one day.

Seems like Walmart and Target have let Amazon run away with online segment.

It's idiotic. Unless they shift strategies, they'll continue losing large amounts of market share.

There will always be a need for giant stores that sell crappy merchandise for little money. White trash folks need some place to feel at home.

I do find it funny that you call someone else an ####### in this thread after posting that last line.

How would you define the fine folks who typically frequent Walmart? I suppose if I said that a Nascar race was a gathering of rednecks, you'd find offense with that too?

I didn't take offense to anything you wrote, I just found it amusing.

Maybe it's just the area I am in (just outside of Madison), but there always seems to be a mix of people at Walmart - lower income, college students, elderly, people rolling up in their caddies. It is always a fun mix of humanity. Basically people who don't have money, or don't want to spend more on the same stuff somewhere else.

Madison, WI?

Yessir

I've spent a few weeks at Epic over the past year. Stayed in Verona. Absolutely beautiful up there. It's a gorgeous part of the country. And granted, my trip consisted of hotels, Epic, and restaurants, but I can't recall encountering anyone with a single rude bone in their body. Oh, and can you ship me some Spotted Cow and Totally Naked?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I post it with a little flare but don't act like none of you get hostile when prices are not accurate. I said its been 6 months, I don't frequent the big dept stores or retailers because of this, I know I'm going to hate it when I get to the cash register and items are priced different so I try to shop mostly on line. At the local grocery stores, they don't even bother to go check prices, I tell them the price is wrong and they adjust BECAUSE if I walk them to the display then its FREE. And I also will berate the manager on the walk asking how many other folks paid higher prices today because you all do not ring them up correctly...they love when I start talking about the big picture.

I really don't get hostile if prices are wrong.

Weren't you in retail? Did you enjoy getting berated by customers? Maybe try to think of the golden rule next time?

Or just continue to be a #####, whatever floats your boat.

We set and reset morning and night to ensure the accuracy. Sure it happens once in a while but usually simple laziness is what makes it happen. A big display where you know hundreds of people were overcharged before you show up and make them either change the sign or remove it...these companies love to rip off their customers.

If it happened once in a while but it happens far too often to be a coincidence. News loves to run stories showing this and have over the years and still folks pay no attention or for whatever reason opt not to challenge the store. It's not me, it's the dog eat dog system in place. Many of you seem to have some sort of illusion as to what is going on around you. I'm envious, wish I could have the same level of trust so many of you seem to embody in this place. It's very similar to religion and specifically Christianity in this country, they mirror each other IMHO.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Beyond the desire to be a decent human being- if that does not move you then general effectiveness should:

-If the customer is a jerk, there is a half and half chance of how an employee will react- they will fold because they are scared or intimated or just want to get the person out of the place as fast as possible or they will tend to look for a way to not let them get their way.

-If the person is nice then people who deal with the public will often try to go out of their way to resolve the issue and keep you happy. If they don't usually a manager is driven to do so.

You won't always get your way in being a decent person to people but you certainly give people the opportunity and they seem to react well- even more so if you have a real honest grievance.

What's the markup on being nice? Does it cost more?

We often hear "it doesn't cost anything to be nice." Just wondering if we can quantify it for those who prefer data points over anecdotes.

IME you can get what you want without being a complete jerk. But you do have to ask. Sometimes repeatedly, but eventually you'll be speaking with someone empowered to correct the wrong.

Never take no from someone who is not empowered to give you a yes to begin with. I ##### a lot but the truth is I don't waste a lot of time or energy with clerks, only had one in the last year or two get in my way when I politely ask for a supervisor or manager letting them know they did nothing wrong, usually they appear quickly and problem solved. It's that occasional irregularity I gotta work on.

 

[TenTimes]

I post it with a little flare but don't act like none of you get hostile when prices are not accurate. I said its been 6 months, I don't frequent the big dept stores or retailers because of this, I know I'm going to hate it when I get to the cash register and items are priced different so I try to shop mostly on line. At the local grocery stores, they don't even bother to go check prices, I tell them the price is wrong and they adjust BECAUSE if I walk them to the display then its FREE. And I also will berate the manager on the walk asking how many other folks paid higher prices today because you all do not ring them up correctly...they love when I start talking about the big picture.

I really don't get hostile if prices are wrong.

Weren't you in retail? Did you enjoy getting berated by customers? Maybe try to think of the golden rule next time?

Or just continue to be a #####, whatever floats your boat.

We set and reset morning and night to ensure the accuracy. Sure it happens once in a while but usually simple laziness is what makes it happen. A big display where you know hundreds of people were overcharged before you show up and make them either change the sign or remove it...these companies love to rip off their customers. If it happened once in a while but it happens far too often to be a coincidence. News loves to run stories showing this and have over the years and still folks pay no attention or for whatever reason opt not to challenge the store. It's not me, it's the dog eat dog system in place. Many of you seem to have some sort of illusion as to what is going on around you. I'm envious, wish I could have the same level of trust so many of you seem to embody in this place. It's very similar to religion and specifically Christianity in this country, they mirror each other IMHO.

Some day they'll make a movie about your life. I can't wait

 

[James Daulton]

I've said this about Walmart in previous threads, their marketing strategies are idiotic and very shortsighted. Their goals from everything I understand are always to push in store sales and not nearly as focused on eCommerce. In store sales are great, but without focusing more on eCommerce, they'll be a dinosaur one day.

Seems like Walmart and Target have let Amazon run away with online segment.

It's idiotic. Unless they shift strategies, they'll continue losing large amounts of market share.

There will always be a need for giant stores that sell crappy merchandise for little money. White trash folks need some place to feel at home.

I do find it funny that you call someone else an ####### in this thread after posting that last line.

How would you define the fine folks who typically frequent Walmart? I suppose if I said that a Nascar race was a gathering of rednecks, you'd find offense with that too?

Can you define the customers that visit Target? Or Kohls? Maybe you could start a list with your stereotypes? What stores should I shop at that you approve of?

Sure thing. If you shop at Target or Kohl's there's a decent chance you're not white trash. Happy to help!

Do you have a list of stores that have the James Daulton Seal of Approval? Just want to check that before I go shopping.

Bath and Body Works heads the list.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I post it with a little flare but don't act like none of you get hostile when prices are not accurate. I said its been 6 months, I don't frequent the big dept stores or retailers because of this, I know I'm going to hate it when I get to the cash register and items are priced different so I try to shop mostly on line. At the local grocery stores, they don't even bother to go check prices, I tell them the price is wrong and they adjust BECAUSE if I walk them to the display then its FREE. And I also will berate the manager on the walk asking how many other folks paid higher prices today because you all do not ring them up correctly...they love when I start talking about the big picture.

I really don't get hostile if prices are wrong.

Weren't you in retail? Did you enjoy getting berated by customers? Maybe try to think of the golden rule next time?

Or just continue to be a #####, whatever floats your boat.

We set and reset morning and night to ensure the accuracy. Sure it happens once in a while but usually simple laziness is what makes it happen. A big display where you know hundreds of people were overcharged before you show up and make them either change the sign or remove it...these companies love to rip off their customers. If it happened once in a while but it happens far too often to be a coincidence. News loves to run stories showing this and have over the years and still folks pay no attention or for whatever reason opt not to challenge the store. It's not me, it's the dog eat dog system in place. Many of you seem to have some sort of illusion as to what is going on around you. I'm envious, wish I could have the same level of trust so many of you seem to embody in this place. It's very similar to religion and specifically Christianity in this country, they mirror each other IMHO.

 

[jhib]

You know, I don't think I've ever met anyone who says they never go on the Amazon website because of its effect on local businesses. It's amazing how low prices alone don't always overcome those values, but add in the extra convenience and the ability to avoid the kind of people you wouldn't normally associate with, and it's not such a big deal anymore.

 

[Christo]

Beyond the desire to be a decent human being- if that does not move you then general effectiveness should:

-If the customer is a jerk, there is a half and half chance of how an employee will react- they will fold because they are scared or intimated or just want to get the person out of the place as fast as possible or they will tend to look for a way to not let them get their way.

-If the person is nice then people who deal with the public will often try to go out of their way to resolve the issue and keep you happy. If they don't usually a manager is driven to do so.

You won't always get your way in being a decent person to people but you certainly give people the opportunity and they seem to react well- even more so if you have a real honest grievance.

What's the markup on being nice? Does it cost more?

We often hear "it doesn't cost anything to be nice." Just wondering if we can quantify it for those who prefer data points over anecdotes.

IME you can get what you want without being a complete jerk. But you do have to ask. Sometimes repeatedly, but eventually you'll be speaking with someone empowered to correct the wrong.

Never take no from someone who is not empowered to give you a yes to begin with. I ##### a lot but the truth is I don't waste a lot of time or energy with clerks, only had one in the last year or two get in my way when I politely ask for a supervisor or manager letting them know they did nothing wrong, usually they appear quickly and problem solved. It's that occasional irregularity I gotta work on.

This is why you are one of "those" people that just seems to find trouble. The last time I had a situation where I had to go up the chain of command was over a decade ago. And I've never had anyone "get in my way."

 

[Righetti]

I don't get the hate for Walmart. Is it the low prices?

It's that they ran every mom n pop off they could and the general public is to blame for falling for most of it. Low prices came at a steep cost in terms of jobs. Most Wal-Mart employees are working poor and you add that to the damage a Wal Mart does to local economy and you start to not like them. I did rape a Wal Mart manager on a display that was mis-marked and acquired sets of colored pencils for all my Title I kids. It was pretty bad what I did but I said it like this...100 sets vs the loss vs your job when I call and say how you would not honor the prices and I started filming with my camera. At the least I told him they will demote you for incompetency, who would build an end cap like that?

And that was about 6 months ago. I go very infrequently and when I do I am usually looking for employee frack ups I can exploit.

How about the ones to avoid?

 

[McGarnicle]

Yeah those are the guys who have overbearing beeyotch wives and/or micropenises and/or drive Geos. Gotta exploit any chance to exert power over someone else, no matter how petty or pathetic. My guess is there's a strong correlation to cross-dressing/diaper/cuckold fetishes.

 

[Chadstroma]

Walmart has people fooled their stuff is cheap. Same #### on amazon for cheaper.

Sam's has decent deals but you can s&s on amazon and get them close and not have to be exposed to all the fat people

What Wal-Mart does is keep all prices low on everything. That does not mean you can't get the same stuff cheaper elsewhere but overall- if you went into a store and bought 20 things at random and went to pretty much any other stuff and bought the same 20 things you Wal-Mart final price is 4 out of 5 times going to be lower. If you spend the time and are a savvy shopper than you can look for the loss leaders other stores offer and take advantage of those (couple them up with coupons and you can save a lot of money). However, Wal-Mart has a price comparison app that you can use and shop there- not put in the time and effort to shop around, price compare, go to different stores, etc and take advantage of the lower prices being offered by the other stores- so that 4 out of 5 times becomes 100 out of 100 times.

For Amazon, that is a different business model. Amazon is not paying for the overheard of the staff and buildings etc that Wal-Mart does but likewise, if you need to swing by somewhere and pick up a few things real fast- you can't go to Amazon and do that (though they are trying to even change that dynamic with the Amazon service that gets certain things to you within hours and the drones etc). As for prices on Amazon- I have found more than a few times that their prices on Amazon were about the same or much higher than what I could get at X store.

I don't have the time and energy to do the coupon shopping like I use to. I do most of the shopping for the family and about 75-80% of our shopping for everything is between Meijer, Costco and Amazon. I am not opposed to Wal-Mart but it is a drive thru the busy side of town and higher taxes so we rarely go now.

 

[Chadstroma]

Beyond the desire to be a decent human being- if that does not move you then general effectiveness should:

-If the customer is a jerk, there is a half and half chance of how an employee will react- they will fold because they are scared or intimated or just want to get the person out of the place as fast as possible or they will tend to look for a way to not let them get their way.

-If the person is nice then people who deal with the public will often try to go out of their way to resolve the issue and keep you happy. If they don't usually a manager is driven to do so.

You won't always get your way in being a decent person to people but you certainly give people the opportunity and they seem to react well- even more so if you have a real honest grievance.

What's the markup on being nice? Does it cost more?

We often hear "it doesn't cost anything to be nice." Just wondering if we can quantify it for those who prefer data points over anecdotes.

IME you can get what you want without being a complete jerk. But you do have to ask. Sometimes repeatedly, but eventually you'll be speaking with someone empowered to correct the wrong.

Never take no from someone who is not empowered to give you a yes to begin with. I ##### a lot but the truth is I don't waste a lot of time or energy with clerks, only had one in the last year or two get in my way when I politely ask for a supervisor or manager letting them know they did nothing wrong, usually they appear quickly and problem solved. It's that occasional irregularity I gotta work on.

This is why you are one of "those" people that just seems to find trouble. The last time I had a situation where I had to go up the chain of command was over a decade ago. And I've never had anyone "get in my way."

Exactly. A simple and nice pointing out an error usually takes care of the problem without a manager involvement. And heck- lots of times they will throw in something else or give a credit or something along with their apology for the inconvenience.

I get satisfied. The people I deal with don't have to stress or go home talking about the mega jerk that they had to deal with that day and all is well.

A smile and being nice goes a hecka long way to making your life better and everyone around you as well too.

 

[Chadstroma]

You know, I don't think I've ever met anyone who says they never go on the Amazon website because of its effect on local businesses. It's amazing how low prices alone don't always overcome those values, but add in the extra convenience and the ability to avoid the kind of people you wouldn't normally associate with, and it's not such a big deal anymore.

Wal-Mart is an easy target because it is BIG. Put big in front of a lot of things and they take on an evil connotation.... big banks, big oil, big pharm, etc. I guess being online it is harder for people to conceptualize Amazon as being "big". Also, I think there are a couple of other factors working in Amazon's favor in that smaller business can basically make money thru Amazon and the disrupting that Amazon is known for is often aimed at bigger players in whatever market. So, it gets a pass that Wal-Mart could only dream of.

 

[MattFancy]

Haven't been into a Walmart in years. Have no desire to go in one.