Is Wal-Mart turning over a new leaf?

[Mill]

I've been avoiding Wal-Mart for years, but it is sometimes unavoidable (very few grocery stores are open here past 11pm or Midnight). In the past month I've been to Wal-Mart 3-4 different times, and I've been amazed each time. Employees are stopping ME and asking ME if I need. In the past, they ran at the first site of you, and you'd simply have to just guess where an item is located at. This includes stockers and floor cleaners as well. I was in the plumbing section look for something, and one of the cleaners stopped his buffer and called to check on a part I was looking for.

I don't know what is going in. The registers are manned with adequate personnel, the store is cleaner than usual, and the people are friendly and competent. Even the receipt-checker asshole was friendly and accommodating when leaving.

This isn't just one store, either. This includes a store that has always been pretty good (in the nice section of town), and one store that used to be total sh!t and is in the ghetto.

Perhaps I am just getting lucky, but I'm shocked.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: Mill
I've been avoiding Wal-Mart for years, but it is sometimes unavoidable (very few grocery stores are open here past 11pm or Midnight). In the past month I've been to Wal-Mart 3-4 different times, and I've been amazed each time. Employees are stopping ME and asking ME if I need. In the past, they ran at the first site of you, and you'd simply have to just guess where an item is located at. This includes stockers and floor cleaners as well. I was in the plumbing section look for something, and one of the cleaners stopped his buffer and called to check on a part I was looking for.

I don't know what is going in. The registers are manned with adequate personnel, the store is cleaner than usual, and the people are friendly and competent. Even the receipt-checker asshole was friendly and accommodating when leaving.

This isn't just one store, either. This includes a store that has always been pretty good (in the nice section of town), and one store that used to be total sh!t and is in the ghetto.

Perhaps I am just getting lucky, but I'm shocked.

Yeah they have been getting better, I still wish they paid their employees a little more though.

 

[michaels]

I work in a Wal-Mart Distribution Center on the weekends, they pay us a lot better than the stores. I make 16.35, not a lot, but not bad for around here. It has been a great job through college and I am about to move up within the company when I graduate. My buddy who worked with me and got the same degree got hired on at the Home Office.

 

[Carl Uman]

You must just be lucky. I don't recall last time I was asked if I need help at Wallys.

 

[Lola]

I wish my local walmarts were like that.
the employees are rude, unhappy, pissed off all the time.
The store is always dirty and no one seems to give a fly rats...
Too bad too. Everytime i go there, i vow i will not return but i keep going back because of the insanely cheap prices.

 

[Ika]

Sometimes, though, I feel employees are just a little TOO pushy when asking for stuff. Though maybe it's just me, because I'm "just look around" way too often...

 

[Christobevii3]

I like walmart because i know where stuff is and don't get bothered by the employees.

 

[sswingle]

Probably just good management at your individual store.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: ScottSwingleComputers
Probably just good management at your individual store.

3 stores in the local area where I am at now.

Positive attitude and cleanliness exists for the year that I have been here.

 

[SunnyD]

Can't stand the walmart stupor centers. "All registers open between x and x".. bull$hit. Every walmart I've been to has lines out the ass at every register open, including the supposed "speedy" checkouts. Customer service is at an all time low... I mean seriously - if you don't like your job, work somewhere else - you work in customer service, you get paid to be nice to me. It's a far cry from the days I used to work at wallyworld.

Now, I shop at target. Hardly ever a wait, the cashiers are mostly nice, and often good looking. Prices are comparable to walmart, the quality of the foods are better, and the stores are far cleaner.

 

[amicold]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz
I wish my local walmarts were like that.
the employees are rude, unhappy, pissed off all the time.
The store is always dirty and no one seems to give a fly rats...
Too bad too. Everytime i go there, i vow i will not return but i keep going back because of the insanely cheap prices.

Maybe they're pissed because they work at Wal-Mart and there are a million bargain-happy idiots in the store, asking stupid questions, knocking each other over, and overwhelming the staff.

 

[QurazyQuisp]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz
I wish my local walmarts were like that.
the employees are rude, unhappy, pissed off all the time.
The store is always dirty and no one seems to give a fly rats...
Too bad too. Everytime i go there, i vow i will not return but i keep going back because of the insanely cheap prices.

Traitor...

Meijers is the only large retail all-in-one store that I even consider going to. I think I've been to Wal-Mart maybe 4 times in my life. When there is a Meijers around, with nearly the same prices, open 24/7, I'm there. Not to mention they're like 100x nicer then walmart.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Yeah they have been getting better, I still wish they paid their employees a little more though.

John Edwards was at a book signing a while back at a barnes and noble. next to the barnes and noble was a walmart. he told everyone he refused to go to walmart, because it pays its employees too little. nevermind that the walmart actually paid a higher starting wage than the barnes and noble did.

 

[imported_Devine]

It might just be the smaller crowds at night so the people working arent harassed as much.

 

[WolverineGator]

I just finished watching Frontline's "Is Walmart Good for America?." It's revolutionized our economy in both good and bad ways, but you'll never find Hot Deals there. Though I go sometimes, I avoid Walmart as much as I can.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: RyanSengara

Originally posted by: Mill
I've been avoiding Wal-Mart for years, but it is sometimes unavoidable (very few grocery stores are open here past 11pm or Midnight). In the past month I've been to Wal-Mart 3-4 different times, and I've been amazed each time. Employees are stopping ME and asking ME if I need. In the past, they ran at the first site of you, and you'd simply have to just guess where an item is located at. This includes stockers and floor cleaners as well. I was in the plumbing section look for something, and one of the cleaners stopped his buffer and called to check on a part I was looking for.

I don't know what is going in. The registers are manned with adequate personnel, the store is cleaner than usual, and the people are friendly and competent. Even the receipt-checker asshole was friendly and accommodating when leaving.

This isn't just one store, either. This includes a store that has always been pretty good (in the nice section of town), and one store that used to be total sh!t and is in the ghetto.

Perhaps I am just getting lucky, but I'm shocked.

Yeah they have been getting better, I still wish they would raise the price a little more though.

FIXED

 

[neutralizer]

The employees are friendly, but some of the shoppers there are general asses.

 

[uberman]

Wal Mart cracks me up in the inner city. It's a city within a city. The other day there was a guy in one of the aisles selling gold chains. He kept this girl spellbound with his selection. Outside the stores some guys unplugged the pop machines so they could charge their cellphones.

During a hot day this summer, some guys sold cases of bottled water to cars leaving the parking lot at a buck a pop for one bottle. They sold out in minutes.

 

[mugs]

The one by me still sucks.

 

[sygyzy]

LMAO - I came into this thread thinking you were goign to talk about how they improved conditions for their employees or gave them bettter benefits but instead your idea of a new leaf for Wal-Mart is more open registers. Really speaks volumes about your reality.

 

[A1CSpence]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
LMAO - I came into this thread thinking you were goign to talk about how they improved conditions for their employees or gave them bettter benefits but instead your idea of a new leaf for Wal-Mart is more open registers. Really speaks volumes about your reality.

That's what my wife said.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Nope they are still stupid and rude.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: michaels
I work in a Wal-Mart Distribution Center on the weekends, they pay us a lot better than the stores. I make 16.35, not a lot, but not bad for around here. It has been a great job through college and I am about to move up within the company when I graduate. My buddy who worked with me and got the same degree got hired on at the Home Office.

what do you do there?

 

[MercenaryYoureFired]

Originally posted by: HomeAppraiser
Nope they are still stupid and rude.

Yep, all of them are stupid and rude. =/

The fact is, you must show empathy for the people working there. Their job is not their life, and this must be considered.

Generally speaking, if someone isn't having a good day (in their personal lives) then there is no reason to expect them to reflect that they are when they're at work, as they would have no reason to do so.

On top of that, the employees are working long hours for minimal pay, and ultimately, have no real motivation to run up to "you" and ask if you need anything.

Though this may be the reason I'm defending them, I myself have never had any serious problems with Wal-Mart employees. Though they typically don't run up to me and ask if I need anything; if I ask, they promptly and politely answer.

-MYF

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Try shopping at Safeway or any other union grocery store and live the difference.