I HATE Walmart! But what can I do??

[C.Ann]

I can't complain about any of the Walmarts I have shopped in - and there have been many, both here and in Florida.. Always a good experience; clean stores; fully stocked shelves; helpful, pleasant employees; cheerful cashiers; and prices for the types of items I buy are always less than Target or any other stores..

I'm sorry your experiences have not been good ones.. Only you can decide if paying a considerable amount more for the items you need/want - by going elsewhere - is something you are willing and/or able to do..

I have a strict monthly budget and personally would not throw my entire budget out of whack by a large amount just because a store and/or the employees weren't always up to snuff..

Good luck with your decision..

 

[disneyofcourse]

Ugh tell me about it! I went to a Walmart about 4 weeks ago and the cashier was by far the rudest cashier I have ever encountered. I gave her 6 coupons and she gave me the NASTIEST look like I just ruined her day. She said I need to know where you got these coupons with all this attitude. I said "from the paper". Then she said I need to see I.D with your credit card. Okay, here ya go. "I don't think this is you!!" "What are you trying to pull?" I said Seriously? Are you having a bad day or something? All this time she was nasty and talking to her friend or co worker who was next in line. Her friend or co-worker then kept on chiming in with just rude comments about people who use coupons and putting things on credit without enough I.D. Etc etc. All this over $3-4 in coupons and a $40 order!!! I immediately sent an email to Walmart about how the cashiers might need a bit more training. This Walmart is pretty brand new and to have that bad of service is just horrible. What I don't understand is how the store looked so run down so quickly? What is it with Walmarts that people just go hog wild and destroy things like monitors in isles, rip price tags off, etc. I wish I had spoken to management right there and then.

 

[disneyofcourse]

Ugh tell me about it! I went to a Walmart about 4 weeks ago and the cashier was by far the rudest cashier I have ever encountered. I gave her 6 coupons and she gave me the NASTIEST look like I just ruined her day. She said I need to know where you got these coupons with all this attitude. I said "from the paper". Then she said I need to see I.D with your credit card. Okay, here ya go. "I don't think this is you!!" "What are you trying to pull?" I said Seriously? Are you having a bad day or something? All this time she was nasty and talking to her friend or co worker who was next in line. Her friend or co-worker then kept on chiming in with just rude comments about people who use coupons and putting things on credit without enough I.D. Etc etc. All this over $3-4 in coupons and a $40 order!!! I immediately sent an email to Walmart about how the cashiers might need a bit more training. This Walmart is pretty brand new and to have that bad of service is just horrible. What I don't understand is how the store looked so run down so quickly? What is it with Walmarts that people just go hog wild and destroy things like monitors in isles, rip price tags off, etc. I wish I had spoken to management right there and then.

 

[edk35]

Ugh tell me about it! I went to a Walmart about 4 weeks ago and the cashier was by far the rudest cashier I have ever encountered. I gave her 6 coupons and she gave me the NASTIEST look like I just ruined her day. She said I need to know where you got these coupons with all this attitude. I said "from the paper". Then she said I need to see I.D with your credit card. Okay, here ya go. "I don't think this is you!!" "What are you trying to pull?" I said Seriously? Are you having a bad day or something? All this time she was nasty and talking to her friend or co worker who was next in line. Her friend or co-worker then kept on chiming in with just rude comments about people who use coupons and putting things on credit without enough I.D. Etc etc. All this over $3-4 in coupons and a $40 order!!! I immediately sent an email to Walmart about how the cashiers might need a bit more training. This Walmart is pretty brand new and to have that bad of service is just horrible. What I don't understand is how the store looked so run down so quickly? What is it with Walmarts that people just go hog wild and destroy things like monitors in isles, rip price tags off, etc. I wish I had spoken to management right there and then.

I would have gone to a supervisor before I left the store. That is just ridiculous for an employee/employees to act that way. Heck no.. I would have complained right there on the spot.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

So, let me get this straight. The OP shopped at WalMart, went to check out, handed their coupons to the checker and just stood there while the checker rang up her order, and did not pay attention to the use of the coupons until they left the register. Sounds like an irresponsible shopper.

You all hate WalMart, so don't shop there. More room for those that know the value of a deal.

 

[apnep]

I don't care to shop Walmart and I didn't renew my membership to Sam's either. Costco is way better and has better quality anyway.

I prefer to shop my other local grocery stores instead and give them my business. We go to Walmart only if we absolutely HAVE to. I shop Tom Thumb, Kroger, and Market Street. I love Market Street! I am spending a little more, but both Kroger and Tom Thumb double/triple coupons and so it all evens out.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

The main reason I stopped shopping at Walmart was because they don't have baggers. I routinely spend $250-$300 on groceries and it's physically exhausting for me to run back and get another cart so I can put the groceries in it while still trying to empty my other cart, meanwhile the stuff is piling up on top of the spinning bag thingy. It's just too much work. On top of that their produce always goes bad within a couple of days of buying it. Their employees ignore customers, they don't even say hi if you're in the aisle where they're working.

I started doing the majority of my shopping at Food Lion and I found I spend less on groceries even though they are priced higher and don't double coupons. I think the fact that there is so much variety at Walmart meant that I was buying more than I needed. Plus buying new produce when the stuff I bought went bad.

 

[dartfrog]

We would love a Costco where we live. Hence, membership at Sam's. As far as Walmart I tend to always make an excuse to delay the trip...lol. Then, I'd rather be slapped in the face than have to go inside! Sadly, It's either Walmart or Target for us, and Target is too far away.

 

[newserenity]

If you really want to you can certainly avoid Walmart and find alternatives that are just as good.

Do you have any discount stores in your area like Dollar General, Family Dollar, Big lots type stores?

We have the Dollar General Market here and the selection isn't as great as Walmart but, they have cheap items.

Then of course there is Kmart, again not as cheap always but is a good alternative.

You can get deals at CVS and Walgreens and bypass Walmart most the time. A lot of people can almost shop for free at CVS with extracare bucks if they learn the system and are determined.

If you get the newspaper and use coupons already and check sales ads for local stores you can usually beat Walmart or get the same deals. Even at Kroger I can get most of my cleaning supplies/household items for the same price or close to it.

Even, if Target is slightly more expensive and farther away, I absolutely Target. They have the best products and I love the dollar bins! I think the little bit extra is totally worth the better customer service and more pleasurable shopping experience!

That said, I am not anti-walmart. I do shop there and it doesn't bother me more than anywhere else. But, I know there are so many alternatives!

 

[crazydaisy00]

I quit shopping at Walmart 8 years ago, way before we had a target. It took me 4 years to even walk back in a Walmart and its very far a few between when you will catch me there. I will drive an hour rather than try to deal with the B/S there I just refuse to spend my hard earned money in a place that makes me mad. I dont care about saving the money as much as I care about who gets my business. I will however shop at Sams club but its a totally different experience and I have always had good customer service there. I just wish there was one near my house but Im willing to drive 45 minutes when I have to. Thank God we got a target a few years agoit does make shopping a little easier! I also hear target will accept coupons that walmart will not.

 

[Yoshi]

I am not a fan of Walmart either. We got a Super Walmart 3 years ago and it is horrible. Food prices are cheap, the rest of the store is not. I read posts that Walmart is 90% off seasonal items like Halloween at my local Walmart is still at 50% off. The game prices are especially bad, $30 for old 2005 XBox sports games for example. The local dollar store is also cheaper on most items. I have seen the same items at Walmart for $1.9x or more.

I also hate how they don't have enough registers open. Target is always quick to open more registers, I was at Walmart on a Saturday night and they had 3 registers open each with 12+ people in line. I turned right around and walked out.

I also believe they are the main reason another supermarket went out of business. Their sale prices were in line with Walmart and their reduced for quick sale items were also very cheap, I was able to get name brand cereal for $1.50 a box, full size cakes for $2.50 - $3 etc. Once Walmart opened, everyone stopped going there.

Sometimes I shop there if I have no other choice, since they are open 24 hours but if we got a Super Target, I'd never go into Walmart again.

 

[edk35]

So, let me get this straight. The OP shopped at WalMart, went to check out, handed their coupons to the checker and just stood there while the checker rang up her order, and did not pay attention to the use of the coupons until they left the register. Sounds like an irresponsible shopper.

You all hate WalMart, so don't shop there. More room for those that know the value of a deal.

This is what the OP said: (She did give them to the checker. You also don't know if the OP was distracted with a child/getting her money/debit card/whatever out of her purse when the stuff was being scanned. You expect the checker to do her job and that means take off the coupons when you hand them to her. )

The icing on the cake was yesterday when the clerk forgot to ring up my coupons... I probably would not have even checked my receipt, but I saw her face and furtive glances, so as she avoided eye contact and told me to have a nice day and began checking out the next person, I checked and then asked her about it. She intentionally tried to hide the fact when she knew she did it! She did not apologize when I asked her about it, she just said go to customer service... well, there were 10 people in line there!

 

[Sinderelly]

I love WalMart and also have a membership at Sam's Club. No matter how much you hate WalMart you just can't argue with good prices.
I go to other stores to pick up sale items but WalMart is my go to store for all the basic stuff. As a former WalMart Asset Protection Associate, I've kinda seen it all WalMart also does alot for the community, local children's hospital etc.

 

[lakelandgal70]

We stopped going to Walmart about 2yrs or so ago. Shop only at Publix, CVS, Target and just found a new place opened up called Deal$. I will never go back to Walmart. I have found that Walmart isn't as cheap as everyone goes on about. I can shop at Publix sometimes cheaper than I did at Walmart. And we seem to be eating healthier too. And I have a budget as well so its not like I have unlimited spending.

 

[SandrA9810]

Shopping in the morning from about 6am-10am is the best time for getting in and out. For the most part, the night crew has cleaned up their mess from bringing the pallets out, children are in school, and most adults are at work. So it's usually the older customers, who are much more pleasant to be around. Plus the more mature workers that have seniority to work those opening shifts.

I hate Wal-mart too, but I just help going in there. I'd gladly pay a few cents more per item to shop at Target, but the nearest Target is about 10 miles away down the highway. And only go there on occasion.

Although I never step foot inside a K-Mart, those stores just creep me out since they hit rock bottom several years back. I know they own Sears now, but it just seems like a whole different world in there. Although I have to admit, there were two K-Mart stores in South Florida that I would go to, because they had the best Little Ceasars pizza.

The quality of the store, attitudes of the associates, the timely manner for waiting in line, Target is just ten times better than any Wal-Mart I've shopped in. I love how Wal-Mart can have 50 registers spanning the front end with only 2-3 open on each end. Mostly with the self check out that no one knows how to use. So you have one cashier dealing with four people rather than having that cashier be more productive and just ring up the four customers.

And I've never had a problem going to customer service with a coupon and a receipt. They just enter "refund-coupon" and give me the face value of the coupon in cash. I've forgotten more than once at Publix.

 

[brat]

edk35

I have had cashiers do this at Wal-mart and other places.If Wal-mart is your only option then avoid that cashier and her buddies(shop at times she is not working if you can)If you can not avoid her, hold your coupons till right before you pay, watch her take them off then pay.

If there is someplace else you like but price is what is stopping you-Get as many coupons as you can and use them to save money else where if that can equal the savings you get at Wal-mart.

On the comment about abuse, please remember that it happens more when families are stressed in other ways.You may see more at Wal-mart because as you say it is the cheapest place near you to shop.If you see abuse please report it.

One of the kids we fostered was removed from her home after her parent hurt her in Target.(She now lives with her other parent who had fought for the child but lost to the parent who her the child in court during their divorce)

 

[shan136]

I work for a company that services Walmart as a vendor. In the course of a week I visit 2-3 Walmarts. Some are good, some are bad. It really depends on several factors ex. is it on a bus line? does it draw from multiple communities? Is it open 24 hours?

The employees at my local Walmart are great, very nice people that have been working in the store since before I moved into the area 9 years ago. Is the store perfect? No, but it is on par with our local Target.

If I go to the Walmart one town over, it is horrible. The people are horrible, the customers obnoxious, the parking lot is always fifthly. The difference is the location. It is located right off of an interstate highway (which contributes to its messy parking lot) on a bus line that draws employees and customers from 4 different towns. The store lacks a sense of community.

My point is, Walmart (as well as other chain stores) is a mixed bag of half good apples and half bad.

 

[kirstenb1]

ehh...I think Walmart is fine for what it is. I did our grocery and Easter Basket shopping there last week. I'm not a coupon user, so no extra hassles there.

Sometimes I need a store where I can do groceries, and gifts all at the same time. Think tomatoes, and Nintendo, and I'm your gal!! We do have a Target, but it has mostly frozen and non perishables. No produce or fresh meats.

Anyway, OP, sorry you were hassled about the coupons. That would cheese me off too.

 

[ColoradoK]

I didn't read the other responses so much but my husband has an 11-11 rule. He won't set foot in a Walmart between 11 am and 11 pm. So after 11 pm he's good. My daughter and I often go really early in the morning after we drop her brothers off at school. The 8:30 a.m. crowd isn't so bad, the employees are fresh, the kids are well rested and their parents don't want to beat them as much yet.

I cannot beat the prices, I just can't. So I go...and I'm starting to see my husband's point. We have two newer and nicer Walmarts that aren't much further away and I go there when I can.

 

[rnorwo1]

So, let me get this straight. The OP shopped at WalMart, went to check out, handed their coupons to the checker and just stood there while the checker rang up her order, and did not pay attention to the use of the coupons until they left the register. Sounds like an irresponsible shopper.

You all hate WalMart, so don't shop there. More room for those that know the value of a deal.

This is what the OP said: (She did give them to the checker. You also don't know if the OP was distracted with a child/getting her money/debit card/whatever out of her purse when the stuff was being scanned. You expect the checker to do her job and that means take off the coupons when you hand them to her. )

Yes, I handed the coupons to her, saw that she had them in her hand, turned to put the bags in the cart and catch the youngest of my three children and then turned around to have her hand me the receipt with the guilty/suspicious glances and realized immediately what happened... not after I walked away. It's not so much that she forgot the coupons, everyone makes mistakes and I'm very easy going about that kind of stuff, it was the intentional ignoring of it and that there is no way for them to correct their mistake without great cost to me (ie, standing in another line for 20 minutes with young kids and groceries.)

I obviously know the value of a good deal which is why I've been a customer there so long... I just don't see what is so hard about having good prices and good service at the same time

We all have choices and I merely posted this question to see if others have had similar experiences and, if so, what did they choose, the deal or the service? As we can see, many have gone elsewhere but others have endured and continue to shop there, and others have had great experiences. I think I'm going to experiment and see how much of an impact shopping elsewhere (including other walmarts that are further away) will have on my psychological well-being and compare that with the impact on my budget. Then I'll see what makes the most sense for me