Walmarts price matching policy, what the heck

[AlwaysMoving]

i agree
there are quite a few ways to address a situation without having to get someone fired - no one's life was threatened, no law was broken, etc

pretty sad

Sometimes people just like to feel powerful.

 

[dzorn]

i agree
there are quite a few ways to address a situation without having to get someone fired - no one's life was threatened, no law was broken, etc

pretty sad

You don't think banging carts into cars in the parking lot is a good thing.

Actually I would consider it vandalism on the vehicles. If one of the employees was vandalizing vehicles you don't think that is a reason for termination.

Denise in MI

 

[dzorn]

ALWAYS carry a copy of their policy with you when you want to do this. I have had problems with their "coupon policy" that they don't know about. They hate it at my store when I pull out the policy and they have to honor it. Also don't be afrade to hold the line up and call Corp. right there in line!!!



I don't think that is right...Call corp and let them know what is going on.



Most of the time the store will over look the color issue, the ones that don't just want to be a PITA.



I would call Corp about this also. I don't believe that in the AD match policy it says that the item MUST be IN STOCK at the other store for them to price match.


In the end don't ever be afrade to call corp on them in the store if need be. My Walmart knows me and they know I know what the policys are, I know more then 1/2 the employees do, and that I will pick that phone up and call corp right then and there. They know I am the one that gave them their first complant--5 minutes after the store opened--so they know better. I have stood right infront of the manager and called Corp because their cart boy was out side playing with his friends, while on the clock, in the shopping carts and they were running into cars with them. I went in and talked to manager and he wanted to be dumb, so I said hold on one sec I have something better for you. I pulled out my cell and called Corp right in front of him. When I told the person what Walmart I was at, what was going on and that I was standing there with the manager and he is not doing anything about it, the person put me on hold and a few minutes later you hear the manager phone call on line X and the person was back on the phone telling me that it was being handled as we spoke and the manager would be right back over to me. He was mad because Corp made him come say sorry and have to deal with the teen. Sad to say that kid is no longer there. I have corps phone number right in my phone. They don't like me calling then they need to train their people better and they need to stop making up their own rules.

In case anyone forgot that they were damaging cars.

Denise in MI

 

[crystaldawn]

We are a smaller town so don't have a lot of competition for walmart. But our walmart will match any ad within 60 miles. I've never been asked for an ad or questioned. I used to take the ads with me just in case but like I said it's never been an issue. Our walmart cashiers are pretty good, in fact a lot of the time they automatically price match my milk and bananas without me even saying anything... The used to have a list of the top like 20 sale items in grocery right at the checkout and the cashiers gladly price matched everything in your order even if you had no idea that it was on sale somewhere else.

 

[Judyat]

I think as their TV commercial shows they are happy to match anything especially a nickel and under. Over that and you've got a hassle on your hands.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You don't think banging carts into cars in the parking lot is a good thing.

Actually I would consider it vandalism on the vehicles. If one of the employees was vandalizing vehicles you don't think that is a reason for termination.

Denise in MI

I have to agree with her decision. Now calling corporate for every little thing...no. But the kids definitely weren't just being fun and acting silly.

And as serious as the DIS gets when customers don't put carts in the cart corral, it is odd that the employees banging carts into the cars was overlooked.

 

[pbrim]

I know that at least at one time, Sams and Walmart were able to persuade certain manufactorers of software and electronics to issue different bar code numbers (SKU or item number or whatever they're called) on the items for them, because Sams and Walmart sold so many.

This enabled them to avoid the whole price match thing because they could say "Bar Code doesn't match so it's not the same thing."

There are many reasons I don't shop at Walmart, and this is just one of them. (Of course I realize that I am lucky enough to have options and a lot of other people don't.)

 

[livndisney]

I have to agree with her decision. Now calling corporate for every little thing...no. But the kids definitely weren't just being fun and acting silly.

And as serious as the DIS gets when customers don't put carts in the cart corral, it is odd that the employees banging carts into the cars was overlooked.

I think this is what most people were responding to. I think having corp on speed dial is a little over the top. If you have that much trouble with a business, you may want to consider shopping elsewhere.

I also don't agree with following corp policy only when it suits you. But everyone needs a hobby I guess. LOL

 

[Green Tea]

I think as their TV commercial shows they are happy to match anything especially a nickel and under. Over that and you've got a hassle on your hands.

And I love the irony of the commercial when it shows 16 or so different people saying match it. In reality they would likely ask 16 people and still not have an answer.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

And I love the irony of the commercial when it shows 16 or so different people saying match it. In reality they would likely ask 16 people and still not have an answer.

You would have to wait a while to find all 16. Those with the authority to say Match It are usually in hiding.

 

[Lewisc]

I know that at least at one time, Sams and Walmart were able to persuade certain manufactorers of software and electronics to issue different bar code numbers (SKU or item number or whatever they're called) on the items for them, because Sams and Walmart sold so many.

This enabled them to avoid the whole price match thing because they could say "Bar Code doesn't match so it's not the same thing."

There are many reasons I don't shop at Walmart, and this is just one of them. (Of course I realize that I am lucky enough to have options and a lot of other people don't.)

COSTCO will frequently have a different SKU. Generally COSTCO will include a cable or different bundled software. A different SKU means other retailers don't have to price match. You have it a little reversed. A Walmart specific SKU means other retailers (BB) don't have to match a WalMart price.

It's kind of a given a B&M store has a different cost structure then an internet vendor and many (most) price match policies won't guarantee matching an internet price. Same with a store outside the immediate area, 30 miles sounds right. If the price is reasonable, similar to what a sale price would be, stores are more likely to match internet or out of area stores.

 

[seashoreCM]

Maybe, just as for airplane tickets, you should wait for a sale instead of buy at their everyday low price.

 

[JB2K]

Mine will only price match groceries from Kroger, not house hold items or electronics from other stores.

That's mainly because the model numbers of HDTV's from electronics stores/Best Buy are different from those sold at the nation's two largest discounters (Walmart and Target).

Sony, LG, Samsung, and others have specific models dedicated to the discount store market...

 

[JB2K]

COSTCO will frequently have a different SKU. Generally COSTCO will include a cable or different bundled software. A different SKU means other retailers don't have to price match. You have it a little reversed. A Walmart specific SKU means other retailers (BB) don't have to match a WalMart price.

It's kind of a given a B&M store has a different cost structure then an internet vendor and many (most) price match policies won't guarantee matching an internet price. Same with a store outside the immediate area, 30 miles sounds right. If the price is reasonable, similar to what a sale price would be, stores are more likely to match internet or out of area stores.

Right -- and if you'll look at Target's price match policy, it specifically says it does not apply to "club stores" such as Sam's Club, Costco, and BJ's.

Same goes for Disney Blu-ray/DVD combo packs, as Disney arranges for a special feature to be included at each individual retailer (I fully expect to see this come into play when "The Lion King" is released in a couple of weeks).

 

[JB2K]

The reason why Wal-mart won't price with there online deals or other Wal-mart they aren't in competion with other themelves.

Target also does not price-match with their online counterpart (Target.com).

 

[AnjieNet]

Hm. Didn't even know Target price matched.

Regarding Wal-mart, I have never, ever had a price match turned down. Granted I usually use price match on groceries, cleaning supplies and beauty products. Even movies have not been turned down. As long as I pick up whatever version is on the flyer, be it DVD only or combo pack, they match it. I can see where electronics would get a bit dicey with so many different models of almost the same thing. Personally, though, I'm happy that a company even offers this and will continue to utilize it.

 

[MrsPete]

Because they keep a stack of local ads/circulars at the counter to verify what a customer is asking to match. (At least my Walmart does).

Still, it's better to have your circular handy. It's less trouble than having to wait for someone to say, "Okay". Plus, I like having the visual reminder of what I've come to buy.

Wow, just wow!

Yeah, I don't care to be that pushy and aggressive to save a couple dollars. If I feel I'm not being treated fairly, I'll vote with my dollar and stop shopping in that store. I could name a couple stores that I don't use any longer, but I don't go around theatening people who really have no authority to change things anyway.