Other than the knock down cat fight in the express checkout line, and waiting 20 minutes to find out they only have .25 cal and 357 Sig, everything's been OK
Yeah, more layers of management and less local autonomy is sure to work out great :). Seems like I've seen recent news articles where Walmart sales have been down in the last quarter, whereas a year ago (same recession) they were doing much better. "Reorganization" at work?
This new organization reflects basic socialist trends at work. As someone mentioned above, sounds like they must have a higher percentage of far-left Ivy Leaguers at corporate, screwing things up in an attempt to "get control." More layers of management in an organization that was already working efficiently is NEVER a good idea. FAIL! Neither is more central control. Yeah, that has worked out so well for public school systems and other government controlled hierarchies where central planning is the order of the day.
I usually shop in the early morning after work. Otherwise I couldn’t stand it. But that goes for everywhere.
Often they’re having their little pep rally while I’m there. I can’t help feeling sorry for the mandatory ooh-rahs required of the employees. Then once the meeting draws to a close, they park loaded pallets in the grocery section in such a way that I can’t travel from the aisle ends to the reefers lined up against the wall, or have to go around an aisle the other way because even the passage is blocked. Altho I guess it’s preferable to have to maneuver around a stationary object than to be randomly blocked by an ever-shifting hoard of shoppers & their children.
As a FReeper friend and I were discussing last night, Walmart has dropped thousands of national brands in favor of their prominently placed Great Value brand. Most of my purchases ARE generic these days, but for some items only my favorite will do - not the most expensive by any means, but what I can find no substitute for.
I’ve noticed that some price tags no longer have the tiny print at the top that shows true value - the price per ounce (or whatever). I’ve saved quite a few pennies by squinting at the small print & mourn the loss if the trend continues.
The other grocery stores & drug stores in my area are way over-priced.
ping for future read.
Our local Walmart stores remodeled and moved departments around. Some good things came from that. On the other hand the nearest store seems to have a stocking problem. Shelves go without items for several weeks. No one seems to care.
There was a Sam’s next door to this Walmart. Some brilliant fool decided to convert it to cater to “business” customers. No regular sizes of anything. Many items not carried. That lasted about a year and they have now closed the Sam’s store. Maybe they are planning the same with our local Walmart.
I go to Walmart for items when I know that some brand names are cheaper there. As mentioned by a previous poster I wouldn’t go to Walmart to ask about products. On the other hand I don’t know any store who has competent people on the floor.
I pick stuff out.
I put it in the cart.
I take it to the checkout.
I pay.
I leave.
(You did ask.)
The nearest Wal-mart to our house is in Carson City, Nevada. The store is always well-organized and clean. The aisles are wide and everything is nicely labeled. The one thing I've noticed lately is the expansion of Wal-mart knock-offs of such items as A1 steak sauce, Raisin Bran cereal, and Scrubbing Bubbles sink and tub cleaner.
Personally, I avoid the self-serve lines. I prefer dealing with real people. I have noticed that the older friendly greeters seem to have been replaced by listless younger women.
I buy less but my bill seems to be higher after the remodeling? 1/2 of the thngs I used to buy they don’t stock anymore. I’m to the point of frustration with the store that I’m going out next week to price a few places and if I can buy what I want elsewhere I won’t be shopping there much at all anymore.
On some items it can be a $2 dollar difference (cereals, bread, juices, etc.).As far as employees, it's pretty much like any place else. Some are helpful and friendly and other not so much so. The down side is the parents who let their kids run wild, piercing screams. I have had to cut my shopping short just to get away.
Sometimes the shelves are stripped bare. My Wal-Mart sells guns, ammo and has a fabric section. I try to go early afternoon and never shop around the first of the month when welfare checks are issued. I don't buy my beef there. I will buy ham, chickens but if you notice the beef is not wrapped directly to the meat, it is puffed up with a special kind of "air" to "preserve" the beef. I was told about this from a butcher from a chain store.
I shop at Costco too, but what I like about Wal-Mart is that I don't have to buy the volume to get a good price. I appreciate having a Wal-Mart during these tough economic times.
I tend to avoid Wal-mart. They are basically the China retail store and have greatly contributed to forcing our suppliers to all head overseas. Sam Walton believed in American based manufacturers and would be appalled at what has happened to his company. When I do go there, I have noticed the aisles are much wider as they have obviously jettisoned a large number of items from their shelves during these economic hard times.
I used to be a big fan of them back when Sam ran it, but they are now ran by lowest common denominator management. Maximize the profits, screw everything else. It would be nice if they were a better corporate citizen to their country and their employees. Since they are the 500lb gorilla of retail, where they lead others are forced to follow. If enough consumers stop going there for various reasons they might change their ways but probably not.
1. Wal-Mart has some problems.
2. The U.S. has some of the same problems.
3. Observing your local Wal-Mart is probably a very good way of determining whether or not you want to live in the community where the Wal-Mart is located.
We love their prices, that is what gets us there. But I have noticed that when the shelves are thin there is plenty of staff up front. When there are plenty stocking there are long lines. Being a former retail guy I often cruise around while my wife is shopping. I don’t know were all these managers are because I can never find them.
Their produce is another story, generally not very fresh and not well tended. We buy produce at a locally owned grocery store where I regularly see half a dozen (no kidding) employees working just produce on a Saturday. It is a large produce department with great super fresh selection and unbelievable service. They are even often competitive on price with WM. So we are regulars but for us it’s all about price, except when it comes to produce.
Captain, I’m curious..what are your thoughts now after reading the replies here?
Interesting thread by the way.