WALMART SUCKS!!!!!!!

[Monkeypoo]

This is from my mom. Well, and from me....

Ya know? I used to LOVE Walmart. I used to LOVE Walmart. I bought my camping gear there, ALL MY BURNING MAN SHIT, and my baby formula and diapers (back in the 90's), my clothing, crackers, Christmas gifts, wine, food, EVERYTHING....

Last night and today I was at her home and the computer crashed and died. She had it for 63 days. She took it back to Walmart and they were rude, insensitive, all about their selves, and they more or less said to her, "Tough shit, lady..." Call the 1-800 number and complain....

This is what she went through with Walmart. (below)

Did you know that Walmart only has a 15 day policy on electronics?

I am looking around at my livingroom.

I (AND YOU) are shit outta luck if the following items I/we purchased from WALMART takes a shit: my 2 TVs , my 2 printers and fax machine, my new computer, my VCR/DVD player, my stereo, speakers....
15 days POLICY on a computer and TVs and electronics.

THIS IS BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will never EVER set foot in a fucking Walmart again. NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I used to read on this BM board about why Burners should not go into Walmart...because they are fuckers and treat their people AND CUSTOMERS BADLY. NOW I UNDERSTAND.....

NOW I UNDERSTAND.....
NOW I UNDERSTAND.....
NOW I UNDERSTAND.....
NOW I UNDERSTAND.....
NOW I UNDERSTAND.....


FUCK WALMART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Done. Completely DONE.

I now turn your channel to MOM-TV....

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: BJ Boyne
On January 6, 2006 I purchased a PC tower at this store. It lasted 64 days and then totally quit working. When I made the purchase the cashier asked if I wanted an extended warrenty and I said no, that Walmart had a 90-day return guarantee so if anything was going to happen to it, surely it would happen within that period. We both laughed at my response. (little did I know!)

Well, something did happen, it quit working. I gathered the parts and took them back to Walmart where I'm informed at this time that the store has a 15 day return policy on electronics. I ask to talk to a manager and Mr Dick came out. He was very arrogant & repeated what she had told me. He then walked over to the huge sign that read -90 day returns (in 6" to 8" letters) and then pointed to the wee print underneath that is about 1/2" to 3/4" that says "exceptions". He then said if I had a problem with this I could call the 800 # because that was "free". He also said that when I bought the tower the cashier should have told me about the 15 day return policy; I assured him that this was not the case but at this time I felt all I was saying was falling on deaf ears. I told him I would call the 800#, left the computer there with him and departed the store.He at no time offered any solution to my diliema.

I called the 800# and spoke with a young lady named Katiya and gave her my story; she was kind and sympathetic. I later spoke to Tim Sarvis, the manager at another store who told me that Mr Dick was correct about the 15 day policy. I then left a message for the district manager to call me (Richard Hinkebein - 704-543-4264).

Again this AM (about 7:00)I tried to contact Mr Dick. He was not there so I left a message for him with assistant manager Evette. I've received no call from anyone.

--
BJ Boyne

[Blackbird]

That's probably the least bad thing about Walmart. Sucks, for sure. But if that's what it took to get someone <b>that</b> riled up, someone should maybe watch the news once in a while.

[wedeliver]

First of all walmart does suck, but I don't think you would find any retail outfit that would have taken the machine back since it was not covered.

You say the machine stopped working completely, what does that mean. The 800 number you called was that to tech support? But your mom no longer had the machine in hand to do a diagnoses. ATX power supplies have a switch. Perhaps a cable came loose inside?

In my humble opinion your bitch is not with walmart but with the computer manufacture. And they have a system in place to repair your machine.



Good luck.

[Box Burner]

Unfortunatly Wallmart is going down the drain just like the other "mart". However your system should still be under warranty from the manufacturer. I do tech support for a large computer manufaturer and there is a 40% chance that you have one of our computers. Even if your system is a refurbished one it should have a 90 day manufacturers warranty. That seems to be standard in the industry. So get out your documentation and call the manufaturer. Who knows you might end up talking to me.

[gyre]

Why would you buy anything complex from the Chinese Store?
Why would anyone anywhere buy anything electrical with a 90 day warranty?
I suggest you try a different walmart.
You can exchange at different stores if they are courteous.
Many times I find a cranky store is just a specific problem and have no trouble at another branch.
Manufacturers are often more cooperative than stores.

If you are buying something complex, if you can't afford a top durable model,
buy a used high quality one or get one used cheap enough to be disposable.
Nothing is less likely to work than a computer.
Buy apple.

For tools, I usually buy used industrial rather than cheap new.
The most expensive thing I bought at the chinese store was a top dremel set on closeout.

Anything electrical, the thing that matters is, will it work?


If all else fails, write a letter or call the main office of wmrt and complain.
Tell them you are posting all over the place about their store.
There was a big splash when they changed their long standing return policies.
But I heard nothing when they shortened them again.
EVERYONE should let all stores and companies know how they feel about this.
I sure have.

I ask them why I would buy if they don't think it will keep working.
fyi kenwood excelon has a 2 year warranty.
Beats 90 days from some.

Some companies still have lifetime warranties.
The worst ones are on electronics.
Why do the customers accept this?

Are their short return policies and short warranties legal or binding?
Anyone know?
I bet they would make an exception if you could get a news crew to do a story.

[mdmf007]

My experiences have been the complete opposite. One of our guys spilled a glass of water into a TV, it shorted out, and we took it back to wally world 7 months after buying it. They said no problem, and gave us the newer version at no extra cost.

I am pretty sure the 15 day thing is normally for in store exchange, I think the warrantys after that are directly with the manufacturer??? Not certain though.

anyways, Wall Street Journal figures Wal Mart will be the first retailer to break the trillion dollar mark in sales a year - not sure as to timeline 5-10 years??

From: http://www.ihc.ucsb.edu/walmart/

Founded in 1962 by Sam Walton and his brother Bud, this Bentonville, Arkansas company is today largest profit-making enterprise in the world, with sales of a quarter of a trillion dollars and 1.4 million employees in more than 44 countries. As of the end of 2003 it had 4,688 stores worldwide, about 80 percent in the United States. Twenty million shoppers visit its stores each day and more than four out of five U.S. households purchase at least some products from the retailer each year. It does more business than Target, Sears, Kmart, J.C. Penney, Safeway, and Kroger combined. Wal-Mart is the single largest U.S. importer from China and the largest private employer in Mexico. If this corporation were an independent country it would have been China’s eighth largest trading partner, ahead of Russia and Britain. In selling general merchandise and groceries, it has no real rivals. Many observers expect Wal-Mart to gross a trillion dollars a year within a decade.

later all.

[gyre]

When did the tv exchange take place?
They used to have very good policies.

I still have some good and some bad experiences with returns.
Of course, I don't buy anything too big.
I have been refused an exchange and come back when someone else was in charge in the same store and been treated well.
This goes for target too.

[BAS]

I've never been happy with the quality of stuff I get from Wal-Mart, and rarely bought anything at them even before I got disgusted with their treatment of employees, neighborhoods, et al.

Unfortunately, the reaction I always seem to get when I complain about the way company's have treated me, from both the press and general population, has been a resounding "So what did you expect? That's just the way things are." Apathy, it would seem, is the current dynamic driving out nation. (Closely followed by the fuel of fear.)

Still, I did derive a certain satisfaction from emailing the South Korean headquarters of Kia to complain about how Russ Darrow treated me during the sale, and loss, of my Kia Reo Cinco back in 2002.


B.

[MikeVDS]

The quality of Walmart stores seems to depend on the location. In my area they are complete trash. The worst customers are drawn in my area. The store is always a wreck. The employees are jaded and unhelpful. I have many horror stories about these walmarts. I've found in other areas around the country and even 20 miles from my area there are real nice walmarts. The sales people are nice, the customers are respectful of the store and other customers, and the store is generally neat.

I'll personally spend a little more for a nice store that is organized and has higher quality product. I NEVER go to walmart anymore while I'm in my area. It is not worth the small savings.

[BAS]

I suppose it could vary depending upon location, but what finally did it for me was a coat I had bought from one in Madison in which the stitching kept tearing out on the pockets. Overall the coat proved to be pretty sub-par-- I suppose I should have tried to return it, but that was quite awhile ago, and might have been during my pre-car days, when getting back to the store would have been difficult. (Dammit! I was in a LOT better shape before I bought a car! At one time a bicycle trip halfway across town wasn't a big deal. Now I am lucky if I can talk myself into biking a few blocks.... [Maybe I should cheer rising gas prices...? This must be how smokers feel when the state adds a few more cents onto cigarette taxes....])

Anyway, Wal-Marts' corporate policies are now as much of a factor in why I stay away from them. Maybe it really is easier to drive away customers than to lure them in?


B.

[gyre]

Be aware that prices at all of the Chinese Stores are different.
They are set to match nearby prices.
Even in the same town they vary.
No competition, no good prices.

We had a good box store near wmrt.
When they couldn't compete with sams they bought it and prices at the sams and wmrt went up sharply and stayed up.

It would be a different situation if they were just more competitive,
but they are only cheaper when you have options.

[wedeliver]

...Chinese Stores -----

It wasn't long ago that everything "knock off" came from Japan. Honda did not make cars, they made motorcyles and the toyota was a piece of crap. In 1972 I did an upper end on a corolla and as I torqued down the bolts holding the valve covers, I went right through the cover. Put a hole in it, cheap shit.

Point is... can't remember...

[Lassen Forge]

You're right. I had a '73 Mazda Wagon (RX-3) which was part of the great rotary debacle. New motor at 21K, another at 77.5K. At least they were cheap - and the first was covered without a question...

On a whim I knew a friend who had a Datsun and another who had a Toyota Wagon, we got the 3 together for a comparison thing, all '72's... After looking, you wouldn't have caught me with the other 2 - horrible junx. Rumor has it the reason Mazda was higher quality was Ford bought a huge chunk of them in '68 or '69... Still a fan of their stuff...

Nuffa this - Rome calleth...

bb

[Toolmaker]

What else is new. Why would you expect anything more or less from from a corporation like that? In short.. if you must buy from such a shitty company with such a vile reputation.. buy the extended warranty when its offered. Hate to break it to ya but they aren't the only corporate giant with shitty customer service and lousy return policies for electronic goods. Personally I would rather pay a little extra and go somewhere with a much better customer service track record. Hint: Their catalog used to be used in outhouses.

[AntiM]

We hate Mall-Wart because they are evil to truckers delivering to their distribution facilities. Kinda like visiting prison camp. Personal grudge.

[gyre]

That's not smart business.

[Dork]

I used to shop there a lot until I started really comparing prices. They tend to price the lowest end of whatever it is lower than anyone. It's what they put on the isle with their low prices slogan. That item is usually crap that will break in a month, so most people go for the slightly higher end one, which is priced HIGHER than other stores in the area. I did this with microwaves - they had a tiny, low power crapbox on the isle for $30, but the nice Panasonic was $20 higher than Target. Their produce is usually cheaper than Safeway, but bruises show after I get it home and it rots out quicker. They can't even get cheap, plain t-shirts right anymore - they don't fit right, are scratchy, and fall apart in a matter of weeks. I'd rather spend the extra $2 for better quality elsewhere.

I'll occasionally go there and buy a few loss leaders or items I don't really care about, but it's happening less and less frequently.

[AntiM]

You would be amazed at how much produce they reject at the distribution centers, and how much food they won't take if the other cartons/containers are a little rumpled. Sometimes the company can redirect the load, but more often than not the drivers get stuck with disposing of it all. If they're lucky they can find a food bank or shelter who can take it, but tons go into the trash. Can't keep it in the trailer, that has to be clean for the next load. mylarry got real good at stashing chilled foods in his tractor.

That's how we ended up with a gross of kraft mac and cheese, the outer box was crunched, but every individual box was just fine. Still eatin' on it. In the past we've had detergent, pecan pies, cheese, croissants, corndogs, EZ Cheez, cookies, candy, cat food, well, lots of free groceries.

Fortunately, now mylarry hauls steel beams, we won't get stuck with them.

[Lassen Forge]

Good thing - you know how long you gotta boil them before they're soft enough to eat??

Then again, there is always that shop that could be built in back... Or a hugely oversized MV...

bb

[AntiM]

Hugely oversized indeed, these are some of the main beams for a new convention center down in Vegas. Big suckers. Heavy. Chained down to the bed. Oh yeah.

And about mylarry, why yes, oversized, but just rightly so ...

Oh. Dear. Me. Did I say that? TMI, no?

[Archantael]

Anyone that has trouble with Wal-Mart that is not resolved at the Customer Service desk should promptly ask for a Store Manager. If the Store Manager is clueless then it's time to contact the home office in Bentonville. I've shopped at Wal-Mart since the time when they had just 13 stores and I was taking piggy bank money in to buy Hot Wheels. I've had my share of bad products from them...but I've NEVER had them fail to make things right.

Wal-Mart is like most retailers these days in that they are trying to put a stop to abuse of their return policy. I've watched as people brought back some crazy shit and expected it to be returned without question. I can't fault them for being aggressive about it...after all nobody wants to get screwed and they are a business that's in business to make money. If your company was getting ripped off by shady characters you would take action to stop it...with that in mind perhaps it's time to cut Wal-Mart some slack. In this case they are simply trying to run their business...and IMHO in a financially sound manner.

Wal-Mart Corporate / Contact Us link:
http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStores ... o?catg=224

[searock420]

My main reason for going to Wal-Mart is this.
There's always a bunch of lovely women there.
Always.
I won't buy their food,their "offers"suck, but there's always something pretty to look at

[gyre]

How's the fish?

[skibear]

A good bumper sticker I've seen is:

Walmart your source for cheap plastic crap

[BAS]

...and my dad is encouraging me to take a temporary, part time job at Wal-Mart...

...and the trouble is, I could really use some money right now... :?


B.

[theCryptofishist]

If you can do it, and you need the money...

And you're willing to deal with all that bizarro testing that they do.


But why not go for the trucking job were you'd get more money and maybe some bennies?


Of course, if I could get my father's old work 9 months out of the year and retire at full salery gig...

[BAS]

I need some money between now and when I would start trucking. The two weeks of training aren't paid time. (They do pay for lodging, and the first two meals of the day.) And I am guessing that the first paycheck would arrive sometime after the third week....

The interview I had today was kind of weird. Anyone know anything about "Market America"? The interview was for some sort of sales jobs, with working into franchising or something like that. The sales jobs would be commission only. (I am 99% certain I will turn them down if offered.)

I am kind of annoyed with the temp agencies around here. One of them had me go to an orientation for a job, but hasn't actually put me on that job as of yet. Two others are having web site issues, which are keeping me from applying for their jobs.... (With those two, maybe I need to go talk to them in person. Unfortunately, they are NOT ones with branches here in the Baraboo area, which means a trip to Madison.)


B.

[Lassen Forge]

I need some money between now and when I would start trucking. The two weeks of training aren't paid time. (They do pay for lodging, and the first two meals of the day.) And I am guessing that the first paycheck would arrive sometime after the third week....

Just be careful doing anything like that so you don't get sucked into it. Mal-Wart? Ug. That would be a tough one. Then again, money is money... but having been in the retail gig (We 'B' Toys, er, Toys 'R' Us) at one time, I'd rather flip burgers. Just me.

The interview I had today was kind of weird. Anyone know anything about "Market America"? The interview was for some sort of sales jobs, with working into franchising or something like that. The sales jobs would be commission only. (I am 99% certain I will turn them down if offered.).

Aren't they the Rainbow Vacuum people? Sounds vaugely familiar... I'd rather go with Wall-fart... (And you know my opinion of them) than some commision sales gig. When you get your first draw against your commision only pay you're, pardon the expression, usually f***ed... the company owns you.

ANd I thought what I read on the Schnieder forum was bad. At least they're better than the options, and with any job you gotta put up with the "crap" for a year or 2 if you're new... Question - have you checked with some of the other transport companies?

bb

[gyre]

The best companies won't look for you.
If you can go to school and then look for work, you'll have better luck.
Ask truckers.
Do your research.

[BAS]

As far as I can tell, Schneider is pretty standard for a first time trucking outfit. I am still considering them, trying to figure out what questions I need to ask them before signing anything, and what else I need to know.

Like I said, I am at least 99% certain I don't want to go with the Market America people. I took a look at their website, and their supplements and stuff didn't really impress me (seemed kind of on the high side, price-wise, actually). It was interesting to talk with their representative at the Wisconsin Dells Starbucks, though. (She's supposed to call me back on Monday.) I seem to get the impression that she kind of wants to recruit me, but is afraid I will ask too many questions or something....

I've managed to make an appointment with a different temp agency for Monday. Maybe they will come through for me! Monday is shaping up to be a busy day, which is actually a good thing. Get me out of West Baraboo for a while!

I am saving Wal-Mart as a last resort. (Well, second to last. They are still ahead of Market America.)


B.