Wal Mart and their ridiculous practices

[L-A]

I have honestly never heard of this and would genuinely liek to know if this is a common practice among the users here.

Mike

It's not common practice for me. I've also worked in retail, and any return must be either with a receipt from the store, or intact, unopened with our internal code label still on it.

The UPC will work at any register on purchase, as long as the item is known in the store's inventory, but not that many stores will make a return/reimburse/replace based only on the UPC. It's way too open for fraud. That'd mean you can buy at a discount somewhere and be refunded full price some place else.

OTOH, if WHughes is simply talking about asking the cashier at another store to scan the box and see if it registers as the standard product, I can understand. We used to do that for customers sometimes.

Also, it's mandatory for manufacturers that any revision, correction, change of package, or update comes with a new UPC. No two versions of a product are supposed to have the same code (manufacturers who keep the same for several generations of a product can wreak havoc in the retailers' inventory). Maybe that's what happened for the Xbox?

 

[L-A]

Are the people who spend their time saying they will never shop at Wal*Mart the same who feel the need to publicly declare that mike_v_s is on their ignore list?

 

[capnsandwich]

I have no problem with Walmart as a corporation. I just don't like the fact, if it is a fact, that they allow their employees to stop someone from shoplifting in their store. I think it's just way too risky in the fact that their placing their employees in harms way instead of allowing cops to do what they're trained to do. If it's that much of a problem, which it sounds like it is if they're losing hundreds of thousands of dollars per store, then they need to hire security guards or off duty cops to guard the aisles. That's what the grocery store I worked at in high school did and it worked.

 

[Unrepresented]

no, there is more to my mortgage and losing my house to think about.

Short term, yes. It pays off to screw over good people, long term though, the impact of Wal-Mart is a huge negative for nearly everyone.

 

[IMAROBIT]

yeah, I was slammed into a wall and handcuffed at a winco gricery store. I didnt steal any thing, but I was being a dick head and wouldnt empty my pockets and kept telling them to f off. so the guy slammed me into a wall

 

[mike_v_s]

Are the people who spend their time saying they will never shop at Wal*Mart the same who feel the need to publicly declare that mike_v_s is on their ignore list?

An interesting question. Like anything, I have an opinion on this, but I'd like to see if anyone responds with my point of view (or a dumber one) before I weigh in.

Mike

 

[fate]

Take this for what it is worth.

My wife is employed by Wal-Mart as an Asset protection Coordinator. She spends the majority of her time investigating internal thefts etc. Very little can be done about shoplifting to be totally honest. Yes, they have floorwalkers, yes, some of them come in the Barney Fife model. You know, the gung ho, im gonna end crime in my jurisdiction types. One thing about this, whether we are talking about Wal-Mart, Target, grocery stores or any other retail business, you would be absolutely floored to hear of the stuff customers and employees will do to steal stuff. My brain isn't wired to think of some of the deceptive things that go on every day..... I hear some stories and think how in the world did they even think of that.....

As far as the poster who was mentioning that he couldn't exchange the game at another place of business. Are you an ex employee of Wal-Mart? You seem bent on bad mouthing them. This is not a slam towards you by any means at all.

For me, personally, i have choices where i shop. I know that in the end i get what i pay for. Much like Montgomery Wards years ago, they would have three versions of one item, with three different prices, they had a good version a better version and a best version. It was up to you to decide. So if i go into Wal-Mart looking to buy an electric drill, what does it hurt if i want the good version and spend $28.00 instead of going to my local hardware store and get the better or best version for $36.00 or $52.00?

 

[Unrepresented]

My brain isn't wired to think of some of the deceptive things that go on every day..... I hear some stories and think how in the world did they even think of that.....

I'm the same way. Never stolen anything from a store before, never even dawns on me to do it, for that matter until I read one of these threads.

For me, personally, i have choices where i shop. I know that in the end i get what i pay for. Much like Montgomery Wards years ago, they would have three versions of one item, with three different prices, they had a good version a better version and a best version. It was up to you to decide. So if i go into Wal-Mart looking to buy an electric drill, what does it hurt if i want the good version and spend $28.00 instead of going to my local hardware store and get the better or best version for $36.00 or $52.00?

It hurts the mom and pop stores who go under for not being able to compete, and takes what was previously a liveable wage for the store owners and spreads that out onto several non-liveable wages for Wal-Mart employees.

It also hurts American manufacturing, because ultimately it's foreign made merchandise that is stocking the shelves in order to compete with Wal-Mart's price demands.

It also hurts the community as a whole as the percentage of low wage employees increases, they use a greater percentage of gov't resources while being able to contribute less themselves.

Undercutting is bad for everyone.

 

[Craig_S]

what does it hurt if i want the good version and spend $28.00 instead of going to my local hardware store and get the better or best version for $36.00 or $52.00?

It doesn't hurt anything.

The problem I have with Walmart is the corporation built its loyal following on the Walmart USA name, then pulled the bait and switch to low cost, foreign items. With that, competition was forced to do the same.

What happened to our economy as a result of the Walmart way of doing things? What happened is the (mostly ignorant) public was fooled into thinking they're actually doing something good by saving themselves a few pennies (honestly a few pennies). They're actually bringing high profits to a company who has set up manufacturing "compounds" in China--so on some items there is no middle man. Can you say 90% profit to a company who doesn't buy USA unless the supplier is willing to beat the price of a Chinese made item Walmart can manufacture on their own? Can you say IMPOSSIBLE?

Think about it for a minute. It should all be clear. Walmart isn't helping anyone but themselves, and without concern for the country they do business in. %@&* Walmart. [/RANT]

 

[tasty sweeps]

How can a Corp. like that enact a "hands on" policy when they can't even prove if someone is in possession of stolen merch?

they rubber stamp it and push the burden on to the people working there. 'if you see one of your friends or neighbors stealing, or if they're acting strangely, tackle them, or mark them for tackling by a coworker.'

if you're asking how can they JUSTIFY a policy like that, well, they can't. for the excellent and elementary reason you stated above.

at least walmart isn't asserting that alleged shoplifters acknowledge the "right to exist" on the part of the tacklers, though i'm not sure it isn't down the road a ways...

 

[HamOnTheCob]

The problem I have with Walmart/GM/Ford/Chrysler/KMart/Sears/JC Penney/any other corporation is the corporation built its loyal following on the Walmart/GM/Ford/Chrysler/KMart/Sears/JC Penney/any other corporation USA name, then pulled the bait and switch to low cost, foreign items. With that, competition was forced to do the same.

It's called smart management. Oh, and "Made in America" isn't what it used to be.

What happened to our economy as a result of the Walmart way of doing things? What happened is the (mostly ignorant) public was fooled into thinking they're actually doing something good by saving themselves a few pennies (honestly a few pennies).

I know I've price checked an awful lot of goods over the years, and Walmart has always had the best prices, by usually dollars, not pennies. It may not be much on one individual purchase, but over a consumer's lifetime, it adds up.

They're actually bringing high profits to a company who has set up manufacturing "compounds" in China--so on some items there is no middle man.

Mmm, capitalism. Maybe we should force everyone to buy American and then everyone can earn the same as everyone else etc... oh wait that's right, that's called communism, and it doesn't work! Ask the USSR... oh wait, that's right, they collapsed so they no longer exist!

Can you say 90% profit to a company who doesn't buy USA unless the supplier is willing to beat the price of a Chinese made item Walmart can manufacture on their own? Can you say IMPOSSIBLE?

Sounds like brilliant business to me.

Think about it for a minute. It should all be clear.

It is! Hooray for capitalism, consumerism, and freedom to CHOOSE where you shop!

Walmart isn't helping anyone but themselves, and without concern for the country they do business in. %@&* Walmart. [/RANT]

Wow, really? I know for a fact they offer employment to over a million people worldwide, donate hundreds of thousands a year to local charities, and offer low prices for the general shopper. They also have one of the most lenient return policies in retail, so even after the sale they aren't screwing anyone over.

Where's it written that if a business doesn't have concern for the country in which it operates, then we should say F them? But that's of no consequence in this discussion, because in terms of employment, charity, product availability, and overall satisfaction, Walmart is one of the most shining examples of a company having a positive effect on (read: concern for) its country.

 

[Craig_S]

...

Hmmm.... You seem like an intelligent young man, but brainwashed by the potential profits greed brings. Sure, they provide several low paying jobs, but hold hours under the minimum for insurance and suggest people apply for assistance for their insurance. Your misinformed replies are falling on deaf ears.

Capitalism, he says... Capitalism needs to be handled with more than just profit in mind, or it fails--like we are right now.

OP: Sorry for the derail. I hope your friend takes those bastards to the cleaners.

EDIT: I wouldn't shop at Walmart if you were paying for all of it.

 

[fate]

EDIT: I wouldn't shop at Walmart if you were paying for all of it.

That made me laugh out loud. Not for arguments sake, but for my understanding if you will, explain what brought this out in you. Speaking of the hatred for companies like Wal-Mart. Did they run you out of a business? Im honestly not trying to argue, i am fascinated by your dislike for the company and I am wondering what caused it, or where it comes from.

 

[MJ5150]

Speaking of the hatred for companies like Wal-Mart. Did they run you out of a business? Im honestly not trying to argue, i am fascinated by your dislike for the company and I am wondering what caused it, or where it comes from.

Read post #109 from Craig. He lays it out pretty well why he doesn't like WalMart.

Edit...Sorry for speaking on your behalf Craig.

-Mike

 

[Craig_S]

That made me laugh out loud. Not for arguments sake, but for my understanding if you will, explain what brought this out in you. Speaking of the hatred for companies like Wal-Mart. Did they run you out of a business? Im honestly not trying to argue, i am fascinated by your dislike for the company and I am wondering what caused it, or where it comes from.

Go back a few posts. I already typed it out.

No, Walmart didn't put me out of business. It's helping put America out of business. My hatred for Walmart comes from love for my country.

It's not just Walmart, there are others. Walmart grabbed the reigns and led an entire wagon train right down the same path.

Read post #109 from Craig. He lays it out pretty well why he doesn't like WalMart.

Edit...Sorry for speaking on your behalf Craig.

-Mike

Not a problem, Mike.

 

[MJ5150]

Do you inform the retailer you are returning/exchanging the item to that it was not purchased there? If you don't, and the retailer assumes they are exchanging something from their store, then it is deceptive, no accusation necessary.

I have honestly never heard of this and would genuinely liek to know if this is a common practice among the users here.

Me too. It seems dishonest to take an item purchased from store "A" and exchange it at store "B". Especially when store "A" does not have what you want. What are we missing here Mike?

Exchange policies at any store are based on items you bought at that store. Am I wrong? I worked for a small retailer when I was younger, and that was our policy. Maybe someone else with greater experience on the matter can confirm or deny. Otherwise, people could exchange items to any store no matter where it was purchased.

Hey...I bought this Old Spice deodorant from WalMart, but since they don't have the scent I actually want, I'll go exchange it for the scent I really want at Target. That don't sound right to me.

-Mike

 

[tplyons]

A mircosoft product is the same anywhere you buy it, except for Walmart. The Walmart disc is made in Mexico. Microsoft has always strongly regulated their product and prices and every retailer can not sell below a certain price.

I beg to differ.

From personal experience, I seldom shop at Walmart, but picked up an Xbox game because I had a gift card. Guess what, made in USA and same UPC as any other store.

Another game, purchased last night at Best Buy was Made in Mexico.

Walmart does not always have lower quality products, and not always different products. Often times it's the same product in different packaging to a) reduce materials and b) reduce size so more can be put on a truck. They do this to save fuel costs.

Long story short, I dislike Walmart too. But, you need to check your facts.

 

[cassanova]

Did they just jump him without first telling him to stay put? Did he resist them? I'm not siding with these goons, just wondering what happened.

From what I gather he made it past the security thing without setting it off, then 2 associates came to him, one grabbed him by the arm, he shrugged him off and told him to get his hands off him, (which I don't think is an unreasonable request). Then he says next thing he knew he was on the ground.

I did not see any security footage, but its logical for me to assume they saw him put his hands in his pocket or do something hand/pocket related on camera and assumed he was stealing something. However, this suspicion should have been tossed by the way side once he made it out the door without triggering any alarms.

I know this isn't the first time this particular Wal Mart has laid hands on people. My sister was in there one time with a group of her friends and one of her "friends" did pocket something. One of the associates grabbed her by the arm and forced her into the wall, even grabbed her cell phone out of her hand when she went to call her mom to let her know what was going on.

 

[hbarcat]

Speaking of the hatred for companies like Wal-Mart. Did they run you out of a business? Im honestly not trying to argue, i am fascinated by your dislike for the company and I am wondering what caused it, or where it comes from.

There are two types of people who hate WalMart.

1) People who believe that WalMart represents the excesses of capitalism and the evils of globalization.

2) People who believe that WalMart is the quintessential low-rent shopping district of trailer park trash and they would rather go completely without toilet paper in an emergency than to have to buy a roll at WalMart and momentarily share a store aisle with any potentially tooth deficient WalMart shopper.


While I don't necessarily agree with #1, at least I understand why some feel that way and, in my experience, those in this category are genuinely motivated by concern for individuals and compassion for others.

As far as #2 goes, my experience tells me that they are . . . well . . . . #2.

 

[WHughes]

I beg to differ.

From personal experience, I seldom shop at Walmart, but picked up an Xbox game because I had a gift card. Guess what, made in USA and same UPC as any other store.

Another game, purchased last night at Best Buy was Made in Mexico.

Walmart does not always have lower quality products, and not always different products. Often times it's the same product in different packaging to a) reduce materials and b) reduce size so more can be put on a truck. They do this to save fuel costs.

Long story short, I dislike Walmart too. But, you need to check your facts.

I have had several games do this to me from walmart. And, in several months did not work. My facts are from personal experience, but if you say you got a mexican disc from best buy then I will not argue that.
I am glad I am not the only one that feels this way about walmart. I would urge anyone to watch a documentary called Wallmart, the high cost of low prices.