12/14/09

Times when 'a pair' are needed!

We were in our local WalMart Supercenter on Saturday night, along with alot of other evening shoppers. It's two weeks before Christmas, so you can well imagine how busy it was, and yet how many Checkouts do they have open that are not self checkout?

That would be ONE in the whole damn store! And of course she was the slowest Checker known to mankind!

I was not the only one who was more than a little aggrieved at this blatant attempt by WalMart to increase their profits. I'm sorry but I expect some kind of service from them considering how much I spend in there. I shouldn't have to fight the scanning system myself and put someone out of a job, when the queues are lengthy!

And before someone suggests I shop elsewhere, we are not blessed with multiple choices out here and that's why they get away with appalling customer service.

Well that and the fact that sometimes Okies are far too nice for their own good. There is no way Tesco would get away with a lone Checker in a superstore on a Saturday evening. The British people just don't take crap like that lying down and an angry mob would soon result in more staff becoming available. I also doubt WalMart would get away with this in NYC or LA, again the people there are much less likely to accept it quietly.

I did complain and make a scene there once, but although there were assenting nods from other shoppers, no-one else had the balls to join me....so of course customer service just thought I was rude AND of course, Australian!

Maybe they're right, but I also know when a vocal complaint is needed to see some change, unlike the nice polite, but sometimes trodden upon people of Okieland!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh the self-checkouts are taking over in the UK too! From my experience of British and US supermarkets the British shops are far far busier and British shoppers are way more assertive :S I love Waitrose .... the service is always fabulous and the food ...... yummy!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

That sounds like Walmart in NW Okieland is being kind of dumb.

I hate self service checkouts.

Expat mum said...

Those bloody self checkouts are useless. They employ more people to stand around and help you when they malfunstion that they do on the checkouts. Pah!

Jo, a retired teacher said...

Wal Mart always has long lines to check out. I have often wondered why they have so many registers and so few people manning them.

On the other hand, the grocery stores are very quick to open another lane if there are two shoppers in a queue.

Believe me, many of us have shared your frustration.

Anonymous said...

Why don't you write a LETTER TO THE EDITOR of your local newspapers?

Or vent on a talk show on the radio?

I bet you would get a response pretty quickly!

Anonymous said...

haha I get told I sound Australian too lol. Oh the customer service at our Walmart and here on Andrews Air Force base is shocking. Your right about the whole customer service thing that Tescos wouldnt put up with it. I have worked in customer service since I was 16 and it by far the worst out here. Dont get me started on Walmart around here, id be here all day lol

George said...

We have exactly the same problem here in Tennessee. Nothing seems to bring about an improvement.

Daryl said...

You would have killed the woman buying coffee two people in front of me on Sunday. She took so long asking for what she wanted, instructing the gal working the counter to 'wash your hands before pouring my coffee' and then reading aloud (I swear!) the serial #s on the two dollar bills she was paying with as well as the dates on the pennies she was counting ... the woman standing between this loon and me had a slice of pizza which I am sure was ice cold when she did finally pay for it .. and then I, being the true nasty person I am, said to the loon who had just announced she didnt have enough 1975 pennies and going to use a nickle, said to her as I walked past: NO ONE FRICKIN' CARES

Robin said...

Have you tried checking out in the jewelry department? My favorite place to park is near the garden section and use that checkout. I also try to go on Saturday morning before 8:00 to avoid the crunch.
I really hate shopping there, but we've allowed Walmart to put all the small business owners out of business. It's our own fault!!

Unknown said...

Daryl LMAO, thanks for proving my point about New Yorkers ;-)

Kay said...

I am so sorry! This would drive my husband straight up the wall. He hates... I mean HATES those long lines and a single checker at a Walmart is ridiculous!

Girl Tornado said...

I hear you loud and clear on this one... same thing at a Walmart here a few weeks ago. Only two checkers with very, very long lines. Intolerable! And like you, we don't have many choices for shopping unless we drive an hour north to Wichita.

NFAH said...

Sorry to say but my local Sainsbury's now has ZERO live human checkers in the evening, you have no choice but to use the evil machines.