OT - Walmart Service Surprise

Two years ago I purchased an ironing board at Wal-Mart. It was their "deluxe" model with iron rest which is 48 inches long. Recently I'd been checking each time I went in there for a new pad and cover. All they ever had fit a 53 to 55 inch board. Several times I got an "associate" to help me.....er, rather, not help me. I was told different things...they didn't carry it anymore, they were out of it, I should check on Wal-Mart.com! (I did...it wasn't available there either.) Finally, my patience ran out! I bought the larger size pad, and brought it home to see if I could make it fit. It didn't, so I took it back. I went to Customer Service and told them my story, and that they were still selling the same board that I have. One lady suggested Wal-Mart.com again and the other (snippy) one said that if my board was 2 years old and I was having a problem, I'd have to take it up with the manufacturer! Can you imagine me calling the manufacturer and complaining that Wal-Mart isn't carrying the cover that I need? By that time I was so frustrated that I found the Store Asst. Mgr. She at least took my name and phone number down and promised to check on the item for me! She probably threw out that scrap of paper as soon as I turned my back!

When I got home, I was still annoyed (putting it mildly), so I sent an email to Wal-Mart. I was shocked yesterday to get a call from the ironing board manufacturer....a very friendly, helpful man, who promised to send me the correct item via UPS at NO CHARGE! I should be getting it in 3 or 4 days. He also mentioned that he would check with our local store to find out why they are not stocking the item. What a pleasant surprise!

Alice in PA

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Reply to
Alice
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Wow! That's really good. Our local Wal-Mart is okay, but not terribly helpful. I don't they get told anything about what they carry or what is available. My DMIL works for another store here in FL and she tells me they pretty much get what they get sent from corporate HQ. Not what they need usually.

Reply to
Debi Matlack

I had a jaw-dropping discussion with my local Walmart a few years ago and am still shaking my head over it. There was a small table on display that happened to be exactly right for a guest room, so I decided to buy it. Well, there were none of that table in boxes to buy, so I asked a person who worked there to find one for me. He looked all over in the sales area, and then went to the back to see if he could find one there. No luck. Then he went to the in-store computer inventory to see if there was one somewhere he had missed. No luck. So I asked to buy the floor sample, and he said they normally don't sell those, but that he would ask a manager. The area manager came over and told me they couldn't sell me the floor sample, so I asked if they would special-order one for me. At that point he checked the computer and came back and said they couldn't get any more of that table. So I asked what I thought was logical --- if they weren't able to get any more of that particular table, wouldn't it make sense to sell it to me and get it out of the store rather than have people (like me) try to buy a duplicate? No luck. I then asked to speak with the store manager, and after a fairly lengthy discussion about displaying an item they didn't have in stock and couldn't get anyway, he finally sold it to me. Sheesh!

Reply to
Mary

I had the same experience at Staples. They had a computer on display that they weren't going to stock any more and they had none in stock, but they wouldn't sell the floor model because that is their policy.

L>I had a jaw-dropping discussion with my local Walmart a few years ago

Reply to
WitchyStitcher

Reply to
Taria

Last Sunday Lowe's Home Improvement had a rug in their weekly circular that I wanted to see, possibly buy. Went in at 6:30AM Monday on my way to work. Got a flooring sales guy there, "Nope, I can't find them guess we sold them. Sorry. Want a rain check?" "No, I want a rug." He made no effort at all. Went back after work, same store, different crew. Still couldn't find them. Got the Manager involved. He looked in all the overheads, out in Gardening, etc. Computer still showed 20 in stock. He told me "Well, maybe they sold them using a different code." "Now, how accurate does that make your inventory if rather than using the barcode on the label it gets plugged in as miscellaenous floor covering? In fact for any item in store." "Want a rain check?" "Nope I want a rug." "I can have another location send one over for you.""Thanks but I want to see it before I buy it, and since this is my second time in today, I want a rug or I can take my business elsewhere." "Okay, lets look in this rack. See anything you like? Would this one work for you?" "Yep it looks nice." "Okay, lets look in the computer at it."

Bottom line, it was orginally $100, last one of its type in inventory, on clearance for $50, I got it for $10.00. Told they manager he was helping restore my faith in his store ;))

G> Two years ago I purchased an ironing board at Wal-Mart. It was their

Reply to
Ginger in CA

Mr Joe and I went to Target this AM for cleaning supplies. The clerk barely said a word the entire time--I told him I HAD coupons--he said wait and give them to me at the end....... When he was finished I handed him the coupons. Said it was too late (I stood there with them IN MY HAND in front of him the entire time) Told him "No, it wasn't and he could give me cash." "Oh we can do that?" I got my $5.50 in cash. I don't think he was awake at 10 AM......... I just remembered why I don't shop there very often--ACE didn't have the Swiffer extending wand or I wouldn't have had to go there in the first place.

Butterfly (We borrowed the neighbors' along with her 2 kidlets that are cleaning the bathroom right now : ) Mom has checked on them a coupla times as I lost my voice right after they started cleaning : ( Too much tile dust still in the air but the bath/shower is DONE! )

Reply to
Butterflywings

It's actually funny reading some of these things that happen! I'll let you all know if/when the cover and pad arrive! I also want to locate the asst. store manager one of these days and ask her if she's located the cover and pad for me yet?

I'm in our Wal-Mart way too often. It's only 5 minutes away (I can walk there), it's a Super Store, and it's brand new. Every other store is at least 25-30 mins. away. Next month a new Lowe's opens up right nextdoor to the Wal-Mart. Now, too bad that wasn't there when we moved into our house 2 years ago. It sure could have saved us many miles and hours spent on all those new things you need in a new house!

Reply to
Alice

Aren"t you glad they don't have fabric any more? Your stach would overflow. I miss it, it was the closest place that carried fabric, and I could always find something I needed in the fabric department every time I went. Kay

Reply to
thelaws

Unfortunately, or fortunately, this store still has fabric! Now, if you can find someone to cut it for you, is the issue. The day before the "ironing pad" incident, I wanted some fabric. The clerk at the counter told me that she was "off the clock". When I looked around for someone else, she told me the other clerk was "on break". At that point, I said "Well, I guess I'll come back some other day!", and she let it go at that! When I talked to the Asst. Store Mgr., I also told her all this, since I was "ticked off" anyway!

Reply to
Alice

I was in Sears a few weeks ago just looking at their SMs and they had a serger displayed, but there wasn't a box on the shelf for me to find out any information. I asked the clerk if he had a manual I could see and he said there was no paperwork with it. I asked if he sewed and could he tell me something about the machine. No, he couldn't help me. I just walked away shaking my head. Barbara in SC "Taria" ........,

Reply to
Bobbie Sews More

Our local Wal-mart employees have told us the same thing--they do not order and have no control over what corporate decides the store should have. The frustration this policy causes has been very evident on the faces of the fabric department employees.

Michelle in NV

Reply to
desert quilter

Our Wal-mart store still carries fabric, but it's been cut back dramatically. Heck, we live in a small town, and Wal-mart is about the only place to get fabric except for one fabulous quilting shop that is open only 3 days per week. Of course, the fabric in the quilting shop is top quality and pricier than Wal-mart. While sometimes I need the pricey fabric, often times my projects don't call for extravagance.

Michelle in NV

Reply to
desert quilter

Yep, but then again, they're lucky to still have a fabric dept. We have about 4 WallyMarts in the area and only one has a fabric dept now.

Even our local Hobby Lobby has cut down on the amount of fabric they carry. And Michael's has NONE (don't know if they've ever carried fabric). We have no Hancock's, so the only other choices are JoAnn's, our LQS, and two garment fabric shops (though they have very, very little fabrics other than satins, velvets, etc - strictly garment fabrics). :(

I don't get it ... quilting is literally a billion dollar business - why can't they keep fabric in the stores???

>
Reply to
Connie

LOL, that reminds me! One of the last times that I bought fabric at WallyMart ... it was about 3 in the afternoon and on the fabric counter was a sign saying "Stepped Away for a moment" and then gave directions to the clerk who was supposed to help with the fabric. It was the guy from the Sporting Goods Dept! Specifically, the hunting dept!

So this guy comes to the fabric counter, dressed all up in cammie, clearly uncomfy with being anywhere NEAR the fabric section (we live in one of THOSE areas!) and he doesn't even know HOW to cut the fabric off the bolt! I had to show HIM how to cut 2 yds of fabric AND how to print the little receipt you take to the front to check out with (yeah, I've bought fabric there THAT often)!

As we walk away, my hubby mutters under his breath that HE could have done a better job of cutting my fabric than that poor guy! He's even complaining that the guy didn't even pin the fabric together the right way! :)

Reply to
Connie

When the Michaels store opened in Panama City FL they carried fabric, but cleared it all after the first year.

-- Susan in Kingston ON back to quilting, as usual

Reply to
Susan Torrens

You;'d never know that they carried any sewing supplies, much less fabric to look at them now ... I think they carry a few odds and ends - possibly needles, but mostly for beading. :(

Oh wait! They do carry iron-ons (like "Princess" and cutsie stuff like that) and they do carry bandanas for sewing.

*rolls eyes*
Reply to
Connie

Just wanted to let everyone know that the package arrived via UPS yesterday! Not only did it include the cover and pad, but a FREE mesh bag to wash lingerie in! I'm a satisfied customer!!

Reply to
Alice

Couldn't agree more about WallMart - I generally don't buy there but was searching Fabrics for a mottled green they had - saw a sleeve board for $3.00 CDN - thought it might be handy for small jobs... I brought it home used it, and noticed the most foul smell this side of an enviro- bin. Took the cover off and found particle board, the lie they told was the piece fo paper, printed with a wood grain finish which was on the underside, of course the board was wrapped in plastic in the store. I took off the hardware, used the particle board as a template and made another, placing the cover and hardware back on. I then took the board back to WallMart and left it with the other sleeve boards.

IMHO It's one thing to sell cheap items when you know they are, but in this case, they hid the cheapness behind a piece of deceptive paper.

I know I have not "intro'd" myself, but I must run to get my mum, will come back and give you the specs of my existence - tonight...

PS Should have my quilt page up by then as well, so right now your not going to get anything from the site.

Toodles - dct

"Alice" wrote in news:B-ednbCvwt5MYzbbnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@ptd.net:

Reply to
DCT

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