"You Think You Know Walmart, Then This Happens" by From the editor

You Think You Know Walmart, Then This Happens

June 27, 2012

I had to go into the Southern Pines/Aberdeen Walmart this morning on the way to work to pick up some children's socks the kids were donating as part of their Vacation Bible School program.

I can tolerate Walmart early in the morning, because there's so few people and the place just seems to look "fresher" after the overnight pack down.

The first thing to throw me occurred in the sock aisle. An employee, Ada, came up to me and asked something no Walmart employee ever has: "Is there something I can help you find?"

Momentarily speechless, I mentioned that yes, I was looking for children's socks. "Oh," she said, "you're in the wrong aisle. Come with me." Then she walked me to the correct aisles. Wow, wonderful. Thank you, Ada!

When I got to the register, I figured I was back at the old Walmart. The cashier was ignoring me and talking to an employee. Her front-end supervisor prompted her to turn around and take care of her customer. The cashier didn't have anything to say as she rang up my purchase.

But as I slid my debit card into the machine, she out of no where came up with, "I just gotta tell you, that pink shirt looks good on you today. You're wearing it well."

Again, my perfectly surly mood ruined in an instant. I laughed and thanked her and wished her a good day. Was she overcompensating? Maybe, but it worked.

Walmart is far from perfect when it comes to customer interaction, but they scored a perfect two-for-two today. Thanks, guys.

debsalomon 10 months, 4 weeks ago

Another good experience: I left my keyring somewhere in Walmart on a busy Saturday afternoon, discovering the loss only when I reached my car. Panicked, I rushed back into the store. A shopper had already turned in the keys to customer service; they were in the process of calling my cell-phone number printed on an ID fob. The cashier who works the graveyard shift (I usually do my Walmart run about 5:30 a.m., before the gym) is unfailingly cheerful. As long as we have free enterprise there's a place for Walmart where people who can't afford higher prices shop. Buy local whenever possible but know you have a backup.

Courseaire 10 months, 3 weeks ago

I once had to buy a skirt & blouse from Walmart for a fundraising Girlie-Boy Golf Tournament (guys dressed as girls get 2 extra strokes and a golfer will do just about anything to 2 extra) and she complemented me on my taste and said my wife will love the outfit. I didn't have the nerve to tell her it was for me.