Sam's Walmart Check Out Fiasco!!

Gatorboy · Dec 21, 2003

Re: Sam\'s Walmart Check Out Fiasco!!

( I won't pay anyone to let me in the door to make a purchase.... )

No one is forcing you to go into their store in the first place -- and you have that choice to make.

I save more than the membership fee in gasoline alone at the BJ's Wholesale club I frequent. So, when my yearly dues come up for renewale, I gladly pay.

Gatorboy · Dec 21, 2003

Re: Sam\'s Walmart Check Out Fiascal!!

( The thing I really hate is you go through the check out line and within 10 feet another person is there making sure you have your items, so they say. )

Seeing that theft is what causes the prices of items to increase, I don't see any problem in them putting in extra measures to curb such violations.

Other stores do this same thing -- Best Buy, comes to mind immediately.

I think you will find that stores that deal in larger items that aren't bagged are going to have these measures in place.

In BJ's (or Sam's) there is their eatery located in the area past the checkouts, but also accessible without having to go through the checkouts -- so here you can pull your cart up to a table, order food, eat it, etc. before leaving the store. It would be very easy to have someone go back into the merchandise area and make it back to the eatery without being seen and plop your item into your cart.

If they didn't have a GOOD REASON do to this checking they wouldn't do it. Do you think they like to pay someone to stand at the door?

Chuck52 · Dec 21, 2003

Re: Sam\'s Walmart Check Out Fiascal!!

How about a good Walmart story? In another thread, I told about ordering an Olympus D560 camera from a NY camera store...Hi-Tech Cameras. The local list price was right at $250 + or-, and Hi-YTech had it at $188. Even with $20 shipping, I would save $50 without the tax. So, on 12/9/03 I placed my order. I got one of those "please call to confirm address" e-mails, and was given a story about my credit card refusing because addresses didn't match. Then, I was later told that Olympus had made an incorrect shipment. Then I was told....I foregt. Anyway, after eight days I cancelled the order. The camera is for my daughter to take pictures of the grandkids. It's basically a digital snapshot camera, and I figure she'll save lots of money on film, since she takes lots of snapshots of the kids. I really wanted to get it for Xmas, so I figured I'd just pay the extra $ locally, or maybe get one of the other brands which may be just as good for the lesser price. Started going the rounds, and ended up at Walmart, where the camera was listed at $247, but there wasn't one on display. The mulit-pierced kid at the desk didn't have a clue about their cameras, and told me so, but called for the camera man. A fellow happened to be walking by and said he'd take care of it. Turned out to be the electronics manager. Now, many of the cameras on display had before and after prices, with the Happy faces, but not the Olympus I was interested in. So, I asked if maybe there was a recent price break on it. He said he didn't think so, but would check for me. None was available. Basically just making conversation, I told him how I had been jerked around by the NY camera store, and he said he'd had the same experience a few times. He then gave me a $25 disount and told me about a further $20 rebate from the manufacturer.

Maybe it's just that this town is where Sam went to school. Maybe it's because some of the heirs still live around here. Maybe it's because of my generally friendly attitude. I usually get good service from Walmart. I can't say I like the way smaller stores suffer in competition with the 600 pound Gorilla, and I don't do all my shopping there either, but it fills a need.

Chuck

Spencer · Dec 21, 2003

Re: Sam\'s Walmart Check Out Fiascal!!

My biggest complaint about the system at Sam's Club is that I have to keep my receipt out. I have the habit of putting away every single receipt into my wallet the moment that the cashier hands it to me. Some times the cashier will remind me that I better not put it away because I will have to show the receipt at the door. Other times I get it put away and then I have to get it back out at the door. Then they smear a wet streak of yellow highlighter on my receipt and hand it back to me. I think that they should print out two receipts, let me put one of them away in my wallet where it belongs and give me another receipt for the door person. I would love to be able to take the receipt back after they smear their highlighter on in and crumple it up and.....

Bird · Dec 21, 2003

Re: Sam\'s Walmart Check Out Fiascal!!

Murph, of course Sam's Club is checking in order to catch thieves, but I've never had Walmart do the same thing except if you have items that are too large to be sacked at the cash register, and only then if I didn't have any other items that were sacked.

pruntyc · Dec 21, 2003

Re: Sam\'s Walmart Check Out Fiascal!!

I agree with you 100% Gatorboy. They have tables in Sam's where people get ice cream or other food and set and eat it before leaving the store. And yes I save enough in Gasoline to probably pay for my card. And if not on Batteries and tires and other things, that are a lot cheaper, than the retail stores. So that is why I keep paying for the card, I'm not ripped off, I come out ahead. There is somethings that is not cheaper, but that is true wherever you shop. And Walmart, I know of no other place where if something is not right, that you can take it back and get your money back as easy. Never any argument with them, they just give you your money back. There is a lot of places where it just isn't easy to get it back at all. And yes at most stores, as one fellow said, you need the watch you sales receipt, as they all will short you sometimes, if you aren't watching. I would say it was a mistake, except, it always seems to be in their favor.

Junkman · Dec 21, 2003

Re: Sam\'s Walmart Check Out Fiascal!!

( If they didn't have a GOOD REASON do to this checking they wouldn't do it. Do you think they like to pay someone to stand at the door? )

This must be the reason for them charging admission... some percentage of their dues paying customers are known to be thieves!!!!

Merry Christmas ---- Gatorboy

WVBill · Dec 21, 2003

Re: Sam\'s Walmart Check Out Fiasco!!

( I think they are really checking on their cashier/checkout people, as they have found too many can skip items at checkout and share in the theft with people they know. )

A couple of years ago I had a neighbor who was the manager at Costco and I asked him about it. That's exactly what he told me they are doing, and why. He had no reason to lie to me so I believe him. There was also a story in the local paper recently about a Sams Club employee who was arrested for theft and that's what she was doing - it's also how they built their case against her.

pruntyc · Dec 21, 2003

Re: Sam\'s Walmart Check Out Fiascal!!

( This must be the reason for them charging admission... some percentage of their dues paying customers are known to be thieves!!!! )

Yes I'm sure that some of their dues paying customers are thieves. That is true no matter where you shop, nice if it weren't so, but it is just a fact of life. No way to tell who will steal and who won't.

thcri · Dec 21, 2003

Re: Sam\'s Walmart Check Out Fiascal!!

You right Gator, I do have the right to shop elsewhere and I will. I refuse to go in to Sam's and Walmart is next on my list if they start to do the inspections. I do understand thief but how does one steal 10 ft from the cash register other than it never getting on the counter to checked out in the first place? Cash person should be watching for that.