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