Walmart

[Bunty]

I wonder if anyone has ever solved the riddle of why Walmart tied all that money up in placing a couple dozen checkout lanes in the stores and only opening about three at a time . . .

I must say that the one positive thing about Walmart is that it led to the creation of the People of Walmart website.

On the other hand, I've been in a Wal-Mart when a blizzard was forecast and was amazed to see nearly all the checkout stands manned. My wait in line was short.

[Roadhawg]

On the other hand, I've been in a Wal-Mart when a blizzard was forecast and was amazed to see nearly all the checkout stands manned. My wait in line was short.

I've noticed that too and wondered WTF

[metro]

Couple dozen lanes, try 50+

[FritterGirl]

I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I have set foot in a Wal-Mart supercenter over the past four years. I've been in the Neighborhood Market perhaps an odd dozen times, but only when I am out of something and am desperate because I need a quick fix and the extra mile to Crest won't cut it. Most of the time I shop at Crest, although I've found I do a lot more shopping at Sunflower and/or Whole Foods now that both of those are in town.

[Lord Helmet]

I haven't set foot in a Wal-Mart in over 2 years. Looks like nothings changed.

[RadicalModerate]

I salute you, Sir.
I don't even like for my tires to come in contact with a Walmart parking lot.
(Probably why I underestimated the number of "un-personed" checkout lanes.)

[kevinpate]

I've noticed that too and wondered WTF

That's easy to guess if you look at it from a Wal-mart mgmt. perspective. . Either you get the People of Wal-mart checked out quickly and send them on their way on a winter storm night OR you risk ending up spending the night with the People of Wal-mart.

[Pete]

Here in California, Wal Mart is a very small player so it's easy to avoid them. In 20 years of living here I think I've been shopped there one time and I don't think I bought anything.

I split my business between Costco and Ralph's (grocery chain) with a little bit at Trader Joe's. If I ever moved back to OKC I would miss all three desperately.

[kevinpate]

Wal-mart isn't so bad, but if you see someone pointing a camera and you while their friend is laughing .... you might be one of the newest People of Wal-mart (and you might be due some wardrobe advice.)

[easternobserver]

I wonder if anyone has ever solved the riddle of why Walmart tied all that money up in placing a couple dozen checkout lanes in the stores and only opening about three at a time . . .

I must say that the one positive thing about Walmart is that it led to the creation of the People of Walmart website.

Actually I have two answers here, from WalMart cashiers.....one is the high absentee rate makes it very difficult to predict how many people will actually come to work on a given date. The second reason, at least at one local WalMart, is that 14 of the 22 checkouts had broken scanners, computers, credit card readers or other equipment. Apparantly there is a real problem getting maintenance because the managers are "docked" for maintenance costs on their reviews, so they tend to "defer" fixing things until right before the big holidays.

[ThomPaine]

Actually I have two answers here, from WalMart cashiers.....one is the high absentee rate makes it very difficult to predict how many people will actually come to work on a given date. The second reason, at least at one local WalMart, is that 14 of the 22 checkouts had broken scanners, computers, credit card readers or other equipment. Apparantly there is a real problem getting maintenance because the managers are "docked" for maintenance costs on their reviews, so they tend to "defer" fixing things until right before the big holidays.

Both of those are management problems, and you see that as the shininess wears off their newer stores . We avoid it as much as possible, but sometimes, you really need something late at night, or you need both ball bearings and blueberries, and you only want to make one stop. (Though it usually ends up taking longer than if you went to Lowe's and Crest.)

[jn1780]

Actually I have two answers here, from WalMart cashiers.....one is the high absentee rate makes it very difficult to predict how many people will actually come to work on a given date. The second reason, at least at one local WalMart, is that 14 of the 22 checkouts had broken scanners, computers, credit card readers or other equipment. Apparantly there is a real problem getting maintenance because the managers are "docked" for maintenance costs on their reviews, so they tend to "defer" fixing things until right before the big holidays.

Regarding the maintenance problem. The broken equipment is because NCR, the contractor Walmart uses, is badly managed and takes weeks and sometime months to fix something after the customer service managers place a call. Walmart is already paying for the service contract to fix the credit readers, scanners, POS systems, and computers. Its only when customers or employees damage the equipment that they pay extra. The NCR tech who was sent to fix my companies store registers said at one time they only had THREE technicians servicing the entire metro area. That's every Neighborhood Market, Super Center and Sam's Club in the area. Not to mention smaller companies like mine for example that they service.

Target uses a lot better company to service their equipment that's for sure.

[Lindsay Architect]

I love going to walmart, expecially after a 50 hour week or to observe how my tax money is spent on the first and fifteenth by welfare abusers and lazy people motoring around in skooters meant to be for the disabled, I guess a long day on the couch elbows deep in ruffles is tiring. They have always have a ratio of about 2:1 of people up front monitoring the cashiers with their lanyard of credentials and walki-talki than they do lanes open, at least Target will take your money and get you out.

[jn1780]

I love going to walmart, expecially after a 50 hour week or to observe how my tax money is spent on the first and fifteenth by welfare abusers and lazy people motoring around in skooters meant to be for the disabled, I guess a long day on the couch elbows deep in ruffles is tiring. They have always have a ratio of about 2:1 of people up front monitoring the cashiers with their lanyard of credentials and walki-talki than they do lanes open, at least Target will take your money and get you out.

Well, at least our tax dollars takes longer to get spent. lol

[RadicalModerate]

Do you suppose that the power cart usage is like a virtual ride in a golf cart?
(after one has been deprived of childhood rides on those 25-cent ponies out front)

[FFLady]

I love going to walmart, expecially after a 50 hour week or to observe how my tax money is spent on the first and fifteenth by welfare abusers and lazy people motoring around in skooters meant to be for the disabled, I guess a long day on the couch elbows deep in ruffles is tiring. They have always have a ratio of about 2:1 of people up front monitoring the cashiers with their lanyard of credentials and walki-talki than they do lanes open, at least Target will take your money and get you out.

Oh my heck - too funny!!!! "lanyard of credentials" = POWER to the nth!! LOL

[RadicalModerate]

One of The Credentials on The Sacred Walmart Lanyard just has to be connected with working the toughest job in the entire store: Returns Desk Facilitation Engineer(ette).

Occasionally, these stalwart associates are called upon to return Virtual Golf Carts when the batteries are dead.
It is a thankless job. With few perks. Except for The Credential.

[FFLady]

Lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!