feeling disgusted

[phatts27]

Hey guys, just need to vent a little. I went over to wally world tonight to pick up an Allen wrench, among other things.

I've never noticed before but there are cameras in just about every isle. OK, that's nothing new. They also have monitors displaying the live feed from the security camera near each end cap. Now I'm starting to feel uncomfortable. Next to every moniter is a sign that reads something like "keep prices low, don't steal". Now I feel insulted!

After wandering about the massive Walmart compound for quite sometime, I found myself near checkout and wanting to leave. There's just one catch, self-checkout.

Of all 20 checkout isles, 4 were open and all were self checkout. I stood at the machine confused and needing help. I waited there for a few minutes before I realized no on was coming to help me. I left all 10 of my items on the counter and walked out of the store. On my way out I see one more camera near the exit, this time the
monitor is much larger. Bold red letters spell " RECORDING..." on the screen.

I've never enjoyed shopping at Walmart and now I never will.

-end rant-

[IanDMacDonald]

Hmm. I guess you're the only one that can explain the way you feel, and nobody will change that. Security cameras have been in every store I have shopped at since birth. Helps catch dishonest people. I think they are an asset to business owners in every way, and never pay them any mind. I really enjoy the ease of shopping at Wal-Mart. And yes, I have watched all the documentaries on the store being a ruthless powerhouse, etc. Don't want this thread to become political.

[Wildkat]

Security cameras are everywhere. Most of the stores in our area have them as you described and unfortunately, seems to be a sign of the times. The kids and I tend to be a bit on the silly side most of the time and have entertained the cameras on occasion.
We don't steal, nothing to hide, no worries... except I don't wear make up when I go to the store as a general rule, therefore I am never ready for my close up.

[IanDMacDonald]

Security cameras are everywhere. Most of the stores in our area have them as you described and unfortunately, seems to be a sign of the times. The kids and I tend to be a bit on the silly side most of the time and have entertained the cameras on occasion.
We don't steal, nothing to hide, no worries... except I don't wear make up when I go to the store as a general rule, therefore I am never ready for my close up.

Lmfaoooooo! That made my day!

[Prothec]

Being such a massively large corporate entity, I would expect a consistent shopping experience from one store to the next, but that is not the case in my area.

I live very close to one my wife refuses to ever step foot in again after many bad experiences. Every time I go to this particular store, I'm amazed by how dirty it is and the general dis-repair. I've been disturbed by security jumping on a person at an exit, disappearing into an unmarked door on more than one occasion.

I don't blame the customer base. There are plenty of other big box retail stores (Best Buy, Target) and fast food/restaurants (Taco Bell, Wendy's, McDonalds, Burger King, etc) in the same parking lot and nearby that have NONE of the problems.

There are two more within driving distance, with the best (read: well-stocked and cleanest) in a rural area.

[jetmechmarty]

phatts,

Shop someplace else. I'm sure your business will be appreciated elsewhere. Believe it or not, you can fulfill all of your shopping needs and never go to Wally World.

[XJOK2PLAY]

Phatts,
They must have a history of ultra-high theft in that particular store.

Our stores in Oklahoma have cameras, but not to the extent they're literally in your face with warning signs like yours.

I agree, I think they went "over the top", but figure they have good reason.

One thing I will never understand... why have 20 checkout lanes, spend all that money to have them, then never staff accordingly? I get frustrated about that, too. But to not have one human manning at least one checkout lane sounds like a store manager that needs a different line of work. Totally unacceptable.

"Over-security" has never been an issue here for me at Wally World.
The store not being properly stocked and the excuse that "we just don't have enough square footage" or "we only get whatever our coorporate distribution center sends us... we have no say as to what we get..." really gets old and frustrating.

All I can say to you is I understand where you're coming from. But, while their warning signs can annoy an innocent shopper, it probably deters theft, helps keep prices down, and should help make one feel safer, should a crime against you happen to take place. My store's let the parking lot lights stay out (needing repairs) for long periods of time. Doesn't make me feel as secure as I'd like.

I used to work in a grocery store, many years ago. (Long before the digital era we now live in.) One day, I was asked to go with a team of coworkers to a north Tulsa store in our chain, because it had closed. We had to remove their inventory and bring it back to our store. It was a very high theft area. I could not believe how high all the marked prices were compared to ours! In some cases, six times higher than what we charged. I was told it was because the locals that "shopped" there stole the store blind. They had to price things high like that, just to break even. That was why they went out of business.

While it may intimidate, frustrate, and anger us... it also can do good at the same time, and we need to remember that.

But no humans manning the checkouts... I feel ya, bro. That's where I lose it, too.

[natemoen]

Go to a wal mart out in western North Dakota where the oil boom is happening. They don't even bother stocking the shelves out there. They just put pallets out in the middle of the aisles and they are stripped bare practically before the pallet hits the ground. And you want to talk about filth.......

[XJOK2PLAY]

phatts,

Shop someplace else. I'm sure your business will be appreciated elsewhere. Believe it or not, you can fulfill all of your shopping needs and never go to Wally World.

While I tend to agree, Marty...

It's tougher to do that when you live in a small town like Skiatook, Ok and they are the ONLY place to buy what you need without driving 40 miles to get to another store. Our WalMart's the only grocery store we have! We used to have 2 other "actual" grocery stores, but WalMart put them out.

May not be his situation, but it is for me.

Don't get me wrong, not meaning to be a WalMart basher here...
just sharing frustrations I have also felt at times from my store.

I see room for improvements, bring those observations to the local store management...nothing changes, no response.

Gets old. I can relate to where he's coming from. That's all.

[Schming]

Hey guys, just need to vent a little. I went over to wally world tonight to pick up an Allen wrench, among other things.

I've never noticed before but there are cameras in just about every isle. OK, that's nothing new. They also have monitors displaying the live feed from the security camera near each end cap. Now I'm starting to feel uncomfortable. Next to every moniter is a sign that reads something like "keep prices low, don't steal". Now I feel insulted!

After wandering about the massive Walmart compound for quite sometime, I found myself near checkout and wanting to leave. There's just one catch, self-checkout.

Of all 20 checkout isles, 4 were open and all were self checkout. I stood at the machine confused and needing help. I waited there for a few minutes before I realized no on was coming to help me. I left all 10 of my items on the counter and walked out of the store. On my way out I see one more camera near the exit, this time the
monitor is much larger. Bold red letters spell " RECORDING..." on the screen.

I've never enjoyed shopping at Walmart and now I never will.

-end rant-

As Wildkat stated, cameras are everywhere. The inside cameras are not put there for honest hard working people, it's just that the world has become, for the lack of a better term, "meaner".
Realizing the present "climate" and taking a step in prevention I'll be installing a home security system with cameras on every corner of my property,when funds allow, only for the sake of proof if another incident should occur.

I had 1/4" plate of various sizes in the parking area at the front of my 4 car garage, that I used to support the floor jack when needed.

Been there for 20yrs.

Scrappers frequent the alley weekly and helped themselves when prices rose a few years back.

Thieves work hard when you sleep or are away.

Huh . . . I wonder if the price of lead is up right now ?

[MPittma100]

I will Chime in

For all of the above mentioned reasons (and a few more), I will shop there as a very last resort. When I do go into one of the stores, it is a get in and get out as fast as possible situation. I have never liked that company and don't care if I ever do. JMHO

[JeffH]

AGREE with comments.

However, WalMart does have a huge problem with organized theft rings. "Shrinkage" has to be 100's & 100's of millions of $$$$ per year from theft. (remember the Seinfeld show about 'shrinkage') lol They are an easy target. You see the crooks on your local tv where cameras catch people rolling out 2-3 heaping carts full of stuff. It is such a huge problem for WalMart that last year they decided to no longer prosecute the one-off shoplifters. Rather focusing on organized crime gangs. Think Face Recognition software which is now most everywhere.

I don't like being spied on either. But living in a major metro area I am 'on camera' most everywhere I drive or walk or shop. Crazy world.
Like air conditioning units being stolen from churches, schools, businesses for the copper. inexcusable

I seldom shop at WalMart. As stated, the stores seem to vary dramatically by demographic. I've been in WalMarts in various states that were just A++. A great shopping experience. But locally mine are over crowded and customers make a mess faster than store can keep it nice. Unfortunately location and type of customer has a lot to do with it too.

But, a Customer Experience like Phatts had, well that says it all. Worst nightmare for any business is to have a customer walk out disappointed, or in this case very discussed.
Its gonna be interesting what the 22nd century looks like.

Jeff

[jetmechmarty]

While I tend to agree, Marty...

It's tougher to do that when you live in a small town like Skiatook, Ok and they are the ONLY place to buy what you need without driving 40 miles to get to another store. Our WalMart's the only grocery store we have! We used to have 2 other "actual" grocery stores, but WalMart put them out.

May not be his situation, but it is for me.

Don't get me wrong, not meaning to be a WalMart basher here...
just sharing frustrations I have also felt at times from my store.

I see room for improvements, bring those observations to the local store management...nothing changes, no response.

Gets old. I can relate to where he's coming from. That's all.

I don't like Wal Mart. I have my reasons. 5000 people in my town. Wal-Mart put a lot of businesses out. I try to plan shopping as the next groceries are 20 miles away. There are still many local shops carrying stuff I need and I try to go there. My pockets aren't so deep that I play the fool and pay double to avoid Wal-Mart, but I do a very good job avoiding it and do my best to reward those who dare to compete.

[Bergman16]

My only response these days to all the 'you're a criminal until you prove otherwise' anti-theft procedures is that I will follow their guidelines, including opening my bag/cart after I've paid for everything so they can check it off with a marker (Costco, my favorite store in the world, who still manages to treat their employees very well, does this). But, I refuse to stop if my paid-for merchandise sets off one of their detectors because they didn't take off the tag. I just keep walking and if they want to follow me, I'll stop after a bit and let them look at my receipt (that I've put away, so I take my time getting it out). I will not go back into the store so they can remove it, I just demolish it when I get home. This has led to awkward scenes when I don't even feel like fishing out my receipt. They cannot force you back into the store, obviously. I tell them "You know as well as I do the last 500 times a detector went off in your store it was your mistake. Do you want to call the police?"

My wife absolutely HATES it when I do this, and has grabbed the bag from me and gone back in herself. Ah, marriage.

[rdmcguy]

in and out

I avoid Wal mart at all costs..
But when I do go there I usually enter through the auto section
and either pay there or at the electronics section..I will never understand how they have so many registers but most are unmanned..
I shop Super Target..prices are comparable, stores are clean and rarely have to stand in line more than a few minutes
Btw. parking is ALWAYS better by the auto section.