1-800-WALMART

Have you had a problem at your friendly neighborhood Walmart? Did someone in the store help you with your problem, or did you leave there even angrier than when you went in? I am going to guess that this has happened to almost everyone at some point or another. The customer service in a Walmart can be absolutely atrocious. Many times you will encounter the deadly combination I like to call willful ignorance. What is willful ignorance you may ask? Well, I'm here to explain it for you. Willful ignorance is when you run in to an employee at the retail giant- with- a- heart and that employee has absolutely no interest in helping you what so ever!! The first time that you encounter willful ignorance, you may not even realize that that is what it is. You may think that you just ran into someone who isn't that particularly bright. Wrong. A willfully ignorant person will offer you no help at all, and they are not the least bit apologetic for it, either. Nope, not one bit. A WI will also treat you as though you are a nuisance to them, and getting in the way of the real work that they have to do. It escapes them that you, the customer, are in fact the only reason that they have a job. Remember, they are willfully ignorant. There is only one known cure for the willfully ignorant that I have seen. The cure is to call 1.800.walmart and pitch a fit. Start by asking to have the District Manager call you. The District Managers have a very good life within the confines of Walmart, inc. You may have to call more than once, but be patient, you will hear from them. The next thing that you will have to do is be prepared to make a fuss about what happened to you while you were shopping. Do not let the Manager get off with simply saying "Thank you for bringing this to our attention. " Demand to know what he or she is going to do to make it right. And if you get any resistance from the District Manager, don't be afraid to go up to the Regional Manager. One word of advise though, do it straight away. Try to be the first one to the Regional Manager, so that you can explain your side of the problem first. If the District Manager gets their first, he is going to do everything he can to paint you as a malcontent. But don't take no for an answer. If the Regional Manager won't help you, he has a boss also. Just keep dialing, eventually you will find someone who will help you. Good luck, and you can thank me later.

Can Someone Explain this to Me?

I like to think of myself as a pretty intelligent person. Not too many things stump me. But this problem that I am about to write about has me absolutely perplexed. I know someone who is going through a very rough patch in her life. She is in the process of a divorce and she hates every minute of it. One of the problems that she is facing is that the man she thought she said forever to has turned out to be a cheating, lying, adulterer. The other thing she found out was that he has committed numerous felonies. He is not a drug dealer or anything like that, he simply rolled odometers for important people in the town he lives in. It turns out that odometer tampering is a felony in the state of Indiana. That would make sense, it can be a serious crime. Well, when my friend found out about her husband's extra curricular activities, she confronted him. He laughed in her face and said that the people he did these favors for would protect him. Guess what? When she tried to contact MaryClara Winebrenner-the prosecuting attorney for Auburn, Indiana- and explain what was going on with her husband, Ms. Winebrenner refused to hear about it! She said that the only way she could get involved was if this woman submitted any information that she has to a law enforcement officer and then she could take a look at the information. ???? So if you know of a crime being committed, don't bother Mary Clara. She's much too busy prosecuting women who defend themselves in battery cases. The folks in Dekalb County sure are getting their money's worth aren't they? Then this lady told me that she tried to give the information to her attorney who is handling her divorce. He told her that if she tried to bring the information up, he would remove himself from the case because he doesn't want to jeopardize his career in the area!! I didn't know that attorneys were allowed to pick and choose the ethics that they care to follow. So here is a word of advice- take it for what it is worth. One-be careful about buying a car in the Auburn, Indiana area. If you email me I will tell you the name of the company that was rolling odometers for important people. Two- if you need to see justice for a crime that is or was committed in Dekalb County, the prosecuting attorney- MaryClara Winebrenner might not be the best choice. She has a submission policy for crimes that she will prosecute, and justice doesn't seem to be a high priority for her. Third, if your Attorney works for Kruse and Kruse, you might want to reconsider that, also. This is the firm that employs the lawyer who refuses to do his job for his client because it could hurt him politically. If someone bothers to give me answers, I will be more than happy to pass them on. In the meantime, stay out of Auburn, Indiana and Dekalb County, Indiana. You'll thank me later.

Have They Made Up a Good Enough Story About Where BO was Born Yet?

I love the political scene. I have followed politics for a while, I am still shaking my head in disgust over the media's high jacking of the last election. They had their boy picked from the getgo and that was all there was to it, wasn't it? I imagine it came as quite a shock to Hillary as well, she was under the impression that she was the anointed one, but live and learn, I guess. I find it curious that the Supreme Court won't hear the case of the gentleman who is suing to get a look at BO's real birth certificate. Of course, the weasel elect hasn't even parked his butt in the oval office and it turns out he has one of his first scandals, already. It would seem that some of his crooked friends are trying to sell his senate seat to the highest bidder. Wow! A crooked friend of his-what are the odds? At least with Hillary in his cabinet, she can explain the horrible coincidence of all the folks who died while in the employ or inner circle of the Slick Willie's. I wonder if he'll take notes? But back to the main question- where was Barack Hussein Obama born? I know where his sister was born, he's already tried to pass her birth certificate off as his own. I remember when the media had a conniption about John McCain being born in the Panama Canal area, and I think that was their out. They planned to say- well, McCain wasn't born here either!! Pity that none of them read the requirements and saw that he was still eligible because his parents were both citizens and his Father was in the Active Military so he was still eligible. Common sense and the main stream media aren't often on the same bus, are they? I hope that someone is able to tell me definatively where BO was born. Of course, if he was actually born here, the media would have been screaming the details from every tree top, wouldn't they? I believe if they had the goods-so to speak- there would have been a copy of the certificate on every major news outlet in the world. We have two years of dark times ahead. Liberals control every house and they've had the media in their pocket since Nixon. Gird your loins- and as one other blogger said, it was the debacle of Clinton (anyone remember midnight basketball?) that gave us the rise of conservativism in the nineties, who knows what great conservative is waiting to be discovered from the mess that BO is about to make? Hope for the best, that's what I am doing. And if I'm right, you can thank me later.

Who Set These Ungodly Hours, Anyway?

Do you think working at Walmart is just underpaid drudgery? Have you checked out a Distribution Center? The pay there is much, much better than if you are slaving away at a retail store. Whereas a store may start you as low as $6.50, a DC is probably going to start you off around $14.25 or so. Much better, don't you think. But is there a catch? Of course there is! The hours at a Walmart Distribution Center are some of the most brutal that you will run across. The regular day shift (that only those chosen by God will ever get to work) are Monday through Thursday 4a.m. to 2:30 pm. You will work four ten hour days and in case you are wondering-no you will not get a paid lunch break. I know, I know, penny ante tiny companies give their employees a paid lunch, but not here, get over it. The second shift is 2p.m. to 12:30 a.m. most of the time. On weekends, it's a whole different ball game. There are two twelve hour shifts 4 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4p.m. to 3:30 a.m. On the weekend you work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Because Walmart is actually paying you a living wage, they expect to take the life from you. At a Distribution Center, there are no mistakes tolerated. If you accidentally destroy something, you are held accountable. That means they will get their money back one way or another. But the question I am asking is-why do they have to start at 4 a.m.? Would the freight not be okay if they started shifts at say- 8 in the morning, or even 10? What is the problem with letting people actually work a normal shift starting time, only a little longer? Is it because Walmart resents having to pay their associates that kind of money, so they expect their pound of flesh, also? I'm sure that can't be it. That would make Walmart seem kind of petty wouldn't it? But I guess you take the good with the bad, don't you? If you want to have any kind of life at all, you stay away from working at a distribution center, and if you want to have decent hours-but no money-you work at a retail outlet. It doesn't seem like a good choice either way, does it? Maybe, just maybe you don't work there at all. If that's the one you chose, you can thank me later.

Then You Haven't Really Read This, Have You?

A few days ago, I wrote about an email that I received, accusing me of all sorts of skulduggery and covert operations. I giggled about it, I won't lie. After I wrote the last post, I took some time to go through old blogs that I had written. I don't know what kind of right thinking person could read any of the things that I have published and accuse me of being a plant, but there you have it. I also don't know how much extra time a person like this must have on their hands either. If that is the case, I have a back log of things that I would love to get finished. Can you give me a hand with some of that? A few people have emailed me to ask me how I came to write this blog. I have answered everyone who has asked for my background, and if anyone else reading this has any questions, send me an email and I'll be glad to answer your questions, too. I explained all of this in blogs from the past. Read through them and you will get every answer that you could possibly want. I have also had quite a few interesting emails from people that have pointed out some curious things that have gone on in their own stores. I ask for stories from other stores and DC's all the time. Which part of this makes me the management spy? What do you think? So for the last time that I will address this, No. I am not a management plant who is doing some sort of covert ops. I am not digging around for things to get other associates with. I hope that puts the question to rest. If you still have questions about my being a member of Walmart's management send me an email. I'll explain it in small words and you can thank me later.

If You Think I'm a Management Plant......

I got a wonderfully scary email last week from someone name Tamara who claimed I was a manager from Walmart and that this entire blog was simply a trap to catch unsuspecting Walmart associates saying something mean about the Big Hearted Company that signs their checks. I giggled for a couple of minutes, then I sent some of my more favorite links to the address. Then I forwarded the email to a friend of mine and we both had a good giggle. Maybe it's the withdrawal from all of the Holiday sugar, but let me say for the record. I am not a plant for any company, and any opinions found in this blog are mine if no one else's. What does that say about today's society that we are looking for moles and spies every where that we turn? And more importantly, what kind of State Secrets are they sitting on at Walmart that they have all of the hired help so afraid of being spied on? I can only imagine, and I'm sure that whatever I think of will be funnier than the actual thing. In truth, the thought of me being a spy for that particular company is kind of pathetic. What kind of company culture is it that breeds suspicion and mistrust so deeply in their associates? Or, is it not the Company, but the people themselves? I don't know the answer, but I hope that it's not contagious. Seriously. Watching the stock market has been pretty exciting lately. It reminds me of the stock options that you have with the company that cares. If you do purchase stock from your check while employed with Walmart, they (that is Walmart) will kick in a little bit more for you. It adds up over time, and if you plan on being with the company for a long time, it's not the worst thing that you can do for yourself. The problem is, that once you quit (or are terminated) Walmart will send you a check for your shares in about a month. So if you are planning on sitting on those stock purchases, think again. Once you are out the door, they want their stock back. Why is that? I guess I'll just add it to the growing list of things that I don't understand about Walmart. I've seen the job of some of the Walmart managers. Long 12 hour days, sometimes five or six in a row, and sometimes longer than 12 hours. No thank you. When do they see their families? Do they see their families? Perhaps that would explain why some of the managers end up in affairs with other managers. If the only people that you are spending any time with are the people that you work with, things happen, don't they? Not good things. Especially if there are children who are about to have their world torn up because of another person's lack of self control, but things do happen, don't they? So at any rate- to anonymous from Alabama, no. I am not a management plant, or spy, or whatever else you thought I might be. Avoid that trainee program if you want to have a family or a life. You'll thank me later.

And a Happy New Year!!!!

If I sat down, I could probably tell you where I was for every New Year's Eve since I could remember. Some of my favorites involved my Father and a gun. Before you start having visions of Appalachia and Deliverance let me explain that it was my Father's tradition to ring in the New Year by shooting one of his many shotguns into the air. Having been raised in Kentucky, it was just something that he did every year, and I am certain that his neighbors loved him for it. At any rate, some of those years that I recall, I spent ringing in the New Year while on the clock at the happiest Haven for retail. I have asked this before, but what earthly purpose does it serve Walmart to be open on New Year's Eve? I have been in the store many many times on New Years Eve, and the business was not so overwhelming that it would have been missed. Why won't Walmart close its doors on the Major Holidays and let its associates spend it with their families? Think of all the good will that this would create. Think of all the wonderful press that this could garner for them. Think it will ever happen? Don't hold your breath. For whatever reason that it uses, Walmart refuses to consider the families of the associates when it is making schedules. There is nothing to be lost and so many things to be gained if Walmart would just let go of the greed and close its doors on major Holidays. I hope that they read this or have it forwarded to them. Think it over Walmart, the time that you let your associates spend with their families on the Holidays would be priceless time that would mean the world to them and their loved ones. You'll thank me later.

A Mystery to Me in Greeley, Colorado

Here is a story to ring out the old year with. I think it's perfect because it highlights the questions that I have about Walmart and how they operate. I have said before that I love talking with new people. I was introduced to Paul's story by the friend of a friend. Paul told me that he worked at store 5051 in Greeley, Colorado in October 2006. "I had been with the company for 4 years and had worked in the produce department, was the ICS lead-that means he organized the group of workers who put things on the shelves and set displays sometimes-and was a support manager one night a week." Paul said he also maintained the lot by pushing carts in when required. On one particular evening, Paul says that he needed 3 people to help him push the carts into the store. On a big day, or when you are working with lazy people, this happens more often than you realize. He told the CSM-that's a customer service manager-at 9 p.m. At 9:15 p.m. he told the csm to go to channel 2 and said "I got it covered." Then Paul said an assistant manager who was listening called Paul into the office afterward. He was asked what he meant by "I've got it covered" and was terminated on the spot for insubordination. He also said he was given a court hearing date for allegedly assaulting the assistant manager, and got a lifetime ban from all Walmarts. At his court date-no one showed up and the case was tossed out. Paul then told me that the assistant had been angry with him ever since an incident when he didn't let the assistant manager use all of the ICS team to build a display. All of this brings up so many questions. First of all, why was the assistant allowed to harbor this grudge? Second, what was wrong with taking a few people and clearing the lot? Was one person supposed to take an hour or 3 people take fifteen minutes? Third, what exactly did Paul do that was insubordination? Was it the cart pushing or the initiative? Fourth, why weren't the assistants, at least one of them, anyway, helping? Paul was also charged with assault, but the case was thrown out of court when no one from Walmart showed up to make their case. I've made five calls to Walmart in Bentonville, and so far no one has returned my calls with any answers to the allegations made here. I don't understand the logic of a company that seems determined to do away with the hard workers and keep the slugs on hand. Do you? If I find out, you can thank me later.

And for Something Completely Different

Whenever I write about more than Walmart, I get emails from people asking me why I have stopped talking about Walmart, or more fun, accusing me of giving in to the company with a heart. I enjoy discussing my political views, also, it just seems that Walmart and their shenanigans seems to take up most of my attention. I am conservative in my politics -you can thank Jimmy Carter for that. But there is a blog that I enjoy following for political ideas and discussion. The blog is entitled KeystonetotheHeartland and I think you can find it at this address http://keystonetotheheartland.blogspot.com/ and if you read it, I think that you will enjoy it. That is if you think the last election might have been hijacked and the mainstream media had something to do with it. I happen to lean that way in my thinking also. I also think that BO may be the answer to many late night comedians' dreams. He hasn't even let the ink dry on his fake birth certificate, and it seems that he is mired in controversy already. How much was he going to get for his share of the auction on his senate seat? Is Jesse's boy fussing because he couldn't raise the dough to bid competitively on the seat? Maybe if his father hadn't had those other family expenses pop up.......... But any way, I will enjoy watching the calamity that is democrats in office. I am thinking of starting an "excuse of the day" on my blog. It will state my favorite excuse in the last 24 hours for why some other malfeasance isn't BO's fault. It should be a lot of fun. But enough of my political ramblings. Like I said, you may want to check out http://keystonetotheheartland.blogspot.com/ and see what he has to say. You'll thank me later.

The Almost End of Another One

It would seem that we are staring at the end of another year. I hope that next year is wonderful for all of us. I can't say that 2008 is a year that I will miss, but I did get to start this blog this year, so who knows? Maybe things are looking up? 2007 and 2008 have given me quite a few challenges that I never thought I would have to face. I have experienced the death of a couple people, and good or bad, they are a loss. Ten years ago, if I had been able to see what lay ahead for me, I don't know if I would have smiled in anticipation, or run screaming for the covers. I hope, and that is one of the things that I am trying to give up for the next year. I don't mean to sound like a pessimistic dullard, I just want to learn not to anticipate things. I've said before-if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. I believe that with all my heart. I would have never imagined some of the changes that have come into my life in just 365 short days. The same can be said for that retail wonderment we all know and blog about. I have had over 1500 people read what I have written, and that flabbergasts me. I would have been happy to have 500 people give a rip about what I had to say,the idea that so many people are interested in what I think almost puts me into shock. It's a good thing I've never let my shyness overtake me, isn't it? But as for Walmart-I don't like the things that I see ahead. They seem determined to nickel and dime the associates into the poorhouse, while increasing every chance to take away hours from their schedules. I have written before of the similarities between Walmart and Kmart, and the similarities just keep piling up. Now that Walmart has effectively removed the job of so many department managers, and made them zone supervisors, or some such nonsense-what can be next? I am thinking that the days of the people greeter have got to be numbered. How in the world will Walmart be able to justify the expense of people who simply stand at the door and say hello to customers as they enter and exit? Never mind if they discourage theft, I imagine that the retirees and part time folks who staff the doors will be out of those very doors in the near future. And what about the personnel department? With assistant managers taking over many of those jobs-what will be left for the back office bunch to do? Associates are already responsible for keying in their own sick hours and vacation requests-in a hiring freeze, what's left to do? I suppose this entry has been rather pessimistic, but if things don't change at the retail wonder soon, it will be rather prophetic, don't you think? If it gives you a heads up on what is coming, you can thank me later.