I used to shop at Wal-Mart when Sam Walton was alive, but the company had a different philosophy back then. Perhaps once every 4-5 months I actually stop at one of the Wal-Marts in my area, and I quickly discover why I no longer shop there.
The employees are rude, and customer service is a foreign concept. Ask an employee where something is located results in an answer such as "I think it's over there" with a vague arm gesture. Many of the employees have loads of tattoos and piercings, both of which I find disgusting. It's clear that Wal-Mart attracts the lowest of the low for many of their store employees. Compare that to a local grocery chain where everyone greets you, and if you need help finding a product someone will take you to the product to make certain you find what you need. The employees of the local chain are clean cut with a shirt/tie dress code for employees. The employees of the local chain are paid a decent wage, and it's not uncommon to see "25 years of service" or more on their name tags.
Prices aren't that great at Wal-Mart-especially for grocery items. Many items in Wal-Mart are actually higher than our local grocery chain if you look at price unit price of the same product. Wal-Mart has a lot of slightly smaller packages that make it appear that their prices are lower, but if you look at the unit price it's the same or higher than the local chain. There are a number of items that I purchase from Amazon.com that are a lot cheaper than Wal-Mart (laundry soap for example).
Our local chain uses the Nu-Val scoring system. It's a great way to make sure you're getting better nutrition. I've never heard of Wal-Mart using Nu-Val.
Our local grocery chain has department employees that actually know about the products in their department. Ask someone in wine and spirits about a specific product and they'll usually know about it. Ask someone at the meat counter for a specialty cut and they'll do it for no additional charge.
True, the local grocery chain doesn't carry tires, electronics or small appliances. But if I want any of those products there are better places than Wal-Mart to purchase them too.
The employees are rude, and customer service is a foreign concept. Ask an employee where something is located results in an answer such as "I think it's over there" with a vague arm gesture. Many of the employees have loads of tattoos and piercings, both of which I find disgusting. It's clear that Wal-Mart attracts the lowest of the low for many of their store employees. Compare that to a local grocery chain where everyone greets you, and if you need help finding a product someone will take you to the product to make certain you find what you need. The employees of the local chain are clean cut with a shirt/tie dress code for employees. The employees of the local chain are paid a decent wage, and it's not uncommon to see "25 years of service" or more on their name tags.
Prices aren't that great at Wal-Mart-especially for grocery items. Many items in Wal-Mart are actually higher than our local grocery chain if you look at price unit price of the same product. Wal-Mart has a lot of slightly smaller packages that make it appear that their prices are lower, but if you look at the unit price it's the same or higher than the local chain. There are a number of items that I purchase from Amazon.com that are a lot cheaper than Wal-Mart (laundry soap for example).
Our local chain uses the Nu-Val scoring system. It's a great way to make sure you're getting better nutrition. I've never heard of Wal-Mart using Nu-Val.
Our local grocery chain has department employees that actually know about the products in their department. Ask someone in wine and spirits about a specific product and they'll usually know about it. Ask someone at the meat counter for a specialty cut and they'll do it for no additional charge.
True, the local grocery chain doesn't carry tires, electronics or small appliances. But if I want any of those products there are better places than Wal-Mart to purchase them too.
