How might one describe the sentiment of this review?
Closest to home and LAST CHOICE when I need to shop WalMart -- I WILL go OUT OF MY WAY to avoid this store whenever I possibly can and you should too! This store is on the center of a middle/upper-middle class area and it's run as if it's in a war zone. The impression I get is almost complete apathy and disorganization -- that no one cares and/or no one gives a damn. They got me with their "one stop shopping", but in the end it's not worth it and I'm starting to spend more and more time and money at Costco, Home Depot, Target, Macy's, Sprouts, and Fry's, etc, etc. The worst part is that there are 6-8 associates and 1-2 managers that I encounter regularly and are really, really nice and really trying to do a good job. My heart goes out to them. And they're the ONLY reason this store gets 2 stars from me and not just 1! And the only reason I'm filing such a scathing review is in hopes that someone in management will take notice and do something. You can see from my other reviews that I'd rather rave about great experiences than complain, LoL! Here we go! 1. I have 2 qualified service dogs and was accosted on one visit by one "greeter" who demanded to see their "papers" and told me that if they bit someone we (WalMart) won't be responsible. These are 2 toy Yorkies who were sitting calmly in my cart as I entered. When i told him politely but firmly that there is no such thing as "papers" for service dogs and that it was against federal law and store policy for him to ask, he called the undercover security guard who was also very rude. I tried to call the number posted on the door for just such an occasion but it took me to a complete dead end on their phone system 2. Store is FILTHY most of the time -- except the one time that I could clearly see that there was a group of VIPs touring the store from corporate that day 3. I observed one jewelry counter associate being so incredibly rude to a customers it almost brought tears to my eyes and I had the complain (the customers themselves seemed a bit intimidated, they were not "native" English speakers) 4. BIG, BIG disparity in service level -- some associates are SO nice and some are soooo rude! I know it's WalMart but if management is doing its job... Oh, no! I forgot, IT WAS MANAGEMENT -- 2x -- that was rude to the point of hostility! 5. Basic items out of stock for MONTHS! What's wrong with their forcasting system??? Just a few examples: Smart Balance margarine (3# size), Great Value Parmesan cheese (all sizes), Arrowhead water (1 gal), Huggies Naturals wipes, OUT Puppy Pads (size varies), and more. And this is not after a busy weekend, this is Tue afternoon, etc. I found all these items at the next 2 closest WM stores, so they ARE available from their warehouse. 6. Premium items (e.g., Evian water (6pk), Ghirardelli chocolate chips, etc with no shelf tags (not priced). This is consistent with the few higher end items they do carry 7. So called Supercenter doesn't even stock a few bottles of Perrier or Pelligrino (or substitute); other WMs in Phoenix do 8. GREEN meat in case still for sale -- it was marked down, but come on! 9. Other reduced food that's obviously spoiled (e.g., wilted, browning veggies) 10. Items that are marked down in every other nearby store in the city that I've visited (about 6) have still not been marked down at this store 11. 1/2 off bakery items after 1 pm -- even though they've been re-ticketed with a new UPC, it's up to the cashier to remember to take 1/2 off at the register - do you think they forget sometimes? And no option for customers to do it at the self-check (and no instructions to ask or remind the cashier) 12. More expensive packages of meat stocked in the slot labeled for the less expensive cuts and/or smaller packages 13. Site-to-Store online order pick up system -- a complete circus, don't bother! I spent over an hour trying to pick up 2 items that were sold online as "READY for pick up TODAY" and was insulted by front end managers and patronized by the assistant store manager 14. Ladies room disgusting mid-day, mid-week (i.e., not an especially busy time) 15. Store is uncomfortably cold in the grocery area and uncomfortably hot at the other end - I've never experienced this at any other WalMart, Target, etc with a similar setup 16. Consistantly out of disinfectant wipes at the doors -- even at off peak days and times 17. Guest/partner vendors allowed to harass customers (COX subscription sales) The list goes on. And on, And on.... I've reported some of these things to management and was assured that it would be changed (e.g., no instructions about how to get the 1/2 off on bakery) and it never has been. If you're in NE Phoenix, save yourself additional stops and an unpleasant experience and shop at the Tatum and Cactus store, which has improved A LOT -- or better still go to Northsight, which is always a good experience! Don't say I didn't warn you! ;-)
negative