Wal-Mart’s Poor Customer Service Damaging Company’s Reputation

Wal-Mart’s customer service is notoriously bad: chronic understaffing, low wages, high turnover and ever-shifting work schedules mean employees are unhappy and unlikely to perform well. So it’s no surprise that Wal-Mart winds up “among the worst” on AOL’s list of favorite grocery stores.

30 Most and Least Favorite Grocery Stores [Wallet Pop]

The absolute worst place hands down is Wal-mart! Now, normally, we don’t shop there—however, my husband needed something that he couldn’t find anywhere else, so ... in we went ... and out we walked! We had about 3 items that we were carrying and they had 3 registers open with about 20 customers in each line. They were not even bothering to try to open up any other lanes. We gave the merchandise to one of the employees and told her we will NOT wait in these lines.

UPDATE: Almost as interesting, if not more so, are the comments. Wallet Pop readers weigh in on Wal-Mart, after the jump.

Thr8Sm, 10:37:20 AM:

My husband was a truck driver, so I know quite a bit about the food and the way some stores handle deliveries. He delivered a lot to WalMart distribution centers. All I can say is do not buy their meat or produce. They never reject anything. Refrigerated trailers have a system that details the temperature changes during the trip. Most stores reject food that has been subjected to low temps during the trip. WalMart will accept meat and produce that has thawed or warmed and frozen or chilled several times. I really hate to go to WalMart even though they have the best canned tomatoes anywhere. Plum tomatoe strips with basil at 84 cents a large can. Fantastic for all Mediterrean and Spanish recipes. Also Country noodles, just like homemade. That’s it. The store and service is horrible. Never any sales people to help you, long checkout lines, and they are the kings of impulse shopping. No matter what you want, you must walk all over that huge store to find more than one thing.

NeNe1220, 01:46:52 PM:

Well Walmart managed to run away all our supermarkets like Winn Dixie, Delchamps, Rouses etc. We do have a family owned store named Carters. It is of course a little more expensive but I would pay double for the meat because Walmarts meat looks uneatable. Friendliness and helpfulness is so important. I don’t know too many people that like to grocery shop so it is so important to cater to the customer to keep them. I just wish that we could get at least a couple stores so that Walmart does not monopolize our town, Denham Springs, La. We just had a Bass Pro Shop open so we definitely need another one and I know that any store could be appreciated if they would come join our town, 10 miles east of Baton Rouge, La. We are growing because of the overflow from B.R. and New Orleans. Come on down, ya’ll.

Cyaml, 10:47:29 AM:

The problem with Walmart is that it is NOT a supermarket/grocery. Because it is so big it has too many areas for customers to leave perishables. When the perishables are finally found, they get put back on the shelves and are no longer fresh. At Publix they only deal with foods and they move quickly. I only buy cleaning supplies, canned and frozen goods at Walmart and meats, fruits and vegetables at Publix.

Shere1111, 01:32:49 PM:

You are so right about Walmart! No selection, low grade choices are cheap, but brand names are more than at other stores in the Detroit area.Bakery is limited and overpriced. No low cal or sugar-free selections of many items available at other stores.ON THE OTHER HAND: Hiller’s has the best quality meat, seafood and dairy around!

MzKuriosity25, 01:56:54 PM:

While I prefer to do my grocery shopping at WalMart (who is much much cheaper than anyone else), I do agree with the fact that they have a problem with only having a few lines open with 10-15 customers in each line. They really do need to solve that issue and open more lines or out more cashiers on each shift.

EMUSigNu, 01:51:56 PM:

I think its unfair to rate some of the national chains based on one bloggers opinion at thier local store. Though i try not to shop at Wal-Mart sometimes you jsut can’t avoid it. I live in Michigan and the Wal-Mart by me is NASTY to say the least one of the dirtiest and worst kept stores out there, though I went to a Wal-Mart in North Carolina and couldn’t believe they were the same Chain. The staff was friendly and the store was clean.

Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Monday, September 15, 2008

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