Walmart.com's New "Free" 2-Day Shipping Pilot Program.

[Atunah]

A few years ago I placed many online orders with Walmart. Mostly clothing as they had incredible sales on that. Never had any issues until the day I got shipping notices for several cell phones I didn't order. Someone hacked into my account on Walmart and ordered a bunch of those prepaid phones where you get a phone card emailed immediately. I checked the email they gave, which was listed and it was chinese.

Then I had to go through the trouble of refusing and sending back the phones as they for many of those orders were so fast that I could not cancel the order anymore.

Unfortunately customer service was not really helping me out much and were quite rude. They then just cancelled my account period so I couldn't even order anymore without notice.

Unfortunately, I needed online order as often the size I needed, especially in jeans is rarely at the store itself. And the sales. Oh well.

At least with Amazon I know I get great customer service, but I can't get the deals on clothing there unfortunately.

They did just built a brand new Walmart right across from me, so I could technically just walk over there. If I survive crossing the 6 lanes that is.
But they had sales online they never have at the stores.

[Blossom]

Walmart.com won't sell to me. They cancel any orders saying it's because of security purposes. I've ordered from them several times but once I moved from Tennessee they refuse to let me order anything. Customer service can't help me. I've tried PayPal and two different credit cards. I gave up on them last year.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[barryem]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

I know someone that returned so many vacuum cleaners, Walmart would only give them store credit. They got a bit miffed and just kept the next vacuum cleaner.
They would buy it on a Friday night and return it either Saturday afternoon or Sunday.

I find it hard to be sympathetic with someone who does something like that. They ruin it for the rest of it.

In the early days of computer stores nearly all of them had very liberal return policies, kind of like Walmart does today. They understood that people wanted a chance to try things out and that sometimes their purchase wasn't a good fit and they might need a few days to realize that.

However, a lot of people were buying computers on Friday to use over the weekend for whatever purpose and returning them on Monday. The manager of our local Computer City told me about that and that the problem was a lot worse on 3 day weekends. Finally they had to include a restocking fee. A lot of stores cut out returns entirely.

As I see it that's closer to stealing than downloading a pirated ebook. That download may or may not cost the seller any money depending on whether you would have purchased it otherwise. And I'm not saying that's not stealing, but it's not as direct as stealing computer time and turning a new computer into a used one. That always takes money out of the seller's pocket.

Barry

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by barryem

I find it hard to be sympathetic with someone who does something like that. They ruin it for the rest of it.

In the early days of computer stores nearly all of them had very liberal return policies, kind of like Walmart does today. They understood that people wanted a chance to try things out and that sometimes their purchase wasn't a good fit and they might need a few days to realize that.

However, a lot of people were buying computers on Friday to use over the weekend for whatever purpose and returning them on Monday. The manager of our local Computer City told me about that and that the problem was a lot worse on 3 day weekends. Finally they had to include a restocking fee. A lot of stores cut out returns entirely.

As I see it that's closer to stealing than downloading a pirated ebook. That download may or may not cost the seller any money depending on whether you would have purchased it otherwise. And I'm not saying that's not stealing, but it's not as direct as stealing computer time and turning a new computer into a used one. That always takes money out of the seller's pocket.

Barry

Oh yes, I agreed with Walmart not them.

[Apache]

People still do the same thing with jewelry and clothing. They buy it on Friday to wear for the weekend and want to return it on Monday.
Apache

[HarryT]

This has nothing to do with MR's areas of interests, so moved to the Lounge.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Apache

People still do the same thing with jewelry and clothing. They buy it on Friday to wear for the weekend and want to return it on Monday.
Apache

A few years back, I took a much needed growth spurt. I decided to use the thrift store to buy clothes until I leveled off. I would buy what would fit that week, then re-donate in a week or two. Buy the size that fit and do it again.
After a month, the clerk asked if I just wanted to exchange since I hadn't worn the clothes enough to show any wear. I turned her down. $3 a week for clothes was much cheaper than cigarettes. I had quit smoking.
When I got to a normal weight, I quit gaining so fast.

[Manabi]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Really? I have bought several items from Walmart recently that qualified for free shipping (to home) and have had no problems whatsoever. The last was just a couple of weeks ago, and the item (furniture) arrived a day earlier than the original estimated date.

I think they do better if nothing goes wrong in shipping. If it does, they're not prepared to handle it, whereas more Internet-based companies like Amazon excel at dealing with shipping problems. My personal theory is that Wal-mart doesn't understand how commercial shipping works because they rely almost entirely on their own distribution network to stock stores. Shipping via UPS/Fedex/USPS is a whole new ballgame to them, and they're still playing T-Ball.

Also, their internal distribution isn't designed for quick shipping. They route trucks longer distances than necessary to make sure the drivers get enough miles to keep them happy. They do that to try to avoid the truck drivers unionizing, because Wal-mart hates, hates, hates unions. So they'd rather deliver stuff to my local store from an Alabama distribution center, even though they have a closer distribution center in the same state.

Originally Posted by GtrsRGr8

Walmart, IMHO, is as stale as month-old bread. The upper management seems incapable or unwilling to innovate. About all that they seem to be able to do is to imitate Amazon, like they're doing here (and remember how Walmart copied the one day super sale that Amazon had for Prime members near the end of last year?). Granted, it's an enormous company--"the world's largest retailer"--and turning it is like trying to turn an oil supertanker. But, if they don't do it, they'll end up being the next K-Mart.

I worked at K-mart for a few years, and upper management is exactly what happened to them. They would come up with new programs, with really good ideas that would have increased customers. And then stop funding it a couple of months later. This happened a couple of times in my two-year stint with them . They needed to fire basically every manager from the district level up to the CEO. Wal-mart seems to be getting to that point too.

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

I know someone that returned so many vacuum cleaners, Walmart would only give them store credit. They got a bit miffed and just kept the next vacuum cleaner.
They would buy it on a Friday night and return it either Saturday afternoon or Sunday.

They were actually lucky they didn't get banned from returns. If the vacuums had been used, but weren't actually faulty, that's abusive returns and costs the store money. Not illegal, but not something they have to tolerate either. Now if the vacuums were all faulty, I'd have to ponder the sanity of getting the same model over and over.

Originally Posted by Barty

I've bought a few things @ Walmart free ship to store without problem. I prefer Costco as the employees at Walmart seem depressed.

Costco treats their employees very well from what I've heard. Wal-mart treats their employees just awful. I worked at one for about two years, and discovered all kinds of horrible policies they have. Such as: absences for medical reasons are only excused if management approves it. You can have a doctor's note, and they'll still declare it an unexcused absence. Had that happen to me when my recovery from a surgery lasted longer than expected. They are probably one of the most employee-hostile employers in the whole country.

Oh, and they make you watch a couple of anti-union videos as part of training. They're not just anti-union, they're rabid, foaming-at-the-mouth anti-union.

[BearMountainBooks]

I love and use Walmart's online store all the time! I even ordered my mattress there and it was delivered free to my home. I don't know that I need to try the 2 day shipping, but I just ordered some embroidery supplies online and picked up in the store. I do that all the time and I think the service is great. My mom uses it too (I have to order for her, but then she doesn't have to go all the way to town until the items are in. Some orders come right to her door.)

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

I love and use Walmart's online store all the time! I even ordered my mattress there and it was delivered free to my home. I don't know that I need to try the 2 day shipping, but I just ordered some embroidery supplies online and picked up in the store. I do that all the time and I think the service is great. My mom uses it too (I have to order for her, but then she doesn't have to go all the way to town until the items are in. Some orders come right to her door.)

Off topic: I am working on the Garden Girl pillowcases. Yes, I got them at Walmart.

[Conan46]

Our Walmart has put a pick up area at the front of the store to quickly get shipped-to-store items. We tend to do that more than getting items shipped to our home from Walmart lately. It is nice to have a bigger selection from their online catalog, and we are at Walmart at least once a week. Last item I got was a nice messenger bag for $6.
I have noticed more lately that their online prices are better. 2 times recently I have had to ask them to look up their online price at the store to get prices dropped to their lower online prices.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Manabi

I think they do better if nothing goes wrong in shipping. If it does, they're not prepared to handle it, whereas more Internet-based companies like Amazon excel at dealing with shipping problems. My personal theory is that Wal-mart doesn't understand how commercial shipping works because they rely almost entirely on their own distribution network to stock stores. Shipping via UPS/Fedex/USPS is a whole new ballgame to them, and they're still playing T-Ball.

I don't have a local Walmart, so my only experience has been ship-to-home. I believe all or almost all the items I've bought through the web site have come via FedEx.

I've had a lot more problems with Amazon shipping (of course, I've had a lot more items shipped from Amazon). Whenever Amazon sends something other than via UPS, FedEx, or USPS, it can be a bit of a crapshoot.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I don't have a local Walmart, so my only experience has been ship-to-home. I believe all or almost all the items I've bought through the web site have come via FedEx.

I've had a lot more problems with Amazon shipping (of course, I've had a lot more items shipped from Amazon). Whenever Amazon sends something other than via UPS, FedEx, or USPS, it can be a bit of a crapshoot.

Are you using Amazon fulfilled or third party?
3rd party is always a crap shoot. We had two orders never shipped.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Are you using Amazon fulfilled or third party?
3rd party is always a crap shoot. We had two orders never shipped.

Oh, Amazon can be wonky too. When I order books for a book signing, I've had pretty difficult ship times. Sometimes they use UPS and sometimes USPS. When they use "Smart Post" with either fedx or ups, it takes about a week longer.

We've had one order that we ordered from Ebay arrive in an Amazon prime box--on a Sunday. We don't even have Prime and that's the second time I've ordered something from ebay and it came via Amazon. Some vendors must use their warehousing or something.

Vendors change shipping stuff all the time. The whole thing is a crap shoot!

[GtrsRGr8]

Originally Posted by Manabi

<snip>
Costco treats their employees very well from what I've heard. Wal-mart treats their employees just awful. I worked at one for about two years, and discovered all kinds of horrible policies they have. Such as: absences for medical reasons are only excused if management approves it. You can have a doctor's note, and they'll still declare it an unexcused absence. Had that happen to me when my recovery from a surgery lasted longer than expected. They are probably one of the most employee-hostile employers in the whole country.
<snip>

I can't believe that I'm about to take up for Walmart . . . .

Yes, Costco does treat their employees better, from what I've heard. For one thing, I think that they pay them more per hour.

My impression, in the nearly 10 years that I was an insider, is that a lot of employee happiness depended upon the quality of, once again, the local management. Money and benefits aren't everything; much of an employee's happiness depends upon such things as how much their supervisors and managers praised them and otherwise seemed to appreciate them. IMHO, that was sorely lacking in some stores. I have to feel that that was because of the failure of upper management to adequately train the lower management.

IMHO, Walmart provided better pay and benefits than they had to. At least, that they had to in order to be able to hire all of the employees that they needed. How much they had to do for political reasons (to keep politicians, advocacy groups, etc.) off of their backs was a different matter. I think that the pay and, especially benefits, was especially good for part-time employees. How many companies do you know which give employees vacation time (It maxxed out at 4 weeks, if I'm not mistaken)? Offered personal leave (unpaid) up to something like 26 weeks? Offered a matching program for stock purchases? Contributed to a 401K on their behalf, without any contributions being required on the employees' part? Walmart, during my time with them, at least, did all of those things for part-time employees. And, part-time employees were eligible for medical insurance after a certain, relatively short length of employment. And their medical insurance was stout and inexpensive, due to in large part to the fact that the company heavily subsidized it.

During the time that I was with the company, I am almost certain that no absences were excused, according to company policy. The employee was allowed a certain amount of absences within, I think, a 5-month rolling period. If an employee got more than that, he or she was subject to being fired; but, I think that that generally didn't happen until the employee had been "coached" (reprimanded) at least a time or two. If any absences were excused, it seems to me that it must have been because of a local management policy. But, personal leaves for even short periods of absence were readily available.

Don't think that I have developed a kindly disposition toward Walmart since my earlier posts on this thread, I haven't. I'm just interested in truth and fairness. I easily could share with you some things that I observed and/or experienced during my time with them that are very negative.