Not neighborly
A.R. Rada, Emporia
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
There is a song on the radio that many of us have heard, it says: “Friends and neighbors you can trust…to help you, shop Emporia first.”
Some of these “friends and neighbors” have forgotten that they have to support its customers, have to be there to help us. After all, they are the only ones that benefit when we use their goods or services.
When we bought our house and had problems with the house itself on the day of the closing, our real estate agent didn’t stand by our side; he turned to the sellers’ side.
When we needed a replacement window, the guys at the shop were so busy they were suppose to call me within a couple of weeks to go and see the window. Seventeen months later, I’m still waiting for their call.
When we got our SUV, we were important and everybody was nice and polite at the dealership. Less than two years later, I can’t go to that dealership and park my vehicle on their property while I see the new cars they’ve got. Every time I do it, a guy, and always the same one, asks me to move my car, and he doesn’t ask nicely.
Finally, when we took our camera for service to a locally owned franchise store, they lost it, but promised to give us a brand new one. Over three months later, with the holidays, birthdays and important celebrations gone, we are still waiting for our replacement camera.
Clearly, for these “friends and neighbors” the customer satisfaction is not their top priority.
A.R. Rada
Emporia
Tell (anonymous) says...
Wow thats to bad that your such a victim try not parking in front of the service door.
February 16, 2010 at 3:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
One of the first things people always ask me is, are the people in this town nice? I always say, how were they where you came from? If they say the people are nice where they came from, I say that's very interesting, that's the way they are here and if they say the people are bad where they came from, I tells em that's the way they are here. The other day a lady invited me to view her two story house, I thought I had the wrong address because it was one story. I knocked on the door and asked if I had the right address, she said, "yes sir," and I replied, "but you said this was a 2 story house," and she replied, "it was one story when I bought it and another story when I moved in." I told her next time to get a whole house inspection-17 page report.
February 16, 2010 at 6:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
If you own a business and times are hard you shouldnt be rude. Sounds like they have more business than they need and dont have to tell the lady in a nice way
February 16, 2010 at 6:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
knute (anonymous) says...
You'll find good & bad attitudes anywhere - but there ARE good folks around, e.g. Waters True Value, McNeese Customs, and be sure you talk to Trudy at Walgreens.
I did have an experience at a local car dealer where the salesman told me that if I didn't like the asking price, I could just go someplace else. I took his advice and bought my car in Topeka.
Too bad you didn't experience Hill's Appliance. I never had a bad experience there.
Unfortunately, "Shop Emporia first" too often means about 10 minutes shopping in Emporia and then it's a trip to Topeka, Wichita etc.
February 17, 2010 at 12:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Well if I had to wait three months...much less seventeen months..... for a return contact, I can assure you one of two things would have happened long before then.
One....I would have been in their place of business doing a dance on their desktop....or....
Two....I would have long since taken my business elsewhere!
February 17, 2010 at 6:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OutsiderJ (anonymous) says...
The reason for this poor customer service is simple. Emporia is nothing but a burg of pretencious, snobby, and closed minded people. It is a place where everyone has a gigantic sense of entitlement and they truly believe everyone is a little less important than themselves. That somehow they should be getting constant service everytime they leave their house. With a civic attitude like that, there is no one in town to serve pesky customers.
February 17, 2010 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
outsider....
Exactly where is it you are from where people are so wonderfully different than they are here? If I knew of such a place I might chose to go there myself...and wonder why you don't do so your self?
February 17, 2010 at 8:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Generally, but not always, if you get bad service, there is a reason. That being said, there are some rude business owners in Emporia, yes. I have found this to definitely be the exception to the rule, but there are always a few.
My New Years Resolution this year was to not shop at Wal-Mart at all, and so far I haven't, and don't plan to in the future. Aside from Reebles, the bike shop, and a few other places, I do most of my shopping online anymore. A couple of days ago, I needed something pretty basic that I thought this store would definitely have in stock (won't say what, so I don't dime the business out), and they told me they don't carry that item, but could order it for me. I asked them how much it would for them to order it, while at the same time, I pulled out my phone, looked the item up online, and found that if I ordered it myself, I would save $20. I'm not sure if there is a fix or not, but the days where a store ordering something for you is pretty much over, because now, I can order said item myself, and usually save money in the process.
February 17, 2010 at 9:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
When I needed a replacement window, I got out a tape measure and wrote down the dimensions of the window opening. Then I went over the Sutherlands and found the replacement window that I needed. I loaded it on one of their carts and went to the cash register and paid for it. I took it home and removed the old window and installed the replacement window. You cannot beat that kind of same day service. When my camera broke I tossed it in the trash and went to Wal-Mart and bought a new one. It should work just fine until it quits working. When that happens, I will check the batteries and if that don’t work I will throw it away and buy a new one. Next time you have problems with life in the modern world just write a letter to the paper so friends and neighbors you can trust can enjoy hearing your stupid problems and get a nice laugh.
February 17, 2010 at 10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I love Waters Hardware where those people always are happy to drop what they're doing to help. I love Mark II Lumber who has never turned me down for a special cut or to come to my house to measure for a window or to answer a question for as long as I have lived in Emporia. They smile, they help me, and we exchange niceties and I go on my way.
Don't forget, the customer is part of this good service formula. Be nice. It goes a long way.
At the same time, don't be a doormat. If you've been sold a dud, go to the manager, not a clerk.
I can't understand the complaint about Longbines.
I've never parked at Longbines where they told me to move my car -- no matter where I parked.
February 17, 2010 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Nobody (anonymous) says...
mslater: Thanks for keeping the sales tax, we so deperately need, here locally. Tsk, tsk, tsk. It'll be very scary if everyone starts ordering every item that costs a bit more locally, on-line instead, is all I can say. We will be kissing Emporia/Lyon County good bye. It's obvious, you don't own a business or care about those that do!!!!
February 17, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lcountyvictim (anonymous) says...
I learned a long time ago that you must follow up with others to get the job done. Here's a checklist: 1) Present the issue 2) Lay out expectation 3) Negotiate reasonable solution 4) Write it down 5) Follow up until issue has been satisfied. Unfortunately others won't do it for you...Fortunately maybe these local business were so busy things just fell through the cracks.
As far as airing daily life problems, and putting in plugs for local business...I gave one aformentioned business an opportunity to replace window screens. Took the frames in and was told it would be a week. Went back to pick them up, and told it would be another week. Went back again and still not done (all while driving 25 min 1 way to business each time). Took the frames to AAA Glass, and viola picked them up the next day. Mental note to self: call before making the trip. This serves two purposes - 1) Saves gas and time 2) Reinforces items 2-5 from above. Do I blame the business...not really - it was my issue and therefore my job to follow through with completion.
February 17, 2010 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
If I have a bad experience at a business I will give them a 2nd chance then if still poor service, I go elsewhere. If everyone would do that, the service would improve or the business fold and a hopefully better one come in. People are just people whether their customers or clerks so give them a little slack. You don't know if they ran over their dog on the way to work or something.
February 17, 2010 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Sounds like life to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Geg6_-...
February 17, 2010 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Nobody, maybe you have a lot of money to throw away, but like the rest of the country, I'm on a really tight budget. $20 is 3/4 of a tank of gas, or enough groceries for 3 days, or whatever.
(start sarcasm) You're absolutely right, though. I don't care about local businesses. I've never volunteered to help Main Street, ever. I didn't volunteer to help organize a 4th of July event for the city last year. I've never owned a business, and can never fully understand the hardships small business owners go through. Commercial Street is the LAST place I will shop. (end sarcasm)
I was going to write a much more in-depth rebuttal, but you're not worth the effort.
Matt
February 17, 2010 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OutsiderJ (anonymous) says...
bicuityboy...you wrote, "Exactly where is it you are from where people are so wonderfully different than they are here? If I knew of such a place I might chose to go there myself...and wonder why you don't do so your self?"
In response to your first question, the answer would be about every other town in the United States comparable to Emporia that I have ever spent any time in, that is not in Lyon County.
In response to your second question...I did just that when I left Emporia last spring. How wonderful I feel. I would encourage you to find a place you like and chose[sic] to do the same.
February 17, 2010 at 12:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
OutsiderJ,
I hope the door didn't hit you on your way out.
Matt
February 17, 2010 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I think we are probably the ones that won when you moved.
I also appreciate the spelling lesson. While you are congratulating yourself..... you might spend a little time working on your sentence structure. Your first sentence in your last post was a run-on nightmare.
If you are going to hold yourself up as perfect, you better make damned sure that you are.
February 17, 2010 at 12:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodjoss (anonymous) says...
I think the original point is valid. I've had horrific experiences at some (one) of our local car dealerships, and poor customer service many times in many establishment. In general, I'll let them know about it if I can.
From my perspective, the merchants (and citizens) would benefit from 'getting out of town' more often (paradox, I know) - just to see how everybody else is doing it...
I mean how hard is it to get a hamburger AND fries at the same window at a basketball game?
February 17, 2010 at 1:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tossedcat (anonymous) says...
I might shop for your basic's here, but everything else i go to topeka kansas city wichita where there is more things to choose from.I know 3 couple's who have the same bedroom sets. i have never seen anyone with the same set i have.And i have worked for a car dealer here in town. And the experince left me to choose a new career.(yes i'm still p.o.ed for working 8hrs.for$2.00 and i still have the flag sheets)People around here are somewhat nice. Most people in the mid-west are nice.But if you want really rude people try the east coast!(i had never been so happy to get west of indianapolis!!) And down south.
February 17, 2010 at 2:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Okay, somebody explain to me why we are dogging on online sales when I pay sales tax with almost every online purchase. On my 2007 and 2008 income taxes, I have seen the question about online sales that didn't include sales tax and the rate charts to figure it out. Maybe there are a lot of people who ignore that one, but I didn't. The first year, I had to look up receipts and report a lot and pay sales tax on it (didn't that come here? It was at this town's rate) The second year, I had tracked which orders already charged me sales tax and I only had one or two purchases to report. For my 2009 taxes, I will report none because I paid sales tax on them all. I had understood that that sales tax on each order is calculated for my zip code so I presume that it is paid to it.
And, yes, there are some good businesses and some bad businesses here in E-town, but for the most part, my bad experiences are with rude fellow customers.
February 17, 2010 at 3:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zippy (anonymous) says...
I try to shop everywhere I can in Emporia, including Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart does provide a lot jobs for the Emporia and surrounding people. I can't afford to always pay higher prices at the mom and pop stores but I do try to purchase some things there.
February 17, 2010 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
I really like the customer service I get when I shop at that Chinese food store over there by the college.
February 17, 2010 at 5:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
OutsiderJ
By the way, in your first post you misspelled pretentious....making it kinda pretentious of you to correct other people's spelling.
February 17, 2010 at 6:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alsrac (anonymous) says...
Quote koalemos:
"When my camera broke I tossed it in the trash and went to Wal-Mart and bought a new one. It should work just fine until it quits working. When that happens, I will check the batteries and if that don’t work I will throw it away and buy a new one. Next time you have problems with life in the modern world just write a letter to the paper so friends and neighbors you can trust can enjoy hearing your stupid problems and get a nice laugh."
I bet that more than one person would agree that is more stupid in the modern world to waste money buying a new camera when quits working instead of taking it to service specially when still has warranty than writing a letter to the paper so friends and neighbors you can trust can realize that they can and should improve the way they are treating its customers.
February 17, 2010 at 9:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
My camera quit working so I got a pad of paper and some charcoal and now my house is filled with lovely charcoal drawings instead of photographs. I'll be ahead of the game when all your fancy "cameras" don't work once the Y2K virus is unleashed.
February 17, 2010 at 9:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I forgot to add, if you go the charcoal drawing route you should also stock up on moist towelettes or you will have gray finger prints everywhere. I learnt that one the hard way. WOOOOWEEEEE did I.
February 17, 2010 at 9:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
The term "Customer Service" can mean different things to different people. I personally like to enter a store and browse without having a store employee following me around spying on me. Others may prefer having a salesperson right there, but I don't. Another thing that I don't like is standing in a checkout line waiting for the customer in front of me to finish a conversation with the cashier. Some people like to chat with a cashier but I don't. Another thing that I don't like is when the "Door Greeter" at Wal-Mart stops me and asks to see my receipt. What's that all about?
February 17, 2010 at 10:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
The whole time the "Door Greeter" is checking my receipt there are customers entering the store without a greeting. Horrible!
February 17, 2010 at 10:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Everybody loves somebody sometime--Dino I love you!
February 18, 2010 at 1:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I'm sorry I meant Dean O.
February 18, 2010 at 1:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
http://www.tvacres.com/images/dino.jpg
February 18, 2010 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
50miles (anonymous) says...
Posted by koalemos (anonymous) on February 17, 2010 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The whole time the "Door Greeter" is checking my receipt there are customers entering the store without a greeting. Horrible!
This is the very reason I can't stand Wal-Mart. I just spent my weekly $200.00 bucks and your going to attack me at the damn door. Grrr
As if I stood at a check out and bagged all my groceries and no one noticed. Really....... How stupid.If I had one thing unbagged I could understand. But when I have a bag of dog food on the top of my cart and a ton of bagged items do you really think I didn't pay for it.
Not to mention the customer service desk. I have had to many issues there to even start. I would never step foot in that store again if we had other options.
February 18, 2010 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OutsiderJ (anonymous) says...
biscuitboy....I never said I was perfect. My terrible sentences still convey my point. Your minor spelling error confused your's. While you are basking in that smug feeling that you surely have in the depths of your heart from exposing my imperfections, I notice that you could/would not defend your beloved Emporia.
Its pretty common to attack the messenger when the message is spot on.
February 18, 2010 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Everywhere you go, there you are.
February 18, 2010 at 12:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
OutsiderJ
You were the one that started pointing out the imperfections, not me. And my "minor spelling error" did not confuse the meaning of my sentence enough that you were unable to respond to it. In addition, it was not technically a spelling error at all. It was the correct spelling of the incorrect tense. Chose is the past tense form of the present tense choose. Look it up.
As to responding to your rant any further. I felt no use in doing so. You had made it quite clear to me how you felt and I frankly didn't care enough to respond. I was only curious as to why you didn't leave. You explained that you had and I thought that sounded like good riddance. End of discussion.
February 18, 2010 at 5:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FIM1UR12 (anonymous) says...
I luv J's Carryout! They have great service and their hamburgers are the best!
February 18, 2010 at 6:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FinallyOUT (anonymous) says...
I used to live in Emporia for almost 10 years.. My husband and I moved out last July. I will tell you that I have had some horrific customer service in Emporia. But I learned where to go and the people who truly cared to help my family and stopped going to those who didn't. I didn't shop out of town often.. maybe once in a very great while and did ok.
HOWEVER, I will say that our new home state, has the worst possible customer service there is.... at EVERY store, resturant, fast food place, you name it. Having slow, rude or indifferent service, is sadly a way of life here. Quite possibly because I can see Russia from where I live, but to put it simply, you could have it worse.
Emporia isn't Disneyland by any means, because if it were I probably wouldn't have left.. but there are alot of people in Emporia who work very hard to do a good job for the community... and I do miss that in my new home.
Just my two cents.
February 18, 2010 at 7:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
FinallyOUT
Isn't it true. You can find good and bad every where, but contrary to the opinion of one or two, Emporia is far from the bottom of the barrel. I have family ties in the Detroit area. One recent survey named it the most miserable place in America and the people there show it.
So if you believe Emporia is as bad as it gets...let me suggest a little romantic get away to the motor city. You will be glad to get back here.
February 18, 2010 at 7:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outdoorguy (anonymous) says...
I have a question, why did they demo the Barrett tank building? Is there something spectaclar going on that corner or did they just feel like knocking down another old landmark? Sorry for butting in, didn't have another forum to ask in and it seemed to some what fit in here!? thx
February 18, 2010 at 7:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FinallyOUT (anonymous) says...
Um biscuitboy, I don't think you actually read my post.. so.. let me break it down a little plainer.
I was complimenting Emporia.
I miss the service I got in Emporia.
I had bad service. But I went and found places IN EMPORIA that treated my family so well we were spoiled. IN EMPORIA.
I live in Alaska now.
No good customer service here. Because there is nobody to compete with.
And trust me, each and everytime I sit for a half an hour in the drive through.. I miss EMPORIA.
And funny.. I've been to Detroit several times... and always found people to be extremely kind.
February 18, 2010 at 7:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Don't know outdoorguy.
I'm guessing it might have something to do with the new tire store across the street and Shown Excavating that is located behind the tire store. But that is strictly a guess based on little of nothing.
February 18, 2010 at 7:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I knew you were complimenting Emporia FinallyOUT.
Sorry you thought I didn't understand, but my very first sentence was "Isn't it true. My second paragraph was rhetorical and not aimed at you at all. Sorry if I was misleading.
Have no explanation for our different takes on Detroit's friendliness. Maybe we were in different parts of town. ☺☺☺
February 18, 2010 at 7:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
FinallyOUT
Maybe you didn't actually read my post...Don't know?
February 18, 2010 at 7:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FinallyOUT (anonymous) says...
good to know.. :)
Maybe we were in different parts.. nice folks.
The one thing I really have noticed in Alaska which is different than Emporia, or in all of the Lower 48 is the food service. It is not quick. You will go to a resturant and wait at least 10 minutes at your table before you are talked to. At fast food you will wait 30 to an hour depending on where you go and what time it is. But there is no such thing as in and out.
Emporia does have some great retailers. I would say my favorites just to throw some names out were Jim at Brown's Shoe Fit, ALL the staff at Regency Gardens Resturant, Jim the service department guy at Ford, Lori and the girls over at Cato and Mellissa and the girls at Pro Cuts..
Just some of my most missed Emporian's!
February 18, 2010 at 8:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
Someone should open a Dick's Last Resort right here in Emporia.
February 18, 2010 at 8:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
One thing that may make a difference in our take on Detroit is why we are there. I am their out in the neighborhoods with family and am to a degree a pseudo resident.
I don't know the reason for your visits...but if it was business or entertainment you are probably dealing more with people in the hospitality business. But it really makes no difference. I am glad your stay in my second home was a pleasing one.
February 18, 2010 at 8:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
OutsiderJ
Before you get all excited.....
"I am their out in the neighborhoods with family and am to a degree a pseudo resident." It should have read...".I am there....." Wouldn't want to confuse you.
February 18, 2010 at 8:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
Outdoorguy: The reason the Building was destroyed was that the bricks were falling apart, the walls were falling in and out, was really in sad shape, was not worth rebuilding .I'm like you I remember back in the early sixties going there to a speed shop called Reynolds, was sad to see the building go.
February 18, 2010 at 9:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
koalemos
Things are going to get worse at Walmart, not better, as far as customer service goes and probably the rest of it too.
February 18, 2010 at 10:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
I think your right. Just the other day I saw Randy out in the parking lot pushing carts back inside.
February 18, 2010 at 10:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I wish Wal Mart would take better care of the asparagus they sell. They never put them in water and they get all dried up. What a terrible waste. They need somebody in produce who knows how to keep things fresh. I suppose it's too labor intensive to trim them and put them in water, but still, it's a waste not to.
justaflushaway, Thanks for the info on the Barret building. That poor old building was once such a bustling place. It's sad to see a landmark go, but it was in such poor shape. I have often wondered why it stood for so long.
February 19, 2010 at 7:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
supernanny (anonymous) says...
FYI: DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING AT SEARS HERE IN EMPORIA.
Mark and his whole operation there is a joke. Should of went to Guions.....Lesson Learned! I just hope to save the rest of you from making the same mistake I did.
February 19, 2010 at 4:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Maybe an appliance store will open in the closing Hill's location
February 19, 2010 at 4:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
create, I'm with ya there. I was just over there and they had two ratty looking stalks of bok choy on the shelf and their napa cabbage was drying out. I was thinking the same thing about labor costs when my thoughts were interrupted by the giggling sound coming from five female employees in the deli making fun of one of the other deli employees who spilled some cooking oil. Three other employees appeared in the bakery area to see what the other employees were laughing about. Then I realized that they just don't utilize their human resources effectively.
February 19, 2010 at 5:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
Oh, I almost forgot. The lady who gives out samples of crap over by the cheese place is really nice and chipper but the door greeters seem a little depressed. Back in the arts and crafts area by the yarn where that one employee who walks the opposite direction if you even think of asking her a question is usually hiding there is another employee who will call to get you someone to cut some fabric or if you need some paint mixed. (=^_^=)
February 19, 2010 at 5:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
I totally agree with you supernanny. I took a riding mower into Sears once to get serviced, and he has these two kids trying to work on it. I got it back and it died every 5 minutes. I get to looking at it, and the problem was they put in the wrong fuel filter, and installed it backwards. They also changed the fuel line but didn't shorten it at all. It looked like a sink trap between the gas tank and the carb. So I turn around the fuel filter, trim the fuel line down, and it runs perfectly again. The "mechanics" at Sears are amateurs.
February 19, 2010 at 10:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
The problem with Walmart is, there is no real management to speak of. When management does nothing, you can' t expect much from employees. To be an affective manager you have to lead by example and at least make an effort to be available to the employees, to at least listen to employees ideas or grievances and most of all make yourself as a manager be seen in the environment you manage and at least make an effort to see that things are done satisfactorily, and make an effort to see that your employees are at least doing something for which they are getting paid, not just standing around doing nothing. And as manager, at least have the back bone to take responsiblility, for the bad things and not pass the blame on to others. After all your are the manager, the Boss, the Big Kahoona and as manager, it is your fault for any failings of the business or store . Also, when your employees are doing a good job, recognize them for a job well done and chastize them for a job not so well done or not doing the job at all.
If you, as manager are not in control of every aspect of your business or retail operation, you cannot expect people to continue to patronize such a place.
Walmart has some big problems and from what I have seen and heard it is basically because of the lack of concern of management and the lack of respect management has for the employees.
February 19, 2010 at 11:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
One of the things I miss about living on a military base is those teenagers at the commissary who bag your groceries and carry them out to your car for tips.
February 19, 2010 at 11:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
When I was living back east several years ago, the practice of teenagers working to carry out groceries for tips was a fairly common practice on the civilian side also. It was really nice. Don't know how common it is any more though?
February 20, 2010 at 5:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
THE PROBLEM WITH WALMART
Another really, really big problem with Walmart is the fact that every aspect of a Walmart store, no matter where it is located is controlled from Bentonville, Arkansas. Even the heating, air conditioning, scheduling of employee work hours, etc.. And that is why Walmarts customer service is not what it should be, such as lack of check out personel, lack of floor customer assistance, etc., etc., etc.and the reason most employees that are working are not pleasant, is the fact that they are treated poorly by the stores management or lack of store management.
Another example of Bentonvilles, central control of Walmarts stores is the fact that a lot of the merchandise that is a one time item at Walmart is the fact that the " Buyers " at Bentonville, control all merchandise purchased at the local Walmart stores. It makes no difference whether the item purchased by the Bentonville, " Buyers " is something that will sell in a Walmart stores particular market area or not . And then, at times if the merchandise will not sell at a stores market area, the merchandise is basically bounced from store to store until it does sell or it sets in a storage container behind the store or it is sold at a fraction of the price at a " Mark Down Sale " . What a waste of time, manpower and resources.
It would seem, to me, if a local Walmart Store manager and staff had control over their local store things at Walmart may be somewhat better. For instance if the store manager and Walmart Inc., relied upon their " Dept. Managers " to determine what merchandise should be offered in their particular market area, sales and profit would both benefit.
After all who better, would know what merchandise is in demand, is selling, needed and wanted, than the ones who are in contact with the everyday customers and are the ones who are having to restock items that sell ! A " Buyer " setting in their office, a 1000 or 10, 000 miles away from a market area has no clue as to what sells in a particular market area or store.
Corporate control from a central corporate headquarters is alright to a certain extent, but if you cannot trust your local market area store managers to do the job of " Managing " your stores then you need to hire new store managers, who will and do manage your stores satisfactorily and above all who will get out in the store everyday and interact not only with the customers, but with the employees also and who is not afraid to roll up his/her sleeves, pitch in and help make the store a success .
February 20, 2010 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Tips for carrying groceries to the car? Not in this town?
i still get emberassed at eating places when I see the old timers leave 50 cents for a 20 dollar bill
February 20, 2010 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
THE PROBLEM WITH WALMART
Friends, as I stated earlier, if you think Walmart is bad now, as far as customer service goes, things are going to get worse, instead of better.
Employees at Walmart will soon be required to check a list of duties they are to perform, each and every day and each duty will require it be done in a certain length of time. This will only cause less employee, customer interaction " Customer Assistance ", because the employees will only " Blow Off " a customer needing assistance, because the store employee will only care about getting their assigned duty/duties done in a certain amount of time, so they will not get their " A$$e$ chewed out " , " Reprimanded " , " Written Up " or " Fired for not getting their listed duties done in a certain amount of time ". Human beings/People cannot and most will not work under an uneeded, forced work environment and be happy about it.
So, my fellow Walmart shoppers, I have my doubts that customer service at Walmart will get any better.
This is why I say, managment/management staff cannot and should not just sit in their office or the management lounge. They must get out be seen, take control and make sure things are getting done and find out why things are not getting done and solve the problem(s). That is why I do not shop at Walmart as much these days. A lot of the time it is not necessarily the price of an item, but the amosphere of a business that is the reason a business thrives, survives and is successful .
If Walmart cannot realize that poor treatment of employees or treating employees as slaves or less than a human person will equal, high employee turnover, poor employee morale and that, in turn, will equal poor customer service and fewer in store customers, then Walmart needs to think about new management from the very top to the very bottom.
February 20, 2010 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Yes Steve...and even then the old-timers wife is glaring at him because he left too much.
I don't like to eat alone in restaurants so I frequently go to them just for carry-out. I always tip the server for carryout....judging by their reactions I assume I'm one of the few to do so. But when I come back again for carryout, I don't have to wait all day for somebody to take my order.
As the old saying goes.....You get what you pay for.....
February 20, 2010 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Steve
When I go to a restaurant to eat. If the service is good, I usually leave a 15 % to 20% tip, which means if my meal was $10 I will leave from $1.50 to $2.00. And if the waitress/waiter was exceptionally good, I will usually try and get a table in their particular area .
February 20, 2010 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I agree with you methusla about the one-time only items at Wally's World. Several times I have found...and liked something that I could never get again because the only reason they had it at all was to clear out some body's warehouse.
Then of course since they had been once bitten...they were twice shy...and you could bet you would never see that item again, no matter how well it sold here.
Of course the computerization of inventory control has pretty much insured that will happen a lot throughout the retail world.....not just at Wally World.
February 20, 2010 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nks (anonymous) says...
We started shopping Aldi's for probably 90% of our groceries. I kind of enjoy going there. Sometimes there is a line, but it usually moves pretty quick and you actually feel good about a cart load of groceries only costing around $50.
February 21, 2010 at 7:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
For what it's worth:
Steve,
I don't know about all the grocery stores, but I know that when I worked out at Dillons West, the company policy was that the employees never take tips for carry-outs. We were told we would be fired if we did. I was offered tips frequently by the older generation, but a tip was never worth my paycheck so I always declined.
methusla,
You are right about the Walmart management not doing much to praise jobs well done, but the local manager definitely looks for jobs not being done or done right. I've never worked there, but have had many friends who have and they were all very intimidated by him....so much so that to this day I am intimidated of him.
February 21, 2010 at 8:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
koalemos (anonymous) says...
I really like the manager of walmart because he puts his name and phone number on every receipt so if you have questions or concerns about product, service or if you just want to chat about the weather, you have someone you can call. The manager of Dillon's never put their names on the receipt. Is there any other store manager in town that does that?
February 22, 2010 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
Pretty much all Wal-Marts have the store managers name on the receipt nowadays.
February 22, 2010 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Steve, you're right, tipping grocery carryouts as a regular practice would never work here. People would never tip well enough to make it worth the kids' time. Still, grocery stores are providing fewer and fewer carryouts and sometimes you have to actually ask for help. They always seem to be looking the other way.
Base commissaries still have carryout services by kids who work for tips only and they always seem to make pretty good $$$.
I too have seen the miserable tips that cheapskate people leave in this town at sit-down places. It's embarassing. On top of that, men tip better than women do and women always expect more service even though they don't leave good tips.
koalemos, I agree with you on the fabric department at Wal Mart. That woman is rarely there and people are always having to summon help. When help finally arrives they say, "I don't know anything about cutting this stuff." Then why did you answer the summon?
I've seen that woman actually walk away from people who are obviously there for help. It's disgusting. I don't go there anymore as a result. I don't like Wal Mart fabric to begin with because it is of such poor quality, but I did buy batting there at one time. Not anymore. Besides, the quilt shop on Commercial street is a much happier place to shop and those gals always drop what they're doing to help.
February 22, 2010 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
Moved to a forum:
http://www.emporiagazette.com/forums/...
February 22, 2010 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )