The other night I heard the words that anyone who has worked retail for any length of time has heard, "I'm never shopping here again." What tragedy occurred that drove the lady to utter that you ask. We reset the yogurt section and we no longer carry the flavor of yogurt she buys. I know, a really tragic situation. Of course she was blaming me for it. Yes, I called the office and told them to drop that yogurt just so she would no longer shop there. Note to self, be more subtle next time. The customers are catching on.
Naturally I was non-committal in dealing with her. According to her that was the only reason that she ever set foot in Wal-Mart. My eyes must have been playing tricks on me, but it appeared that she had a few other items in her cart. I didn't bother pointing that out to her. Another thing that I didn't bother pointing out was the cost of the "only item" that she ever came to Wal-Mart for was 50 cents a container. First of all, if that is all you come for, why bother? Secondly, do you really think that your not buying a fifty cent item is going to make a difference to us?
Of course this is not the first time I have heard this threat. Complaining to the stockers does not get you any results. All we do is put the merchandise out. We have no say in what is sold. The store manager does not have that much say. They can request a certain item, but there is no guarantee that the buyers will agree. Also you need to realize that all Wal-Mart Supercenters are not equal, some being larger than others. Our store is one of the medium sized ones. You may find a certain grocery item in one store, but not the next one you go in. There simply isn't room for everything.
There are several reasons why something is dropped. First, the total sales of the item may not be high enough and they want something else in its place. Secondly, a manufacturer may not be able to produce the volume of product needed to place it in Wal-Mart. Finally, the volume may not be enough for the manufacturer and they have discontinued making it. You may not be happy about no longer getting something you want, but don't take it out on the workers, especially one who blogs. He may take the opportunity to make you look a little foolish.
4 comments:
Let this be a warning to all you health food nutcases. Yogurt makes you emotionally unstable.
I! am! indignant!
I'm sure you handled that well. I usually just shrug it off or complain to a friend in a mocking sort of way like, "Can you believe they don't love me anymore? They stopped selling the only yogurt I will eat: raccoon and pomegranate!"
One of the things I don't miss about retail was dealing with the customers. You handled it better than I would have.
At least on the wholesale side the customers are a little bit more understanding, and if you are out of something you are more in the loop as to why you are out.
Quiggy-Now I know what my problem is. I like yogurt.
Caron-You reminded me of something I meant to put in the post. I'll put it in today's.
Travis-To me those that get so easily upset need to take a long look at themselves. Life is to short to let something like that get them.
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