4/5

posted Feb-05-2012

"On December 22 I headed to work in my 2004 Honda Accord. Less than one block from home, the car started jerking and the Check Engine Light starting flashing. I immediately turned around and parked in the garage. Thursday was the big meeting day at work and being absent was not ideal. However, this was serious car trouble so I emailed my supervisor telling him I was taking the day off.

I knew from experiencing previous Check Engine Lights, although this was the first time the light flashed, that an On-Board Diagnosis (OBD) code reader would help diagnosis the problem. I also knew that Auto Zone and Advanced Auto Parts have code readers customers can use for free, so I called the local stores to check availability. They had OBD code readers, but they wouldn’t let me take one home. Instead, I would have to drive my car to the store and use the device in the parking lot. My car couldn’t be driven, so using one of their diagnostic tools was not an option. I remember while living in Springfield, Oregon, that O’Reilly’s auto stores let me take a code reader home, but there were no O’Reilly’s close to Dumfries, Virginia. I checked Wal-Mart’s website and they had an Equus 3100 Innova CanOBD2 Diagnostic Tool for $80. I used the site’s “check store availability” feature and the item was in stock at a local Wal-Mart.

I went to the Dumfries, Viriginia, Wal-Mart and found the Equus 3100 OBD tool priced at $98. I took the item to a check out counter and explained to the Associate that the item was $80 on Wal-Mart’s website. The Associate called for a Customer Service Manager (CSM) to authorize a price reduction. CSM Matt arrived at the counter and told me that Wal-Mart stores do not match Wal-Mart online prices because of shipping charges and other costs. However, he said he would make an exception this time and authorized the lower price. I thanked him and recognized this situation as an example of great customer service.

On my way home from Wal-Mart I wondered if I could have purchased the OBD code reader online for $80 and picked it up at the store. At home, I checked the store’s site and on the webpage for the Equus 3100 Innova CanOBD2 Diagnostic Tool was posted, “Free store pickup today in Dumfries—order online now.” While I applaud the intentions of Wal-Mart’s CSM Matt, I am disappointed that he unjustifiably lectured me and just didn’t authorize the lower price.

Wal-Mart stores need to price match items on the Wal-Mart website if the items are available in the store. Perhaps they do price match their own products and CSM Matt was uninformed. Either way, I was glad to have my OBD tool. I spent the rest of the day and part of the next morning analyzing the OBD data and reading online car troubleshooting forums. I finally diagnosed the problem as a faulty ignition coil for the number two cylinder, which I replaced that day. The car runs great now!"

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1/5

posted Jan-26-2012

"I bought a vizio 32 in hd plat panel tv from the telegtaph walmart in st louis on 8/4/09,along with their 2 yr extended service plan.The tv stopped working on 1/21/12...still under their service plans time.Called both walmart and the plans ppl,ans was told to "throw the tv awayand the plans ppl would send me 150 dollars for the set.Now,I know the sets are getting a lil cheaper,but,where can you buy a 32 in vizio set for 150....and then to have something like that in a landfill....I was told when I bought the 2 yr plan,if the tv went bad,to bring it in,along with my proper paper work,walmart would hook it up and if in fact it didnt work,they would hand me a new set.No one from walmart or their plan will speak to me,and as of this date,I have been waiting a week for either/both companys to call me...like I was promised ....and resolve the problem,no more shopping at walmart...and no more vizio junk...I'm a 51 yr old man....I've bought several new tv's....3 in the last 2 yrs from walmart no less.....and I'll NEVER buy vizio again...and may just stop shoping at walmart....I hate being lied to...if thier ppl dont know what their doing,then walmart should replace them....nothing but run-arounds and lies.....shame on u walmart"

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1/5

posted Jan-24-2012

"I purchased an Asus netbook bundle for my college age daughter as an affordable remedy to having her laptop stolen. The semester has already begun so receiving as expeditiously as possible was key. I requested rush delivery and paid the highest price for shipping.

I have never had an issue using the bank card I used for the purchase and have utilized it multiple times with online companies with my billing address and a different shipping address for my daughter. Apparently, Walmart does a CSI investigation of the purchase, as they say, to insure that everything “matches” up as a precautionary measure to insure no fraudulent charges. Apparently, if everything does not match up to their satisfaction, they phone your bank and then phone you. Apparently, something for me did not “match up” upon their investigation.

Unbeknownst to me the order was cancelled as it was indicated they left a voice mail with my bank at the "invoice" line and left a voice mail for me on my cell phone. Because they did not hear back from me or the bank to verify the charge, the order was cancelled.

I found this out the day the order was to be delivered. This was ordered online, an email confirmation was sent to confirm the order. However, no email was sent indicating they were attempting to contact me or that the order was going to cancel as they needed further verification from me. My cell phone was provided to Walmart and the number they have is correct.

You will not find a customer service contact number for Walmart.com. You will have to dig for it. When you call them you will get the lowest level of customer service as well as a representative that cannot help you and simply repeats the same responses over and over again. I simply wanted the order reinstated as the funds were still being held or the funds released so that the machine could be re-ordered.

It is amazing they had an issue with verification as the amount of 360.00 had no problem being held against my account. Meaning that those funds were frozen, unable to be spent until released by my bank in 5 business days. I asked them to revive the order since the funds had already been pre-authorized and they simply needed to submit the hard charge when the order shipped. No, they said, once an order is cancelled it is cancelled. Then went on to flippantly say but you can go back online and order anything you want.

So, I said then release the funds. Sorry, that is between you and your bank. I called the bank and in order to have the funds released sooner Walmart needed to fax a release to them on their letter head indicating that they had no intention of capturing those funds.

Walmart was unable to put me in touch with anyone that had the ability to provide this service. I asked for a supervisor and I got a snotty, unprofessional Michelle from the "Northwest Alabama Office,“ which is what was provided when I asked where she was located. She indicate that she was the floor supervisor and she had no manager when I asked to speak with hers. She was the highest in command at that location and there was no one else. She refused to help and insisted that this was an issue between my bank and myself.

Called the bank again who insisted that they receive many releases from walmart daily. Called Walmart back that representative said there is no way they can release the funds on her level. The only thing she could do was submit an email, a “ticket” to accounting which would be processed in the order received typically 2-3 business days and they still may not initiate documentation to my bank to release the funds. They kept insisting that it was not a hard charge and that it would drop pursuant to the bank policy.

All well and good Walmart. Actually what your policy should be or any companies policy for that matter, is that when you cancel an order for whatever reason, no longer in stock, your inefficient, matching up investigations to determine that I am actually placing an order with my credentials, etc., it should be automatic that a release is sent to the bank where a pre-authorization is awaiting a hard charge from YOU so that the customer is not out those funds for up to 5 business days and longer in some cases.

If you can’t figure out how to reinstate the order when a customer does get in contact with you and the funds are still in suspense, then you certainly should accommodate the process to release the funds upon their request. Once a preauthorize is presented to a bank, the customer must endure the waiting period for a hard charge to be submitted against that pre-authorization or the company placing the pre-authorization has to indicate to the bank they have no intention of capturing those funds.

Don’t preauthorize anything on a customer’s account until you are sure the item is in stock, will ship or they pass your “match” process which obviously is flawed as you had a concern this may be a fraudulent charge. However, I am left without the funds for 5 business days and no order that is ever going to be processed. I really consider that fraud. You took my funds for a week and delivered nothing but frustration and anxiety. Even when a remedy was conveyed to resolve the situation you have not empowered your first line customer service representatives with the ability to do anything more than frustrate the living daylights out of your customers. Shame on you!!!"

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2/5

posted Jan-23-2012

"Having spent a lot of money at WalMart over the last years, I am seriously considering not to ever enter their local store or order from their online store again. I tried to purchase a TV online to pick it up later that afternoon at the closest WalMart store, 50 miles from where I live. The ordering process was simple; I received a confirmation in my email inbox within 3 minutes and everything seemed to be OK. Unfortunately, 30 minutes later I received an email telling me that the $645 Flatpanel TV was no longer in stock and the order was therefore cancelled. Little did I know that WalMart would be holding my money hostage for 3-5 business days. I did not find this "little" important fact out, until I called their totally incompetent customer service. I called customer service twice to ask what was taking so long plus sent an email to corporate headquarters... no reply or willingness to help other than the typical jargon and learned responses, in fact, the first customer service rep hung up on me. I have had lots of experience ordering from other online stores before; this is by far the worst I have ever come across. How does WalMart get away with holding MY money for 3-5 business days, and I have absolutely nothing to show for it? How is it that one can place an online order and have your bank account charged immediately, but it takes 3-5 business days for the money to be released again, if they cannot fill the order? I would like to see WalMart's response, if I just took a TV out of their store and told them you have to wait 5 days for me to pay for it. I would certainly end up in jail. How unethical can you get WalMart??? You are getting too big for your bridges. "

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5/5

posted Jan-11-2012

"Purchased a refurbished VIZIO 42" Class Razor LED-LCD 1080p 120Hz HDTV at Walmart.com and had it shipped for free to a nearby Walmart superstore. The HDTV was shipped promptly and arrived at the store in about a week. I was emailed when it was ready to be picked up. The box was undamaged and the HDTV like new when I got it home and set it up. I also purchased an extended 3-year warranty for the HDTV at a very reasonable price. Overall I saved several hundred dollars compared to new models being sold by Amazon.com and other discounters. The set has worked perfectly in the six months since I received it. I recommend both Vizio products and Walmart.com."

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1/5

posted Jan-10-2012

"I want to tell you about a person who showed Hispanics respect. His name is Terry and he worked at the Eldersburg Maryland store.
I really liked him, and so did many others. They fired him. I am very disappointed and have not been back to the store. I found him to be very helpful with prepaid phones and he did not treat us Hispanics like we were trash. Why did they fire him? Why?"

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5/5

posted Jan-07-2012

"I needed very large tarps for a roofing job & found them with great help from a salesperson in that dept. Tanks"

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5/5

posted Jan-03-2012

"Walmart had some good prices for DVDs before Christmas. At this particular time, the price for Transformers-Dark of the Moon was only $13. Considering all other prices at this time, it was the best price. I get the Site to Store option to save money on shipping and handling and since the local store is only 10 minutes away, it makes it a good option. If you're going to the store anyway, it makes it easy to pick up and go with the rest of your shopping. Walmart makes it easy!"

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1/5

posted Dec-31-2011

"Walmart.com is the least flexible vendor I have ever purchases from on line. I ordered a Christmas gift sent to a niece in another state and accidently entered her previous address. i caught it within 12 hours and cancelled the order. There were 2 items on the order one cancelled and the other shipped 48 hours later. Then when I attempted to change the address Walmart informed that the address could not be changed - PERIOD. So someone at the old address received a gift I paid for - too bad. I spoke with supervisors who also had the "too bad" attitude. They claim they can't change the address because they can't verify who I am. However they are always able to verify who I am to take my money!!"

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2/5

posted Dec-30-2011

"Here are some comments about Walmart in Eldersburg Maryland:

Your understaffing the last few years has hurt your business.

The sexist remarks that I have heard in the electronics area does not help your business. Believe it or not, the size of my breasts and buttocks are really none of your business. Stop drooling and do you job!!!



"

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