Why we avoid our closest Walmart and Target

We live less than 5 minutes from Target and about 10 minutes from Walmart.  However, we have learned to NEVER shop at the stores closest to us.

Why?

Because the stores closest to us suck.

We live close to the major American city and many--not all--but many of the workers at our closest Walmart and Target stores simply do not know how to act.  They don't know how to make customers a priority and treat them with common courtesy and a spirit of helpfulness.  On top of that, many of the customers do not know how to act.  They trash the merchandise and make a complete mess of the shelves.  Some of them aggressively interpose themselves between fellow customers and the merchandise they seek.  It's as if they want to exact personal vengeance against people of different backgrounds than their own.  It creates an almost dangerous environment.  If you throw in a poorly lit parking lot near a high crime area, it's just simply not a good place to be.

That's why we drive 20 to 30 miles into the suburbs to encounter nicer store personnel and nicer customers.  It's aggravating.  But, we like to drive and it provides a nicer overall store experience for us.

Corporate trainers for big box merchants would do well to emphasize that not all cultural and racial insensitivity comes from the majority ethnicity to the minority.  Sometimes, it can be vice versa.  People of any sex, race, religion, or national origin can harbor prejudices against a variety of other people based on skin color, national origin, age or gender.  When those prejudices come from a store employee to any customer, it's not a good thing.  

It's the kind of thing that makes a customer want to avoid stores entirely and handle purchases online with the anonymous click of a mouse.

What's not for sale at Target and Walmart

One of the most infuriating aspects of shopping at the big box giants like Target and Walmart is what isn't offered for sale.  Every once in awhile, you'll need something specific for a specific task or a little niche project and you'll head off to a big box thinking you can find it.  Good luck with that!

The big box stores use computer-based planning systems to make sure that every square inch of their shelf space is selling something profitable.  Seldom needed items make way for the often needed items.  Unfortunately, that seldom needed item is often the "project completer" needed to make best use of the often needed items.

I first noticed this a couple of years ago when we were trying to reconfigure some lamps for a new apartment.  We had some lamps that were thrift store finds.  We had some lamps from Target and we had some lamps from Walmart.  For some reason, we needed to find a lamp harp because we had bought a new differently sized lampshade.  But, Target didn't sell them.  They sold lamp shades galore, but not a single lamp harp.


A few nights ago, we went to Target and wanted to get some petroleum jelly.  Apparently, the powers that be have decided that petroleum jelly would not be in any of the personal care or makeup sections of the store.  We don't know why.  I suspect it has gone out of fashion since it contains petrolatum.  But, when you need it and can't find it, it really is frustrating.


So, next time, you are rambling through a big box store, take note of what you don't see.

Choosing A Favorite Big Box Location

We frequent lots of big box stores.  Not so much for a pleasant shopping experience but because we need stuff.  Over the years, we've developed a few criteria for choosing a big box retailer to frequent.

1. Good prices.
2. Good selection.
3. Well lit parking lot.
5. Safe neighborhood/clientele.
6. Clean bathrooms.
7. Clean and tidy retail space.
8. Available price scanners.
9. Friendly staff.
10.  Quick check out lanes.

It's not a long list, but these things are important.

Abandon Cart! Abandon Cart!

Have you ever walked away from a full cart of merchandise while shopping at a Big Box Store?  What made you do it?  We often abandon carts full of merchandise when we are shopping at stores like Walmart, Target, or IKEA.  Why do we do it?  Here are three reasons we abandon carts full of merchandise while we are shopping:

1.  Stock Out - The store is out of the item we came to get.
2.  Item Not Carried - Some vital item we needed was not even carried by the store.
3.  Check Out Line Too Long and Too Slow - Some items just aren't worth standing in line for.

Photo by:  w:nl:Gebruiker:Michiel1972 -

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