I honestly don’t think Sam Walton wanted Wal-Mart to become what it has become! It’s really a pathetic joke to the American people! “Let’s all shop at Wal-Mart, where 80-90% of the items are made in China, who owns our debt”! “Let Wal-Mart (Devout) customers become the face of America”! Yeah right, a bunch of brainwashed idiots who act like zombies in that store. And I shop at Wal-Mart too, but my god, so many people who shop there are complete idiots! Mindless zombies wondering around!

People of Wal-Mart

I don’t mean the website, I mean the actual people that shop at Wal-Mart. Not only are they hardcore deal-finders, but they all seem to have some sort of an issue they feel it absolutely necessary to share with the world. Some of them have an issue with dressing – wearing clothing that is entirely inappropriate, and even unnecessary, for shopping at the big box retailer. Some of them have significant other issues that they feel it necessary to blather around the store on their cell phones, screaming at each other, or even sharing with the Wal-Mart employees. No matter what the issue may be, it seems like every person that shops at Wal-Mart seems to feel that it is their duty to turn the Wal-Mart experience into a therapy session/hillbilly fashion show. I just want to get my discounted goods and get the shit out of here. Why must I stand here and endure your issues?

A lot of people hate Wal-Mart for a lot of different reasons. In addition to these I have listed, I hate Wal-Mart and refuse to shop there because for years they have systematically broken down the notion of loyalty to a company. Big box retail took over small, locally owned businesses and the people of this world fell for it in the name of getting a good deal. In the end, though, there is no deal that is worth what Wal-Mart represents.

This past Saturday I went to the Bandera Road Wal-mart in San Antonio, TX. to get the oil changed on my wife’s vehicle. For several years I’ve taken both our vehicles to Wal-mart for oil changes and never had a problem.

Well, this time I noticed right away a price increase to their regular oil change. Their lowest price for an oil change is $30. They no longer have a less expensive service. I said, okay. I can deal with that since it covers lube, checking all fluids, tire pressure and vacuuming aside from the oil and filter change.

I did some shopping while I waited. I didn’t wait long and I went to the register to pay for the service and other items. While the cashier totaled my bill I noticed on the oil change receipt that I was charged $3.84 for an oil filter. I asked the cashier about it and he didn’t have an answer. He called into the work bay for his area manager. I waited and waited , then I asked the cashier who was going to explain this to me.

Meanwhile, another customer was waiting to check out. So, a car tech pokes her head into the window and the cashier asks her about the extra charge for the oil filter. She mumbles something to him. I couldn’t hear. The cashier then tells me that she said it’s a standard charge because they didn’t have a filter in the bay and they had to walk into the store and get one off the shelf. I asked what’s the difference? They couldn’t give me an answer except that it’s “standard”.

Knowing I’m still waiting for the manager, the tech tells him to just void the oil filter charge transaction. After about ten minutes, the other customer still waiting; only one register was open, the area manager comes in and the cashier is voiding the first transaction. He in no way acknowledges me as he comes in. I ask if he is the manager. He looks my way and says yes, but doesn’t ask if there is a problem he can help me with.

He just looks to see what the cashier is doing. The cashier explains that I’m questioning the charge. He then tells me its standard. I told him I understand “standard” but what is the reason since it is the same filter? The manager said that since the items in the bay are bought and packaged bulk and the items in the store aren’t is the reason for the extra charge. I doubt very much that Wal-mart is purchasing oil filters for the shelves individually. I told the manager that shouldn’t make a difference and that the price on the oil change includes an oil filter.

He acted like he didn’t care and didn’t see it as an unfair practice because it is unadvertised policy. Didn’t offer to ask the store manager to look into it or anything. He just walked away after he saw a new transaction taking place. The cashier voided the entire transaction then starts a new transaction minus the oil filter charge. I think it was unfair and bad policy, not to mention a downright dirty trick to make an extra buck off people. Actually, almost four dollars( $4) including tax . It basically amounts to a walking fee. Since, it’s not in the bay they have to walk into the store and pick on off the shelf.

I guess that is what I’m being charged for, a walking fee. Well, let me tell you something , I’m telling everyone I can; and they lost my business as far as oil changes are concerned. It’s no different than having to go to the stock room for an item that is not on the floor so that the customer can purchase it. What else are they charging extra for if it’s not in stock in the bay? $4 may not seem to be much ,but if they do that to everyone that gets an oil change, and it’s probably many, then it adds up to$ mucho dinero $. Hopefully, someone at corporate will read this and change that policy.

Hell, maybe they implemented it and it won’t change.
If you get this email please pass it on to all your contacts. They will be better informed of big store practices and they can protect themselves from this type of dishonesty.

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