Your thoughts on shopping in Walmart these days

[JoeWras]

I go to Walmart just because people have told me not to. I was running a group event that involved buying supplies, and someone in the group told me I couldn't go to Walmart to get the supplies. Not that they were putting in the effort to run it or anything... they were just telling me what to do based on their beliefs. I believe my parents called these "busybodies." She calls herself an "advocate." Whatever.

I discovered that our local Walmarts have better selection and are just as clean and efficient as Targets. So now I go to Walmart a lot.

There are a few things I won't buy there. I don't like the look of their centrally processed ground beef. Central processing also has a higher degree of e-coli exposure risk.

Otherwise, it's my store.

As for when to shop? 7 to 8 am is a good time.

 

[ABQ2015]

Went to Walmart last week to try to replace my old fashioned crockpot as Target did not carry that model. I had dropped and bent the exterior part so took the ceramic insert into the store to see if I could find the exact replacement and then have two inserts. Parked the cart that included insert and a few other items an aisle away from restroom and when I got back the cart was gone. Spent 30 minutes looking for my cart and bean stained crockpot insert but could not find it.

Then looked at Instant Pots which I was considering buying anyway, and realized that it also functioned as a slow cooker. But Walmart did not have any DUO models and I want to try the yogurt maker on the DUO. So I bought a few grocery items I needed and left. Probably won't be back for 6 months or a year. Hope my crockpot insert found a good home.

 

[gerntz]

I always feel out-of-place when I visit Walmart. No matter how grubby I happen to be at the time. Honestly, I feel like I need to "dress down" prior to going to a Walmart.


The place gives me the creeps. I honestly believe that mankind sets the bar just a little bit lower at Walmart.

Got it. You don't care to be around lower class folks.

 

[volfan]

I don’t think this person is dressed up to go to Walmart and thus needs to “dress down”. I think they mean going to the store in your house shoes/slippers and pajamas etc—see it often in my Walmart. Being lower class does not mean you can’t present yourself appropriately.

 

[CardsFan]

I don’t think this person is dressed up to go to Walmart and thus needs to “dress down”. I think they mean going to the store in your house shoes/slippers and pajamas etc—see it often in my Walmart. Being lower class does not mean you can’t present yourself appropriately.

Bold by me. Ironically, several years ago in Shanghai this was all the rage. And it was done to prove you were well to do, because only the wealthy could afford to live in the posh areas of Shanghai and walk to the store in their PJ's and slippers.

 

[volfan]

Oh well, to each their own! It’s not just in Walmart, they come to the schools to pick up their kids this way too.

 

[Bir48die]

I will say some of the “best dressed” collages on the internet come from photos taken at WM. The dress code went out a couple decades ago

 

[ivinsfan]

Oh well, to each their own! It’s not just in Walmart, they come to the schools to pick up their kids this way too.

How about the hotel breakfast room, well at least they have a sign saying you need to wear a shirt and some shoes.

 

[ugeauxgirl]

I actually saw a woman in Walmart last week with 3 barefoot kids. But I do live in rural Al. My friend escorted someone out when they brought their pet snake to the store...

 

[timo2]

Our local Walmart does sell guns and ammo, but you'll need a good bit of time and luck to buy any. It "seems" like there is "never" anyone in the sporting goods dept. I once bought some ammo there and it took about 20 mins. First I had to go ask someone in another dept to "call" someone to the sporting goods dept. Once they arrived they had to find someone with a key to the ammo cabinets. Then they wanted me to pay for it in that dept. (No self checkout for ammo, which I can understand) Yep, then it took a while to get the cash register unlocked and to accept my payment. No ID checks or paper work required for ammo purchases here in Texas.

Here in NM the Walmart's stopped selling firearms this year. The reactions I heard from the gun community was a solid 'who cares'. Your experience could be part of the reason why. They either felt it would help the mom & pop gun stores, or they bought there firearms at Cabella's anyway.

 

[ugeauxgirl]

Yep, I've seen it. At the library too.

Oh well, to each their own! It’s not just in Walmart, they come to the schools to pick up their kids this way too.

 

[gerntz]

I don’t think this person is dressed up to go to Walmart and thus needs to “dress down”. I think they mean going to the store in your house shoes/slippers and pajamas etc—see it often in my Walmart. Being lower class does not mean you can’t present yourself appropriately.

Judgment call on what's appropriate. You ain't got much & time's limited, you go as is. I mean get off from digging holes with dirty torn shirt & pants & that's inappropriate?

 

[Ed B]

Judgment call on what's appropriate. You ain't got much & time's limited, you go as is. I mean get off from digging holes with dirty torn shirt & pants & that's inappropriate?

I hope no one is critical of someone who stops to get milk on the way home from a hard day digging ditches. In my experience the customer dress-code issue isn't that, it is variations of this.

[mod edit - delete pic]

 

[volfan]

I hope no one is critical of someone who stops to get milk on the way home from a hard day digging ditches. In my experience the customer dress-code issue isn't that, it is variations of this.



[Mod edit - delete pic]

Haha, guess I’d rather see pajama pants than this view.

 

[gerntz]

I hope no one is critical of someone who stops to get milk on the way home from a hard day digging ditches. In my experience the customer dress-code issue isn't that, it is variations of this.

[mod edit - delete pic]

So she can't afford more clothes. Is there a point?

 

[Squirrel]

BTW, when traveling, we were surprised to find that many Walmarts have a fair selection of RV supplies -- ex: water supply hoses, RV-specific TP, etc.

 

[Ed B]

So she can't afford more clothes. Is there a point?

Yeah, I don't think finances are why she chose that outfit.

 

[Senator]

I am currently (at my vacation rental) next door to the busiest Walmart in the world. The store on Old Lake Wilson Road, in Kissimmee, FL. Go there at 2 AM, 6 PM, or 10AM, it's long lines to check out, even in the self-checkout. Millions of people there. Everywhere.

My friend who is a store manager says that stores in more affluent areas are easier to maintain. More affluent customers tend to put items back where they got them when they change their minds, less affluent customers put them on whatever shelf they're next to. Stores in more affluent areas tend to look neater for this (and other reasons)- also you tend to have less theft, broken packages, people eating stuff in the store, trash, that sort of thing.

As a (former) low-income landlord, I can assure you that there is definitely a difference in mentality/attitudes between lower income and non-low income people. I am sure it is reflected in the stores too. It is incredibly difficult to make money as a low income landlord.

It doesn't mean that all low-income have the entitlement mentality, but you can nearly be 100% accurate in saying that people with a entitlement attitude are low income. (Just because all boys have blue eyes, does not mean that all people with blue eyes are boys).

 

[Dtail]

Haha, guess I’d rather see pajama pants than this view.

I assume you mean her dirty feet.

 

[ugeauxgirl]

Lol- I didn't even notice her feet- I was wondering if she was wearing underwear!

I assume you mean her dirty feet.

 

[Jerry1]

Thanks for the “interesting” insight into Walmart.