Walmart and the Military...

[Montehall]

I'm sure this isn't the company's stance on the military, but it is the stance of at least one Cashier and her Customer Service Manager

This happened to me at the League City walmart on FM 646, just about two hours ago.

Our soldering irons we keep in out toolbags are butane-powered. So we always keep a handful of the butane canisters in the Flammable locker for refills.
Normally, we purchase them at walmart because they are cheapest, and saving the .gov is quite important in these times.
So I go to walmart, and get 10 bottles of butane. I go to check out and tell the cashier that this is a tax exempt purchase. She asks for my tax ID, which I give to her. She tells me that it's not pulling it up, and says "I guess you can't get them without your Tax exempt ID number"
I ask her, politely to get a CSM because there has not been an issue purchasing before.
so she walks over and grabs a CSM, and explains to her what's going on. Keep in mind, they are at the end of the register, so I can hear them talking."
The cashier says "This guy says he's in the military, but his tax exempt number isn't working"
The CSM replies "I don't know why the military doesn't have to pay taxes, they get enough money to waste on sending children to die overseas."
and the Cashier says "I know, that's why I couldn't find his ID"

I heard that, and walked out.
f'n nice.
I guess my days of Walmart shopping are over. I sure wish I got thier names.

[C5SilverBullet]

Go back. Get their names. Ask to speak to the GM. Call Wal-Mart headquarters. Call local TV/Radio stations.

Those turds need to be fired.

:withstupid: No shit, **** that.

[BuckyThreadkiller]

"I don't know why the military doesn't have to pay taxes..."

Just this part should explain everything you need to know about the intelligence level at this store.

[Stangkiller]

Go back. Get their names. Ask to speak to the GM. Call Wal-Mart headquarters. Call local TV/Radio stations.

Those turds need to be fired.

absolutely

[C5SilverBullet]

Just this part should explain everything you need to know about the intelligence level at this store.

That store is smack in the middle of ghetto.

[Sea Six]

You have absolutely got to take this to Walmart's corporate headquarters.

If you don't, they'll continue to keep presenting this situation to other military members. I assure you that is not the image that Walmart Corporate wants to project, or even endorse.

Do the world a favor. There are enough good, honest, intelligent citizens out there without jobs who need one.

[Superstreet]

Go back. Get their names. Ask to speak to the GM. Call Wal-Mart headquarters. Call local TV/Radio stations.

Those turds need to be fired.

:iagree: Unbelievable. (Sad,really)

[DAB]

you would think that after the careful Pee tests are done, the mgmt would explain that the point of the store is to sell things and take customer's $$, not engage in value judgements....

[Montehall]

:withstupid: No shit, **** that.
I brought it up to attention of my supervisors.
It really wouldn't be hard to figure out who it was, since the only register you can buy Butane from is the express isle, where the smokes are.

[Montehall]

That store is smack in the middle of ghetto.

I don't think you are thinking of the right one... it's right across from the Home Depot/Target, just off I-45. (exit 18, I think)
I always thought it was a really nice area.

[neece]

stbitf

[clutchdust]

Needs to go up the chain. I would go back and get the number for the store manager and the regional manager. They should be posted on the wall next to the Customer Service desk, at least they are in the two Walmarts in driving distance to me.
You can bet they're both Chairman Obama supporters, which is fine. Stupid, but fine. If that's the case, they can keep their asswipe opinions to themselves and complete the transaction.

[Sea Six]

I brought it up to attention of my supervisors.
It really wouldn't be hard to figure out who it was, since the only register you can buy Butane from is the express isle, where the smokes are.

What you just did there is essentially do nothing that will solve the problem.

You represent the military, and you were the one that was diss'd.

You are right in contacting the corporate office.

In fact, to refrain from doing so would be doing everyone, including the military, a disservice.

Two wrongs don't make a right. Help solve the problem.

:flag:

[Montehall]

I would not be the one to talk the press anyway, and I feel it was my obligation to report the issue to my command. There are people far better suited to the task of dealing with a trillion-dollar, multi-national corporation than me.
If I was there buying for myself, and that happened, I would be handling it, but since I was there in an official capacity, it's not really my call to make.
I told my supervisors, they had me write up a statement, and that's getting send up to some CG-2 office in Washington DC.

appearently, this happens all the time, as there are Instruction Manuals on how to properly deal with a situation such as this.

[1911fool]

go back now Monte.... Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, NOW!

[Bill]

I certainly agree that workers should check their personal feelings at the door when they come to work, but I have to ask....was the OP properly identified as a military member?

Were you in uniform, using a clearly marked military issue credit card or check? If so, then you should have had no flak (pun intended) in the completion of your tax-exempt transaction, and I would have insisted on talking up the ladder right then and there until someone could sell you your items tax exempt, as required. That also would have provided a good opportunity to inform a higher up about the attitude and opinions manifested by the original clerk who refused to complete the sale.

[prospero63]

I'm detecting a pattern of bad decision making on your part.

[Sea Six]

I would not be the one to talk the press anyway, and I feel it was my obligation to report the issue to my command. There are people far better suited to the task of dealing with a trillion-dollar, multi-national corporation than me.
If I was there buying for myself, and that happened, I would be handling it, but since I was there in an official capacity, it's not really my call to make.

What? Speaking to the press? WTF?

Just call the 800 number, tell them you want to make a complaint, tell them what happened, and let it go from there.

You probably won't even hear from them ever again. If you tell them there is no need for an apology, you just wanted them to become aware, you probably won't ever hear back. Your part's over.

They'll do their own investigation, or make the store's GM aware of the situation. He'll make sure it doesn't happen again, or if he uncovers some reason to fire them, he will.

[Montehall]

I'm detecting a pattern of bad decision making on your part.
appearently... even though in this case, I am following prescribed doctrine. (which I didn't find out until I got back, but still...)

I guess I am the complete opposite of the bald guy in Seinfeld, who got smarter when he didn't have sex.

[DJ_Critterus]

I'm sure this isn't the company's stance on the military, but it is the stance of at least one Cashier and her Customer Service Manager

This happened to me at the League City walmart on FM 646, just about two hours ago.

Our soldering irons we keep in out toolbags are butane-powered. So we always keep a handful of the butane canisters in the Flammable locker for refills.
Normally, we purchase them at walmart because they are cheapest, and saving the .gov is quite important in these times.
So I go to walmart, and get 10 bottles of butane. I go to check out and tell the cashier that this is a tax exempt purchase. She asks for my tax ID, which I give to her. She tells me that it's not pulling it up, and says "I guess you can't get them without your Tax exempt ID number"
I ask her, politely to get a CSM because there has not been an issue purchasing before.
so she walks over and grabs a CSM, and explains to her what's going on. Keep in mind, they are at the end of the register, so I can hear them talking."
The cashier says "This guy says he's in the military, but his tax exempt number isn't working"
The CSM replies "I don't know why the military doesn't have to pay taxes, they get enough money to waste on sending children to die overseas."
and the Cashier says "I know, that's why I couldn't find his ID"

I heard that, and walked out.
f'n nice.
I guess my days of Walmart shopping are over. I sure wish I got thier names.


Man, I would have gotten both of their names and headed straight for a manger. That's :bs if they do that to anybody based on their political views. Hell, something like that would piss me off so bad that I'd go back to find the store manager and cause some problems.

Did they ask for your receipt a the front door, too?

[DJ_Critterus]

Go back. Get their names. Ask to speak to the GM. Call Wal-Mart headquarters. Call local TV/Radio stations.

Those turds need to be fired.

No, do not call local news stations. He was trying to buy something for the .MIL and it'll look like he's the spokesman for the Military. Let the PAO section handle it if they must.

[Montehall]

This.

[Vette Jockey]

You have absolutely got to take this to Walmart's corporate headquarters.

If you don't, they'll continue to keep presenting this situation to other military members. I assure you that is not the image that Walmart Corporate wants to project, or even endorse.

Do the world a favor. There are enough good, honest, intelligent citizens out there without jobs who need one.

:iagree: :patriot:

[09CTSV]

You did the right thing letting the command handle it. The names would help a lot but they can get the names from the store.

[G8rDMD]

Go back. Get their names. Ask to speak to the GM. Call Wal-Mart headquarters. Call local TV/Radio stations.

Those turds need to be fired.

Absolutely. Then let them go live in China :flag:

[mrvette]

OP, Monte, I not even ex.mil.....but tell you what, I been behind you in line, there beeeeeeee another outcome.....

CASE CLOSED......


:dance::beat::beat::beat::seeya:

[ft laud mike]

Go back. Get their names. Ask to speak to the GM. Call Wal-Mart headquarters. Call local TV/Radio stations.

Those turds need to be fired.

You have absolutely got to take this to Walmart's corporate headquarters.

If you don't, they'll continue to keep presenting this situation to other military members. I assure you that is not the image that Walmart Corporate wants to project, or even endorse.

Do the world a favor. There are enough good, honest, intelligent citizens out there without jobs who need one.

:iagree: this
:cheers:

[Dan Dlabay]

I would not let this slide. :cheers:

[Uri]

Make sure they know you represent "Homeland Security" (Not DOD) and they will not be secured.

Jackasses........

:slap:
:kick:

[Joecooool]

Thought you were in the Coast Guard.

[clutchdust]

He is. It's the "forgotten branch". Coasties have served in every military action I can think of, including VN, DS1 and DS2. Not entirely sure about Afghanishitistan though.

[Rotorhead]

Monte, you have so much drama. Now go lose weight and save your freakin job.

[Mirroredshades]

So I go to walmart,



There's your problem right there.

:slap:

[Aflac]

As a former GPC (gov purchase card) holder, I have had numerous dealings with Walmart. If there ever was a problem, I asked to see the store manager and they resolved the issue on the spot.

[Corey_68]

Screw Wal-Mart...

All of the Walton kids are among the top 10 wealthiest in the world yet have donated less than 1% of their combined net worth to charity.

[Fastguy]

This happened two years ago? What wait so long?

[Stangkiller]

Screw Wal-Mart...

All of the Walton kids are among the top 10 wealthiest in the world yet have donated less than 1% of their combined net worth to charity.

Who cares? It's their money.

[Stangkiller]

True it's their money.

But it would seem to give an indication of the type of character they have.

Just my .02. :cheers:
How do you know they aren't doing other things with their money that help people? They don't have to make charitable donations to be a very helpful member of society. I wouldn't trust most charities with that kind of money anyways.

[prospero63]

True it's their money.

But it would seem to give an indication of the type of character they have.

Just my .02. :cheers:

What percentage of your income do you donate to charity?

[Corey_68]

Who cares? It's their money.

they can spend it however they wish no question but they (Wal-mart) take everything from the community and give nothing back.

They come in, undercut put mom and pop shops, put themout of business then raise the prices. They treat employyees like crap, manditory off the clock overtime with no overtime pay. The average Wal-Mart cashier makes BELOW the poverty line and a large number of employees are on Medicaid.

[Corey_68]

How do you know they aren't doing other things with their money that help people? They don't have to make charitable donations to be a very helpful member of society. I wouldn't trust most charities with that kind of money anyways.

You should watch this, you'll see a different side to wal-mart. The documentery interviews ex-wal-mart executives and how they screw their employees and local towns.

WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price (http://www.walmartmovie.com/)

[Montehall]

a documentary?
I'm sure it's completely unbiased and fairly represents both sides of the subject.

just like Bowling for Columbine, Food, Inc. or even Roger and Me.

I was just told that a representative at CG FINCEN and D8 Legal contacted the store and the matter is being "reviewed", and the CG is requiring action by today.
I was also told, by the same person at FINCEN, that I did the correct thing by leaving and reporting the situation, as my interaction may have complicated matters and it would have turned into a he-said/she-said arguement. As it stands now, though, I was told to buy my butane elsewhere.

[Corey_68]

a documentary?
I'm sure it's completely unbiased and fairly represents both sides of the subject.

No doubt has a negative spin, but you cannot dismiss the figures.

[Montehall]

No doubt has a negative spin, but you cannot dismiss the figures.
sure I can... watch.

:D

[DJ_Critterus]

True it's their money.

But it would seem to give an indication of the type of character they have.

Just my .02. :cheers:

This isn't a great argument by any means. Yeah, Wally World kids are douches. No excuse for that.

An example why this argument isn't GREAT:

I make about $80K/yr right now. I give maybe, maybe $300.00 year to charity (Shriners). Am I a greedy SOB for that? Nope. I usually give about 2 weekends a month in my spare time to working on stuff for the charity and countless other events that the Lodge I belong to is involved in.

We have members in the group & Lodge who have far more $$$ than me and I think even some that'll make Utah look like he only has a small porcelain pig filled with pennies. They also do pretty much the same thing I do as far as charity donations via $$$ and time, too, though nobody is sure (or cares) exactly what kinda $$$ they have to throw around.

How do we know the Walton's aren't doing something similar (albeit indirect)?

And now the thread is ready to get derailed.... :leaving:

[DJ_Critterus]

I said "it would seem to give an indication" which does not preclude them doing other things with their time and/or money. If they do, the good on them.

Well, off topic here, now... to me, the whole "seem..." argument you have isn't working. Many philanthropists out there like to remain anonymous. They may seem like greedy douches,but in reality aren't. Tis just somehting to think about.

Now... back on topic. Monte, the CoC said some action was supposed to be taken by today on the matter. Are they going to keep you in the loop?

[Montehall]

Well, off topic here, now... to me, the whole "seem..." argument you have isn't working. Many philanthropists out there like to remain anonymous. They may seem like greedy douches,but in reality aren't. Tis just somehting to think about.

Now... back on topic. Monte, the CoC said some action was supposed to be taken by today on the matter. Are they going to keep you in the loop?
yes, they are.
haven't heard anything yet

[DJ_Critterus]

yes, they are.
haven't heard anything yet

Well, let's hope those two bitches get shit canned.