New on Walmart.....

[Lonewolfblue]

I have a bit of a suprise for everyone here. I got home from work this evening, and got 2 phone calls, one from the Head Manager for the Walmart here, as well as the Regional Manager here. They questioned me on exactly what I saw, and were very appreciative of my concern, and asked if they could do anything for me. I told them that all I wanted to do was to just bring it to their attention to see if maybe there is a problem with the particular Walmart here, or maybe go over some of the policies to see if any changes need to be made. I also told them that the reason I wrote is because of the love I have for the hobby, and that is the fish. They told me they would not only look into it, but look over the department as a whole and retrain the current employees. They also told mme that their acclimation policy is 24 hours, and I told them 24 hours is too long, and the reason for the dead fish is lack of oxygen. So they are looking at maybe changing some of these policies as well. So, we'll see what happens. Just thought I'd share with all of you.

[TeenReefer]

Good job lonebluewolf!

[Lonewolfblue]

Yup.... I told them the worst policy is acclimating over 24 hours. That's a huge no-no.

[rich311k]

Way to go. Glad you got a response.

[Lonewolfblue]

If it was just the Walmart manager, I probably would have thought they were just trying to cover their trail. But when the Regional Manager called, was impressed.

[Zagz]

Good job Wolf. Nice to see that they bothered to respond!

[Lonewolfblue]

Yes, and it wasn't like picking on Walmart either. I just expressed my concern at the Walmart here, and detailed exactly what I saw. And they responded quite professionally, IMO. Maybe they will do something.

[LKH]

That's cool! I'm glad to see they responded! Kudos!

L

[Lonewolfblue]

Update....

Got another message on my answering machine from the Asst. Manager here at Walmart. He wants to talk to me personally, and go over what I think they could do better, as well as going over some of the policies that may need updating.

Now I know not all Walmarts are the same, as well as lfs's, but here's an idea. I feel there are only 2 reasons they called me here:
1. The management actually cares about the customers.
2. They are getting so much feedback on the problems, they have no choice.

I think it's #1 here. So here's my idea. If you do come across a bad experience, bring it up, whether it's asking to talk to a manager or fill out a feedback card or online feedback. Just do it. If someone cares at the particular store, they will do something. If not, then go to the next source to get the fish. But at least give the benefit of the doubt to the fish, they deserve it.

Now I know not all Walmarts are the same. Some, like ours, is being pro-active, and others won't respond. But maybe if some of the ones that care respond more, it will send repercussions through the rest of the system. Just a thought ti think about.

Now I'm not saying go out and complain about all Walmarts, I'm not. Do as I did, when I came across a bad experience, bring it up in one form or another, and do leave a phone # so they can contact you. I know places that won't respond if you just give an email address, but will respond asap if a phone number is given. And do nothing but tell the truth about the experience at the particular store, nothing more, and as for your concern, that it's a hobby that you love and have a concern for the fish.

Guess I could just rattle on, but will end it here. Just wanted to give the update on possibly meeting with Walmart Management in the near future. Wish me luck. And no, I haven't pressured or bothered them. They came to me. Which in my book is a big plus.

[Lonewolfblue]

Went in and talked to them the other day. They had a lot of questions like on acclimation, prepping tanks, and proper tank care overall. They wrote just about everything down. They said they would go over everything with their management and staff, and see what they might need to change and make the changes. So I'm quite happy with the response.

[greenmaji]

Ive worked in retail wolf.. and talking to a Regional Manager for a big chain is a VERY BIG DEAL!!!!! they are normaly over 2-3 states worth of stores!!! 8O 8O 8O 8O 8O
Im very impressed with the attention they gave you.. :P

our store (diffent chain) paid alot of attention to what there distributor thought was proper care of the fish.. Im not sure were they get there information from..

I would tend to think they will likley try things to see if it helps them reduse losses and increase margins.. this is normaly done in a test store for the district.. I hope you do see changes localy quickly though..
good luck.. :P

[Lonewolfblue]

And like I was saying earlier too, it depends on the type of people working there. The management here seem to be very receptive to what customers are telling them. Others may not be so receptive. But overall, I was quite happy with the response.

[Devilishturtles]

Good Job, Lonewolfblue! 8)

[LKH]

I was in Walmart yesterday, buying another QT tank. The one I bought a couple months ago developed a lovely star crack. Anyway, I checked the tanks and saw only one DB. But most of the tanks were littered with sunken food and poop, so my guess is that an employee simply had been by recently to scoop out the corpses.

I'm glad they're responding to you Lonewolfblue, but at least here in Colorado, their maintenance practices still really stink.

L

[LKH]

Oh yeah, I also complained at the cash register about the tank conditions, and the lady told me that it upset her that the flower department wasn't any better. I said, that's sad, but these are living creatures and they suffer. She said plants do too. I wonder what she finds to eat. LOL.

L

[greenmaji]

Talking to a service department employee about it and speaking to the manager are two diffent things.. If your really wanting to see some change look at the way Wolf here did things.

Any updates on the situation Lonewolfblue? since the tread got a bump anyway.. :P

[Northwest-Wolf]

Hi...

It's me, Lonewolfblue. Trying to get my username back, changed my email address in my profile and the acct was inactivated, and didn't get an activation email.

No new news here. But the last time I stopped at WalMart, things are a little better kept. There is also a new person in the fish area, and see them in that area more often. So, we'll see how things progress.

[Northwest-Wolf]

Originally Posted by greenmaji

Talking to a service department employee about it and speaking to the manager are two diffent things.. If your really wanting to see some change look at the way Wolf here did things.

Very true. Some stores may not respond as good as this one did. But then again, I sent my letter to the feedback on their site, which I guess went to the district manager, since I got a call from both him and the store manager, and then went to meeting with the Asst. Store Manager. So I guess mine started at the top. But yes, need to get management involved.

[Lonewolfblue]

I'm back with the help from fishfreek. Thanks for the help.