[silver24ado]

Okay, this is basically a bitchfest about the employee's at Walmart, Target, etc and I was wondering if anybody else has noticed what I'm about to tell. I know I collect little toy cars and the cashiers have thousands of customers a day...but why, oh why, do they insist on handling diecast cars (actually most items, as I've noticed) like they are basically trash? Toss 1/64ths in a bag with canned goods, grab preciously mint clear plastic on 1/18ths or Haulers and crease them, etc.

I know they think it is just a toy that some kid will play with, but does Walmart not know they are the biggest toy seller and that some of the toys they sell will become collectors items and they should train their "associates" to be aware of such a fact? I'm not asking for dainty little white glove treatment, just a little bit of consideration.

There is a cashier at my local Walmart that has noticed I buy a lot of these "toy cars" and I try to get her whenever she is there because she knows what the cars are to me. But, so many times I've searched the pegs for that one "mint" car (for those of you that collect Gordon I'm sure you've seen that there is only one, maybe two at the most, on the pegs anyway) to buy, only to get the casher to crease an edge or scratch the plastic as she drops it on the floor or puts it in the same bag as the wire brush you just bought.

I have resorted to asking the cashier to please just hand the car back to me after ringing it up. You wouldn't believe some of the looks I get. But, if Walmart and the rest of the retail stores would train their people to practice a little consideration, I wouldn't have to do that.

What so y'all think? Is it worth email Walmart about?

 

[JoKeR]

i have had the same situation happen on multiple times. i usually go to the self checkout to make sure i can put it in the bag without them getting damaged. but then you still arent safe. the best one i had was i went through every car on the pegs to get the "mintest" ones i could find and i would have to say that 90% of the shelf was superb, so then i went to the self checkout and started ringing cars up, well 2 of them didnt show up in the system. the cashier came over to see what was going on and she took the 2 cars from me. i was thinking that this cant be good and i wished she would have just left them. well she stated to me that she was going to show them to the CSM and they would have someone from toys varify that these cars were the same. i told her that i buy alot of these cars and that the only difference is the pop numbers. well this wasnt good enough for her or the CSM. well she started pacing and i was starting to get pissed. next thing i know i hear "clack, clack, clack, clack", i look over at her and she is walking around smacking the packages together. now keep in mind these are the new 2007 packages of WC. i walked over to look and sure enough they were scratched. i told her that she shouldnt do that because now i dont want them. she asked what should she do with them and i told her that she could take it back to the toy department and replace them and while she was back there get her price check she needed. well long story short since the CSM heard that i told her that they werent hers and that they were worthless to me, she did go and get me new ones, while in the mean time the CSM went ahead and pushed through the prices and let me go on my way. when i do go through a regular register i still ask that they either be careful or hand it to me and i'll bag it. i have gotten some WTF looks and then i have had some that laugh about it and and all in fun make jokes at me, like handing it to me with 2 fingers.

 

[fishin4cars]

Yes, it's worth emailing all the chain stores about this as far as the collector is concerned. It doesn't necssarily mean just the diecast. Some of the collector figures, and other items in the store need to be treated this away. I'm like Eric, Try to go to self check out or like you have found out find a paticular clerk that respects what you buy. I've gone as far as to turn the cars with the pop scan up so the can be scanned right there and the reach over and grab a bag and bag them myself. You aren't the only one that has gotten those funny looks. Gotten plenty myself. But I have found if you go up and talk to the cashiers you can usually find one or two that show some intrest in what you do. Keep them in mind and use them when you can. You can usually get to know them and they get to know you and will start respecting what you collect and handle the items a little more carefully once they realise that they can and do have value, if nothing more than the value of you as a customer.

 

[Sall7987]

i appreciate the concern honestly, its gonna happen regardless of what you do, some people just have horrible attitudes and even if you sympathize or complain its still gonna happen. Cashiers will always be replaceable so its not like its a big deal, i know when i have to cashier and i see someone buying collectibles i do my best, as for others well i cant be everywhere.

 

[PAUL BARTLE]

found its always worth emailing comments to stores weather there read and respond is anther thing all together
but i must admit i am like joker when iam over i head to the self checkout every time

 

[silver24ado]

I use the self checkout when the store has one. My local Walmart doesn't have one, nor do any Targets around here, or Kmarts. Thanks, I'm glad I'm not the only one that's a little anal about these things.

 

[Scatpack]

Whoever was the genius that came up with the self checkout should be given an award. Unless of course they do not ring up. I agree that the cashiers should be respectful, but I have been to so many different stores including ones in different states from coast to coast and there is always someone out there that just wants to throw the stuff around. Part of it of course is that they think they are just toys in their eyes and have no idea that people actually collect this stuff. At least when you buy a soda they put it up in front of you to carry out .

 

[FFighter_21]

I have mixed thoughts on the self check out deal. I feel your pain as far as them not being careful w/your stuff, but I also am against the self check outs as it allows them to hire less people and cut overtime, so it is rough on the employees there. I make no bones about the fact I am pro-Union and the Wal-Marts are the biggest offenders of employee abuse. They need a Union more than just about anybody who is un-represented at this time. Americas stores have tuned into Americas sweatshops. JMHO.

 

[EarnhardtJrFan]

That is one of the reason's I use the self checkout when I have diecast cars!!! I don't have to worry about someone else handling my diecast!!!

 

[harley2001]

I just ask them if I can help them bag. But if you were in their shoes & had to listen to customers complain all the time, work for very low wages, have to be nice to everybody even if they were an azz to you. I kind of feel for them. After we were shoppin the local kmart we stood & watched as some couple was tryin to get something for nothing by screaming at the employee who was in the right & remained cool. Just how I feel sometimes.

 

[drpep]

Cashiers in many supermarkets and big box stores are told to keep moving. Stopping to inspect every item and place them gently on bags ( except maybe eggs) slows the system down. Many places keep track of the amount of items each cashier scans per minute and the results are posted for employees to see. I've seen the list at a supermarket that had posted it next to the time clock which happened to be near the customer service desk. The slow ones are told they need to go faster. Being on the bottom of the list constantly is NOT good and may result in some kind of disciplinary action. The cashiers focus is on speed and accuracy not guessing if a toy car is a plaything or college investment. Sorry, that's how big box retailing works. Ask someone who works in a Wal-mart or Kroger if they are rated on items scanned per minute.

 

[silver24ado]

I live in a small town and more often than not there are cashiers standing at the front of the aisle waiting for a customer to walk up to ring them out. Anyways, a little attention to detail is not that hard. A simple training session on the importance of a customer's purchases whether it be a toy car or box of tampons to a minimum wage worker isn't out of the question. I used to work at a hardware store for minimum wages and I was happy to have a job and did it the best I could until I was able to get a better one. Before anyone laughs at what effect poor bagging has on a product in a hardware store, improperly handle and bag a small can of paint and have it leak all over a customers car (pay that cleaning bill). My point is, where has the customer service gone?

I've decided to stick with just holding onto the car and having them give it back to me after ringing it up. Or, leting them ring it up with that little gun of theirs.