I know I should be thankful that our Walmart still offers fabric when so many don't...but the customer service there has always been lacking. I had purchased some flannel there to make a throw for a friend's daughter for her to keep in Daddy's truck. I washed and dried the fabric to get it ready to iron and cut. The printed flannel held up very nicely to the washer and dryer but the solid completely fell apart. I was so upset because I had wanted to get started on the blanket. I took it in to Walmart today on my lunch and was told by the girl cutting fabric that there was not only nothing she could do about it...even though I had my reciept....she also informed me that if I did not want things like that to happen I shouldn't buy "cheap fabric" and she walked away!! What a way to sell your product!!

Just had to vent for a minute!

OHHHH I sure hope you went to the manager and got a refund. They would give me one just to get me OUT of the store.. walmart stands by their stuff its just sometimes the idiots who are employeed (not all but some) are just that .. idiots. I am sorry they did a number on you today. AND I am glad you washed it first, imagine if you had sewn it and gifted it and that happened first time out of the machine? how mad would you be then?

Try going straight to the customer service desk..by pass the fabric dept :wink:

I would have gone to the manager too.

get the district managers name and let him know about the service you recieved :thumbdown:

You can complain by internet as well, get your receipt for the information, and the store has to get back to you, it is policy to, and if you have issues going to customer service, (the floor staff can't do anything but they should have informed you nicely that the customer service desk was the place to go, they don't take back fabric if you just don't want it, but they should if it is defective. and so if the desk gives you a problem, ask to talk to a manager, they have several assistant types and the head manager, and if they don't give you any satisfaction be happy to inform them that you will be happy to inform head office of the situation, head office hates to hear complaints and is hard on the stores when they get them. There is no excuse for rude service.

Oh my, how rude! I'm certain the management of that store would want to hear how this employee is representing Walmart and its products. There was a much better way for that employee to handle the situation. And like cutebuns said, management is paranoid to hear from the head office. Their bonuses are based on customer satisfaction and service.

Sure hope you reported what happened........
There was no reason for that.
Seems like more and more of that happens today.... they all want a job but don't know what to do when they get it... guess it's only the money they want....... and don't bother me when I'm on the job. Guess I too had to vent... BOL

I worked for walmart here in canada for over 2 years and I was good friends with some of my managers, I know store policy and that is when I usually complain, when they are not following their own rules, Customer service is supposed to be very important to them. not that you can please everyone all the time, but there should have been some effort to help you no matter if you spent $2 or $200 (though the head manager didn't care about the shoppers, only the $$ thought that the customer was expendable, there would be someone behind you if you were not there. ) but would hand over the store to not have a complaint registered, I even complained about my old store, they were not happy with me at all, (it was after I quit)

You HAVE to go to customer service first. If you get no satisfaction from them (which would surprise me), ask to see the Mgr. On Duty. If that does no good, write hdqrtrs.

I also would report the clerk who did not help you resolve the problem.

Does it seem that customer service has gone south here lately? If its not Wally world its JoAnns or its Hancock Fabrics. Whats with these people?

Billy

You would think with the job situation as it is people would be trying harder to do a good job. Guess not though.

And if managers did a little bit more FIRING, customer service would be 100% in every store....but with all the laws about getting rid of people without being sued, it makes it a nightmare.

I doubt that clerk worked in the fabric dept. Everytime I had fabric cut at WalMart I was greeted with 'I don't work in this dept. I'm just filling in........

contact home office via website---that girl needs to be reported. I used to work for them and if anyone had treated a customer like that and said what was said they would have been fired. Next time go to Service desk and if that does not work---demand to see store manager. Get loud if you have to---they really do not like that

She did have a point though, if you want quality fabric don't buy it at walmart. You also should realise as an employee she has no personal investment in the fabric or the quality of the fabric. She's just as much at the mercy of walmart as you are.

Most manufacturers are at the point with walmart where they must start cutting the quality of thier products to the bone. They've already cut labor costs by offshoring their manufacturing facilities. Expect poorer quality every day.

I'd go right to the top in Arkansaw with the store and the emp's name if possible and I'd let the manager know I was going to do so.....

Told my friend who has worked for WalMart for 19 years about your experience and she said to go right to the service desk with the product and receipt and ask for a refund. If you don't get one then demand one, ask for the store manager, and be insistent. And if they do give you a refund without an argument at the service desk, still ask for the manager and report the clerk.

I did go to customer service and was directed to the fabric department because it is a "quality issue". Sadly the clerk that I dealt with is the one that is there everyday. I do by quite a bit of fabric from there for those quilts that I do not want to invest a ton of money or time into. I go to the LQS for "good" fabric. But no matter what I should have gotten a little more satisfaction then the "oh well" attitude I was given. Of course when I asked at customer service the store manager was unavailable. My husband found online when I could enter a complaint and I did that last night so I am just waiting to see if I hear anything. In the mean time I will head back there on my lunch today to see if I have anymore luck at the store level. It really isnt as much about the money now as the fact that I am sick of the lack of respect given to customers in most places these days!!

KBunn,

Please do let us know if filling out the online form even gets you a reply (other than a canned response).

I would definitely speak to the manager. If one of his employees - especially a department head - how can I phrase this kindly? - does not show forth the kind of customer-friendly attitude that any store SHOULD want to be known for, then the manager needs to be made aware of it. This gives the manager the opportunity to speak to the employee and correct the problem for the future. If it's more of a "corporate policy" issue, then making the manager aware of it might bring about a change of their policy (at least in this particular store).

That said, it's hard to tell sometimes whether the tail is wagging the dog, when it comes to the combination of a department head and a manager. I'll recount a situation that I ran into a few years back that still seems ludicrous in the re-telling.

At the time, I was making *lots* of holiday placemats and selling them at local craft shows. And for whatever reason, the fabric department head took a dislike to me, and instituted a policy whereby I was only allowed to purchase five yards of any given holiday fabric. When I asked her why, she said it was "so that all the other customers would be able to get some, too." I suggested that she simply order more (she certainly could have, because it was still early in the season and the warehouse would have had more).

Well, I got rather tired of this policy so one night I asked to speak with the manager on duty, and asked him right out, how it was in the store's best interest, not to sell a whole bolt of fabric to me? As in, why would you not want to have *all* the money for your product now, rather than a little now and a little a few days or weeks from now...? He kind of stammered that... well... it was just the policy... and...

As soon as the fabric department manager was reassigned to a different job, the policy changed. Hmmm...

And, in the meanwhile, a friend of mine had been able to go in and buy a full bolt of a holiday fabric.

Imagine that. How very special... a policy just for me!

I would like to hear if they call. Here in Canada they have to. They don't have a choice. And they are not supposed to close it until it has been resolved. So if a manager calls and you are not satisfied then there should be more to come. They are not allowed to let it just drop. Doesn't matter if she had a valid point or not. She shouldn't have been voicing it in that manner with a customer. It was rude and uncalled for. I would complain about customer service as well. They should have called her to the desk to deal with it. She may have had to okay it as defective goods. Though they could have also called a manager to do the same thing. Some of them don't like to do their jobs very well. I helped cover a lot if depts and fabrics was one of them and I consulted with the desk all the time. I won't say working at walmart was easy. It wasn't. There can be a stigmatism to it. But i always went in with a smile and tried to do my best. Never was I rude to a customer. Even the ones that were having a bad day.

how rude. go to customer service desk

Here is the proper response to rudeness is: "EXCUSE ME! What did you just S A Y to me?" That will start the person to stammering in a split second.

LOL....I wish I had thought of"EXCUSE ME"...but I was so completely surprised I was speechless. I did go back at my lunch today and spoke with the store manager. I was given a refund and a 10% off next purchase up to 50.00. I wish I could say I feel better about this resolution but I am not sure I do. I feel like he was more concerned with getting me out of there without making a fuss...then he was about addressing it with his employee. Oh well..I guess I have done all I can do.

Customer Service is going the way of the dinosaur. I won't say anymore, just calmly step off my soap box and walk away now. ;)

First go to customer service...then get in touch with the district manager...file a complaint....how she handled your problem was un-called for...

Keep contacting until you get this taken care of, you should not have been treated this way.

So instead of going to customer service where returns are taken you went back and complained to somebody who had absolutely no power to do any thing for you.

How many people do you suppose have bought fabric off that same bolt? How many of them do you suppose have complained?

Not only does she not have the power to give you a refund she also doesn't have the power to take a defective product off her shelf!!

No I went to customer service first and they directed me to fabrics because it was a quality issue and ....I went back to customer service after I talked to fabrics and was informed that the manager was not available. All in all it was not a good experience

Sounds to me like the real problem is with the person in customer service. I don't think anybody that works in any department has the power to take returns or make adjustments of any kind and the person in customer service should have known that and the person in fabrics DID know that.

I agree that the person in customer service was wrong but at least she was polite. A human error I can except...flat out rudeness by people in the service industry has become so commonplace that it is accepted as standard. I work in one of the most difficult service areas and I know I would not have a job had I treated someone the way I was treated. I would have had no problem with the fabrics person explaining to me that she could not do anything to help in a polite manner...or possibly offering to call a manager...anything that provided some sense of helpfulness...however she was rude and unhelpful and I do not think this is acceptable.

i also think this clerk was rude, but i will tell you that we, the 'team members' at Joann's are confined in what we can do for a customer by the trickle down c**p that we get from corporate, the area manager and district manager who i sometimes wonder if they have ever been in a store or bought fabric or even sewed anything.

OH I agree that there is so much limitations...and like I said the money wasnt even the issue. I am just getting tired of the poor customer service everywhere...it seems to be becoming the standard. And I work hard for my money as does everyone else....I feel we all deserve at the very least polite service.

Why? - with the extensions of unemployment benefits there are SOME people who don't care if they work or not. Sad.

Sadly this is too true.

Walmart is loosing it in the customer service depart. 2 weeks before Christmas I needed some more material for the PJs I was making for Christmas presents. Now this is the first time this has happened at this Peticular store. I pick out what I wanted,no one there to cut. I looked around cause the person may have been putting up stock,or Bathroom you know. Well I waited about 20 min. nobody. Then I went to the department next to it and told them I needed service, I was told they would announce it. OK they did, I waited another 10 min. Girl working there came by. I told her my story. She said she would announce it. She did. I waited another 15 mn. Total 45 mn. But bolts on table and left. As I was going saw 3 ladies getting bolts for material, told them my story, They left. Now as I was leaving this gentleman was walking my way. I said I hope you are going to the material,as I had seen him there 2 days before and he had cut some for me, He said yes did I need some cut. I kept my cool and told him do you know I have been waiting for 45 min. for someone? Ans. You couldn't have I have only been away from my station for 10 min. I said 45, we exchanged this one more time. He said you should have had them page me. I said sir I did twice,well Ididn't hear it. I said you need to tell the electronics depart. next to you that their system is out. He cut my material as I turned to go He said Mame I was gone only 10 min. I turned back and said no sir 45 min. and left. My DD and her son was with me shopping, as I was leaving and saw him they were looking at some shirts and told me he had been there for the whole time they were looking. which was most of the time I was waiting. He had been talking to a group of ladies. GRRRR!!!
BillsBonBon

I do understand your negative reaction to the clerk. She certainly should not have been rude to you or anyone.

I remember once when I didn't stop at a "STOP HERE ON RED" sign just before a crosswalk and the oncoming, turning onto this street, bus driver cursed me and motioned nasty things with his hands at me.
What he didn't know was I had just been given news that I possibly had cancer and yes, even though I was in the wrong, I didn't need the anger he showed.

We tend to forget that people may be having a bad day and I have found that if I approach them and ask "Is something wrong? I know you would never have spoken that way if everything was okay."(in a caring tone, not a nasty one!) It sometimes brings out a better side of them. It sometimes brings out an apology. And if they still act huffy, puffy and downright nasty, THEN I complain to the management. Let's at least give someone the benefit of the doubt.

I am lucky that there are two WalMart stores within 15 miles of me that still sell fabric. They are manned by extras from any department so if you have a question don't think you'll get a good answer.

I walked into my local Hancock store the other day just in time to hear the clerk at the register tell a customer, "I don't know how to ring up your $50 gift card so you'll just have to pay for your fabric now and use it at another time." I was shock and felt sorry for the customer. I spoke up and suggested the clerk call someone who could ring up a sale with a gift card because payment refused is payment made. She called a manager at home who walked her through it. It is so unfortunate that the bottom line comes before customer service.

Customer service is now an oxymoron like Military intelligence! :D

Customer service has gone the way of the dodo-bird, and I'm sure poor Sam Walton is rolling in his grave over what's happened to Walmart. Our local store had what they euphemistically call a "re-do", which meant the loss of fabrics along with a lot of other items in return for a limited inventory with shorter shelves. The people who work there are not happy, and pass on their "joy". The "old-timers" are now being managed by young supervision sorely in need of management skills. The kids who work there really don't give a rat's a-- about anything other than texting on their phones. Our particular Walmart serves a "depressed" area and has to contend with an alarming number of employee thefts. They are so desperate for employees now that the experienced ones got fed up and left, that they will hire just about any warm being 18 years of age and breathing. They come with the attitude that minimum wage is far beneath their dignity and that they don't need to put forth any effort for what they earn. Those few that do care about things like responsibility and respect aren't rewarded or recognized enough, so why bother when the guy next to them just shows up (when he feels like it) and gets the same pay and recognition. I HATE WALMART!!! And now the govt will be giving out so many perks that more is to be gained by just staying home. I really worry about the future for our kids' sakes.