I have found that every department in WalMart is understaffed. I have had to walk about the store to find someone OR get on the phone and call the manager, or someone, and then hear them announce that a customer needs help in the fabric department. That is not a problem anymore as none of our walmarts carry fabric anymore. AND there is NEVER a customer in the craft department that replaced fabrics. That was a real money making decision on their part. I now shop at Holly Hobby, JoAnns, or my lqs.

Sounds very familiar. I can't even count the times I have walked out of the store. There is no longer any fabric in the store here. It's hard to get any help in the store at all. I use to buy paint there but after waiting 20 minutes for help I now go to Home Depot. I usually don't go unless I absolutely have to. They have stopped carrying things I use all the time and fail to restock their shelves in a timely manner. I sure don't know what they are thinking. Their prices have gone up to be equal to other store on most things except junk food.

Marsye,where did you get your cosmetic surgery done, did it cost you a forturn ? I really liked how you looked before. lol

I really miss the fabric they used to have at our Walmart. I never had any problem getting help but I guess that isn't always the case.

No problem in the fabric area but my DH and I needed some paint and experienced the same wait, wait and wait. Having been in the paint business for years, my husband finally mixed his own paint, shook it and went to check out. If you cut your own fabric and take it to check out with no scan, what happens then?

This happens frequently with me in Wal-Mart. I have gotten to the point where I pick up the phone that is on the counter and page that s customer needs help in the fabric department. Now they put the phone under the counter, BUT I saw it and still phone for help.

Well thats not to bad when I went to Wal-Marts for fabric one day rang the bell also and no one came, so need to say I picked up the phone and page some one to fabric and I said now need to say any more

Well thats not to bad when I went to Wal-Marts for fabric one day rang the bell also and no one came, so need to say I picked up the phone and page some one to fabric and I said now need to say any more

I have been reading all the comments and the dissatifaction with
the customer service in the fabric department, my response to
that is to make a comment to 1-800-WALMART. They would
love to hear your comments, good or bad, and quite possibly
it will impact the management of the store and the fabric department.
Hope that you give that a try and see what happens then.

I know this won't work at Walmart but it did work at a large mall Dillards a few years ago. (When I was young and fiesty). I had about $300 worth of merchandise and I wanted to check out. Wandered all over 1/2 of the 2nd floor and could not find one single sales person. So I carried my items over to the big door into the mall and waved my dresses around. The alarms all went off and almost instantly I had 3 people coming from 3 directions to stop the "shoplifter". I just stood there and said "Now, who wants to check me out!". I think I was remembered at that Dillards for a while.

When I have trouble in any store, not just Walmart, I go to service desk aswk for store manager and complain to them. I also write out a customer service card and place in box. I have been told managers read all comment cards. Store managers need to know what is happening in their stores. They are the only ones whio can change it. If it keeps happening, I would contact corporate offices. Just my two cents worth.

I have been known to pick up one of there phones, which has a directory by it and page' "Customer Service to the Fabric Department, Thank You." They don't know if it is an employee or what. Next time if there is one, try that. :lol:

Contact Walmart customer service ... they will ask you the store number (you can locate it on your receipt) ... make sure you explain that there was a manager nearby as well as several employees ... none whom answered the bell ...

That is definitely typical of our Wal Mart. It is so frustrating. More than once, my DH has gone to the service desk and filed a complaint. He has even called the main office in Arkansas. For all the good that did! Just recently we have had a new manager come in. He SEEMS to be doing some good. It is sad. Around here, for 33 miles, Wal Mart is the only place that we have to shop. We go out of town as much as possible.

There are times when I shop at other stores (department stores, discount stores, etc.), and the "customer service" is equally as bad. I am a person who does complain whenever necessary. There are times when I have not enough time to do the immediate follow-through, though, and this was one of those times.

I did contact the store yesterday (Sunday) and was told that early afternoon (when this particular incident occurred it was near 2:00 p.m.) is always "difficult" because their associates do take a lunch break. I told the manager that where I work, whenever we leave the office we let someone else know so there is no question as to where we will be and when we will return. It is called common courtesy. I also told him that I do not begrudge his employees the right to take a lunch break. However, there are other ways that WalMart is wasting time and money and therefore MY time and money and could specifically discussed other problems we have experienced at that store, but that I would prefer to focus on this particular incident.

Our WalMart had been just a regular one, now it is a "Superstore" and in that re-model our fabric department was shrunk although we do still have bolts of fabric, patterns, etc. for purchase. I do prefer to shop online for my fabrics because I get a much better price than at the LQS, and WM is generally my last choice. But they are local and I don't have to drive 30 minutes to get to a better fabric store when I just need somethin simple like muslin or some fusible interfacing.

I am generally very courteous to the clerks, also. There are some who will ask what I am making and I am always willing to share. I always thank them for their help, even the surly ones, but it just grinds my beans when I am a customer who is CLEARLY requesting help and other "associates" (including dept. managers) are nearby but will not assist. :evil: Alll they have to do is tell me they do not know how to cut fabric yardage. I would be happy to show them (cutting my own, of course) if they would just operate the pricing gun for me. I do not want to cheat the store of their money for a purchase, but my time is valuable to me and I just want some recognition that I am a valued customer.

Is that really too much to ask :?: :?: :?:

In my defense of Walmart, I work in the fabric dept. We have always done our best, at my store, to help customers as quickly as possible. We are fighting to keep our fabric department, as we are told that it will be gone when the remodel is done. I guess i am defending my co-workers, more than walmart... they DO understaff, to save money, and it is at the customers expense.... And the fabric table closes at 10 pm, just like the other dept. service desks. I am sorry for those of you that have had bad experiences at walmart. It is sad that the coorperate world does not think we quilters are worth keeping the fabric in the stores....

I have been very lucky. I have always found someone close to help me in the fabric dept at WalMart. I will admit that sometimes, they don't know flannel from fleece, but at least they try to be helpful and have been very friendly.

I guess I was lucky over the weekend when I was getting material cut. The clerk complained the whole time she was cutting it that she hated her job...was probably going to go back to the fast food services (lucky them??). I know that she didnt cut the fabric correctly...she measured my 1 1/2 yard piece and then moved it about another three inches (in my favor) before she cut it. Wondered if I should of said something to her about that????
Melinda

I've had the same kind of experiences. But a friend of mine actually got tired and cut her own fabric-took the piece and the bolt up to the front cashier to pay for it. Cashier had to call a manager over-friend didn't back down. She wanted the fabric and no one was around to help her. She was able to buy it but it didn't make a difference in the department.

I have had the same thing happen to me at are ,WMart,i told the manger, that it is no wander that the fabric sales are not doing good because no one will come when you need fabric cut,

Oh, honey, they don't need excuses. They just jerk it out. There one day and gone the next!!

I know some friends who have worked in the big chain stores and, although customer service is a big marketing hype when the stores first open, in reality the employees end up being stuck in an impossible position. Managers want shelves stacked with stock and if an employee falls behind this task, they are reprimanded no matter if the reason for not doing that particular job is because customers need service. Selling stuff off the shelves is priority because they don't have to hire people to do that, just cashiers. It's true that customer service is not a revenue generating venue for corporations because bonuses for the managers and directors are based on profit not customer service.

Just my cynical take on it all. If I'm out to lunch on this opinion, please let me know. For some reason companies are not linking good customer service with better profits.

I'm not sure where to find it, but all publicly owned corporations must display a contact name and contact information, phone or email, like that. Such as the CEO, etc.
Maybe someone could locate this for WalMart.

In my humble opinion, when Sam Walton died, the whole concept of family and customers matter also died. Big money, more countries to expand within and less service became the norm. It also depends upon the store's location. In traveling, I have found if the store is a small community where everyone knows the employees, the service is fantastic and even apologetic if they do not have a product. If the store is within short driving distances of metro areas or other stores within same town, then service falls off. My husband was in store wanting a certain soap. There was the anti-bacteria kind but not the plain kind of same brand. It took him a long time to get an associate to help him and then she did not want to stop her stocking and go to back because there were only three bars in the store according to her card-reader and she would have to walk to the back storeroom. She finally went there and upon her return handed him one bar; he took all three.

This has happened to me in the fabric section too. A price was not present for a heavy divided sewing tote bag. The 3 associates stocking notions said they did not have a phone or card-reader on them and would not go to find out for me. I walked away and Walmart lost probably a $20 sale.

In my area, all the fabric department was taken down a couple months ago. I will wait and see what returns--probably closed plastic packaged yardage. If so, even my charity quilts will not get this fabric as I want to feel the fabric and know the thread count before spending time quilting.

As in several quilters and seamstresses above noted, WMart needs to upgrade their service with a smile. Sam Walton is not smiling even though is soul is resting.

Ever since they "remodeled" our wally world last November, it sucks!! They are the closest store for 100 hundred miles. They took away more than half the fabric and supplies and put in scrapbooking stuff. As for the bell, my quilting buddy taught me well. If they don't answer the bell the first time, you walk around the isles ringing it. That usually gets someones attention. One lady there is really nice, but VERY hard of hearing. I, too, have used my cell phone and called the front of the store for help. I know ours is very understaffed and they are doing it for a reason. Doesn't make any sense to me, either. When I do get to Reno, the one wally world is sooo dirty, I hate to go in there. They have a winco next door and it is even dirtier. Plus they have raised the price of the $4.44/yd fabric to $4.94. I guess they want to make more money and have less employees. Go figure!!

Our WalMart always has at least 2 ladies in their dept. But I have seen and been in some that you have to wait. What would it do if we forwarded all our comments to corp?

I programmed the local WM # into my cell phone after standing there for more that 20 minutes waiting-I was shopping with my mother, called her to go to the customer service counter to ask for assistance-normally I would ask at the paint counter for a page but no one was manning that either-when the floor manager finally got there, I'd been waiting 30 min. or more and 2 PA calls, she apologized and said that some of the scheduled workers had called in sick (it was after a holiday).
I don't mind going into the local WM because the day workers in the fabric dept. know what they're talking about-it's the problem after 5 pm-it's hit or miss. I have noticed that they've recently had the fabric department stocking in other parts of the store-Our's is a supercenter and the fabric dept. is middle back right side, by the tire center the stockers were in front of the store on the left side of by the front doors-there is now way a little bell can be heard that far. I think they are trying to say that the fabric department isn't doing enough sales-but if they would man it properly they'd have more sales than they think. I know that I can walk pass the dept. and not look if I can't see an employee close to the cutting counter-yes they've lost my business more than once, but it is the only place with reasonally priced fabric within 40 mi. So they have me somewhat over a barrel! At least our cutters are nice!

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I can definitely understand this point in a way, but here's how I see it:

I will buy if the product is something I want. I won't support a store just because they are there, they have to carry something I want to spend my money on.

I like fabric. I'm nuts about fabric. So if fabric is on offer, I'll be right in there checking it out.

I might not care for their meats,
might like their breads,
might not like their selection of cleaning supplies,
might like the fishing gear,
might like the pet supplies,
might not like the children's clothing.
You see what I'm saying.

It's not my fault if they do not carry what people want, in fact if they paid more attention to what we tell them we want,
and we have no hesitation telling them what we want so they can't say they don't know,
then they would have more customers in there buying stuff.

So it seems to be a fact that WM has stopped pretty much their fabric lines, and it's a fact that this was one of my major reasons for going in there.
Now that it's gone, so is much of my reason for shopping there.

We do not owe them to shop there just to keep them open. This is free enterprise with all its blessings and faults, and that says "Offer A Product People Want And Maybe They'll Pay You Money For It."

.

When I worked at walmart as a support manager, they trained all of their support managers in all the areas, including the fabric department. So my guess is there IS people there that know how to cut fabric and use the telzon thing that prints the ticket..... they just dont want to do it, or dont care, or both.

You should have not been treated that way--ever. If you call 1-800-wal-mart and tell them, it is my best guess there will be disiplinary action taken--quickly.
I worked at our Wal-Mart for 14 years, and yes, it does get worse as far as customer service. When Sam Walton was alive, things were soooooooo much different. He would not have tolerated that type of behavior from his people--for a minute. The co. now doesn't think sales people on the floor are important. They think since it is a self-serve store, you shouldn't expect anyone to wait on you. Wrong. You did the right thing to let them know your feelings.
Mariah

You'd think that would be the thing to do.
But sadly our area Shop Hop groups, 15 stores and some guilds and bees, all did that several years ago when this whole remodel/throw out the fabrics thing started, and we were told that WalMart always listens to their customers and that customer opinions were valued.

Did not stop the fabric going away.

About three months ago I was in our last remaining Walmart that carries fabric. There were two of us with bolts of material and no sales clerk...After waiting about 5 minutes (we didn't have a bell to ring) I picked up the phone and over the loudspeaker asked for a manager to come to fabrics. Eventually someone came after I called a second time. I then handed her the bolt and told her since they obviously did not want to sell any she could restock it at her convenience. I then left. The other gal got some backbone and did the same thing. I'm sure we were considered rude by her, but my money spends where the company appreciates it.

You are right about the remodel.
We no longer have any Walmart that sells fabric, patterns, or any finding. The entire department is 1/2 section of shelving. I have been pretty successful at finding material on line, and I rely on Hobby Lobby for sundry items. The "quilt" stores are mostly out of my price bracket unless it is a really good clearance. Of course, I have enough fabric to last me two lifetimes...but...

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Ha! Me too!! It'll be in my will!!
So I guess I'm not sure what I'm complaining about... But on the other hand, you know when you start a new project, you'll just natcherly have to go find some additional fabs to go with what you pull from your stash...!!!

.

Annie I lived in Allentown,PA for 18 years before moving down to the Winchester, VA. It took me three if not four years to get use to how slow some places are. I use to have to joke about taking my 2 patient pill a day. They are / were my quiet and prayer time before leaving the house. I understand your pain. Now I have been six years and gotten use to it. :lol:

I have actually seen people cut their own fabric because they got tired of waiting.Not sure how it went at the check out but hey they should do their job

I think that is the reason Walmart no longer sells fabric at most stores. They think they don't sell enough. HELLO!!!!! Try getting someone back there to CUT it.

Once a friend of mine cut her own fabric after waiting 15 min and ringing the bell to no avail. She didn't know how to use that hand held thing they use to put the price ticket on it. When she handed it to the gal at the register up front...with no price tag attatched, she told them she cut it herself since no help was back there. Only then, did the manager come up to check on it. She got her fabric...think the manager got a clue??

I once waited about 20 min and rang the bell 4 times and a guy working in the fishing dept cut it for me. Walmart is slipping, big time.

My WM only has people cut fabric that know how to measure and cut fabric, which is a good thing, I think.

Oh, no don't put your name and phone number to the note.

I made that mistake over a handicap parking space. The lady that parked in it, nearly ran into the store after she had parked. I left her a note stating I hoped she never really needed this handicap parking space and hoped she would have been more considerate to the ones that did actually need it. (My husband is handicapped, so this is a touchy subject with me!)

I had only left my name. She hunted me down and called me that afternoon and cussed me out and said she was going to swear out a harassement charge on me; and she did.

The officer called me at work and asked me to turn myself in that there was a warrant for my arrest for harrassement. I explained to the officer the whole story and how she had called me and cussed me and that I wanted a counter-harrassement claim. I am in tears calling my husband to get bail started, then go and tell my boss; while crying.....the officer calls me back and said all charges were dropped. By this time I was mad and asked why? The officer said she was afraid after he had explained how my husband was handicapped, that she might have to verify that she was indeed handicapped enough to have the priviledge of parking in handicap. The officer said, "Madame, don't ever sign your name to it!"

It has been several years since then and it is funny now, but never even having a parking ticket this was un-nerving!

Karen,
Alabama

I've been in WM's where the put a relief person back there, you know to cover breaks, that was totaly clueless as to how to cut fabric. I had to show her and then someone came back and asked what was going on.I told them they put someone back here that didn't know how to cut fabric, they should at least show them how if they were going to have them relieve people in the fabric department.