At the mercy of a “super-giant”?

(And why aren’t there check out lanes for senior citizens/disabled only??)

Last Thursday evening I made a visit to our local “superstore,” Wal*Mart. I hadn’t been able to go any sooner, and we were about out of shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash… all those things that seem to increase in price every time you buy them. At least (I thought to myself) prices on these items are a little lower at Wal*Mart-  so I made my trek toward that department, not thinking twice about what was to come…

 After gathering up a few months worth of hair products and other items, I  continued shopping for pet supplies, cleansers, cosmetics and more. I ventured back to the craft area, finding some pretty artificial flowers for the front porch. I was amazed how few people there were in the back area...
But, by the time I made my way past the clearance rack in the women’s clothes department and on toward the check out lanes it was like a nightmare unfolding before my eyes. I wanted to abandon my cart and run out the doors as fast as possible… there, before me, were lines –  longgggggggg lines- of less-than-pleased looking people- trying their best to be patient as the checkers (most of whom were working quite efficiently), tried to get them on their way.

 I looked left, and then right, noticing numerous checker lanes were closed. In the process of scanning the crowd I saw so many disappointed faces. I couldn’t help but wonder how some of the senior citizens and disabled persons were going to last waiting in such long lines. When I finally made it to the check-out point, I made that comment to the courteous clerk helping me. We agreed there should be a special check-out aisle just for seniors and the disabled.

Actually, the need for such a service exists elsewhere, too! (Think about the wait at the motor vehicle offices, etc.) Our society has had the good sense to provide handicapped parking spaces for those needing them- but once inside a store or business, it’s a free-for-all. Yes, some stores have a few of those motorized carts for these shoppers… but we could do so much more… Have you gone to any of those medical complexes - where handicapped parking is at the front of the lot- but the lot itself isn’t very near the main door- then folks usually are left to maneuver long hallways, find elevators, etc...??

Back to Wal*Mart, it wasn’t until I asked the clerk if Thursday nights were always this crowded that I was reminded (by her) it was the night before a holiday… The memory reels in my mind brought up images of the time I  went to the old Albertson’s in Security- on the night before Thanksgiving. I found myself at the back of one of many long lines of shoppers- all of which nearly extended down to the back of the store.  In their defense, at least Albertson’s had the foresight  and good sense of having all of their checker aisles open that night!! I wish I could say the same thing for Wal*Mart last week.

Why is it that this superstore, which is said to be benefitting from the rough economic times we are facing- because shoppers are having to seek out the best prices on food and other supplies what with the costs of gasoline and so many other necessities increasing- couldn’t have planned better to accommodate its many shoppers? Why weren’t there more checkers on duty?” I wondered.

Its frustrating to see how this mighty “giant” seems to hold so many of its shoppers at its mercy! Whether it is intended or not- it is happening! Surely, Wal*Mart could have afforded to have a few more checkers working that night- to process people through in a more timely fashion. If people it was a case of numerous employees calling in sick- why not pull employees from other departments during the high volume hours?? It seems simple enough to me…

Perhaps there are some good and valid reasons why this didn’t happen, and since I have never been in the position of running a Wal*Mart, perhaps I should give them the benefit of doubt…  Still- at a minimum- I  think something could be done for those folks who physically cannot wait in those long lines… 
  
On a somewhat humorous note: After loading up my car and preparing to drive away, I turned the radio on, and much to my surprise, a Wal*Mart advertisement came on- promoting the cool ice cream treats from Wal*Mart.

Yeah, right?! I said to myself… had I purchased any of those, I would have had to eat them or mop them up off the floor during my wait in line to get to the checkout stand and out of there. Talk about irony of timing! I had a good laugh about that one as I finally made my way home in the dark of night…

PATTY'S ARCHIVES
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