Kudos for walmart

[Surely]

Well I figured I would never say it, but today I was plesantly impressed with walmarts customer service.

A little background:
About 3 months ago I ordered a Tikka T3 stainless synthetic in 243 win at walmart for $459, about 100 less than any local gunstore sells them for. When I ordered it I was informed that that model was quite popular and their supplier was temporarily out of stock. They told me that it would probably be a few weeks before they got any back onhand. No biggy I figure.

Since then I have been waiting..... waiting..... and waiting......

I went in today and started complaining, the guy working there gets on the phone and the store manager comes down. I tell him the story and he apologizes and asks me if any of the gun stores in town have that gun in stock, I tell him that one does but its $100 more than they are selling it for. He calls that gunstore to confirm the price and gives me 2 choices.

1) I can order any gun in their catalog for 20% off their price

or

2) He will refund the money I put down on their gun, plus give me $100 cash to buy the one at the gunstore, plus give me a $25 gift card towards my next walmart purchase

Needless to say, I currently own a new Tikka T3!

 

[tc300mag1]

Good Deal ! Looks like they really want you as a custmer instead of the normal dont care attiude they usually give ya .

 

[DMK]

Good manager. That's a guy who remembers what Sam Walton was all about.

 

[OEF_VET]

Sounds like he knew what customer service is all about: serving the customer. Did you use the gift card to buy ammo for your new toy?

Frank

 

[jacketch]

This is obviously not the same Walmart I have been to. You would never have been able to talk to the manager since they hide from the public.

 

[Snowdog]

Customer service will take you off-guard on occasion; it's seldom encountered anymore.
I'm glad you were treated like a valued customer, be sure to reciprocate.

 

[Kestrel]

That's great customer service. The one and only time I ever bought a gun from a Wal-Mart, the women in the gun department treated me like it was strange to be buying a gun, acted very hesitant about ever aspect of the gun sale and it took two of them to process the sale. They very much acted like they did not want to sell any guns.

Steve

 

[TODD3465]

You are VERY lucky most of the experience with Walmart I and alot of others have had when trying to get an out of stock product has been the following::banghead:

I do buy ammo there due to the price but never firearms for various reasons. Lack of help from them if a problem arises with the gun after the sale being one of them.

 

[R-WEST]

I think a lot of guys' joy or aggravation at the various Wal-Marts depends on WHO is handling the deal for you at the store. Our local Wally's has a few guys who are really into guns/hunting, and are glad to help out in any way, but I've heard some stories about other Wally's that aren't so friendly toward us.

I've only ever purchased one rifle at the local store, a 270 M70 that shoots like blazes, and, after all the paperwork was done, the department manager had to carry the box with the gun in it until I went outside the store before he could give it to me. Kinda' weird, especially since I had a little more shopping to do. Felt kind of funny picking up some 'feminine items of a personal nature' for the missus with him standing there holding a box with big red WINCHESTER on it. Oh, well, after 30 years of marriage, you get used to things, y'know?

R-WEST

 

[cratz2]

Certainly not indicative of the two Walmarts I've tried to order guns through.

Honestly, I'd put that manager's actions in the above and beyond category. I think if he offered to refund the money and give you the $25 gift card would have been satisfactory. After all, it's not like he had the gun but sold it to another customer or something.

 

[Ian Sean]

I too am fortunate, the Walmart closest to me the sporting goods section is staffed by an avid hunter/fisherman. Whenever he is there he pretty much bends over backwards to help you.

Another thing when and if you do find a good one LET THE MANAGEMENT KNOW IT!

 

[TarpleyG]

All I can say is, well, WOW!!!

You know what? I think you should write a letter to Walmart HQ and let them know how pleased you are. This is a huge deal and all they normally get are complaints. It is worth making it known that they went above and beyond the call of duty.

GT

 

[Steel]

This is obviously not the same Walmart I have been to. You would never have been able to talk to the manager since they hide from the public

You got that right.

Trained at the same place as the Lowes / Home Depot managers?

 

[Feanaro]

You are most lucky. I avoid contact with any of the Wal-Mart employees if I can and I dread having to return something. And most of the people behind the ammo counter can't even find the right cartridge without my help. :banghead:

At least there is some hope for Wal-Mart.

 

[j.wise]

As long as they stock the valu-packs of .45 auto and 9mm, I'm a loyal customer!

Other than those two items, the staff usually needs to be shown which ammo you are looking for.