More ammo @ Walmart than you might think!?

[ColtPythonElite]

Quit shopping at Walmart if you don't like how they do business.

 

[bdickens]

I just got into 22 a few months back (now I have a Colt, 15-22, and ARX160) so I've been on an ammo hunt for a while.

I've been visiting the ammo case at Walmart for over 20 years - light on groceries this week? Think I'll just cruise by the ammo case and see what's on sale! (remember when ammo used to go on sale?).

Having no luck finding 22, I learned the rules of the Walmart ammo game, and showed up every morning just before the 7am ammo rollout for 8 weeks - got 22 ammo twice in that time.

Ye olde Spidey sense got to tingling, so I went to work - learned how to monitor their inventory, built a spreadsheet (looking for patterns / delivery schedules), etc. Since doing so, I've managed to get all the 22 ammo both I and two friends need in short order, but here are a few things I've found.

1. Was told the 7am ammo rollout policy did not originate with Walmart, but was suggested by LE (home office told me this).
2. 7 out of 10 stores I visit the system works as it's "supposed" to - inventory is tripped as ammo arrives, somewhere past 4pm or so, it goes from the truck to the locked cage in the back (along with guns), and is rolled out at 7am the next morning.
3. At least that's how it's supposed to work - in the other 3 out of 10 stores I visit, I find I have apparently crapped in somebody's sandbox! Ammo shows IN STOCK (did not yesterday, so something tripped inventory), yet no one in the store can find!
4. I've discussed this with Bentonville a couple of times - it has worked its way back down the chain, and I've been called by a few store managers - one has taken action to correct the problem - I steered her to ammo showing IN STOCK, but they haven't had for over 3 weeks when I went looking for it - she corrected the inventory within 2 hours. The rest of the managers are paying lip service to the problem, but are doing nothing about it.
5. One reason some Walmart ammo shipments may be lacking, is I have found many cases where they think they have 20 boxes on hand, but there is none (if they think they have 20 boxes on hand, would it be reordered?).
6. On my last investigation at our local store (there is a lot of ammo stashing for friends / flippers, etc going on), I happened upon the last box of Winchester 333 on the shelf - got home and checked online inventory, and it showed IN STOCK (meaning they have more than 5 boxes on hand). After a couple of hours of no change, I printed the sheet, took it to the store, had a manager use her handheld scanner on the barcode at the empty shelf, and she said they show 7 boxes on hand! After lots of gyrations and movement (but no action), they threw their hands up and said we don't know where it is! I told her it's on the premises "somewhere", and I have no doubt that inventory will update as somebody gets it out of its hiding hole and sells it to friends, etc.
The next morning, it had gone from IN STOCK to LIMITED STOCK, so boxes had been sold. I printed out the sheet, paid 'em another visit, and while at the customer service desk, got the gal to run the code on the printout - she said they showed 4 boxes in stock. I asked to speak to the store manager, and after a 45 minute wait, another flunky was sent instead (not the first time this has happened) - she punched in the code I gave her on her handheld, and reported there was 1 box on hand! I laughed and said in the 45 minutes I've been standing here waiting on you, 3 boxes of the missing ammo have been sold!
She had the gal at the customer service desk check her system, and sho' 'nuff, she now showed only 1 box on hand (she verified to the area manager that when I arrived at the desk, there were 4 on hand)!

Bottom line?
1. There is MUCH more ammo coming into Walmart than you think - it just depends on whether your store is operating per corporate policy (no stashing / hiding / holding ammo, and it's first come, first serve), or whether your store has a rogue employee or more hiding ammo for friends / flippers.
2. Walmart may not be ordering some ammo, as they think they have X number of boxes on hand, but do not. I find this most often with smaller (easily stolen?) boxes. I have pointed out to our local store on more than one occasion that they show ammo in stock, yet the shelf is bare and has been for some time - so far no one has been interested in correcting the inventory.

BTW - I actually caught one local employee bringing ammo from the back (no 223 in the case, was told there was none) - I could tell she knew the gentleman she was yakkin' with, and I overheard her tell him "give me just a minute".
Instead of leaving, I hung around the next aisle, and every 30 seconds or so, I made a pass by the ammo aisle and glanced down the aisle to see what was going on. On about the third pass, I saw her locking the ammo case - she had placed one box of 223 in the case, and was selling the 3-box limit to her buddy (remember, there was NO 223 in the case, and I asked).

I also went in one morning @ 7am after an inventory trip - same gal asked me what I was after - I flipped open my printout, and she reached under the counter and produced 3 boxes of Federal AutoMatch.
Both corporate and local management have told me it is against company policy to store ammo ANYWHERE but in the locked cage in the warehouse, or the ammo case.

Wonder how many times you folks have gone by your local Walmart's ammo case, didn't see anything there, and thought they were out?

Must be nice to have that kind of time on your hands.

 

[yzguy87]

I have long speculated Walmart employees conducting shady business but I didn't have proof. Like a couple others have said I don't think Walmart cares too much as long as their product gets sold.

 

[Potatohead]

Man, I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I feel sorry for the WalMart workers, having to deal with this...Its enough all the crazy ammo shoppers, but a guy with a spread sheet telling them they are not doing their job...? I'm surprised somebody hasn't told you where you can..ahem...put your spread sheet. Just sayin'...i'll get off of your thread now.

 

[horsemen61]

Alright well lets ask somebody who does work at Walmart who has unloaded those trucks who does get asked every 50 seconds do you have any 22 . As a shooter I can understand wanting to find ammo I can also understand that Walmart did Not raise their prices so everyone comes to Walmart to buy ammo at a price that is close to pre-panic price. Now back to your oh so amazing spreadsheet have you ever considered the fact that the system is not perfect and that I can search right now and it will say we have 50 bags of dog food x even though I personally unloaded the truck last night and there was only 35 :banghead: And for the record no Walmart mangers don't just turn a blind eye to selling to friends and family and to other employes the last guy who did that got fired so fast he didn't even get halfway threw the entrance they said here is your last check have a nice day SO I want to congratulate you on being one of those self absorbed people who make my job suck because you are retired and can come anytime day or night and act like we are hoarding ammo in the back among ourselves Also we do have the right to not sell you a single box it is our product and if we don't want to sell it we don't have to I am so glad to hear about people like you it's not enough that I have to hear how evil I am for selling AR 15s and ammo from the antis suddenly when the cry for gun ban goes out and everybody losses their mind buying everybox of ammo we have you come and pick a fight with the one place that through it all has tried to stay consent in price and availability so I closing I say thank you for not trying to help the stupidity from ending but trying to make it worse by telling everyone on here hey go bicker at Walmart they actually have tons of ammo in the back they just sell it to friends though

 

[TRX]

If they're "losing" inventory, how are they handling the Federal Excise Tax on ammunition? And some states have their own, or a Game & Fish tax, etc.

 

[jrdolall]

How is it possible to know how to use emoticons but not know how to use punctuation?

 

[oneounceload]

BTW II - some of the BS I've been told is also stuff like "well, the inventory system doesn't update 'til (insert various times here)", but on numerous occasions, I've bought ammo, immediately come home, and the inventory has updated. As such, I'm assuming the inventory updates as they ring you up at the register!

Their inventory is a real-time system, not a batch

PLUS 1000 Horsemen61 - had the same issues at a family run chain of farm supply stores. Amazing how inventory isn't right, "but the computer shows....", except the computer doesn't know about the theft, the broken package, the return, the employee theft, etc....

If they're "losing" inventory, how are they handling the Federal Excise Tax on ammunition?

That is levied at the manufacturing level

 

[il.bill]

How is it possible to know how to use emoticons but not know how to use punctuation?

Have to admit I was thinking the same thing.

I suppose it is a bit of an effrontery to some when anybody has the nerve to tell a minimum wage person to do his/her job.

 

[onthehunt]

Bought two boxes of WWB 9mm this morning at my local Wamart..

 

[Potatohead]

How is it possible to know how to use emoticons but not know how to use punctuation?

I hate to nitpick , but +1 ^^^^

 

[horsemen61]

Look guys I was a little upset when I made that post so my bad on the punctuation I'm sorry. I make more than minimum wage, I just hate
when some cranky old retired person who has no clue how our inventory works, and thinks a magical spreadsheet will find every box of ammo we supposedly keep from him. Then comes and tries to tell me I will make said ammo appear because a stupid computer said we have it :banghead:.

 

[oneounceload]

Exactly, maybe the OP should spend as much time just placing an order online - the gas he saves will help pay his Medicare part B expenses

 

[ID-shooting]

The gun-counter guy at my local WM is pretty cool. He is up-and-up. He says the biggest culprit is still the scalpers who hoard in every single morning. His boss will not let him hold out on them.

It is getting better, just this week I got three boxes of .45 ACP, 12 boxes 223, 3 boxes 22lr.

 

[basicblur]

I just hate when some cranky old retired person...

Yeah, I get that a lot - it's amazing how simply asking questions can immediately put folks on the defensive, whereupon they launch into ad hominem attacks in an effort to throw you off track.

...who has no clue how our inventory works...

I haven't figured it all out yet, but I'm 95% there.
Based on all the folks that told me "no ammo" only to find, why yes, there IS ammo and here are your three boxes, I wouldn't categorize myself as clueless.

...and thinks a magical spreadsheet will find every box of ammo we supposedly keep from him.

If you had read a little more closely (I know, it's difficult to see through the red mist sometimes) you'd have known that the spreadsheet is totally mine, based on my actual experiences - the data in it has nothing to do with what's on Walmart's or anyone else's site.

This thing just got so messy that I figured it was time to keep detailed records.

And yes, it is nice to have that much time on my hands!
I've put my time in - I shudder to think what the current generation faces AFA jobs, etc.

BTW - on my first call to Bentonville, I told the gal "hey, it's your store, you can do whatever you like - I just don't like it when I'm told the rules, decide to play the game, only to find others have been playing by a totally different set of rules."

Despite some's claim, I don't tell anyone how to run their business - I just have an apparently annoying habit (to some) of asking questions. I learned many years ago as an apprentice, that can really tick some folks off!

BTW II - I see Walmart apparently doesn't have a handle on their comma inventory either!

 

[basicblur]

Exactly, maybe the OP should spend as much time just placing an order online...

Tried that - backorders on 22 are running around 8 months according the best site I could find.

...the gas he saves will help pay his Medicare part B expenses

Got a way to go before I have to worry 'bout that.
BUT
If you had read closely, you'd have seen where I'm actually being paid more than the gas I'm burning by friends (still working) throwing in extra dough for my time / effort.

But I thank you for your concern!

 

[horsemen61]

I am fine with you asking questions I ask questions myself. What I am not fine with is you insinuating that there is some Walmart ammo conspiracy to keep you from getting ammo. I am not fine with the fact that you attack my place of work based on what a computer and spreadsheet as I have said the inventory system is wrong and a single box of 20 gauge will show that we have ammo in stock or it will claim it is there and isn't. I am sorry you did not foresee this and stock up years ago when ammo was cheaper and more plentiful. Have you stopped and asked yourself how much fun is it to try and do my job when I can't get a thing done because I have people asking me do you have any 22. I will make it more clear 99 percent of the time if it ain't in the case we are out. So no I do not appreciate being harassed because at this point that is what you are doing to the Walmart's you visit. Would any other type of business put up with this I think not. I am sorry you haven't found as much ammo as you would like but going to my boss and calling home office to whine and complain and that's all it is at this point doesn't help.

 

[basicblur]

What I am not fine with is you insinuating that there is some Walmart ammo conspiracy to keep you from getting ammo.

Conspiracy?
Nah - probably just a few employees looking out for friends etc., although I have no doubt some of that ammo ends up as those $75 / box flea market specials in our neck o' the woods.

'Course, I'd be curious to know what you call it when folks wave you off (after 8 weeks they knew what I was there for) telling me "no ammo", yet I see 4 boxes of 223 magically appear, when I had 5 minutes earlier checked the ammo case and there was NO 223.

I am not fine with the fact that you attack my place of work based on what a computer and spreadsheet as I have said the inventory system is wrong...

Again with the spreadsheet...for the third (and final) time, the "spreadsheet" has nothing to do with Walmart data, info, etc - it's simply something I tossed together to watch for patterns, delivery schedules, etc.

I am sorry you did not foresee this and stock up years ago when ammo was cheaper and more plentiful.

Once again, I see you're having problems seeing through the red mist.
As I stated, I've been buying ammo for over 20 years at this Walmart - light on groceries this week - I'd swing by the ammo case and see what was on sale.

I had all the ammo I needed long ago and have avoided the panic / high prices.
Unfortunately, I just got my first 22 a few months ago, so I had little 22LR ammo on hand.

Have you stopped and asked yourself how much fun is it to try and do my job when I can't get a thing done because I have people asking me do you have any 22.

Well you should appreciate me (apology accepted)!
I no longer "ask" - I just lay the printout out there and tell them your inventory tripped yesterday - here's what I'm looking for.

Since I started learning how the game is really played, I rarely show up at Walmart - only when something trips the inventory system.

I will make it more clear 99 percent of the time if it ain't in the case we are out.

Based on my experience, across various stores, I'd put that percentage at closer to 70% of the time.

BUT perhaps you'll be so kind as to explain why employees put ammo under the register, behind the sliding doors, when I've been told the ONLY place ammo is to be kept is either in the locked cage in the warehouse, then directly to the ammo case.

I've had ammo handed to me from under the counter on at least 3 occasions.

So no I do not appreciate being harassed because at this point that is what you are doing to the Walmart's you visit.

I guess one person's questions are another person's harassment....

Would any other type of business put up with this I think not.

Well now I'm cornfused - do you mean not put up with me asking questions, or not putting up with employees not following company procedures?

I am sorry you haven't found as much ammo as you would like...

As stated waaaaaay back, I (and two friends) now have all the ammo we need, and it only took about 3 weeks to do so after we decided we were going to have to get systematic AFA buying ammo.

...but going to my boss and calling home office to whine and complain and that's all it is at this point doesn't help.

You got that right - it appears the managers are not interested in correcting the problem.

I'm still undecided 'bout calling Bentonville about the last fiasco - if I do, I've already decided to tell them don't bother having anyone call me, as so far (one store manager aside), all they are doing is flapping their gums.

If I need more ammo, I can refer to my magical spreadsheet and review my notes to know which Walmarts appear above board, and which have more excuses than Carters has little liver pills.

If I visit one for ammo, it will be one of those "no muss, no fuss - the system just works" stores.

BTW - the last manager that called told me "we want you to keep us honest / on our toes!"

Uh huh....