The last few trips we’ve been to Sam’s Club, we’ve used their Scan & Go app. It’s so easy! Using the app on my phone, I just scan everything that goes into the cart. If there’s something we decide we don’t want, simply scroll to that item in the “cart” on the app and delete it. When done, hit “pay”, show that to the lady at the door and we’re out of there. I’ve been so impressed with that app. It means zero waiting in line to get out of there. The lady at the door told me Walmart had the app too. Oh . . that made me really happy! I downloaded it only to find that it wasn’t available at our Walmart.
It’s been a couple of weeks since we were in Walmart here and it looked like they were taking out all the self-check registers. We were talking about it at knitting yesterday one of the ladies said they’ve put in new self-check registers but they’re at the other end of the check out area. That got me to thinking . . maybe along with this updating of the registers, they’re now accepting Scan & Go. I checked the app.
That makes me so happy! I almost want to go there today and try it out but I don’t need anything.
I am not a Walmart hater. I appreciate that they’re in small towns where there are few other businesses. When I hear people say they don’t shop there because everything comes from China, that tells me that, for the most part, those folks just don’t like Walmart because every store of that type is full of stuff from China. When they tell me they don’t like Walmart because of how they treat employees . . more evidence of listening to others and not getting all the facts. I’m sure in a company the size of the Walmart operation, there have been bad managers and policies that adversely affect some but folks, anyone working for most any large corporation can find major problems with how some folks are treated and how policies change to benefit corporate and hurt the little guy.
You know that I know what it’s like to be a Walmart employee. Based on the horror stories I hear and read, that is not what it’s like for every employee. If you want to bash Walmart or any business, do it on first hand knowledge and not because of something you’ve heard through the years or read on some political commentary.
Our last few locations have been to places that have no Target, in our town previously we had no bookstore, no department store; in our current town, the bookstore and Penney’s have closed. Here, Kroger was open 24 hours but they’re closing. Need activated charcoal at 2 a.m. because the dog ate chocolate, live in a small town where nothing else is open, and you’ll learn to love Walmart.
People who say they will NEVER go to a Walmart, I smile to myself and think . . right! You desperately need something in the middle of the night and Walmart is the only place open . . you’re going!
For me, it’s pretty much about price. If I need one thing and it’s $4 at Walmart and $5 at the grocery store, I’ll run into the grocery store and get it (if Vince isn’t with me!). If I need 10 things and will save $1 on each item, I’m going to Walmart. In my book, at $10 savings is half a skein of yarn! Seriously, if something personally offended me at any store, I’m not going there.
I will love our Walmart even more now that I can use Scan & Go and not have to scrutinize the checkout lines to see which one has the shortest lines, which people in line have the least items and which checker looks like she might be quick.
Cilla Tyler says
Is the scan and go like you click on the items, someone in store shops for you and you go thru the drive thru to pick up your items? I’ve wondered how that worked. Let us know how you like it.
Judy Laquidara says
The way it works at Sam’s is you pick up what you want, scan it with your phone, put it in your cart and when you’re done, just hit “pay” on the phone. It shows a receipt and then the door checker has a little tool and she is able to look at your receipt number and it shows her everything you bought and she checks your cart. I haven’t done it yet at Sam’s so I can’t say how it works there.
Linda in NE says
The Hy-Vee grocery story nearest us has the order online/pickup feature. Our daughter actually got a part time job as one of their shoppers and our daughter-in-law loves the feature….especially during tax season and when her twins were smaller (she’s a CPA).
Jackie says
Have used online shopping at Walmart several times. It is an awesome service. Not only can you comparison shop by opening the local grocery store site and checking prices but saves so much time. Simply go online put choices in the cart, pay for it, then select a time for pickup. You receive an email when order is ready then zip to the store, notify them you are there and they load the groceries for you. If they don’t have an item they upgrade for the same price. Best is that the service is FREE.
Judy Laquidara says
Not all Walmarts have that service available. Ours does not.
Sharon says
The Walmart here has were you order everything online at home, set a pickup time, and they deliver it to your car and load it. I haven’t tried it, but friends have and love it. They save a lot of money just not picking up impulse buying items.
Judy Laquidara says
Ours doesn’t have that available yet. I’m just not sure how I would like them picking my stuff. I can see how it would save money but I almost always end up seeing something I needed and don’t have on my list. I’m not sure how I’d feel about someone else choosing my bananas, tomatoes, etc.
Cilla Tyler says
I feel the same about perishables but paper goods, frozen, soaps, wine I would not mind.
Diana Edwards says
I have learned to order on line and give them a time I will be there to pick up. It is ready to be loaded in the back of the van. Really is nice for heavy items….only have to deal with unloading.
Helen says
How does it work for things that need weighing?
LaVonne Parizek says
Helen, they do a pre-authorize on your debit card. When they pull the actual product they charge it at that price. So the total is changed for the settlement sent to the bank. Like a motel does. I’ve been doing my groceries for about 4 months now and LOVE it!
Cathy says
Helen, this is where it really slows down. There are 3 different ways to price produce. Some is straight forward – e.g.; celery is a straight price for a bunch, so you just scan the bar code. Some produce has a 4-digit code that you have to enter after you have scanned the item. Then there are the items that have no tags (cabbage, head of garlic). You have to punch the “apple” on the scanner, select the product, weigh it on the digital scale and then input the price.
Judy Laquidara says
Is this the app where you use your own phone or where you do the self check??
wanda j says
I love Walmart. I have one less than 2 miles from my house. Krogers just move a little futher down but I don’t like the way it is arranges and it is higher. There is a Brookshire Brothers I like them for some things. But give me Walmart every time and I’m a happy camper.Can’t wait ot try this. I use self check out at any store that has it,
Vickie VanDyken says
I worked for Wal Mart. They paid me fairly and I just wanted to work part time. When all I got was full time hours, I asked to have my hours cut or made full time, To my consternation, they made me full time…wait that was not supposed to happen…LOL. I decided that if I was going to work full time I would find a real job! So I did. I only made a dollar an hour more at my new job than I had at Wal Mart.
Please note that about 3 months after I got my last paycheck from them…… they sent me a check for a penney!! What had that cost them??? Apparently they cared more about cheating me than that 1 cent!! Call me crazy but I thought was and is the mark of a good company. This personally is my story. I don’t know what others say ….but I am very happy with Wal Mart and the way they treat their employees.
Love that store!!
Bonnie Tucker says
Judy I have been following your blog for a couple of years. I shop differently now than what I did two years ago. I never liked Walmart because they never had enough cash registers open. Now that I shop sales I love Walmart. I buy their rotisserie chicken when it’s marked down. $2.99 for a whole chicken. Pork spareribs $3.99 for a rack. Pork tenderloin $4.99. I buy hamburger when it’s marked down. I never pay full price for my groceries anymore. Saving money is so much fun. I am a quilter and saving on groceries I how I paid for a retreat next month. I went back to Aldis today hams were still on sale 50% of. They also gave me a promotion discount of another 10% off. I sliced the hams and put them in the freezer. I am cooking a pot of beans for the Super Bowl (using one of the ham bones). Three hams purchased today less than $10.00. I am doing the happy dance. Lobster tails were$12.99 today. Sometimes I just go to the store to see what I can find. I do so good shopping sales, I now shop for several other people. Thanks for having your blog
cassews says
I used to work for Wal-Mart when Mr. Walton was still alive and met him. Very courteous man to me and listened to what I had to say. I quit working there due to the fact that my department was being shut down and I didn’t want to go into another. No problems, just worked a fair day and was paid a decent wage.
Terri says
I LOVE Scan n Go at Sam’s!! Unless I’m buying wine or beer, you can’t use it for alcohol at our store. I haven’t been to WalMart in several years and before that it had been 5 years. I personally don’t have anything against them as a company. They provide a great service to communities and other than you talking about employee treatment I’ve no first hand knowledge. Then do have great prices and a ton of selection.
My problems with them have very little to do with them lol! It’s just to big and I don’t have the time to wander thru the entire store, and that’s what usually happens! Hours making my way thru to make sure I’m not missing anything I might need. 🙂
But my biggest reason for not going there is the customers. People in our town are so dang rude and out of control I just can’t take it. And sadly it’s getting almost as bad at Target. People let their kids run out of control and they are just rude. I do most of my shopping online now because of that and I’m very lucky (kind of…..) that my husband does most of the grocery shopping now. But that has major problems of it’s own…….
Wish we had Aldi. And Blue Bell 🙂
Love your stories!
Lisa G Boyer says
I love WalMart, too. As a matter of fact, I’m trying to buy less from Amazon and more online from WalMart. If WalMart has it at the same price and I’m not in a hurry for it, I choose WalMart. Too bad WalMart is so far away from where I live now–I’d shop there all the time! I LOVE that they still have a fabric section…how great is that in a department store these days?
Sandy says
I shop my local Walmart all the time. The customers and store workers are always cheerful, helpful, and friendly. One thing I’ve found in Walmart that I really like is “Made Here” towels, which are made in Griffin, GA, by 1888 Mills. The bath towels are large and very absorbent. They are now my favorite towels. I own several sets! They are also less expensive than other brands.
Kathleen says
I think Chad should get a raise. In the past I avoided Walmart due to all the horror stories I had heard. (Like you say, not from anyone I know just general stuff – bad me.) Then I read about them on your blog and saw them through Chad’s eyes. I’ll now shop at the local store and order online.