4 ms·

Clearly they are playing catch-up -- Amazon is eating them alive through online ordering, and has a growth curve that is rightly extremely frightening for Walma

Clearly they are playing catch-up -- Amazon is eating them alive through online ordering, and has a growth curve that is rightly extremely frightening for Walmart. Walmart is already operating by the skin of its teeth (a net margin pushing below 1%, while Amazon's has pushed past 4% and has been heading upwards) and Amazon threatens that more as people buy more and more of those "oh right" things through the online retailer. Culturally, though, Walmart has absolutely no chance. I recently purchased my first online order through Walmart as they had a product no one else in the country had. It came busted and spilled out in the bag. I emailed just to make them aware that this happened and the hostile, "PROVE IT" type response I got was so incredible compared to Amazon's facilitation of the customer. Walmart culturally will never have a "oh you didn't like it that's fine just stuff it in a box here's a label and a we've issued a full refund" response to anything.

reaperducer 7y ago
I emailed just to make them aware that this happened and the hostile, "PROVE IT" type response I got was so incredible compared to Amazon's facilitation of the customer. Wow. That's entirely the opposite experience I've had. Twice I've had problems with my Wal-Mart orders. Both times I filled out a form online, and within an hour someone very nice from Texas (both times — I inquired about their accents) called me on the phone to not only apologize, but to replace the item at no charge and refund the price of my original purchase. Amazon also gives exemplary customer service when things go wrong, but your Wal-Mart experience seems really out of left field. (I had an entire Easter dinner from Whole Foods sent to someone else's house and Amazon had another delivery at my door in a little over an hour, with a $20 credit. Interestingly, Amazon won't tell you which house an order was accidentally delivered to for privacy reasons, or I just would have knocked on a neighbor's door.)
- WrtCdEvrydy 7y ago
  > an order was accidentally delivered to for privacy reasons Privacy reasons? Those guys aren't your customers... let me get my chicken nuggets, man!
mastry 7y ago
In my experience, Amazon is no better in the customer service department. I recently ordered some unscented deodorant from Amazon and they sent me some horrible smelling "Sport" scent. Fine, mistakes happen, but when I went to return it the item was marked as "not returnable". No other options. So they basically stole $17 from me and there's nothing I can do short of filing in small claims court. It was a very Google-esque experience.
- dual_basis 7y ago
  Did you try contacting customer service? I'd bet dollars to donuts that you get a full refund, no need to even return it. The Google-esque experience you described only occurs if there's no customer service to even contact, Amazon's customer service is very easy to contact.

reaperducer 7y ago

I emailed just to make them aware that this happened and the hostile, "PROVE IT" type response I got was so incredible compared to Amazon's facilitation of the customer. Wow. That's entirely the opposite experience I've had. Twice I've had problems with my Wal-Mart orders. Both times I filled out a form online, and within an hour someone very nice from Texas (both times — I inquired about their accents) called me on the phone to not only apologize, but to replace the item at no charge and refund the price of my original purchase. Amazon also gives exemplary customer service when things go wrong, but your Wal-Mart experience seems really out of left field. (I had an entire Easter dinner from Whole Foods sent to someone else's house and Amazon had another delivery at my door in a little over an hour, with a $20 credit. Interestingly, Amazon won't tell you which house an order was accidentally delivered to for privacy reasons, or I just would have knocked on a neighbor's door.)

WrtCdEvrydy 7y ago
> an order was accidentally delivered to for privacy reasons Privacy reasons? Those guys aren't your customers... let me get my chicken nuggets, man!

mastry 7y ago

In my experience, Amazon is no better in the customer service department. I recently ordered some unscented deodorant from Amazon and they sent me some horrible smelling "Sport" scent. Fine, mistakes happen, but when I went to return it the item was marked as "not returnable". No other options. So they basically stole $17 from me and there's nothing I can do short of filing in small claims court. It was a very Google-esque experience.

dual_basis 7y ago
Did you try contacting customer service? I'd bet dollars to donuts that you get a full refund, no need to even return it. The Google-esque experience you described only occurs if there's no customer service to even contact, Amazon's customer service is very easy to contact.