When it comes to Walmart I think most of us have a love hate relationship. I know I love the prices but I hate the crowds and yuckiness that comes along with some of the stores. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would come across a Walmart that would be worthy of a 5 star rating, but that Walmart exist in Blue Ridge.
I've visited several Walmarts in the LA Basin, Orange County and different states. Some have been worse than others but for the most part at any given moment I would rate the best one at 2.5 stars. So when my husband and I discovered that the only major store (not including grocery stores) in Blue Ridge was Walmart, well lets just say we weren't jumping for joy.
All right so where to begin? For starters Walmart greeter do exist! And, the Walmart greeter at this location is the sweetest man, very grandpa like and you just want to give him a hug!
Oh, but even before entering the store, the parking lot is clean. There are the usual one or two carts rolling around. But for the most part they are nicely tucked away in the designated cart holding area. Not seeing random beer cans in the parking lot or having to get out of your car to move a shopping cart in order to park=1 brownie point!
Once inside it is obvious how nicely clean and organized the entire store is. There are no items on the floor between the isles, including the clothing sections, just lying around. Not having to step over/or around or tripping on stuff= 2 brownie points!
There restrooms, oh the restrooms! I seriously think they were almost as clean as my bathroom at home and I bleach everything!!! I if don't OD on the smell of bleach it's not clean. Obviously the Walmart restroom didn't smell of bleach, but they were exceptionally clean and there was no trash on the floor. They were well stocked with toilet paper, paper towels and soap in each sink too. Not having to check every stall for toilet paper=3 brownie points!!
Challenge #1 finding a Walmart employee. Challenge #2 finding one willing to help and 3rd and final challenge find one who CAN actually help. Sounds like an impossible challenge? I though so, but at the Blue Ridge Walmart there is no shortage of employees (with smiles nonetheless) who actually approach you and ask if you need assistance. Even better, when you answer YES, they actually do help! True story!! Not having to run up and down the isles yelling "Hello, I need help please"= 4 brownie points.
And finally the Customer Service desk...oh yes that dreaded place with the ginormous singular line with only one employee assigned to take returns; who happens to be on the phone and you have to wait two hours to return an item only to find out that you forgot the receipt! I have never experienced such a quick and painless "return" transaction with and without a receipt. If I recall correctly one of the employees working the desk is Judy. I dealt with her on several and I mean numerous occasions (no fault of anyone I just purchased the wrong item(s) and had to exchange and/or return). Each and every time Judy was such a breath of fresh air, there was no hassle, no lecture about the importance of having a receipt, and all the negativity that come with explaining why you're returning an item. Judy was friendly, pleasant and what I really found most impressive was that each time she thanked me, yes she thanked me for shopping at Walmart and I believe she was very genuine in her kindness. I cannot express the shock I felt when I dealt with her the first time. To have someone wish me a nice day and thank me for my patronage is unheard of!! I adore Judy she provided me with exceptional customer service and not just me I watched her treat everyone (ahead of me) with the same kindness and respect. So for the final brownie points, not having to go to anger management therapy after dealing with customer service=5 brownie points!!
This Walmart is seriously a diamond in the rough. read more
