Avoid This Walmart ... Poor Customer Service and Illegal Policies
I had an incredibly frustrating experience at Walmart store #0420 (1400 Lead Hill Blvd, Roseville, CA), and I feel compelled to warn others.
I purchased a set of tire chains on December 30, 2024, and attempted to return them on February 23, 2025... well within the return window. That day, I was told the return center was closed and, oddly enough, that this particular Walmart does not accept returns on tire chains. I was advised to try another location, which made no sense. Walmart should have consistent return policies across all stores.
That evening, I called Walmart customer service, who reviewed the situation and approved an exception for my return. They provided me with an authorization number and assured me I could return the item.
When I went back on February 25, 2025, things got much worse:
- A manager named Priya refused to honor the authorization from customer service.
- She refused to even call customer service herself, leaving me to call from my own phone.
- When customer service called the store, no one answered five times in a row.
- The customer service rep was so frustrated that she was about to give up.
- I had to track down a floor lead and ask her to answer the phone before Priya finally picked up.
Once Priya was on the call, things escalated. She argued and even yelled at the customer service agent, who was just trying to do her job. The agent informed Priya that she was bringing me on the line so I could hear the store's return policy firsthand. Priya must not have been paying attention because when I joined the call, she became angry and upset that I had been included.
The customer service rep was so fed up with Priya's behavior that she told me she was submitting a formal complaint against the store, not just for failing to answer the phone, but for Priya's unprofessionalism and refusal to follow protocol.
Then came the real bombshell.
Because Priya didn't realize I was listening, she admitted that one of the real reasons they don't accept returns on tire chains is because it costs the store money to ship them back. So instead of following Walmart's actual return policy, they are denying returns just to avoid the expense. That sounds like a store-level policy that goes against corporate policy and is misleading customers.
Even worse, this store is violating California Civil Code 1723(a), which requires return policy modifications to be clearly posted at entrances, registers, or on the product itself. No such signage existed. Priya even claimed that it was posted in the automotive section, but I checked, and it was not there.
The only bright spot in this ordeal was an employee named Drake, who finally processed my return and was professional and understanding. But it never should have come to this level of frustration in the first place.
Bottom line:
- Inconsistent return policies across Walmart stores
- Unprofessional and rude management (Priya)
- Refusal to follow corporate policies
- Failure to answer the phone multiple times
- Admitted reason for denying returns was cost-saving, not policy
- Clear violation of California consumer law
If you have any issues at this Walmart, expect to be ignored, argued with, and treated poorly. I will be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau about this store's deceptive practices and unprofessional management.
Do yourself a favor and shop elsewhere.
1/5 stars - would give zero if possible. read more