Letter to the Editor: No More Greeters at Walmart?
Vicki Pomeroy sent a letter to the editor about the lack of greeters at Walmart. She asks the question, is it worth firing greeters to increase Walmart's bottom line?
From Snellville resident Vicki Pomeroy:
"For many, many years I have heard and read how 'American' Sam Walton and his corporation are. After experiences this weekend, I am seriously beginning to wonder about the validity of those claims.
My daughter and I went to the Snellville Walmart on Saturday and were surprised that there were no greeters at the entrance. I guess I had just never noticed how pleasant it was to be greeted by a friendly face when we shopped there.
I asked the cashier about the missing greeters while we checked out and was informed that “we don’t have them at the door anymore” and “during busy hours there are usually a few outside of the customer service area."
What?
I was instantly disheartened by this news, as I have known several of the elderly greeters, many of whom had no real life outside of their jobs at Walmart. I also wondered why Walmart has decided that paying a few senior citizens a minimum wage was too much for their corporation. Just keeping a few people, most of whom are struggling with loneliness and living on fixed incomes, on their payrolls would not only benefit those people, but our country’s economy and Walmart’s reputation as well.
Then we went over to Sam’s club, where I was again disheartened to see their latest campaign to get their customers to use the self-service check out aisles. I can almost guarantee that the money Sam’s has invested in this latest -- and apparently not well-working -- technology, cost a heck of a lot more money than the one or two people who seriously NEED jobs and could have been helped by the positions that Sam’s has now chosen to fill with computers.
Shame on you Sam Walton!! Does anyone really see the whole picture/price of Sam’s/Walmart’s selfish decisions?"
(Editor's note: Yes, we know Sam Walton is no longer with us. You get the point.)
What do you think about the lack of greeters at Walmart? The self checkout line?
Darcey Bailey
4:06 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Most of the ones at the Snellville Walmart still work there they are just doing other things. I still see most of them around when I'm in there.
Tricia Rawlins
4:16 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
You are right Vicki ...They want us to invest in them but they don't want to invest in the people. Shame on Sam Walton!
R++ - One of the famous "Dacula Crew"
4:49 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
I believe you'll find the Sam Walton you fondly remember has passed on in 1992.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Walton
Wal-Mart is now a WORLD size multinational and the USA is just a division now.
The greeters are gone because they are NOT needed in Wal-Mart corporate’s mind, they add nothing to market share in their view.
Shop elsewhere locally where you are greeted, if enough do Wal-Mart might find they need to bring them back…
JH Wilson
12:50 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Sorry I must disagree, these greeters were also security check points, which made you feel like a criminal every time one of these greeters wanted to check your buggy if an item was not bagged. The only thing Walmart greets is money. Amercians have given up pride and gone with cheap, even though now that Walmart has crushed most local businesses, cheap is not there anymore. So enjoy and maybe China will send you a greeting of Thanks.
Cindy Jones
3:35 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
I am an associate at the snellville walmart and i must say you have been misinformed. Each and every greeter we had at the door is still employed not one was fired. I don't know who you spoke with but they didn't give you the correct infomation.
Crystal Huskey
3:38 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Thanks for the info Cindy :)