by William M.
Member since:
July 31, 2006

Walmart Greeters Gone???

April 12, 2012 08:51 AM UTC
views: 0 | 10 people recommend this | comments: 89

The last couple of weeks the Walmart we went into did not have the greeter and checker at the door. One of the employees said some of the customers did not like them because they made customers uncomfortable as it looked like they thought the customer might be stealing. That does not sound right to me. The ones it made uncomfortable would be the would be shoplifters.

Maybe they are cutting down on costs.

Have all Walmarts dropped the greeters or just this one? Does anyone know? Does anyone know the reason if they have dropped them everywhere?

Comments: 89

michele r. Apr 12, 2012, 9:03am UTC
They have dropped the greeters at the door. I think it is due to cutbacks. I know someone who works at Walmart and I will ask him about this. I would hope that it would not be cutbacks and that these people did not lose their jobs.
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:05pm UTC
I hope you are right or they are offered other positions.
Rosa j. Apr 12, 2012, 9:06am UTC
Come to think of it, in the area where I live I have not seen the greeters and checkers, either. Thought they were on break at the time ....not sure what is going on, though...
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:05pm UTC
It makes you wonder, Rosa.
kathleen w. Apr 12, 2012, 9:15am UTC
I w ork at walmart. they are around, they are doing go backs and helping out. also at our store they are further back, this is how sam walton had it originally. they are still there to answr questions etc. also to "direct traffic" people tend to stop at thefirst open register causing a back up and complaints of long waits....when there are other registers with short or no lnes....so they are still there!
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:06pm UTC
That is the explination I wanted to hear, Kathleen.
michele r. Apr 15, 2012, 7:33pm UTC
I am glad to hear this. I have not been in touch with the person I know who works at Walmart. Thanks for letting us know kathleen!
Cynthia C. Apr 12, 2012, 9:42am UTC
I haven't been to walmart in a while so haven't noticed at ours.

Thank you so much for sharing with Sadies Points
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:07pm UTC
Thanks for the comment, Cynthia.

You are very welcome.
connie h. Apr 12, 2012, 9:43am UTC
I have not been to walmart in a long time I could not tell you, ours usually give out stickers to the little kids, but it has been a couple months sence I have been to a walmart.
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:07pm UTC
I appreciate the comment, Connie.
J F. Apr 12, 2012, 9:51am UTC
I heard they don't have them in our area either. I don't like Walmart and never shop there.
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:08pm UTC
It must not be just here then, J F.
Vj McMullan Apr 12, 2012, 10:02am UTC
I haven't gone there in awhile
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:08pm UTC
Thanks for stopping by, VJ.
Christine P. Apr 12, 2012, 10:44am UTC
I've noticed in our area that there are very few greeters now. The ones we had contact with were always friendly and helpful.
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:09pm UTC
It seems like it is true there and here, Christine.
Heidi S. Apr 12, 2012, 10:52am UTC
I stopped shopping at Walmart a long time ago... I try to shop where I can find things made in places other than China - hopefully even in the USA....
kathleen w. Apr 12, 2012, 3:52pm UTC
atually a great deal of walmart products are made in the usa. and each store employs 300+ pple fyi. so pple shopping there supporrts my job!
Heidi S. Apr 12, 2012, 6:49pm UTC
Good point, Kathleen - we do need places to work!
kathleen w. Apr 12, 2012, 8:00pm UTC
sorry I got snippy, the economy sucks its not your fault lol
Ms Lee P. Apr 12, 2012, 8:38pm UTC
I love Wal Mart, it's my favorite store. It's about the only place I can afford to shop anymore, other than Aldi's and I don't like bagging my own groceries at Aldi's (I ususally take Wal Mart sacks with me when I do shop there, LOL). Wal Mart has a lot of local produce in their veggie departments and fresh eggs and milk from local dairies ... lots of U.S.A. stuff. Those little Chinese people don't get all my money, Wal Mart carries tons and tons of U.S.A. stuff. My flower beds love their plants and fertilizers all U.S.A. grown and made. Bat guano (fertilizer) from Calsbad Caverns in New Mexico is wonderful for my flowers and veggie garden. Oh, I could go on and on, however my coffee still comes from the mountains of Columbia (not many coffee plantations in the U.S.A.) and I gotta have my coffee. I love Wal Mart and I love that they employ Senior Citizens and handicapped people .... Woo Hoo for Wal Mart, it's the American Way!
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:12pm UTC
Thank you for commenting, Heidi.

I appreciate the info, Kathleen.

They are a good store for you then, Ms Lee.
Angela M. Apr 12, 2012, 11:32am UTC
I hate having to have my receipt at the door to mark it its a pain in the butt and sometimes I lose the receipt do to having to keep it out until I get to the door. But them just being their does not bother me at all. I have know some of them for years and its always nice to see them when you go in. I can see though how it makes some uncomfortable because they don't want to engage anyone when they are going to the store. I dont like chatty cashiers on some days I just want to get my stuff and get out of there
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:13pm UTC
I understand your feelings, Angela.
M L M. Apr 12, 2012, 11:57am UTC
I always thought they helped when people brought back their returns, only the guilty would be insulted.
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:13pm UTC
That is what I thought, M L M.
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ Apr 12, 2012, 11:59am UTC
My bet: They were too expensive.
I don't even understand their purpose in the first place, but then I am not from the USA. We do not have greeters...
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:14pm UTC
I understand the reason for having them. I just wonder why there have not been any lately.
mary v. Apr 12, 2012, 2:12pm UTC
I haven't been to Wal Mart in a long time so I don't know.
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:15pm UTC
Thanks for coming by, Mary.
Katryn D. Apr 12, 2012, 2:13pm UTC
I would say it's a cost cut if they are really getting rid of them...can't say as I noticed, it's been a while since I went to Wal-Mart
kathleen w. Apr 12, 2012, 3:53pm UTC
they arent going away, just different jobs!
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:18pm UTC
That was my first thought, Katryn.

Do they still have the same job but are temp at others or have they new jobs, Kathleen? A store employee told me at this store they did not have the greeters anymore There.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Apr 12, 2012, 2:16pm UTC
We still have them at our store. They give out the shopping carts.
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:19pm UTC
That is good to hear, Nana.
Larry H. Apr 12, 2012, 3:55pm UTC
greeters could tell you where things were in the store.
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:19pm UTC
That is one reason they are handy to have, Larry.
Angela A. Apr 12, 2012, 4:17pm UTC
I don't really pay attention to the greeters much anymore
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:19pm UTC
I appreciate you stopping by, Angela.
David W. Apr 12, 2012, 4:20pm UTC
More of us seniors out of work, there is little enough left for us to do.
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:20pm UTC
Lets hope they have not lost their jobs, David.
Karen E. Apr 12, 2012, 6:08pm UTC
I'll have to see...
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:20pm UTC
Thanks, Karen.
Amber C. Apr 12, 2012, 7:35pm UTC
The last time I was in my Walmart we did have greeters. Which is good because they are usually elderly greeters and I like knowing they have a job if they want one.
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:21pm UTC
That is how I feel, Amber.
Jennifer F. Apr 12, 2012, 7:35pm UTC
I think they are still at my Walmart - but they tend not to be the seniors like they used to be. Also, they are not enforcing the need to see the receipt before going out the door like they used to - thankfully!
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:21pm UTC
That is true in the store we were in too, Jennifer.
Ms Lee P. Apr 12, 2012, 8:25pm UTC
They are still at the Wal Mart where I shop. I love Wal Mart, it's my favorite store. It's about the only place I can afford to shop anymore, other than Aldi's and I don't like bagging my own groceries at Aldi's (I ususally take Wal Mart sacks with me when I shop there, LOL).
William M. Apr 12, 2012, 9:22pm UTC
Thanks for the info, Ms Lee. I see why you like them.
Nurse Nancy S. Apr 13, 2012, 1:49pm UTC
My husband is really P.O'ed about this. Ed is medically retired and he says "Now my post retirement job is gone." LOL
William M. Apr 13, 2012, 1:57pm UTC
We don't know for sure what is happening, Nancy. Some comments report they still have greeters at some stores.
Adelaide M. Apr 13, 2012, 5:58pm UTC
Thanks for posting to Point Taken. Have a great weekend!

I haven't been to Walmart since before Christmas. I'm pretty sure there was a greeter there then, but I honestly can't remember.
William M. Apr 13, 2012, 9:59pm UTC
You are welcome, Adelaide.
Matthew A. Apr 13, 2012, 8:55pm UTC
Probably cutting overhead, which sucks because that puts a lot of people out of work all over the country......ONCE AGAIN!
Matthew A. Apr 13, 2012, 8:55pm UTC
Thanks Walmart.
William M. Apr 13, 2012, 10:00pm UTC
Different reports. I'll be glad to know for sure what is going on.
Robin A. Apr 14, 2012, 10:33am UTC
they dropped the greeters and gave them different jobs (I think stocking the shelves, mostly)...it was a cost saving measure for Wal-Mart. Having said this, I will say I have not yet seen any of the former greeters working in the Wal-Mart I always go to.....but I don't know if they have them working at night or I'm not there when they are there.....
William M. Apr 14, 2012, 12:26pm UTC
I appreciate the info very much, Robin.
Robin A. Apr 14, 2012, 10:37am UTC
this is a link to a news article about Walmart dropping the greeters:
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2012/01/27/walmart-greeters-will-no-longer-greet-at-the-door/?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl4|sec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D130897
William M. Apr 14, 2012, 12:27pm UTC
Thank you, Robin.
Robin A. Apr 14, 2012, 10:38am UTC
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2012/01/27/walmart-greeters-will-no-longer-greet-at-the-door/?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl4|sec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D130897
William M. Apr 14, 2012, 12:27pm UTC
Thanks again, Robin.
Marilyn (PaintsOnSlate) S. Apr 14, 2012, 12:16pm UTC
I'll have to check the next time I get to Walmart. It's a bit of a drive from my home so I don't get there often enough.
William M. Apr 14, 2012, 12:28pm UTC
I appreciate it Marilyn.
Mary G. Apr 14, 2012, 3:11pm UTC
There isn't a Wal-mart in this city and I try to shop local to help people keep their jobs in my area. I think that is important, as to many of my friends are working part time, as that has been the only job openings available in many of the fields. One of my friends is now a part time teacher because the school she had taught at for years closed.
William M. Apr 14, 2012, 8:19pm UTC
Shipping local is a good thing to do, Mary.
Char H. Apr 14, 2012, 3:22pm UTC
I searched for news. The articles ranged from no more greeters, to the job was changed. Guess it makes a difference where you are. For sure they moved away from the exit ck.
William M. Apr 14, 2012, 8:20pm UTC
I appreciate the info, Char.
Marsha C. Apr 14, 2012, 8:29pm UTC
we noticed right away that the greeters were no longer there. I guess no more putting a sticker on if you bring something in the door to return?
William M. Apr 14, 2012, 8:31pm UTC
That seems to be right, Marsha. I expect shoplifting will increase.
Kenneth B. Apr 14, 2012, 11:27pm UTC
I don't shop at Walmart.
William M. Apr 15, 2012, 1:29pm UTC
Thanks for viewing and commenting, Kenneth.
Kenneth B. Apr 15, 2012, 5:14pm UTC
You're welcome.
I noticed the greeters are still at out Wal-mart. But not at the door.

Yes, some people do feel like they are being watched by the greeters and checkers.
Wal-mart was getting rip off left and right til the greeters and checkers come about. I see the need for them. But as a paying customer who does not steal. it does bother me at times that I am not trustworthy enough to buy my purchases and can leave the store without having my receipt checked to make all has been paid for. yes, it is an inconvience (<--- not sure about spelling,I think my spell check is broke) but one I do go along with. as I see the need for it. But it doesn't mean I have to like it.
William M. Apr 15, 2012, 7:43pm UTC
I see both sides for greeters, MZZZ Sweets. I guess Wallmart will do what they think best.
Kelly M. Apr 15, 2012, 8:00pm UTC
Ours still have them :) I like them.
William M. Apr 15, 2012, 8:05pm UTC
I like them too, Kelly. Especially when I don't know where to find an item.
Betty S. Apr 20, 2012, 7:01pm UTC
I've noticed more men near the door now and they do help out in other area's.. One of the job's I've noticed is they keep the power scooters charged and help people with those.The last return I had there was a man directed me on where to go for service.
William M. Apr 20, 2012, 7:10pm UTC
They still have them in some stores, Betty. There was one in the store we went into Wednesday.
Heather - child of God, C. May 15, 2012, 2:40pm UTC
I like when I see these people because many times they are disabled. I met a women in another store who said she did this for a living and she was blind.

When I went to Raymond James Stadium to see a college football game there was a man in a wheelchair who was the elevator attendant. He was friendly and gave us directions as to where we needed to go to get to our seats. I thought it was great because it was a job he could do... and he did it well.

I so appreciate places who hire the disabled. Just because they/we are limited in some way doesn't mean there isn't something they/we can do.
Heather - child of God, C. May 15, 2012, 2:41pm UTC
The women said she was blind and told me she was a walmart greeter... I meant to mention that.
William M. May 15, 2012, 3:44pm UTC
It is great seeing handicaped people get a chance to work. It seems some stores still have greeters and some don't.
lena k. May 15, 2012, 2:42pm UTC
they are still at the wal mart i go to
William M. May 15, 2012, 3:45pm UTC
I went into another store which has them. Some do and some don't.
Beth J. May 26, 2012, 2:13pm UTC
My walmart doesn't have them.. They help the customers out finding products they want now instead of at the door
William M. May 26, 2012, 2:28pm UTC
Some stores have them and some don't. I don't know why this is so.

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