BoxerLoverInOhio

I hate that too. We had mandatory cashier meetings a couple of weeks ago that stated all these "changes" being made. We're always told it's company policy. Some of these changes are dumb too. We're not supposed to hand customer change directly to them. We're supposed to count it out on the counter to them and they pick it up. Also, after being in the register and before we place our hands in any pockets or bags, we have to show our hands (kinda like dealers in casinos). We can no longer bring small purses up front with us (used to be you could if it was very small and clear so they could see in it). Registers are now to be audited after 2 people have been on it, and before the 3rd gets on. Not sure about the rest of the stores but I know at my store we have a bunch of service desk trained people and when the desk gets busy, people jump up there to help out. Apparently this audit thing applies to the desk also. The CSM podeum has to be audited by each CSM at the beginning of their shift and at the end of it. We have 6 CSMs not counting 3rd shift.. it's crazy..

One of the gazillion in the Dayton area LOL (south Dayton to be more precise)

When the self checkouts were first brought in, they were OK. It was mostly a matter of people needing to take a course to learn how to use it. I once posted a blog on my myspace page about the Self Checkouts. You do not scan the item and then hold it! Place the stupid thing in the bag! And then they'd have the nerve to look at me and huff and puff like I did something wrong. Read the d@mn screen! It's not that freakin hard to understand. Then, they decided to turn the scales off. Which was nice. People were happier (customers & employees) and things seemed to run smoothly. However, as has been mentioned in this thread already, they are theft magnets. Big time. Just recently, the scales have been turned back on. I. Hate. It. It's even worse now then it was before. You can't even add bags without logging into the store mode now. I'm hearing rumors that we're getting rid of them. It can't come any sooner! Home Depot is, by far, the worst self checkout experience I've ever had. Ever. I had 4 of the same items. They weren't light items either. I scanned one, put it in the bag and waited. And waited. And waited. While the idiot cashier talked to one of his buddy's and ignored the fact that my lane was flashing now. He finally pushes a button, I scan the 2nd one and bag it. And wait... again. By the 4th item, I threw it in the bag... and I do mean threw it. It made a loud noise. I think he finally got the hint at that point. I won't use Home Depot's anymore. Also.. yes, if there are lines, you can go to Electronics, Photo, Lawn & Garden, Automotive.. AND the service desk! As long as you don't have weighable produce, they can check you out at the desk! We will even announce on the intercom that if they don't have weighable produce, they can come up to the desk to be checked out.

It's my understanding that SWM's are 24hrs and only close on Christmas Eve through about 6am or so the day after Christmas. Regular Walmart's, whether they be 24hrs or not, are the ones that close on certain holidays. Every single one of our SWM's in the area are only closed on Christmas. While every single one of the regular WM's, close on Easter, Thanksgiving etc.

I work the service desk at a SWM and most of what you've said here is incorrect. We go by company policy and that policy is: Incorrect. You have 3 times in 45 days to return items without a receipt, after that you will be denied. (I'd always thought it was 90 days but we recently had meetings and management said it was 45). Also, anything under $10 is cash back. Above $10, is an automatic gift card. Also incorrect, to a point. Our policy is w/receipt within 90 days, period, on everything except electronics. 15 days on electronics.. if it's music or movies, with or without a receipt, the only thing you can do is an even exchange for the exact same thing. If we don't have it, sorry about your luck. The only time we do refunds back on gift cards is when they don't present a receipt, or if they specifically ask for a gift card. Otherwise, the refund is given back to the customer in the form that they paid. If they used their credit card, it goes back to the credit card. If they want the cash back instead of it going back to the credit card, they must present their credit card to us first. If they don't show it, it goes back to the credit card, period. This is for the cardholders protection. Some Joe Blow off the street could've picked that receipt up, gone into the store and grabbed the item and came up to "return" it. If they used debit, it's cash back. If they wrote a check, it's cash back since Walmart electronically presents the checks now. My store, specifically, also will do price matches without the customer bringing in the ad to "prove" anything. I'm sure it bites us in the arse at times. I know for a fact that I've rung people up who are lying about stuff being on sale. So instead of making the customers bring in the ads, we keep all the weekly ads with us so if we feel the need to check, we can.

There's no set limit of layaways. I've had 5 different ones at a time before. I usually end up putting sep. layaways in for each of my kids. Easier to keep track of that way.