A checker mentioned to DH and I the other day as we were checking out that they were going to lose their greeters.
Apparently no one is happy about that corporate decision.

Well, most WM's in our area have fabric depts back, due to public sentiment, so perhaps if you let them know how you feel it will do some good.

Personally? seems a good move to me. Paying someone to stand at the door and say 'hello' to the people coming in (I've NEVER had one give me a cart--greeters are inside the store, carts are in the enclosed area outside the doors), and hassle the people going out? but mostly to just stand there doing nothing? I've honestly never understand the point of that position. Really isn't adding anything to the coffers. And I've also never had one put any kind of sticker or barcode on anything I've returned. Guess some of those chores are regional.

It's certainly a shame if anyone loses their job over this, or is forced to move to one they cannot handle (most greaters around here are either seniors or challenged young people), but I'd just as soon not have to put up with having to stop and visit when I'm in a hurry.

Okay--that all probably sounds awful, but understand I live in a NE metropolis where this sort of thing is seen more as an intrusion (around here, many consider it rude to talk to strangers) than a plus.

When I went to WM today, I wondered where the greeter was. I enjoy them because, here in Iowa, we talk to strangers.

Haven't been to WM for a while. Don't know if they have done that here or not.

I prefer to park as close as possible to a cart corral and get my cart there. Helps me to walk across the parking lot better. If I am lucky enough to find a parking space right near the entrance I will take that and get a cart on the inside. The greeters pull a cart out for you if there isn't one ready, and most really do speak to the customers. If you are returning something they check to see what it is and put the sticker on it.

If there is no one at the entrance, what prevents someone from putting something in the cart and walking out with it?

Here is something that happened at our WM recently.

A young man attempted to take a humidifier from WalMart, and fled on foot after being confronted by store personnel.
Police found him at Ruby TuesdayâÂÂs, and he then ran toward XXX Street.

He was struck by a 1997 Saab in the far northbound lane of XXX Street. He died several days later. The driver of the Saab was not charged in the accident.

I don't know if there was a greeter involved or not.

Sue

I have no problem with the greeters. They are friendly and do a service. Maybe not brain surgery or rocket science but still a service, or a courtesy if you will. In our area they do have carts out and ready for people. And they stop you with a return and scan it and put a bar code and sticker on it.

I always liked the thought of greeters there.

I too, have always liked the WM greeters having a cart lined up for me, and usually greeting me on my way in. Their greetings have always been short, polite, and never intrusive, and they have 'stickered' any items I have for return. They have also stopped me on my way out to check my receipt on larger purchases (TV, etc) or plants that weren't actual bagged items....a good thing.

I too like not having to fight to get 'stuck' carts apart. Often in a supermarket I have to try several different rows of carts before I can find one that easily releases.

I can live with or without greeters, but they are usually a pleasant welcome.

What I want from Walmart is smaller shopping carts!
I generally shop for a few things...too big for the carry basket...but really have never needed that monster cart.

Don't have our fabric department back, but do have our door greeter at one of our WMs. The other one in a smaller town never did have a greeter.

They don't get our carts for us but do put the sticker on returned items.

Minnie we still have door greeters. They don't get carts for us but they still tag your returns.

Funny about Target.

Here our Targets have door greeters that always meet you with a cart.

Speaking of shopping carts (greeters here don't get you one)
Last time I went in I got 3 "bad" carts in a row. I'd take one, the wheels would wobble, I'd go back and get another.
After the third one I just kept it and used it. Hubby showed me his cart was bad too...

Wow, I am sorry some people don't see the extra benefits of having "trained" greeters. No one wants a job where they are considered mentally and/or physically lazy.These folks chose to work rather than take from their counties and cities. They either got a good supervisor or a loser. That is something they can't control if wm hires them as a line item on their budget as a PR stunt rather than give them meaningful training on how the store works and a map of it to learn and pass out.

It appears that some have no idea how hard it is to get a job after you are considered to old to work by your last employer. These greeters have been the "only" people who welcomed me into this frickin store. I ask them for help because when given a chance you may discover like me 1) they give me individual attention and know where things are 2) they are estactic to get some respect, eye contact and a couple of people to talk to and help. They even give me a little more info then I asked for which I thank them for 3) I know they were more than greeters in their lifetime and I want them to keep their jobs and make a little money; not just what the government tells people they can have. 4) they are somebody's family in MY country. Who among us will discover that we would be lucky to get a job as a greeter.

Went to the Wally World today and there was a greeter with a cart ready for me! Hope they stay - they are all quite pleasant folks!

That's why there wasn't one at the door the other night! I had no idea that it was a decision made by the company. I just thought they didn't have someone because they called in sick or something.

Our wm greeter has never given me a cart. They are always friendly though and say hi and bye.

Amen ellie45! I totally agree!

When Walmart "improved" to a super store, they put the carts in an entrance way. The greeters no longer have to "give" carts to the customers. One greeter told me he was very disappointed not to be able to do that anymore, he was happy to be of service to people coming in. I hope they bring the greeters back; I enjoyed them.

I always thought it was an un-Walmart like luxury to have these people standing at the door saying hello and good bye. I'd think - big bad Walmart isn't so bad giving these people a job doing not much. Sometimes they'd have the carts lined up to go and sometimes they didn't. Usually they'd just be standing around saying hello and good bye. I'm surprised they didn't change this a long time ago.

There are still greeters at our Walmart. They are always friendly and helpful.
The same ones have been at this store a long time. They are are older, on social security. They say that besides giving them a little extra money, it allows them to be out and about.
Good for them and good for Walmart.