Was I in the wrong?

[ClearSightTactical]

Today I went into Walmart to purchase 9mm ammo. When I went up to the counter I asked for 6 boxes (300 rounds). The rounds will last about 1 day at the range between my fiancee and I.

The clerk stated that he could only sell me 4 boxes. I asked why, and he stated it was a courtesy to other customers. I replied "I intend no disrespect but I just saw the guy in front of me buy up 10 boxes of .45 ammo". I paid for my four boxes and asked to speak with a manager.

A manager arrived and I asked if Walmart had a policy of how many boxes of ammo I could purchase, to which he replied "no" its a first come first serve deal. So, I asked for another 2 boxes.

At this time the clerk began accusing me of "horting" ammo, and that its because of people "like me" that there is an ammo shortage. I explained that I shoot once a week minimum, and that I don't have a massive stock pile of ammuniton. He then accused me of re-selling the ammunition online or at gun shows. I was becoming a little irritated, so I asked him to just ring me up and i'd be on my way.

To which he replied "you must be in a hurry, the gun shops are closing soon- you probably need to wipe out their stock too". In my perfect world as soon as he handed me the bag another person asked for 9mm to which he said "Nope, this guy needed all of it".

I was pissed! I wish I could vow not to patronize them again, but with ammo the way it is I can't pick and choose, well I can but then I can't shoot.

Is 300 rounds unreasonable?
Was I in the wrong to argue with the clerk?
Would you bother calling to speak with the General Manager?

 

[brock samson]

Oh hell. It is on!

That clerk is an idiot. Whatever happened to the "customer is always right"?

What was the manager doing when the idiot clerk accused you of "hoarding"?

I'd immediately file a written complaint to Wal-Mart.

 

[stresco]

I'd write a letter. But I got too much time on my hands.

 

[ClearSightTactical]

The manager had OK'd the sale and then left...the mgr wasn't present at the time of the clerk being a jerk.

I think I will write a letter to Walmart

 

[AZSATT]

I'd go back every day to buy more ammo just to torque the guy off... especially if that store LETS you. That's amazing WalMart has ammo in stock without a 6-box limit. And 'kill him with kindness' at each purchase....

However, I wouldn't get too wrapped around the axle over this moronic sporting goods associate. At the end of the day, you claim the high ground and he still works at WalMart. He'll wake up tomorrow and still be an idiot. Forget him.

 

[Camodude]

You were ABSOLUTELY NOT in the wrong. I would venture a guess that you could probably have that clerk fired! If you decide to write that letter to WalMart, I recommend you put in all the detail you can. Do you know the clerks name? The date the incident occurred? The mangers name?
At the very least, you should buy 300 rounds every time you see that right wing dufus working in the sporting goods area. It would be cool if you could get him on video or audio and send to WM corporate.

Geez! I think I might be more angry about this than you are:laugh:

By the way, I bought 200 rounds last Saturday at WM here in Tulsa. They were very friendly and helpful. No limits were imposed.

 

[6shootercarry]

The manager had OK'd the sale and then left...the mgr wasn't present at the time of the clerk being a jerk.

I think I will write a letter to Walmart

I would have called the manager back and insisted that he have the clerk apologize to me for being rude and make it clear that the next time I was in the store to buy ammo “I’ll get what I need” and “the clerk is to keep his opinion internalized and keep his mouth shut”…”Any questions with that?”… But that’s just me… I’m usually very easy going, but that behavior would have gotten me to the point where some kind of action (civilized action) was warranted…:angry:

 

[JRI]

I think it would have been "game on" when he told me there was a limit of four after seeing him sell 10 to the first guy. Did you mention this to the manager?

After he made to follow-up comments and then told the next guy that YOU had bought up all the ammo my next stop would have been the general managers office. A lot comes through about his attitude in the way you relate the story and if only half of it was true he should be fired.

 

[GregAllen]

My last trip into a Wal-Mart was about two years ago for an ammo purchase. The short story is, I haven't been back in a Wal-Mart since. About a year ago, I stopped visiting Sam's Club in favor of BJ's wholesale. While I prefer the selection at Sam's, I simply refuse to do business with Wal-Mart Inc. That's my two cents.

 

[KeepingAmericaFree.com]

It must have been another Jack Off with a Putz Peace Prize! Working his way toward earning it:biggrin:

I would still take the time to call or write Walmart and tell them of the experience. Especially if you got Jack's name. Either way, they will know who he is. If you remain silent wrongs will always persist. You have to take the time and speak up while you can. If the Hate Crime bill goes through, you could end up in jail if you speak up!

 

[ClearSightTactical]

I was very frustrated, especially when he mentioned to the next customer that I had bought all of their 9mm. Its not like I took cases, I just asked for 6 and he said they had a total of 10 in stock....so in reality I took 60% of their existing stock...

The thing that got me was the arbitrary decision of I get 4, when the guy ahead of me got 10. If they have a "max purchase" then OK, fine post a damn sign. HOWEVER, they cannot/should not decide at the time of purchase that there is a max limit for one customer, and not another. Even if that is based on stock, or caliber...

I should pull the race card! lmao jk...guy infront of me was same race..too bad, sounds like a multi-million dollar discrimation suit!

 

[Glock Fan]

I was very frustrated, especially when he mentioned to the next customer that I had bought all of their 9mm. Its not like I took cases, I just asked for 6 and he said they had a total of 10 in stock....so in reality I took 60% of their existing stock...

The thing that got me was the arbitrary decision of I get 4, when the guy ahead of me got 10. If they have a "max purchase" then OK, fine post a damn sign. HOWEVER, they cannot/should not decide at the time of purchase that there is a max limit for one customer, and not another. Even if that is based on stock, or caliber...

I should pull the race card! lmao jk...guy infront of me was same race..too bad, sounds like a multi-million dollar discrimation suit!

I've seen limits on ammo purchases at various stores through my travels. The last Wal-mart I purchased ammo at had a "3 box per person, per caliber" limit for handgun ammo. This limit was "per visit", so if I purchased 3 boxes, put it in my vehicle and decided to "visit" again 5 minutes later, it was all good. I ended up buying 12 boxes of various calibers. (Had a NRA pistol class the following morning). The clerk was very friendly and helpful, and even suggested "multiple visits".

In your case, the 10 box purchase by the previous customer, then the 4 box limit for you was un called for. I would have requested to speak with the manager again and would have attempted to settle the issue that way. I'd write a letter to Wal-mart corporate. They're usually very responsive and handle issues rather quickly.

Though very effective, I don't think the "race card" would have been appropriate in your situation. I've used it in the past with much success, but am careful when I use it.

Hope you're able to get a favorable resolution.



gf

 

[Orange Boy]

It's better to lose an argument to a genius than win one with an idiot. The guy was a tool in the first degree.

 

[mbass]

You handled the situation wonderfully.

I am slightly embarrassed to say that, you handled it better than I probably would have.
As I read the replies to your post, I think of all kinds of moral high-road answers.
But putting myself in your shoes... You did very well.

 

[KimberPB]

I never got it that bad but when I use to buy ammo from Wally World one of the clerks always had to toss in their .02 cent. "Hmmm...... what are you up to tonight?" "Who are you robbing?" "Getting ready to knock off a bank?" I don't miss having to deal with that. I've been reloading for a while now. That's the way to go!

I think you handled it fine. Oh and have fun at the range.

 

[ClearSightTactical]

Lol I'm considering buying a .22lr conversion - getting ammo is crazy. Kimber, I saw that you cast your own bullets when I was looking through the reloading forum, you are a much braver man than I lol.

I'd love to get into reloading but it seems like no matter what I think will let me get to the range more 1000's of people already had the idea.

22LR Conversion kit=14 week backorder
Reloading supplies- bullets, primers, powder- Backorder + prices have increased
jeez! lol I'm thinking about buying a firearm simulator, you know the ones that are hooked up to an air compressor to simulate recoil...only downside is they're around $14k

 

[KimberPB]

Lol I'm considering buying a .22lr conversion - getting ammo is crazy. Kimber, I saw that you cast your own bullets when I was looking through the reloading forum, you are a much braver man than I lol.

I'd love to get into reloading but it seems like no matter what I think will let me get to the range more 1000's of people already had the idea.

22LR Conversion kit=14 week backorder
Reloading supplies- bullets, primers, powder- Backorder + prices have increased
jeez! lol I'm thinking about buying a firearm simulator, you know the ones that are hooked up to an air compressor to simulate recoil...only downside is they're around $14k

I got your PM and sent you a reply. Hope it help and feel free to ask any other questions you have. Once you get the first batch under your belt it's actually a lot of fun.

Components are still hit or miss but you can still find what you need.

I've played on one of the F.A.T.S. sims and it was actually alot of fun.

 

[ClearSightTactical]

lol firearm simulators are amazing, seriously considering buying several and "renting" it out for like $10/hr to people...even local Law Enforcement is having trouble finding ammo, hate to profiteer out of the crisis, but...lol

 

[Booga]

I never got it that bad but when I use to buy ammo from Wally World one of the clerks always had to toss in their .02 cent. "Hmmm...... what are you up to tonight?" "Who are you robbing?" "Getting ready to knock off a bank?"

Never had to deal with that at the local Wally-World here. Over here I've heard things like, "You should come by more often. We're getting more stock all the time." and when I asked one of the cashiers why she put two bags on my one box of ammo, she said, "It's because of the customers. We've had some customers concerned about people walking around with a box of ammo while they're shopping. Like a box of ammo does anything on it's own..." Mind you, this lady was probably in her mid-20's. Refreshing to see folks at Wally-World working the counter in the sporting goods store and handling it with grace and enthusiasm instead of disgust.

 

[festus]

Call 1-800 wal mart

My Brother-in-law is a regional distribution center MGR. He has always said when you run into issues at wally world call 1-800 WAL MART. let them know the day, time and circumstances. Also let them know that it took a manager to resolve the issue. Employees can't just make up policy as they go. The guy behind the counter obviously showed favortism to the customer in front of you and tried to play policy police with you for a non existant policy. He does not want to keep his job.