Wal-Mart experience/hold policy - was this guy being a jerk or does this actually happen?

Question

Just curious what you think of this: I wanted to buy the Wii Fit, which I know is hard to find. Through Wal-Mart's website, I see a Walmart 65 miles away from me in a small, remote town that says it's in stock. I call over there and an employee says, yes, they have one in the back. He says he can hold it, but ONLY for an hour. I gush my thanks, tell him I'm an hour away, that I'm IN my car as we speak, and high tailing it down there.

When I get there 1 hour 10 minutes later, the department is dead, and the guy isn't working the electronics register, but is putting prices on things. He tells me I was late and he sold it. The guy at the register gives him a ??? look. I said, "but I told you I was driving 65 miles there as we we spoke! I figured you would not go in the back, put it out, and sell in the 10 extra minutes." He claims he shouldn't have held it and I was late. Then he goes in the back, and manages to "find one". I'm thinking he did NOT sell it and has control issues?

Answer 1

Well i'd say that is pretty normal. It depends though, when it's a popular thing that you are trying to hold they can only usually hold it for the time they tell you, after that if a customer walks into a store and you haven't picked up what you are having being holded the customer can buy it. The guy was just doing his job of course. He said he could hold it for an hour, and he did. But theres always exceptions. There are some who will hold it the extra 10minutes for you to get there but not everyone will do this. I guess he could have done that, but then again nothing says he has to especially if the game is popular and hard to get a hold of. In some cases you can't even get someone to hold it for you. It may be inconvienient for you but this happens.

Answer 2

Wow... what a jerk! D:

I'm glad you managed to get it after all, if he really DID sell the last possible one then I'd have been pissed (if I were you, that is). Personally, I haven't ever had a bad experience with WalMart =o They're usually very friendly with their customers. Anyhow, congrats on getting the Wii :]

Answer 3

If their policy is to only hold it for an hour then it's their right to sell it after that period of time, he was being a jerk by telling you he sold it tho. years ago when I worked at a department store people would have you hold things and then never pick them up so I understand his side a little also.