Yeah, big deal.

How about the Corp Directory for Target!

[url][targetfiling.blogspot.com[]]

Hear that? Its the sound of John Menzer changing his phone number in 3...2...1....

'so be unfailingly polite when he picks up.'

Yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeah alright.

@homerjay: It's more of a PITA than you think to change phone numbers. There's good reason we have number portability laws -- you really think everyone in your phone book will magically have the new number beamed into their head?

not mine, i got a tinfoil hat

@Buran: Listen, Sally. You might want to do your research before you try to call someone out.

He'll simply call the IT voice communications department (someone probably already has) and he'll have a new number inside of 30 minutes. Corporations have whole blocks of DID numbers routing into their PBX, and it's not difficult to send an email to direct reports and staff to let them know about the change. This number is likely answered by an admin assistant anyway.

Even if this was a home number, one call to the phone company and its done within a day or so.

Better luck next time.

Ah, this is why I love you, Consumerist!

I used to work at Wal-Mart Corporate office for an Executive VP, and yes, his executive assistant will answer the phone. Be nice. She's just doing her job.

@homerjay: You really think namecalling is necessary to post a followup, Tom? You might want to do your research into the manners of doing that.

And, I'm pointing out human failings here. In a perfect world that would work, but in the real world people ignore emails and letters and still call the old number.

Better luck next time.

Is this the guy I contact about the activist porn on my iPod?

@homerjay: If they are using a VoIP solution it's even easier than that. I can change a phone number in under ten minutes, from the second the phone rings to the second I call them back to let them know it's done.

@Buran: Usually someone that high up doesn't get direct calls, but instead they are routed by the secretary. For internal calls, at least in my company, we have a constantly updated printable phone directory for each employee and our phones also have the up to date company directory on them. All you have to do is search by last name.

I can confirm that they could easily change an executive's number. It would take a matter of minutes.

And if they do, someone will find it and broadcast it out too. Plus they're not gonna go through the hassle of changing 700 plus numbers every time someone figures them out..

I can confirm it too, but who cares? So they re-route the number. All the caller usually needs to do is dial 0 for the operator and say, "I had Mr. Grandfromage's number, but it appears to have been changed. Could you please put me through to his new number? Oh, and what is that number in case I get disconnected?"

For all you criminals out there, the Armed Robbery Department has set hours:

479-273-4200 Armed Robbery (7 AM to 6 PM Monday - Friday)

You just can't make stuff like this up...

@coren: Well, the overwhelming majority of those numbers are worthless to consumers. I can't see a reason any of us will want to call the phone number for 'pallet jacks' or the 'refrigeration plan department.'

However, there IS the Sign Maintenance department that might warrant a phone call when someone posts another stupid spelling mistake!

And then there's the flagpole fixture request line. :)

Do they have a "hillbilly walks into the store covered in blood and looking for trash bags" department listed? Or a "You have to cash my million dollar bill -- no, really!" Supervisor?

@mindshadow: I know how VoIP works because my bf's job is to administer such a system. I'm addressing human failings and not the technical abilities of it. It would be nice if it WERE that easy to get your new number to the people you want to hear from.

Oddly, bill collectors and other undesirables seem to be able to follow you to your new number even if your friends can't seem to figure it out.

So they change Menzer's number - it will only be a matter of time before the new one is discovered and disseminated again.

Plus, look at that picture, he looks friendly, "Hey, please give me a call, I'd love to hear what you think of us."

He is nice. But you guys are nuts if you think you can call the operator and ask for an executive's number and get it. You will be connected to his assistant, and she will do everything possible to deflect your call to someone else. I used to do it all.the.time.

@Me: I'm sure I can help you with that problem you're having without a supervisor. Can you tell me what's up?

@Buran: I appreciate that you're doing everything you can to save everyone's time and energy. I have been through the usual channels already, and the best way you can help us is to let us speak directly. If he's on another call, I'm willing to hold.

Cool unknown Wal-Mart factoid: They have an entire team at corporate HQ that manages the government ordered garnishment on the 80,000 employees that have their wages garnished by court order. 80,000 employees with court-ordered wage garnishment!

@Buran: Why do you always have such a sour attitude in your posts? Sometimes you just need to dial it down abit.

Word, ATTSlave. I don't understand your attitude, Buran.

FredMertz, the whole accounting department for the whole of Wal-Mart Corporate is about 25 people. The "entire team" you speak of? Is two people. Two people work on wage garnishment.

Uhmm...maybe I'm missing something here, but I don't see the direct # for John Menzer. The number listed above for him is the same number listed above for the lobby phone???

@mbressman: Wow, good catch. I wonder what the deal is with that.

it appears as if the # has been changed now...

@ATTSlave: That was sarcasm referring to a previous post about how you can't get a supervisor when you have a very legitimate gripe. Entirely in jest. (see the CC home theater story).

@MonkeySeeMonkeyDo: Whoosh, the CC-story-reference joke went over everyone's head. (though it IS hard to tell tone on the internet)...

@ATTSlave: What I saw happen here was: HomerJay pointed out that Menzer would just change his phone number - a valid point. Then Buran pointed out that changing one's phone number isn't always as quick and painless as people assume, which is also a valid point. HomerJay decided to take that as a personal attack, and it all went to hell from there.

Just as in customer relations, the person who gets angry first is usually the jerk.

@Kajj: Not that it matters, but Buran has a history of personal attacks, which is why I took it that way.

It is hard to tell tone, Buran. I haven't read that story, so I didn't get the reference.

@homerjay: I'd prefer to let bygones be bygones, thank you, and we've already been through it a number of times in recent posts. It wasn't a personal attack this time, and to be honest, it is a little frustrating to go out of your way to NOT be mean to somebody because of all those past misunderstandings ... and get accused of it anyway.

@MonkeySeeMonkeyDo: Ah, sorry about that then. Oh well.

Sorry Buran sometimes you just have the demeanor of a witch.

No problem. Sorry about the misunderstanding.

@ATTSlave: I wouldn't mind having a flying broom sometimes. (and I guess no one's allowed to ever do things you regret... sigh)

@fredmertz: Wal-Mart has close to 1.5 million domestic employees. It is the largest private employer in the United States (Only the Federal Government has more employees). So 80,000 people isn't really all that many. 5.3%, to be exact... still higher than it should be, but c'est la vie

Well I called John Menzer at the phone number. Holy crap, he answered on the first ring! I told him of my problem getting a next day air package (now on day 3)from walmart.com. He took all my info and phone number and he said he would get back to me. We will see. I will keep you posted.