From NJ.com:

State officials said the company will no longer sell non-prescription drugs or infant formula beyond their expiration dates, nor will it sell merchandise for more money than the displayed price. Target also created a new position to monitor the company's compliance with the settlement for the next two years.

The state's Division of Consumer Affairs sued Target, Walmart, and Drug Fair in September 2008, after finding that despite earlier agreements with the state, they were still selling expired products and charging wrong prices. Lawsuits against the other two retailers are still pending.

"Target reaches $375K settlement with N.J. for selling expired baby formula, charging different prices" [NJ.com]
(Photo: j.reed)

Here are the menu boards:

(It's unclear whether the couple ever actually paid for the Bic lighters in question—the article only specifies that the footage shows they scanned the package of lighters but that the scanner didn't register it.)

The couple in question is gay and their sons are adopted, which may have introduced a whole new level of emotional reactions on both sides of the dispute. The men say their children told them that while they were being held in the security room, the security staff threatened the kids and "had made disparaging remarks about Paolucci and Hitchcock's lifestyle." It's not a stretch to imagine that such an attitude, if it existed, carried over into any face-to-face interactions. Meanwhile, the police who showed up and cuffed Paolucci, then forced the two men into the backs of different squad cars, claim that the men were causing a disturbance when they arrived at the scene.

Still, no amount of pro-gay or anti-gay outrage makes it okay for a retailer to place paying customers in such an abusive situation, especially when the retailer's own security footage—which was immediately available for review—shows that if there was any inventory issue it was due to a malfunction of the scanner. But Walmart can get away with it because it can afford to:

Asked if they intend to sue Wal-Mart, Paolucci said he and Hitchcock probably won't because other attorneys have advised them Wal-Mart historically "plays hardball" and isn't prone to settle cases out of court.

"We could spend a couple million dollars to sue them," Paolucci said.

But that doesn't mean there won't be court action. Paolucci and Hitchcock e-mailed The Tribune a copy of a letter from a law firm representing Wal-Mart seeking 10 times the retail price of the items the store still claims were shoplifted by Paolucci. The letter states the matter will be dropped if Paolucci submits the $158.40 payment.

Fortunately, the men seem to have enough money that they can afford to never shop at the discount retailer again, even if they weren't banned for life. If you're not part of a wealthy two-income family, though... well hopefully Walmart will look down favorably upon you when your post-checkout time comes, so long as you act contrite and respectful of their security team's authority.

(Oh yeah, now I remember why I don't want a Walmart anywhere near where I live.)

*Note: I originally reported the Walmart as being located in Niles, Illinois. However, the South Bend Tribune generally covers areas in Michigan and Indiana, and the couple lives in Buchanan, Michigan, which also has a Niles located nearby. I've updated the post to report the Walmart as being located in Niles, Michigan. -Chris

"Niles couple banned from Wal-Mart after dispute over BIC lighters" [South Bend Tribune] (Thanks to Shanon!)

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(Photo: Brave New Films)

Staring back up from her preparations for Sunday dinner was a whole dead frog, an unwelcome interloper who arrived via a bag of Glory Mustard Greens. "I hate frogs," said Carla.

Walmart said they are going to work with the manufacturer and refund the customer's money.

Carla plans on getting her salad from a different source in the future. "The next greens I eat will be growing in my garden outside," she told UPI.

Check out the video on Digital Journal.

The LA Times says:

The price cuts are welcome news for movie studios because it could spur demand in a year of flagging DVD sales. The wholesale price paid by Walmart and its competitors remains unchanged at about $18, meaning studios will make the same profit despite the discounting.

It's normal for retailers like Walmart to price DVDs below their wholesale cost at stores and online to draw customers who often spend more money on other items.

Although discounting is not unusual for Walmart and Target, the new $10 price means the retailers will incur a big loss on each sale.

It comes as the two companies and Amazon engage in a price war over books that has driven down the price of some hardcovers to $9.

Will these new unsustainably low prices get you to skip Redbox or Netflix and actually buy a DVD?

Walmart, Target slash online prices of popular DVDs [LA Times]

Will this force Best Buy and Amazon, among others, to lower their TV prices? If you've been saving up for a new TV, this might be a fun season to comparison shop.

"This is the proven and effective method they deploy using major categories to drive loyalty and to take marginal sales away from the competition," Richard Hastings, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based consumer strategist for Global Hunter Securities LLC, said in an e-mail. The strategy may force others to lower prices, he said.

"Walmart Cuts Turkey, Television Prices to Grab Holiday Sales" [Bloomberg]
(Photo: laurgasms)

You may have noticed that Walmart's being doing a ton of work on rehabilitating its reputation, mostly in the area of environmental sustainability, where it went from being a nobody to a leader in the field almost overnight. At the same time, over the past several years the company has been quietly laying the groundwork for a second attempt at growing into urban areas, after being turned back in Chicago and Los Angeles in 2004. Here are some of the things it's been working on according to the Financial Times:

• creating a "more responsive regional management structure;"
• hiring local political consultants;
• establishing online "community action networks" to provide a grassroots show of support;
• adjusting its charitable giving strategy to include minority groups in Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia; and
• "encouraging minority suppliers to do business at its stores."

I don't know about Chicago and Philly, but NYC has Targets, Kmarts, three Costcos, an IKEA, and now even a JCPenney in the middle of Manhattan. Somehow it doesn't seem that ruinous anymore to imagine a Walmart mixed in there somewhere.

"Walmart eyes urban expansion in US" [Financial Times via New York Daily News]
(Photo: renaissancechambara and JessyeAnne)

He writes:

This is the third time this has happened to me, so I figured it was time to write about it.

In July my wife and I moved to the D.C. metro area. Now we are not big Walmart shoppers or fans for that matter. However we needed to buy a mass amount of supplies and figured this would be a good way to save money. The first purchase was for $450.00. The credit authorization would not go through. There was several thousand dollars in the checking account. When I called BofA to find out what was going on, the phone representative told me that my card was flagged because people who spend large amounts of money at Walmart are considered a risk and that my identity would need to be confirmed.

Fast forward a couple weeks later, same Walmart, and another big purchase. My card was flagged again. I was told the exact same thing that the first rep told me.

Fast forward to about 30 minutes ago. After purchasing a portable dishwasher on walmart.com, I received an email from BofA telling me that there is "Irregular Check Card Activity" and to call a toll free number. I called the number and again was forced to confirm my identity.

This only happens when I make large purchases at Walmart. I appreciate the close eye on things by BofA to a degree, but where were they a few years ago playing Russian Roulette with our investment money on mortgage backed securities?!?!

It's not often I would go to bat for Wal-Mart, but this is profiling and ridiculous. I thought I should let you folks know.

Has anyone ran into a similar problem at Walmart, using a card from BofA or another bank?

Apparently one can now buy new release books for about $5 cheaper than the wholesale price. From the WSJ:

The retailers are losing money on each copy sold because publishers charge them about 50% of a book's hardcover price. The prices for the 10 books involved in the promotion are also lower than the wholesale price independent booksellers pay for the merchandise.

Arsen Kashkashian, head buyer at the Boulder Book Store, in Boulder, Colo., said he had intended to buy as many as 70 copies of Barbara Kingsolver's "The Lacuna" from Walmart.com, Target.com or Amazon, because their prices are "more than $5 cheaper than what we can get it for from the publisher, Harper.

The books in question are from Stephen King, John Grisham, Dean Koontz and James Patterson among others. The books have list prices of $22 to $35, but can be found at retailers for about $9.

Amid Price War, Three Retailers Begin Rationing Books [WSJ]

The caskets and urns are made in the USA by Star Legacy Funeral Network, Inc., which also supplies coffins to Overstock.com and Costco. (Funeral homes are required by law to let families supply their own caskets or urns.) They are delivered via FedEx within 48 hours of ordering, and can be delivered directly to the funeral home.

Or, like my family's former pastor, you can buy your coffin early, store it in your home, and freak out your neighbors when you move.

Walmart's caskets cost between $1,000 and $3,100. They are not returnable.

Wal-Mart now selling caskets, urns online [MSNBC] (Thanks, Walter!)

Justin found this festive decoration at his local Walmart. We suggest placing several hundred figurines close to the entrance, jostling for position in order to buy a $99 TV, in honor of the modern holiday spirit. No?

It appears that this item isn't sold online, so you'll have to visit your local Walmart to get one.

"I felt now that he was a danger to the public and the city," [Rutner] said. "If he'd pull a knife on two security guards, he'd pull a knife on anyone."

Walmart responded, "There are specific instructions as to what an associate can and can't do during a shoplifting episode," and Rutner says they told him it's a non-rehirable offense, meaning he can never work at Walmart again.

"Wal-Mart fires employee for chasing after thief" [Ocala.com] (Thanks to David!)
(Photo: mbeldyk)

Walmart is also now selling over 200 current best-sellers at at least half off the list price.

We randomly picked a best seller from the list—A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris—and compared prices, and Walmart was cheaper at $11.50 versus Amazon's $13.47. With shipping, Walmart's total price comes out to $13.47, exactly the same as Amazon's price before any shipping costs are figured in.

As we wrote above, if you have Amazon Prime or bundle the book with other merch to hit the $25 free shipping mark, Walmart loses the price war. Still, it's a pretty competitive offering, and we assume it will appeal to people who are already shopping on Walmart's site.

Publishers and authors have been upset at Amazon's $10 price point for new ebooks ever since the Kindle store launched, because they worry that it's training consumers to expect an unrealistically low price that will never be profitable in the real marketplace—that is, in a world where Amazon and Walmart aren't using books as loss leaders. Smaller booksellers can't begin to compete on pricing, of course, so if you value your local non-chain bookstore you might want to keep giving them your business. For the rest of us, as long as the big retailers keep eating the costs of such steep discounts, it's a great time to buy books. Or at least, new releases and top selling titles.

"Wal-Mart offers new books for $10" [Associated Press via Publishers Weekly]

"Walmart offers $45 unlimited wireless service!" [IntoMobile]

Here's the letter she wrote to Walmart Corporate Headquarters:

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to let you know of the worst customer service experience I have ever had at a Wal-Mart store, which happened yesterday October 11, 2009.

I went to the Wal-Mart Supercenter, store #[redacted]to make an exchange. I had purchased two weeks earlier from store #[redacted] a bottle of Spray & Wash "Bright & White" laundry additive. After I got home with it, I realized I had bought the wrong kind; I only wanted the regular Spray & Wash laundry stain remover. I had not used a single drop out of the bottle. I had my receipt with me and I was well within the 90 day period. It should have been a simple exchange, right?

Well, as it turned out, no. I waited patiently for 10 minutes at the Customer Service desk. I explained what happened (as mentioned above). The girl waiting on me poured out some of the liquid into the cap and then poured it back into the bottle and sniffed it. Apparently - they have had people use a bottle of laundry detergent, then refill it with water & then return it. She told me to go get what I needed and come back for an exchange only. I explained that I had several other items to pick up too. She told me then to go through the regular line with my items, just don't let them ring up the new bottle of Spray & Wash and they'll exchange it then. OK...I wasn't happy about the extra trip but fine. So, I did my shopping, checked out (another 10 minutes in line) and went back to customer service. When it was my turn again (after waiting another 7 minutes) - they told me that a manager by the name of "Peter" was refusing the exchange. They told me that the liquid was "watered down" and "missing half of its contents". I was furious, but I kept my cool - they were essentially calling me a liar and a thief – without actually saying it. I explained that it was that consistency when I purchased it, that Spray & Wash Bright and White was thinner than regular laundry detergent, etc. They either didn't care or were too stupid to figure it out. So, I asked to speak to another manager. It wasn't about the money - it was a matter of principal at this point.

Before the other manager could show up to address the matter — a lady named "Gabby" called out from the back, that to "go ahead and just handle it". She reversed the decision the other manager had made. They marked out as defective the bottle I originally bought (even though there was nothing wrong with it!) and then exchanged it for the one I needed.

It was stupid, humiliating and made me just plain angry. I have never had such a misery-inducing, wretched customer service experience before. I was well within the exchange policy they have posted behind the customer service desk. I will never visit Wal-Mart store #[redacted] again. And I'm seriously considering just doing my shopping at local grocery stores and Target from now on, as result of this visit. I'm 9 months pregnant and to make anyone suffer through that indignity is just plain wrong — regardless if they are pregnant or not! If a few bad apples are scamming the store by returning bottles of laundry detergent — that is not the fault of the rest of us honest people who have legitimate returns for products we purchase — and we should not be punished as such.

I wanted to make you aware of this sort of bad service that is being given and how matters are being handled at this Wal-Mart location.

The way the Walmart operated is a good way to get customers to shop somewhere else. Has anyone else had trouble returning detergent to Walmart or other stores?

(Photo: oamg823)

Somehow, this feat was pulled off in Florida back in July. True, Walmart greeters are no substitute for actual security measures, but a combination of social engineering and inside knowledge was behind the success of this heist. Police have been unable to identify the culprit(s) despite having the entire incident on surveillance video.

A criminal dressed as a Walmart supervisor, complete with badge, had the proper combinations to open office doors and the store's safe, but no store employees admit recognizing the man.

After closing the safe, the burglar carried boxes outside the office and loaded them into his shopping cart. Then he headed for the store exit.

However, a Walmart greeter briefly stopped the cash-rich thief at the door and asked to see his sales receipt.

"The man continued to walk out the store," the report states. "Upon insisting to see his receipt, the man held up his name badge that said assistant manager and 10 years of service on it."

The greeter let him pass.

Does this mean that Walmart managers can walk out of the front door with boxes of whatever they can carry and no consequences? That doesn't seem right, either.

Who stole more than $200,000 at Walmart? [Orlando Sentinel]

(Photo: Brave New Films)

He shot the accompanying photo and writes:

I read the story about the CRT trying to be passed off as a fancy LCD HDTV. I was at Walmart last night and snagged a pic of what would appear to be an identical tag as the one in CT. I've heard reports from family members in nearby cities that have the same item described in the same fashion.

This can only mean one thing: CRTs are more powerful than we ever imagined, and have most likely risen from the grave to instigate a zombie plague, biting innocent HDTVs and transforming them into CRTs. If you see one of these mislabeled horrors at your Walmart, shoot a picture of it and send it to the tipline. And then run, lest it bites you and turns you too into a mislabeled CRT.

The program consists of 14 days of Nutrisystem menu, free shipping, access to weight-loss counseling and free membership in Nutrisystem's online community, and is priced at $148, the company said in a statement.

Apparently the company has been hurting as people cut back on expenses due to the recession.

Are you more likely to try this diet if it's available at Walmart?

NutriSystem to sell its weight-loss product at Wal-Mart [Reuters]

This means no more display cases to pimp the latest releases. Reporter Nat Worden quotes a stock analyst who says this means DVD and Blu-ray are dead in Walmart's eyes:

"We think the new strategy implies Wal-Mart no longer sees DVDs and Blu-ray discs as traffic drivers," J.P. Morgan analyst Imran Khan said.

Phoenix movie blogger Colin Boyd hints the situation could be the tipping point that kills the movie industry's cash cow:

The studios count on Wal-Mart to move over 30% of all of their product, and in an down environment overall for home video sales and rentals, that's probably not good news for industry. However, it could be seen as another door opening for online retailers, like NetFlix and Amazon.

There's not a direct correlation there, but online could see a small spike from it. Will it impact sales in stores? Absolutely, although I don't know that we'll be able to say how much until the first quarter of next year, because DVD sales are always brisk around the holidays.

It definitely seems people haven't been agog at buying up DVDs anymore. How many DVDs do you buy in a year? In a decade?

Wal-Mart Scales Back DVD Displays [Wall Street Journal]
Walmart Eliminating In-Store DVD, Blu-ray Displays [Get the Big Picture]
(Photo: Clean Wal-Mart)

Our favorite? The credit card/Santa panties for juniors.

From MentalFloss:

That's right: panties that say, "Who needs credit cards…" on the front and "When you have Santa" on the rear. The undergarments started showing up in Wal-Mart's juniors departments in December 2007 and quickly started an Internet firestorm over the perceived message of using Kris Kringle as a sugar daddy. While the same joke would be fairly harmless on, say, a t-shirt, many women felt that its placement on underwear added a sinister sexual undertone aimed at adolescent girls.

We took a different position at the time, suggesting that the choice of panties for the slogan was clouding the message of fiscal responsibility. Then again, at the time we didn't know about the Santa part on the butt. Oh well.

One notable banning left off the MentalFloss list was the notorious Walmart Nazi T-shirt, which is too bad, because a lot of work went into that one.

11 Things Wal-Mart Has Banned [MentalFloss]
(Photo:Feministing)

Drove into [redacted], CT this past weekend to meet up with a friend, and he needed to pick up a digital picture frame. So we went to Wal-Mart.

We walked in and it immediately smelled like someone crapped themselves, but I digress.

While I was skipping through the electronic aisles, I stumbled across a CRT TV. I was like "WHOA. I didn't even know these were still in stock".

$188. The price was rolled back. Nice.

But wait. Whats this? 27" LCD HDTV? All the specs line up to the TV in question (stunning 480i resolution)...but it's LCD...HDTV? I think not.

The mistake is probably exclusive to this Connecticut Walmart, as the website seems to have it right, but if you spot a similar mislabeling drop us a line.

...Walmart? Above and beyond? That can't be right. Let's take a look at that email again.

We never heard back again from Polaroid. Tried to track down some executives in customer service there, using an email address guesstimator I found referenced on the Consumerist even, to no avail. I presume that Polaroid either actively hates me, or simply does not care. Or maybe they're too busy not making Polaroid cameras.

But get this...a few days later, I got a call from the local Wal-Mart where we bought the TV. It seems that, although it took a little while, the emails I sent to Wal-Mart corporate actually *did* get noticed, and they had a manager at the local Wal-Mart call me.

He *honestly* seemed like he wanted to help. I know...freaky. And he went through lots of different "let me try this" on their apparently stone age computer systems with me on the phone. Eventually getting nowhere, but he said "we'll keep working on it." Which I figured was some analog of "we take this very seriously" so I wasn't holding my breath.

But then it gets weirder. Or curiouser, whichever you prefer. They call me *again*. And this time, they tell me they found the receipt. Apparently, they actually had somebody, or somebodies, sit down and sift through all of their Black Friday sales and find my effing receipt for me. Then they printed it out, and put it in a nice envelope, and asked me when it would be convenient for me to come and pick it up.

*I know* [/craig ferguson]

Somehow I managed to traverse this wildly warped reality to the customer service desk at the local Wal-Mart, faxed it to the 3rd party service provider, who then apparently accepted it and JUST TODAY I got the UPS return label to send it in for warranty repair.

My mind is, like, on fire...man. I cannot even tell you how much I dislike Wal-Mart, granted their various shenanigans as have been well documented on the Consumerist and elsewhere. I have to plead guilty to a little bit of schadenfreude at cherry-picking their loss-leader on Black Friday to stick it to them a little bit.

But now...now...they have gone way over the top to make sure I am a satisfied customer. It's like...I don't even know who to dislike anymore. The evil empire of W-M...treating me like they care...like they value my business...like they're human. It's...just too much to take.

I...I... There's a Target right across the street where we usually shop. I mean, Target sucks less than W-M, right? Right? DAMN YOU WAL-MART!!! DAMN YOU AND YOUR ACCEPTABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!

Seriously. I don't know what to do. In the words of the ever-wise Sweathog alum John Travolta, "I'm so confused!"

Anyway...it looks like we're out of the woods. But I don't know if I'll ever be OK again. Some things just shake you to the core...make you question your basic beliefs.

Well, any organization can slip up and hire a compassionate and competent employee or two. We're very sorry about Kaleb's existential crisis, but delighted that he was able to get the help he needed to have his TV repaired.

(Photo: Clean Wal-mart)

I went there last night and immediately noticed they've cordoned off the wide throughput areas of the entrance and exit area on the checkout floor with retractable belt systems that allow for a single person to pass through at a time. The security guard stands in the opening. When you leave the store, the security guards check your receipts and your items in your bags to make sure they match, an employee theft and shoplifting prevention measure. IKEA even makes customers open their purses, like at a ballgame.

The checkers were dressed in security guard uniforms that were very much like NYPD uniforms down to a similar logo. There was also a standing station a few yards away manned by a uniformed off-duty NYPD cop.

Part of the problem is that IKEA doesn't give you any shopping bags. You can buy their sturdy reusuable big blue bags (shown at left) for 59 cents. Perhaps they've had a problem with people coming back to the store with those bags and just walking out with tons of stuff in it. Now it seems their feel-good behavioral incentive has come to bite them in the ass and customers get hassled as a result. Come to IKEA, where our cost-cutting measure is your forfeiture of privacy!

Remember folks, they can't detain you unless you've signed a member agreement consenting to receipt checks, or they have reasonable suspicion that you're shoplifting. Refusing to show a receipt does not count as reasonable suspicion. My guess, though, is that IKEA guards are better trained than Walmart's and will back down if you tell them to buzz off.

RELATED:
The Straight Scoop On If Stores Can Legally Stop You And Check Your Receipt
Ask The Consumerist: Do I Have To Let Stores Check My Receipt?
Receipt Checking Is For Pussies
TigerDirect Unlawfully Restrains And Verbally Abuses Customer For Not Submitting To Receipt-Showing Demands

(Photos: Ben Popken, daniel.julia)

Historians consider the Battle of the Wilderness, fought on the Locust Grove, VA, site in 1864, a key turning point in the Civil War. "A nationally significant and highly vulnerable historic site is at great risk," said Zann Nelson, head of Friends of Wilderness Battlefield. Supporters of the move to block Walmart include actor Robert Duvall, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine and filmmaker Ken Burns.

Walmart stated that the case has "no merit or basis in fact," pointing out that the store will not be visible from the battlefield site, and that the location is zoned for commercial use. The planned store location is less than half a mile from trenches where Union soldiers dug in during the Battle of the Wilderness, though we hope preservationists avoid the temptation to stage a reenactment as part of their new battle.

Walmart near Va battlefield challenged [CNBC]
Stop the Wilderness Walmart [Civil War Preservationist Trust]

Previously:
Robert Duvall Is Not Cool With Building A Walmart Near A Civil War Battlefield

(Photo: proftrusty)

In a court document, police said Wal-Mart security attempted to stop Jeremy T. Johnson, 19, from leaving the store with a Sentry Safe he allegedly had not paid for. Johnson then tried to push his way past security and wrestled with employees and customers.

During the scuffle a black handgun fell from Johnson's pocket and slid across the floor.

Whoah! Even customers got involved? Now that's store loyalty. If my Walmart ever gets jacked as I'm shopping, you'll find me cowering in the $12 velcro shoes aisle.

By the way, Johnson is in jail and unable to make bail. But he'll be back for the threequel involving Samuel L. Jackson.

Walmart Workers Thwart Robbery [The Tribune-Democrat]
(Thanks, Earl!)

I recently broke one of those cheap bookcases y'all sell - I got it some 6 years ago, so I wasn't worried about it being replaced. I figured I'd just buy another one. So, off to the store just down the road from me in [redacted].

So I find a shelf that looks ok (beggers can't be choosers at this point in the evening), and take it to the check out. First off — there are only 5 registers open. Each line is 9 people deep. I go up to the customer service counter, check out there. Go to the GM door to leave, holding this 25lbs bookshelf under my arm with a jug of milk in the other hand. Old guy at the door asks for my receipt - I state it's in my pocket, and ask him to hold the shelf. No deal. Fine, I'll leave. There is no law or agreement I have with your company to be searched or present a receipt. I understand that at Sam's Club there is, but I would have agreed to it there.

I walk out. The guy starts yelling at me, and as I turn around, I see him running at me with his arm across his head, like some amateur footballer ready to tackle me. I, being a slightly confrontational person, "Expletive dare" him to hit me like that. He backs off, I continue to my car, rather upset. I put my stuff in, and see him pop around another car and point at me while yelling "THERE HE IS" and two of what I presume is your loss prevention goons come out. They had no badges and didn't identify themselves, so I can again only presume. I said it's in my pocket, and they then say I could've stolen it. I leave.

I call and ask to speak to a manager and get Chris. He was pleasant enough and to be honest, I was a jerk to him. I get home, cool off, call back and apologize - he was grateful. He then goes to explain that it is policy to make sure electronics not in a bag are not stolen.

How is a 25 lbs bookcase electronics worth running me down and treating me like some perp on cops when apparently the policy is electronics? Should I worry about the eletronic content in a bookcase now? Or should I travel with a lawyer should I ever venture to wal*mart again?

From all my legal understanding, you have no right to even try and detain me, let alone charge at me for leaving your store. What was the point of this?

Tony first wrote us in June, and has never heard back from Walmart corporate. We're no lawyers, but there are some legal gray areas in forced detaining of suspected shoplifters, particularly those who don't appear to be concealing anything. We're surprised Walmart doesn't respond to complaints about this subject, you know, considering the recent news.

Previously:

Detained And Harrassed At Walmart For Not Showing A Receipt

EECB Stops Improper Searches At New Mexico Walmart"

Do I Have To Let Stores Check My Receipt

(Photo: genebob)

According to the Washington Post, the effort is part of what's expected to be an epic battle between the R crew, Walmart and other major retailers for the hearts, minds and wallets of America's parents.

...it's not the only retailer ramping up toy operations before Christmas. Sears has already installed permanent toy shops in 20 stores in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. Behemoth discount retailer Wal-Mart said it is planning exclusives with popular licensed brands such as Bakugan and Transformers. "I think every lever that can be pulled will be pulled," said Anita Frazier, senior industry analyst for the market research firm NPD Group.

While retailers are hoping for a better season this year than last, that's far from certain. Toys R Us recently reported a drop in revenue for its latest quarter, as consumers remain reluctant to spring for high-priced toys.

Holiday blitz for Toys R Us [Washington Post]

(Photo: thewastedsmile)

Eventually, one shopper apparently realized the video wasn't a promo for a new line of linens or gardening implements and contacted management. Meanwhile, the store surveillance video, which was released to a local TV station, is apparently a big hit, and several customers who found the DVD footage inspirational have already been offered jobs in the adult-entertainment industry (no, not really, though we suspect that some of them may never be the same again).

In-Store Porn Leads To Arrests [Times Record Online]

Project Impact calls for remodeling about 70% of Walmarts in the next five years, and improving sales in major competitors' fields, such as toys and crafts. So long, Toys 'R Us, it was nice knowing you.

"They've got Kmart ready to take a standing eight-count next year," says retail consultant Burt Flickinger III, managing director for Strategic Resources Group and a veteran Walmart watcher. "Same with Rite Aid. They've knocked out four of the top five toy retailers, and are now going after the last one standing, Toys "R" Us. Project Impact will be the catalyst to wipe out a second round of national and regional retailers."

Which would you rather have—a bigger, more pleasant Walmart, or more competing retailers in your area?
Walmart's Latest Move to Crush the Competition [Newsweek] (Thanks to everyone who sent this in!)

(Photo: genebob)

Last night, our reader "w_mworker" said it was an official display campaign called "Family Fun Night":

There is also supposed to be board games and other family games next to the DVDs. (probably not noticed since they actually belong in the toy dept) The idea is one stop shopping for a cheap family night at home. By a board game, kid dvd and some snacks.

And guess what: today on Twitter, Walmart made an official announcement.

Walmart on Twitter (Thanks to m_worker and Travis!)

Edd says:

Our local Wal-Wart put up a Pepsico soda and chips display in the center of the toy department. As you can see it isn't an accidental deal. It is exactly in the middle of the length of the aisle, and between the girl and the boy toys. In other words, dead center of their toy department. It is amongst the Nerf, and across from My Little Pony.

My wife asked, and was told that this was an order directly from a central office...

There appear to be some DVDs next to the snacks, which we suppose is the rationale. What do you think? Is this cool with you?

From ABCNews:

Wal-Mart employees will be able to use the cards anywhere that accepts MasterCard and also be able to get cash from ATMs.

There would be no fee from Wal-Mart or MasterCard – who is providing the cards – for the first ATM withdrawal in a pay period. (Banks could charge their own fees for using their ATMs.) After that first withdrawal, each additional one would be $2. Employees can also purchase something at Wal-Mart or Sam's club stores and get cash-back above their purchase without any fees. Workers can also get checks to pay people who don't accept debit cards.

The use of company controlled debit cards brings up some interesting privacy issues as well. Debit cards leave a paper trail — do you really want your employer to know how you spend your money? Walmart says they don't have access to that data:

"Wal-Mart's Moore said that would not be the case, saying that the program is "administered by MasterCard and First Data and we won't have the ability to see that information."

The upside for some employees — those without a checking account who were relying on check cashing services — is that it may actually save them money. Either way, it will certainly be cheaper for Walmart. The switch to debit cards will save 257,572 pounds of paper a year.

Wal-Mart to Pay Via Check Cards [WSJ]
Wal-Mart to Staff: Bye-Bye Paycheck, Hello Debit Card [ABCNews]
(Photo:crawfishpie)

An argument ensued, after which the employees attacked and began beating the woman. She later died from her injuries.

From the AFP:

They started to hit her because she didn't do what they said," the paper quoted her husband Chen Baolin as saying.
"I got there and tried to stop them but they kept beating her."

Walmart confirmed that the attackers were Walmart security associates and offered their condolences. They say they are cooperating with "the relevant authorities."

2 China Wal-Mart workers arrested after death [Yahoo!]
Woman beaten to death at China Wal-Mart: police [Google] (Thanks, G!)
(Photo:largeheartedboy)

"See, I told you I would shut her up," the man supposedly said after hitting the 2-year-old four times.

KTLA says the man was arrested and charged with felony cruelty to children.

Police: Stranger Slaps Crying Toddler at Wal-Mart [KTLA]

Thank you, thank you to Consumerist and the many readers of the site!!

Before the petition for Walmart to look at our complaint even gained enough signatures, before the snail-mail-legal-sounding letters arrived in Arkansas, we received a call from an adjuster with Walmart's claims department.

Due to the overwhelming response (I believe) on the internet, Walmart will take the following action:

1.) Pay for the vehicle to be towed 40+ miles back to the dealership.
2.) Pay the cost for a new transmission.
3.) Pay the cost for the dealer to install brand new transmission.
4.) Possibly pay the $400 we paid to have the system flushed.

Now, being one of the largest corporations in the world, I am fairly surprised and ECSTATIC that they have responded so quickly.

Check it out: the link to the Google search for "Walmart Transmission".

http://www.google.com/search?q=walmart+transmission

In about 24 hours, this problem was solved, and we really have to thank the interwebs!!

Thanks again,
Jeff

RELATED
"Mysterious Oil Change Ruins Transmission, But Walmart Won't Respond"
(Photo: Smudgie's Ghost)

Jeff's 2006 Toyota Tacoma is now sitting in his driveway sans transmission, because back in February someone massively screwed up an oil change:

Apparently, a mechanic mistakenly drained all of the transmission fluid out of the housing. After realizing their mistake, they filled up the transmission with a mysterious chocolate-milk-colored, burnt, foul smelling liquid. Like gear oil.

Here's Jeff's full story, including how he can't get anyone at Walmart to respond to the problem, although judging by the service records the February oil change they performed was different from past oil changes. Any suggestions on what he should do next?

Back in February, after having the oil changed on our 2006 Toyota Tacoma at Walmart TLE, the transmission starting slamming into gear. Slowly but surely, the problem worsened. Soon it took a few seconds just to shift into reverse. THIS IS WHEN WE SHOULD'VE ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM. Hindsight's 20/20.

Fast forward to August 09. 2 oil changes later (not at Walmart). Transmission slips totally out of gear, driving down the road. We tow the truck (3 years old w/83k miles) to the Toyota dealer. The dealer test drives the vehicle, agrees with the problem and decides to check it out. Upon inspecting the transmission, he finds what he believes to be a grave mistake, made by *somebody* in the past.

Apparently, during a recent oil change, a mechanic mistakenly drained all of the transmission fluid out of the housing. After realizing their mistake, they filled up the transmission with a mysterious chocolate-milk-colored, burnt, foul smelling liquid. Like gear oil. Also, the culprits inserted 40 OUNCES too much of this wonder fluid. The dealer says this is what caused the initial slamming, and the eventual slipping of the transmission. He says we have two options. 1) Flush "yoohoo" looking stuff out and fill w/new correct fluid and/ or 2) an entire new transmission.

Being a $3k difference in price, we went w/the flush. The problem persisted and the dealer could barely drive it off the lot. So we towed it home, where this 3 year old truck now sits.

So I go to Walmart and ask for the service records. Before Feb. 09 the records say "sealed system, transmission fluid NOT checked." In February, records say "checked". Now we were told that ONLY the dealer can access the transmission housing.

Conclusion:

1) The Toyota dealer is the one saying only they can check transmission, but that somebody screwed up.
2) The Walmart receipts (and other shops) all say 'sealed system; can't check'. Except one.

My mom still owes $5k on the truck, the transmission would be $4k. But it seems our only mistake was not getting it checked out when the problem started.

We have tried the phone numbers and emails listed here and elsewhere (Project Walmart Freedom archives) to get in touch w/Walmart corporate, to no avail.

(Photo: Daquella manera)

From MarketWatch:

Best Buy's "confronting a new set of strategic challenges from its perch as the dominant specialty retailer of electronics in the U.S.," the analyst said. It's "confronting them from a position of strength, in terms of market share, talent, and balance sheet, but they remain thorny nonetheless."

This is Wall Street for "LOL, people are going to "shop" at Best Buy and buy at Walmart (which is upgrading its electronics offerings) or Amazon.com."

Best Buy is facing declining music and DVD sales and a "maturing video game cycle." Flat panel TVs are cheaper and less profitable. In Best Buy's favor is the fact that their main competitor, Circuit City, died a violent, public death and has only recently sort of risen from the ashes. All in all, it's a fun time to be in retail, no?

Retail stocks drop as Best Buy downgraded from buy rating [MarketWatch]
(Photo:penner42)

"Every cookie fan in the US knows that the Girl Scouts in the USA make all of the money to run their organization from their annual cookie sales," she continues. And, "Thin Mints, the most popular flavor, account for 25% of the Girl Scouts' sales."

Keebler sells a cookie that's like a Thin Mint called a grasshopper. However, it's not a threat, says, Harquail, because it's not as good as the original. The Walmart ones, on the other hand, come pretty close.

The cookies are part of Walmarts' new line of "Good Value" products. A quick perusal of their website showed the retailer seemed to have plans for store-brand versions of Nilla Wafers, Fritos, Wheat Thins and more.

Wal-Mart Knocks Off the Girl Scouts [AuthenticOrganizations] (Photo: afagen) (Thanks to Keith!)

I wanted an RC Helicopter for no reason other than not having been allowed to have one as a kid. I went to WalMart and ended up choosing the $59.95 Air Hogs model. When it came time to check out, the cashier scanned it and it rang up $59.95 AND $5.88 1-year protection plan. I told her I didn't want the protection plan, just the helicopter. She tries to void the $5.88 charge but the system will only let her void the $59.95. She canceled out the entire transaction and tried again. It still rang up both items and would only allow her to void one.

She called the Customer Service Manager over. The manager tried it as well and it kept forcing the protection plan when the helicopter was rung up and absolutely would not allow the $5.88 charge to be removed - even with a manager's override. They also tried ringing up a second Air Hogs that was priced the same and it also rang up with the protection plan. I told them not to worry about it as there was a Radio Shack across the street that had the same model at (amazingly) the same price.

The customer service manager told me to wait, rang up the helicopter (which rang up with the protection plan of course) then voided it (the system would ONLY allow the helicopter to be voided and not the protection plan) and asked how I was paying. I looked at the total.... She charged me only the $5.88 protection plan and voided off the $59.95 for the helicopter. I told her she didn't have to but she said it was fine. This is perhaps the best $5.88 I've spent in a long time. Thanks, WalMart!

Most excellent. Now, make sure that you have a lot of fun with that helicopter!

(Photo: Locutis)

"Nobody else could pull this off," said Michelle Harvey at Environmental Defense Fund, one of the groups involved in the creation of the index.

The question, of course, is whether even Wal-Mart can make it happen.

[...]

Wal-Mart plans to begin by asking its more than 100,000 suppliers around the world to answer 15 simple questions about the sustainable practices of their companies. Questions include "Have you set publicly available greenhouse gas reduction targets? If yes, what are those targets?"

The first set of questions focus on four main areas, including "energy and climate, material efficiency, natural resources, and people and community."

The rating system is certainly ambitious, and if successful, would empower consumers to judge a product's green credentials at a glance. Expect the ratings to appear on products sometime within the next five years.

At Wal-Mart, Labeling to Reflect Green Intent [The New York Times]
Wal-Mart To Become Green Umpire [The Big Money]
Walmart's Sustainable Product Index aims to develop green rating [Consumer Reports]
(Photo: genebob)