Bad move

I was at our Walmart this morning. Not our "local Walmart." Our Walmart. We only have one. I'm almost out of the KY I like. I was going to get some a week or two ago, but the shelf space was empty. Standard at our Walmart. Today I had to go get stuff on that end of the store, so I looked at the lubricants again. Except they weren't in their regular spot.

In standard practice, management had moved products around. Not just around on the shelves. Now they're a couple of aisles over. Wouldn't be a huge deal. Except, in our manager's infinite wisdom, that aisle is the same one where customers stand to pick up prescriptions. So at 9 this morning, there were already three seniors standing in line. Pharmacy hasn't even opened the window yet. And they have positioned themselves in the middle between the divider and the shelves. So, yes, I could have left my shopping cart blocking the main aisle and grabbed my purse and moved a senior to get some, but I decided I really didn't need any lube today afterall.

Now, I'm sure they had good reasons to move stuff there (maybe to cut down on shoplifting?). But beyond the logistics of customers ALWAYS standing on that aisle when the pharmacy is open, I thought about a couple of other ones. First, this is a small town and chances of someone you know standing there is pretty good. The chances of my choice of lube becoming the latest gossip is pretty small, but there's just something weird about picking up a bottle when one of my friends who's old enough to be my mother or grandmother is standing there watching. Then I thought about all the customers who will stand their with their children. In addition to the lubes, that aisle also contains pregnancy test kits and condoms. And they're in such pretty packages for small children to pick up. And have such great descriptors on them. Perfect for new readers to practice reading. This should make for great conversation while standing in line.

I'm thinking I may be doing some shopping at one of the drug stores soon.

Chester, I know you didn't mean that to be funny, but that was such a hoot.

Your Wal-Mart and mine must be on the same planogram, because ours is the exact same way. They did indeed move all the "goodies" there to cut down on shoplifting although why that should matter escapes me since they're pretty slack about everything else, like oh, customer service? And yes, all the pretty packages are right at school-age eye level. Start 'em young, I say!

To compound the problem in my store, all the high-end lubricants and the pregnancy/ovulation test kits (which I could care less about) are now in a locking case. So you are forced to seek "assistance" from the never present stock associate. They might as well just broadcast your name and what you want over the loudspeaker.

It's just as hard to get glucose test strips there, and that's a life or death matter!

Oh, the trials and tribulations!

LadyDoc

I too was doing some grinning while reading your post chester. I apologize for that. Walmart is notorious for moving stuff around as you said. I don't understand, but it does make me want to do my shopping elsewhere too.

It never fails that if one is to meet a friend or family member it is at the local Walmart while buying what one does not want them to see(be it lubricant, condoms, fleet enemas, suppositories). Though sometimes having someone walk up while sub is carrying any of these products is a turn on for me. Why not add a little bit of embarassement to the purchasing trip.

Actually, I did find it humorous thinking about the parents explaining to kids why they can't have the pretty package. Or why they don't need the stuff that warms you even though it's cold outside. Or the one that makes you tingly.... How about the set for men and women?

I'm not angry they did it, I just wish they hadn't. But I normally wish they didn't make the changes they make at that store. I doubt it will make any difference in shoplifting anyway - the pharmacists aren't going to be paying much attention during the day - they're too busy working, and at night when the teens would be available to steal stuff, the pharmacy isn't open.

Ahh so true! I'm with all of you on this. That's why some of us shop at 5 in the morning or through the middle of the night at those stores that are open. Usually only a handful of sleepy customers around and a similar number of staff there as well. I've come to a point that I think retailing rates close to a deception art form. That is -- where they can best hide stuff you just purchased a few weeks back when you finally found it the last time after searching for 20 minutes. I really have better things to do with my time than to trot all over some big store that can't keep things in a convenient location where I can find them. Another good example for the Walmart shopper is try to find glycerin. Most stores have it, but why is it in a different spot in every store? It is an emollient usually used as a skin lube. Why wouldn't they put it with the hand creams, etc. I've found it in the first aid supplies, the sports meds areas, the pain relievers, etc. I'm back to shopping at my local drug store. The prices are a little higher, but I can get most of my "interesting" items in 2 minutes and the clerks don't bat an eye with the variety of similar things they handle daily. Walmart rates at the low end of my shopping choices. Ever try to find someone at most stores that knows anything about a product? or for that matter where it is located? Good luck.

Our local walmart is bad about moving stuff around too seems the only thing that stays in the same place is ammunition and to top it off if you walk around the store more than twice and touch a metal shelf you get a free shock not exactly something someone that has a heart problem needs

UPDATE: I had time early yesterday morning to pick up several things at Walmart, and the aisle was free of customers! Unfortunately, the shelf was "free" of the particular one I wanted, as well. I opted for a different KY instead. So mission semi-accomplished. (And I smiled as I moved out of the way of a white-haired gentleman who was picking up a box of condoms!!!)

Oh, and thanks for the hint, Denema. I FINALLY located the glycerin with the first aid supplies!

[quote author=chester89 link=topic=42792.msg336638#msg336638 date=1298481809]

. . . . And I smiled as I moved out of the way of a white-haired gentleman who was picking up a box of condoms!!!. . . .

[/quote]

Hey don't knock it. You'll be old someday, and with luck, you, too, will be able to get it up and want to use it.

It also shows he's being conscientious. The elderly are the fastest growing group getting STDs.

No, No!! I smiled because I thought it was GREAT!