There Are Real People Working at Wal-mart

a.k.a Little Red Wagon - Part 3 of 4

I would really like to get past this whole mud flap ordeal but apparently that is harder than it seems. So when the Wal-mart TLE finished changing the oil on my car they called my name over the P.A. system. Except for the nice lady doing the announcement stopped in the middle of her P.A. address when while speaking into the phone, turned around and saw me there looking right at her. I have to admit I enjoyed that. Anyway, she says "That will be $12.21 please." I grab for my wallet and it's not there...It's not in my car either. I did have a check book but w/ no ID so they wouldn't take that. They already changed my oil so what are we to do? They let me go and said come back tomorrow! I couldn't believe it...the Wal-mart people had a heart...they trusted me, no stings attached, to come back the next day and pay for my oil change. I'm not sure what your experiences have been recently with the Wal-mart robot-like employees but mine have been positive and I'm starting to think that some of them may possess higher communication skills and compassion than I have thought for years.

Little Red Wagon Update 1

Funny story to update everyone on my little red wagon getting pummeled by the semi mud-flap...Last Saturday (after going to Wal-mart to purchase oil change supplies the night before) I went there to have my oil changed. Apparently Saturday is a busy time for TLE (as it turns out that's what Wal-mart employees call their car shop [e.i. Tire and Lube Express]) so busy that they have the parking lot area around TLE roped off so you have to go past the guy to get "checked in", kind of like at a Mike's Car Wash. I wait in line and finally get up to talk to the kid and the first thing he says is..."Sir, did you know that a piece of the front end of your car is missing?" (I'll just let that sink in for sec.)

So then I laugh and say "Yes, I know." And I'm thinking...why would he feel he has to tell me this? Is he going to offer to fix it as a part of getting my oil change...like he's going to "up-sale" me to the auto-body repair option! Anyway, I have more to share...the story is not over yet but it will have to wait...

What Wal-Mart Doesn't Sell

So (Isn't it amazing how easy it is to start a story with "so") so I was at Wal-mart last night. It was one of those Super-mega-take-over-the-world Wal-mart's where they have their own car dealership, Wal-mart bank, sell gas, a nice park area with a water slide for picnics and summer fun, and get your oil changed Wal-mart's. Well actually some of that is not true...but it's just a matter of time until they do. The oil change part IS true. And as you may know I'm driving a ton now (i.e. 3000 mi. per month) and it's been almost 2 months since I've had time to get my oil changed which brings me to Wal-mart to buy oil change supplies and check out their Oil and Lube Dept. hours of operation (hoping they're open until really late or open early). And while I'm there I'm thinking to myself...what else do I need while I'm here...I'm at Wal-mart...they have everything...If I can think of it, I can get it here. OH! I said to myself...I know what I need...where can I find more time (not thyme as in the spice) but time. I looked they don't sell it! I could use just a little, like a couple hours even. How much does two hours cost? It doesn't matter because you can't buy it...not even at Wal-mart.