I see flaws.

[kimba1]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16449123/&GT1=8921


unless they are using something out of numb3rs to predict consumers patterns
they will definately get some staffing shortage.
for this to work they need per diem staffing to meet sudden demand shifts.
also continual shift changes will make consumers to buy less product.
due to the staffing becoming sluggish from the changing hours.
I`ve seen this happen in security alot.

[Lanya]

Yes, I agree.

A few years ago, the hospital I worked at fired a lot of people.  About 4 weeks later, boom, huge flu outbreak, no nurses, had to hire travelling nurses at great expense and rehire those who would come back.  The hospital director evidently thinks this is the way to run a hospital, because he's done it a couple of times since then. 

[kimba1]

i understand why walmart does this.
everything about walmart is budgeted to the penny.
but if I`m in a long line I tend to lighten my purchases and judging from all the things I see other people leave behind.
I`m not alone in this behaviour.
customers don`t have all day to buy stuff.
very few want to spend it waiting in line.
also that system is extremely vulnerable to compertition.
since it takes 3 weeks ti sink in target can gut walmart with night specials
since any emergency staffing will more likely be overtime.

[BT]

Wal-Mart is probably dead on in their staffing requirements. Th two skill sets affects are cashiers and customer service reps. They have computers collecting data for surges in checkouts and returns and should be able to staff accordingly, in the end giving the consumer a more enjoyable shopping expeience.

Nothing wrong with that.

[kimba1]

but if the shift change is frequent productivity will go down.
customers don`t like sluggish cashiers or non-responsive customer service.
but i wonder do computers factor in events like superbowl to know when surges are going to happen.
also local event like a potluck block party could overwhelm individual stores

[yellow_crane]

i understand why walmart does this.
everything about walmart is budgeted to the penny.
but if I`m in a long line I tend to lighten my purchases and judging from all the things I see other people leave behind.
I`m not alone in this behaviour.
customers don`t have all day to buy stuff.
very few want to spend it waiting in line.
also that system is extremely vulnerable to compertition.
since it takes 3 weeks ti sink in target can gut walmart with night specials
since any emergency staffing will more likely be overtime.

[yellow_crane]

 PART TWO.


It is a key rule in the restaurant industry that people do not mind waiting even hours to get in, but are highly impatient about exiting.

[BT]

but if the shift change is frequent productivity will go down.
customers don`t like sluggish cashiers or non-responsive customer service.

How so?

Let's say that Wal-Mart knows they will have a surge at 8:30AM - noon - 3:00 PM and 6:30PM.

These surges are based on historical data collected over a couple years time. The surges are logical because they cover the morning rush after the kids are dropped off at school, the lunchtime crowd, the after school crowd and the after work crowd.

So they staff extra cashiers and customer service reps at the returns counter to help with the overflow. Johnny works the noon thru after work rush, Susie works the night shift and the morning rush.

What on earth is wrong with that?

[yellow_crane]

I think they should microchip their customers, so that no time is lost in finding them, so as to engender as soon as possible a merrier shopping experience.

Meanwhile, their workers are drone dancing like in "They Shoot Horses Don't They?"

They got cameras on cameras.

The primary assumption is that no one can be trusted.

Meanwhile, over at CostCo, where wages more than double, the staff is not treated like trailer park trash, lucky you got the job.

I think Employers who have excellent regard for their staff should be highlighted, don't you?

[BT]

I think costco has gotten plenty of favorable press.

And i think Wal- Mart is correct in showing regard for its customer base and staffing within the preferences of its employees.

Our disagreement is based on perspective.

You view Wal Mart as evil. I don't. I view them as a source for goods i either need or want. 

[Lanya]

I like what i hear about Costco, and about Starbucks.  The coffee isn't great, but the coffeehouse is pretty and benefits are good, so I hear.
I will go out of my way to avoid a Wal-Mart, not because it's evil, but it's too big. Big echoey areas full of noise---not my thing. Also it runs out smaller businesses from the local area, doesn't pay well, kids of workers are on Medicaid, etc.  But evil?  No.

[BT]

I will go out of my way to avoid a Wal-Mart, not because it's evil, but it's too big. Big echoey areas full of noise---not my thing. Also it runs out smaller businesses from the local area, doesn't pay well, kids of workers are on Medicaid, etc.  But evil?  No.

I'm sure they miss you.

[Plane]

  The Local Wall Marts compete with each other for associates.

   There are not enough to go around.

[Xavier_Onassis]

Basically, they are saying to their employees, "we don't want you to just work here, we want you to work HARD EVERY MINUTE you are here."

To their customers they are saying "We have low proices, but you suckers are gonna have to WAIT IN LINE to get them.

The employees reaction is to get a better job and walk off without even telling Wallyworld. The K Mart and many other businesses are even worse places to work than Wallyworld, despite the bad publicity Wally gets.

The customers reaction is normally just to leave the damned cart full of crap and walk out.

If the store looks REALLY understaffed, the clever dishonest customer will just peel off the security stickers and avoid paying altogether.

The stupid dishonest customer will get caught.

Here in Miami, the champions of the long wait are the Winn-Dixie stores.

I decided that 10 minutes is enough to wait. After 10 minutes in line, I just walk l out, leave the food to defrost. They have 15 registers and only one working. To Hell with that crap.

Wallyworld has come close to my 10 minute limit, but has always managed to get me out before that.

[BT]

Basically, they are saying to their employees, "we don't want you to just work here, we want you to work HARD EVERY MINUTE you are here."

To their customers they are saying "We have low proices, but you suckers are gonna have to WAIT IN LINE to get them

That's a pretty dyslexic reading of the original article. If they staff based on traffic patterns the waits should be reduced.

And when did it become a bad thing to work whilst on the job?