It was a one-sided blowout win in an impromptu media-relations contest between two big-box retailers.
Two very similar news tips about reconstruction at area stores resulted in two very different responses from Target and Wal-Mart.
One call to the Target store in Duluth was all that was necessary to garner information. After speaking to a gracious store manager two weeks ago, I was able to get all the necessary details on its remodeling to offer more foodstuffs. Quick, easy, no runaround.
In contrast, a call to a store manager at the Wal-Mart store in Cloquet last week left me with zero information and a number for its corporate call center at its headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., or Mumbai, India, for all I can gather.
No progress was made with the immediate second call to the call center. I placed a "media request" for information on what the operator called "a store in Clocket, Minnesota." He said they would call me back, but I got nothing.
Yesterday, my third call went back to the Cloquet store. (I tried to circumvent the "process".) After stating the reason for my call, I was passed to four, yes four, different representatives before reaching another store manager, who yet again refered me to the corporate call center.
Another immediate call to the corporate call center, the fourth overall for those scoring at home, left me high and dry again. I said my deadline was the end of business hours Wednesday. No matter; no information returned.
The scorecard:
Target: 1 quick and easy call containing all the pertinent information
Wal-Mart: 4 tedious and unproductive calls containing zero information
I’m not trying to slam Wal-Mart. I just want a callback!
Walmart is too busy rolling back prices Mr. Greder. I just wanted you to know that.
Andy I don’t know who you think you are but this story has nothing to with any angle the DNT or this blog has ever taken before.
You should be fired by the DNT for putting out such a senseless story.
I actually think this is a great story and typical of WalMart culture- including cronies and plants like “Joe” who work to make WalMart SEEM better… like the railroads of old
I worked for Target for many years and I really found that this is the norm with how they view their role in the community–that they should be repsonsive and active in it. Target corp was very big on being percieved as an asset to the community and “guest” friendly. Not to say that every experience is positive for every customer–but the corporate culture is one that really emphasizes customer service. I was with them through 3 remodels and although it can be tedious and challenging for employees and customers it was also always exciting to see the store get better and how the customers responded–usually positively. We liked the changes and were happy to talk about the improvements–just as the current manager seemed to be. I have not been employed by Target for several years but I still shop there weekly and have a good feeling about the corporation.
Joe,
You should be fired for such a senseless and meaningless comment.
That’s nothing. I’ve got 20 calls and over 11 hours in trying to get my Qwest/Verizon acct. straightened out. It’s a game now.
is joe being sarcastic? it sounds like he is trying to be funny sounding like a corporate jerk.
Those of us who shop in Cloquet would Welcome a Target store here. Currently Wal-Mart is the only department store in the area. I’d shop at Target evertime over Wal-Mart if given the opportunity locally. As it is I shop at the Duluth Target as often as possible due to the fact that I just don’t like Wal-Mart and their corporate culture of running everyone else out of town which does not serve our community, or any other community for that matter well.
walmart is dirty – i don’t even like driving by them.
WAL MART RAN OVER MY PET TURTLE WITH THEIR BIG TRUCK AND IT DIED.
I’ve had the same experiences when asking for donations for charity events. Target ALWAYS has donated in both Superior & Duluth. Wal-Mart’s process is to long and involved to get a donation. I also agree that Wal-Mart is dirty. However, if you feel the need to take your toddler out in a diaper at midnight; Wal-Mart is the place to find kindred spirits.
Why do people in the media seem to expect they deserve a call back?
And as an aside, there’s nothing more I love than listen to someone get all smug about how they shop at Target instead of Wal-Mart, when it’s ALL the same Chinese junk. Had Target developed their IT chain faster than WMT, they’d be the big dog and everybody would hate Target.
I can’t stand the WMT here, don’t get me wrong, they stink; but the Target is no better. Their parking lot even when not under construction is ridiculous to get around, all the parents letting their kids run around are a nightmare, and they always have full check-out lines and usually run 4 cashiers.
But hey, it’s hip to hate Wal-Mart!