I recently needed a new engine battery for my clsss A gasser. I called our local super walmart to determine if they had correct size, which they did.
I psrked just outside one of their big overhead doors of their tire and lube express area, and went in to do paperwork, etc. When I told the clerk what I needed, he turned and disappeared. He soon returned with a fellow with a nametag showing "tire and lube express- manager".
This fellow proceedes to explain in very indifferent tones, that this "is not an RV-friendly service garage". I said, sir, all I want as an engine battery (easily accessable), installed in the front of my gas engine motorhome. He then said sorry, insurance rules prohibit working on a vehicle outside of the garage building. I said, I am two feet outside of our door....all you have to do is reach down in front of the engine, remove the old bsttery, and hook up the new one.
Well......, long story short: he was adamant about not doing this for me, and became more and more unwilling and uncaring about talking to me further.
Soooo, I told him I would not be doing any more business at that facility (as if he could care), and that I would be informing the store manager of his indifference, and also post this on this internet site to alert other motorhome owners to not bother trying to do battery/installation business at walmart.
Now, have any of you encountered a similar problem at walmart, or is this an isolated incident involving an indifferent "associate" here in Burlington, Iowa??????
P.S. I had previously purchased two other engine batteries (one in a pick up, and one in a car), at this same walmart, and both had been installed outside the main garage in the adjacent parking lot.
P.S.S. On my way home, I stopped at an Autozone store, and purchased my new battery. And...., they were very happy to install the new battery.....out in their parking lot!!!!
Thsnks for your input/opinions, and as usual, I very much enjoy this great forum.
" He then said sorry, insurance rules prohibit working on a vehicle outside of the garage building."
What part of that statement don't you understand.
No need to bad mouth Wal-Mart because the service manager was obeying the insurance rules of the corporation he works for. Perhaps if his superiors caught him or one of the employees under his charge changing batteries in your RV outside of the garage service bay, it may have cost him his job. In this economy, it is a bad time to go looking for a new job, especially if you had been fired for ignoring company policies.
As a Walmart associate, the only answer I can give is, we ( the company) are under such scrutiny from federal agencys such as OSHA, EPA,etc that some managers are going strictly by the book. We get fined and citied for the littlest violations. Can't justify the managers attitude. My feeling is any retailer can't afford to lose even one customer.
Reading back on this, maybe it sounds like" oh poor Walmart, they're just picking on us". I can only speak from my everyday experiences with the myriad of rules and regs we have to follow.
" insurance rules prohibit working on a vehicle outside of the garage building."
Have heard of this numerous times before. Walmart is constantly having to look over their shoulders. They are in all governments (local, state and federal) cross hairs. Besides why not get a GOOD battery for your MH?
David Just rolling along enjoying life w/F53 Southwind towing 87 Samurai looking to golf or fish Simply Despicable
Rules are rules I guess and policies tend to change rather quickly in the corporate world.Mainly due to public lawsuits.I agree being rude is not acceptable behavior.But working retail and in guest hospitality for many years myself I know how people can become irate rather quickly when someone cant do for them..not saying you were but it does happen.I have had great experiences with a few Walamrt employees so I know I will continue my business with them.Sorry for your bad experience.
Well reading the OP, two other times they 'worked outside'. Very normal for most shops to do all sorts of work 'outside'. If Wallmart has a 'No RV Work' policy, that is different. But, it should have been stated that way. Then you kind of get into the area of what is an RV? Class B's ok to work on, as they will fit in the shop? Camper vans? Truck with campers?
Could be just a manager that did not want to work on RV's, if so, then this posting and talking to the Store Manager is the proper thing to do.
Nothing against Wallmart, and I hope this was an isolated case...
Once the manager stated "Sorry, insurance rules prohibit us from
working on vehicles outside the garage", there was really nothing
he could do. Maybe if we all contacted Wal-Mart and asked them to
be more RV friendly in their auto service section, maybe they will have the rule changed. You can't be to upset with Wal-Mart when
they let so many RVs stay over night in their parking lots for free.
2008 Monaco Camelot
42' "PDQ" Tag
2008 Honda CRV / 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 CC 4X4
camperbuds3 wrote: " He then said sorry, insurance rules prohibit working on a vehicle outside of the garage building."
What part of that statement don't you understand.
No need to bad mouth Wal-Mart because the service manager was obeying the insurance rules of the corporation he works for. Perhaps if his superiors caught him or one of the employees under his charge changing batteries in your RV outside of the garage service bay, it may have cost him his job. In this economy, it is a bad time to go looking for a new job, especially if you had been fired for ignoring company policies.
Did you not read the whole post? The OP stated that the other 2 vehicles he had batteries installed were "Outside".
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