Comments on: F@%k It Friday: The Worst Stores Ever

By: Andy Lester, The Working Geek

Andy Lester, The Working Geek — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:05:03 +0000

Take another look,
Take another look,
Take another look at Zayre!
Take another look,
Take another look
Look at all the values there!

By: Sharon Florentine

Sharon Florentine — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:51:01 +0000

Hi there. I’m a lurker … with an agenda. I’m a freelance writer and I do a lot of work for the job site TheLadders.com, hence my interest in HR and recruiting. Among other things, I write a weekly newsletter for recruiters, and in December, I’m looking to do some profiles of HR/recruiting folks — anyone care to be profiled?

I’m basically looking for unique approaches, any trends that you see in the field, dos and don’ts, industries you see growing (or tanking), that sort of thing. Any takers? I don’t bite (hard), and I honestly won’t take more than 30 minutes of your time to do an interview. E-mail me if you’d like: slflorentine@gmail.com.

By: econopete

econopete — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:29:35 +0000

The ER.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:38:54 +0000

@Diane I cannot shop at Ross. I hate the chaos.

@Aja I totally dislike Home Depot. It makes me claustrophobic and it’s laid out like a man’s brain. Why are the blinds near the toilet bowls? Why is carpet near light bulbs? It makes no f-king sense.

By: Aja

Aja — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:33:26 +0000

To be honest, while I despise WalMart with a passion, I think my all-time worst shopping experience happened at a Home Depot.

I went in to buy a drill bit because the one for the job we were doing wasn’t compatible with our new drill. I want to HD to get the appropriate corresponding bit for our drill and the a$$hole in the tool section refused to sell it to me. He preferred to question me about what we needed it for and then argue with me about how I didn’t need the bit for that job and that I should’ve got the right bit with our kit when be bought the drill. This went on for over twenty minutes. Add, the guy would do the argument in drive-by style: Make a fast point, then go help another customer, then snipe me again when I tried to ask someone else for the bit. I finally snarled at him and the store manager was called. The SM resolved the situation by apologizing and escorting me outside. My boyfriend had to go back to the store and get the bit. They didn’t give him any problems at all.

By: Diane H.

Diane H. — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:54:06 +0000

@ Ian… HILLS! I loved Hills! To be fair… I was child when the last one closed. I don’t have memories of trying to find an appropriate Christmas gift there… just Trapper Keepers and Halloween costumes.

I think the dollar stores were left out because people do expect to get what they pay for.

Personally… it’s hard for me to hate one chain. For instance, the Wal-Mart in Indiana, Pa. is one of the cleanest, well organized super shopping centers I’ve been too. But, I won’t step in the one where I live now. I’ve never had a good experience at Ross… even taking into consideration the money I saved.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:33:48 +0000

@working girl Oh shucks! Thanks!

@Michael I went into a KMart in Kalamazoo, a few years ago, and was horrified. So sad.

@Todd I would also accept American Airlines.

@ICANHASLINDA Oh man, gross.

@Angela Poor Walmart. They just can’t win.

@HR Underling Fred Meyer sounds like our old Venture. Or as my gramma called it, “The Ventures.” I hated that place.

@Robin S I think the first time I remember screaming in a store was Zayre.

@Latina I’ve never been in a Daffys. No thanks.

@Alison I’m with you. The Macy’s in Kalamazoo, MI, is the 7th circle of hell.

@Lorraine Hahahahahahahaha.

@Stephanie My uterus shrinks almost everywhere, these days. Kids. Ugh.

@Marsha OMFG. Gross.

@Ian You need Consumerist.org to help!

@Ian Hills Department Stores? Sad. The name just makes me weep.

@David T. You should be in a Target commercial. (But I agree w/you.)

@Puf That is one fancy store!

I’m surprised no one mentioned Dollar General.

By: HRPufnstuf

HRPufnstuf — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:01:27 +0000

I once went to a store and they offered my still water, and when I slapped it out of their hand and demanded the sparking water I am entitled to, they said they didn’t have any. The nerve, I’m going to buy expensive socks and pocket squares, then I deserve sparkling water, I’m not an animal after all.
Just kidding, I haven’t thought of Zayre’s in years, and they were pretty foul. Also foul, Gold Circle, like a downscale Zayre’s with bugs.

By: David T.

David T. — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:09:46 +0000

We’ve stopped shopping at Wal Mart in favor of Target.
The lines at Wal Mart registers are always backed up. At Target, it’s always quick checking out.
The Wal Mart environment is harsh and noisy. White and blue and bright lights, and the incessant beep-beep of the cash registers. Target’s color and lighting are soft, the registers are quieter.
Target is spacier, Wal Mart is claustrophobic.
Target has 80 ct size 5 Luvs. Wal Mart only has sixty-odd count. I don’t like having to buy diapers any more often than I have to.
Here in CA where few WM Supercenters get built, Target’s selection of grocery items is superior to WM.
I feel like a number at WM, and like a human at Target. WM employees get the shaft and pass it on to you.
You ask a WM employee where something is, they’ll answer very vaguely or say it isn’t their dept. You ask a Target employee where something is and they’ll give you an answer or get on their radio and find out.
The one bad thing at both places is that the store managers tend to under staff. Target much less so than WM tho.
Ultimately I just get the feeling that WM takes the attitude of “well, everyone shops here, so deal with it.”

By: Patrick Erwin

Patrick Erwin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:37:10 +0000

@Ian – that sounds like a story for the Not Always Right website (notalwaysright.com). Anyone who’s either worked in retail or witnessed a very stupid customer on the loose should check that out!