walmart ad match policy
Do you think that this is ethical?

Walmart has an ad match policy that they can’t get straight (trust me I work for them). Recently, they told us that we are no longer allowed to ask customers to see that ad and to just take there word for it. I know not all of them do it on purpose, but I have a few customers who lie through their teeth when it comes to ad match. Most people don’t know how to pay attention to the ads either. It’s driving me crazy that we’re just supposed to sit there and let them get away with it. I’m losing my trust in the Walmart company. Anyone’s thoughts?

Once when I was younger I worked at a gasoline station that offered a free car wash with a minimum 8-gallon fill-up. Of course, we learned that it wasn’t written into stone, that maybe 7.8 gallons of gas would qualify for a free wash, and if it was a regular customer, maybe he could get a wash just for buying maybe five gallons. Once, however, I rebeled when a lady insisted on a free car wash when she had only put in maybe three gallons of gasoline. I was nice about it, but I told her it just wasn’t possible to get her free car wash because she hadn’t fulfilled her end of the bargain. Of course, she complained to the owner. I was put in my place and she got her free wash. I was very angry with him (I could probably get away with a little more because I was the office manager for the store, as well).

But, the thing is, he was right. He explained to me that honey draws more flies than vinegar, or something trite to that effect. The lady ended up being a very loyal and steady customer, and all because he was willing to bend a little in accommodating her. So. Ethical? I don’t know. But smart? Probably.

Wal-Mart has been around a long time because they know how to treat their customers well. Of course, there are a**holes who will push their luck to the limits, but Wal-Mart will still come out on top in the end.