Walmart Inc (WMT)

[big-yank]

IMO, Walmart has cut WAY too much store labor and service levels have severely eroded. Walmart introduced a computer scheduling system that stores cannot override called "Scorecard" and the computer is "always right". Except that the computer doesn't comprehend variables like seasonal variables in resort/recreation areas, events like fairs and festivals, welfare/foodstamp/SSA-check-distribution dates, and so forth.

Then Walmart intro'd its "Ad/Match Price Guarantee" with much fanfare, then added so many crappy rules and exclusions that customers are literally abandoning huge carts of food at the registers and walking out in disgust. That's frustration squared after waiting in line to be rung out for 20 minutes because Walmart schedules very few cashiers in order to drive customers to the new self check out lanes which are plentiful and uncrowded.

Sold the last chunk of Walmart, this week @ $76.20 after accumulating for 7 years. Made some great $$$ but it is time to move on. The Walmart experience is sadly starting to look a lot like the Kmart "Blue Light Special" experience of 15 years ago.