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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi, All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Today, my husband was denied customer service shopping assistance at the Walmart, located in Mt. Vernon, Washington.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The only other time in our lives I can remember being turned away from shopping at a store, was in a neighborhood where we’d just bought our first house in 1980. It was a Winn Dixie, and I stopped there in the evening for groceries.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>However, when I explained that I worked during the day and this was the only time I could come, right away, they found someone to shop with me, and we never had any issues with that store or any other ever since.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>So, today’s experience was very surprising.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I would like to know of anyone’s personal shopping experience at the physical store, and how much of this shopping assistance denial is tied to a possible Covid policy of Walmart, or if our particular store is simply not providing reasonable accommodations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We have no problems with any other store in the area: Costco, Safeway, Hagen, Pioneer Market, to name just a few. Thanks for perspective and comments.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>See my husband’s e-mail below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Judy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> NFBWATlk <nfbwatlk-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Chris Jones via NFBWATlk<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 23, 2021 3:55 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfbwatlk@nfbnet.org<br><b>Cc:</b> Chris Jones <clj53787@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBWATlk] Note From Chris Jones About Walmart Shopping Experience<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Listers,<br>This is Chris Jones from Sedro-Woolley.<br>Earlier this afternoon I went to Walmart to pick up a very few items and to get some Subway sandwiches.<br>I met a greeter who found me a young lady who gave me some very strange information.<br>She indicated that Walmart no longer provides customer assistance in shopping and that everything needs to be handled on-line.<br>I was told that this has been their policy for somewhat over a year.<br>I was shocked, but went ahead and asked this lady to show me the Subway area, which she did.<br>I completed that portion of shopping and, when I got home, called a manager of Walmart at the Mount Vernon store.<br>He explained that, due to Covid restrictions, an associate could not be involved with such a shopping trip for any more than 15 minutes.<br>I asked if I had a short list, if someone could obtain products for me.<br>He said that if I needed a very few items he could probably grant me an exception to policy.<br>I do not regularly shop Walmart and I have never found such a reception at Costco, Fred Meyer, Safeway or any other store which I frequent.<br>Is there anyone who can explain this type of treatment to me? Is this a Walmart thing, or does this occur at many other stores where folks shop?<br>Feel free to respond here, or if you'd like to e-mail me privately, my e-mail is <a href="mailto:clj53787@gmail.com">clj53787@gmail.com</a>.<br>Thank you, one and all.<br>Chris Jones <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>