Wal-Mart To Join Amazon In Providing In-Store Locker Service

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Wal-Mart To Join Amazon In Providing In-Store Locker Service

Posted by Soulskill on Wednesday March 27, 2013 @09:39AM from the blending-of-retail-models dept.

RougeFemme writes "Amazon has been placing lockers in brick-and-mortar retail stores, such as 7-Eleven, for pickup of online purchases. Walmart plans to pilot a similar program, presumably making it easier to pick up online purchases at Wal-Mart. 'Wal-Mart hopes its network of physical stores, which number about 4,000 in the United States, will give it an edge as consumers increasingly use smart phones while they shop. Wal-Mart has been testing the shipping of online orders from a small number of its physical stores for about two years. In 2013, the company plans to expand this program from about 25 stores currently to a total of roughly 50 stores. ... Two-thirds of the U.S. population live within five miles of a Wal-Mart store."

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Goodbye USPS by c0lo · 2013-03-27 09:49 · Score: 4, Insightful

(self-explanatory subject)

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1. Re:Goodbye USPS by Xphile101361 · 2013-03-27 10:02 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Only if Amazon also feels like buying a fleet of trucks and being responsible for delivering these packages to the B&M locations. Walmart already has a fleet of vehicles, but I would guess that they have a small percentage of the online store sales. I'm also interested to see how they market this to customers. Why would I want to pick-up in store vs having it shipped to my house. Are they going to start charging to have it shipped to a residential address? That could quickly become a differentiator between online stores, as most people that I know only care about the total price of their purchase.
2. Re:Goodbye USPS by FrankSchwab · 2013-03-27 10:07 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  You realize the Amazon has been trialing same-day delivery of orders? This simply provides them with a cheaper (and more secure) way to deliver to you - you don't have to worry about the neighbor kid stealing stuff off your front porch, and they only have to deliver to one location rather than to 50 different houses.
  
  --
  And the worms ate into his brain.
3. Re:Goodbye USPS by girlintraining · 2013-03-27 10:10 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  (self-explanatory subject)
  Amazon is rolling out offering same-day or next-day delivery across the entire country. Why the hell do I want to drive across town to a Walmart to pickup my stuff when I can have a guy deliver it to my door? The country's postal service isn't going anywhere; It's still the only way to legally serve a large number of documents, send bills, etc. No, the only thing the USPS needs to fix is its budget: They need to pare-down their offerings and focus on what they're still needed for: envelopes, small packages, and letter delivery services. Their problem is that they bloated up while companies like FedEx and UPS took over the lucrative markets of large package delivery and organized to provide rapid package services worldwide. Now they need a strategic refocusing... but to say they're dead because of Walmart?
  Please.
  
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4. Re:Goodbye USPS by Synerg1y · 2013-03-27 10:19 · Score: 1
  
  doubtful... the package count being delivered remains the same.
5. Re:Goodbye USPS by LurkerXXX · 2013-03-27 10:22 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  Why the hell do I want to drive across town to a Walmart to pickup my stuff when I can have a guy deliver it to my door?
  You might not want to do it, so don't.
  Personally, I'm at work all day, and don't want someone stealing something delived off my porch while I'm at work. I'd prefer a locker I can pick up things from that will be secured until I can get at them.
  Not everyone works at home, has a stay-at-home spouse, or lives in an are where they trust no one will every steal a delivery left out.
  Please.
6. Re:Goodbye USPS by tlhIngan · 2013-03-27 10:25 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  No, the only thing the USPS needs to fix is its budget: They need to pare-down their offerings and focus on what they're still needed for: envelopes, small packages, and letter delivery services. Their problem is that they bloated up while companies like FedEx and UPS took over the lucrative markets of large package delivery and organized to provide rapid package services worldwide. Now they need a strategic refocusing... but to say they're dead because of Walmart?
  No, it's because George W. Bush signed a law that stated that USPS must prepay the pension 75 years in advance. Yes, USPS is paying into the coffers of wall street the pensions of people who are not even of working age yet (who of course, aren't employed by USPS yet).
  Until then, USPS was pulling in some pretty hefty profits ($1B or so). Of course, all that and more has to go to Wall Street to manage the pension.
  http://spectrum.ieee.org/telecom/internet/email-isnt-killing-the-post-office
7. Re:Goodbye USPS by Ichijo · 2013-03-27 10:31 · Score: 1
  
  Last year, the USPS raised my 6 month P.O. box rental fee by 41%. It seems strange that they raised the rental rates even while fewer P.O. boxes were being rented in a down economy.
  It just shows how the USPS (or Congress, who sets the rates) are disconnected from reality.
  
  --
  Any sufficiently unpopular but cohesive argument is indistinguishable from trolling.
8. Re:Goodbye USPS by SJHillman · 2013-03-27 10:34 · Score: 1
  
  If I buy something from most B&M stores, "ship to store" is free and "ship to my house" can quickly become a significant portion of the total cost. Having worked with a company that used UPS' Roadnet to route its own delivery trucks, I know how much more expensive it can be to deliver individual items than it is to just deliver everything to a single depot.
9. Re:Goodbye USPS by Deekin_Scalesinger · 2013-03-27 10:35 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  The way amazon does it in 7-11 is they will mail you a code. Go to 7-11 (if Wawa did this I'd move back to Philly and would never leave their stores), punch it in, and grab yer l3wtz. Just like a bus locker. The dimensions aren't great...10x10x10 or some such.
  
  Good for me since I get small electronics a lot and really don't want it sitting on my stoop all day in downtown DC...
  
  --
  "As the intrepid kobold companion continues his journey, he begins to wonder... if priests raises dead, why anybody die?
10. Re:Goodbye USPS by nedlohs · 2013-03-27 10:35 · Score: 1
  
  Assuming they don't package multiple shipments into one package and split them at the other end.
  Assuming they don't use their own delivery service to deliver huge numbers of packages from one source to one destination. I doubt walmart uses fedex to send their stock to their stores after all...
11. Re:Goodbye USPS by Ichijo · 2013-03-27 10:35 · Score: 2
  
  Well, that's not 'delivering it' to me. That's making me go to their store to pick it up.
  
  In a way, it's like community mailboxes. Stuff is no longer delivered directly to your house, but it's still convenient.
  
  How does the locker work? Do I get a code emailed to me?
  
  Yes, exactly. Just go there, punch in the code, and the locker door opens automatically.
  
  --
  Any sufficiently unpopular but cohesive argument is indistinguishable from trolling.
12. Re:Goodbye USPS by c0lo · 2013-03-27 10:39 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  Last year, the USPS raised my 6 month P.O. box rental fee by 41%. It seems strange that they raised the rental rates even while fewer P.O. boxes were being rented in a down economy.
  It just shows how the USPS (or Congress, who sets the rates) are disconnected from reality.
  It is called death throes if I'm not mistaken.
  Forced to swallow a poison pill and forbidden to spit (or vomit) it out.
  
  --
  Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
13. Re:Goodbye USPS by AK+Marc · 2013-03-27 11:09 · Score: 1
  
  The USPS budget is only broken because Congress sets it. USPS operates under a requirement that they serve everyone. There are still places where UPS and FedEx contract out to the USPS for delivery. And nobody is really world-wide, DHL tried it, but couldn't succeed in USA, and UPS and FedEx have very litle presence outside the USA (some countries more than others, so they do have international presence, but not world-wide).
  
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  Learn to love Alaska
14. Re:Goodbye USPS by girlintraining · 2013-03-27 11:33 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  Personally, I'm at work all day, and don't want someone stealing something delived off my porch while I'm at work. I'd prefer a locker I can pick up things from that will be secured until I can get at them.
  Drop boxes for mail have been around since the 1600s. But hey, if you want to drive across town because you need the excercise, rock on man.
  
  Not everyone works at home, has a stay-at-home spouse, or lives in an are where they trust no one will every steal a delivery left out. Please.
  There were two shootings in my neighborhood last night. My mail is kept in a lock box and shipments that won't fit are kept at the post office... which is located four blocks from here, not 15 miles like Walmart. But don't let me interrupt a perfectly good internet rant with logic and facts. Please, continue.
  
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15. Re:Goodbye USPS by prowler1 · 2013-03-27 11:36 · Score: 1
  
  Because I live in an apartment block and have in the past had packages dumped at the communal front door of the apartment block and I work in an industrial type complex where all the delivery people seem to get lost and either don't deliver the package and I have to pick it up from their depo on the other side of the city or it gets delivered to the wrong building and I am lucky to every see it.
  Something like this would be great for me since it means I know that it will be delivered safetly and and be secured until I pick it up at my time of choosing.
16. Re:Goodbye USPS by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-27 11:37 · Score: 1
  
  Exactly right. This was a scam to give Wall Street extra cash, so they can mismanage and steal. It had nothing to do with pensions or competitiveness.
17. Re:Goodbye USPS by Anonymous Coward · 2013-03-27 12:43 · Score: 1
  
  Drop boxes for mail have been around since the 1600s. But hey, if you want to drive across town because you need the excercise, rock on man.
  Those of us in apartments don't get to install whatever we wish in the commons areas. Using the Amazon Lockers is a lot easier than moving to a building where I can have a drop box.
18. Re:Goodbye USPS by LurkerXXX · 2013-03-27 13:10 · Score: 1
  
  Just because you've never heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. It just means you're ignorant on the topic. It happens.
  ...
  The more interesting ones even get national coverage. And this guy doesn't live in the ghetto either:
  http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nbc-news/50268815
19. Re:Goodbye USPS by demonlapin · 2013-03-27 14:11 · Score: 1
  
  George W. Bush signed a law
  In fairness, Congress had to pass that law first. And there are an awful lot of underfunded government pensions out there.
20. Re:Goodbye USPS by LurkerXXX · 2013-03-27 14:11 · Score: 2
  
  Drop boxes for mail have been around since the 1600s.
  Congratulations, you don't live in an apartment building or condo where you might not have that option, or an area with a home owners association which may make it a hard proposal.
  Not everyone can easily install a dropbox. Not everyone has a mom at home to sign for packages so they are there when you get home from junior high like you must.
  My mail is kept in a lock box and shipments that won't fit are kept at the post office
  And how late is the post office open where you are? It's not very frickin late here. 5 PM weekdays, which makes it pretty much totally useless. Having an option at a store that is open late is attractive to some people.
  How many posts is it going to take for you to realize not everyone lives where you do, and is in the same situation as you? I'm tired of continuing to point out your ignorance.
21. Re:Goodbye USPS by demonlapin · 2013-03-27 14:16 · Score: 1
  
  Some people live closer to Wal-Mart than the post office. And more importantly, Wal-Mart is open 24/7, not 8 to 4 (and yes, I've had Postal Service employees refuse service to me at 4:00:30 PM).
  
  Personally, I just have everything delivered to my work address - that way there's always someone to sign for it and to take responsibility for it until it gets into my hot little hands.
22. Re:Goodbye USPS by thunderclap · 2013-03-27 14:20 · Score: 1
  
  So explain the Denny's across the street from NYC city hall? http://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2013/03/27/dennys-plan-to-open-manhattan.html If they can get in so can walmart, Personally, I think its a brilliant idea.
23. Re:Goodbye USPS by thunderclap · 2013-03-27 14:23 · Score: 1
  
  So what happens when that post office is closed? And shock, if you get a weapon, you CAN defend your self from shootings rather than being afraid. But don't let me interrupt a perfectly good internet fearmongering reply with logic and facts. Please, continue.
24. Re:Goodbye USPS by blackraven14250 · 2013-03-27 15:02 · Score: 1
  
  Just pointing out, not every Walmart is open 24/7. I'd imagine they'd almost all have longer hours than the post office, though.
25. Re:Goodbye USPS by blackraven14250 · 2013-03-27 15:03 · Score: 1
  
  Considering the Post Office operates independently, at least financially, it's definitely unreasonable.
26. Re:Goodbye USPS by Y-Crate · 2013-03-27 15:07 · Score: 1
  
  The worst part is, the people who pushed this legislation are the same ones who will dance over the remains of a bankrupt Post Office, proudly declaring that "greedy" workers were to blame. Even though no government agency, union or private company would even dream up something like this. I'm pretty sure pre-funding 75 years of retirement in a decade's time would get a CEO / board of directors sacked in oh... about a week.
  It's actually a two-pronged assault. The primary goal is to destroy the finances of an institution the legislative branch is constitutionally-mandated to preserve. The second is to continue the war on worker pensions and benefits, while shaming those who believe the quality of life enjoyed by past generations is something to aspire to.
  They really believe all of that silly retirement stuff our parents and grandparents did was a manifestation of pure avarice and laziness.
27. Re:Goodbye USPS by Githaron · 2013-03-27 16:14 · Score: 2
  
  But hey, if you want to drive across town because you need the excercise, rock on man.
  You are doing it wrong.
28. Re:Goodbye USPS by Githaron · 2013-03-27 16:17 · Score: 1
  
  I am curious what percentage of Walmarts are not 24/7 because it has been a long time since I have seen one.
29. Re:Goodbye USPS by blackraven14250 · 2013-03-27 16:27 · Score: 1
  
  I know the hours of 3 Walmarts in my general area. There's 2 that are not, and one that is. One of each is in central NJ, and the third is in northern NJ.
30. Re:Goodbye USPS by unix_core · 2013-03-27 17:31 · Score: 1
  
  Don't worry about the fearmongering reply. If there are any facts or logic in your post, it's completely undetectable.
  
  How on earth could having a weapon at home protect you from a shooting in your neighborhood? Unless It happends when you are in your home and somone is specifically out to kill you (which is highly unlikely unless you are gang member yourself) touting a gun would only make the situation much more dangerous for yourself and your family.
31. Re:Goodbye USPS by AlphaWolf_HK · 2013-03-27 17:33 · Score: 1
  
  I think what he's saying is that not everybody lives in a perfect neighborhood, not everybody lives in "the hood" (as it seems you do based on your description) which means many people live somewhere in between. That said, I think having a choice is pretty nifty. Saying that he shouldn't have a choice because we need to fund poor poor USPS and give them that monopoly they so well deserve, or because walmart is evil for the crime of making things affordable for the poor and therefore shouldn't be permitted to exist because they make other businesses have to compete, or ....is kind of a dick move.
  
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32. Re:Goodbye USPS by will_die · 2013-03-27 18:48 · Score: 1
  
  Congress want to protect the taxpayer from having to take over the duties that the USPS said they would do, the postmaster general and the postal unions want to make the taxpayers pay for thier poor management and keep things as they are.
  Dropping the law requiring the USPS to actually do some proper financial management would not make them competative again; even ignore the money they owe for this they would of lost money for the last couple of years.
  BTW the 75 years is number of years that for ACCOUNTING purposes they have to figure future liabilities. It is NOT how long they have to fund benefits. That 75 years of accounting is followed by the DoD, social security, department of Housing, etc.
33. Re:Goodbye USPS by TheRaven64 · 2013-03-27 20:15 · Score: 1
  
  A big problem for companies like UPS and FedEx is that they offer a service that's convenient for senders, not receivers. When I order a delivery from one of my local supermarkets, I specify a one or two hour timeslot when my delivery will take place. If I can't take time away from work, then I can schedule it in a weekend or evening. On the other hand, if I order something from Amazon then they will send it to me by a service that gives me a two day window. This doesn't actually end up being cheaper for the courier, because I'm often not in the first time they try to deliver things, so they have to come back the next day. If they could tell me in advance the one hour window when a package will arrive, that would be significantly more convenient. If they could let me choose a time, that would be even better.
  
  --
  I am TheRaven on Soylent News
34. Re:Goodbye USPS by TheRaven64 · 2013-03-27 20:19 · Score: 1
  
  You both make it sound like leaving packages outside a house is normal behaviour. I've only seen this happen once, to a former neighbour, and it was stolen. The solution was simple: call the delivery company, ask them to show you your signature on the form, when they can't ask them to replace the item. If it's not signed for by you, there's no proof of delivery and so the responsibility for the loss belongs the last person in the chain who can verify receipt, which is the delivery company.
  
  --
  I am TheRaven on Soylent News
35. Re:Goodbye USPS by TheRaven64 · 2013-03-27 23:32 · Score: 1
  
  That would be nice. In the UK, you can usually pick things up from the depot. The post office charges 50p extra to pick it up from your local post office, but lets you pick it up from the depot for free. The depots tend to be out of town, typically a 20 minute drive and totally inaccessible if you don't have a car.
  
  --
  I am TheRaven on Soylent News
36. Re:Goodbye USPS by thunderclap · 2013-03-28 00:00 · Score: 1
  
  so you are suggesting that not being able to defend yourself from a person who can kill at a distance is less dangerous than being able to possess the ability to return that ability? You need to look up amoral violence. And yes there are people out there who will do just exactly that (you are in your home and somone is specifically out to kill you) you don't need to be a gang member. You just need to have stiff or money and that person needs to have a weapon and a need for your stuff. Still you perfer to fight a knife or gun with your hands and feet good luck with that. smh
37. Re:Goodbye USPS by RobertLTux · 2013-03-28 00:54 · Score: 1
  
  To add to this if %item% is ALREADY AT THE STORE all Corp has to do is send a message stating
  " Customer %number% named as %name% has purchased %item list% online for store pickup to be pulled from store stock place in locker %number%"
  and by the time the customer drives to Walmart finds parking and then gets to the lockers the stuff is already there
  
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38. Re:Goodbye USPS by Synerg1y · 2013-03-28 05:13 · Score: 1
  
  Anybody who offers an overnight option... you think that gets put on a wally truck and the driver drives all night through blizzards and fields? lol
  No they use fedex or USPS.
  Your 1st idea while possible would require them to take their business to the next level of coordination as they sometimes have trouble packaging a single order currently into 1 box. There's more than a few factors to that too: availability, warehouse location, shipping option.
  While they're at that they might as well buy an international fleet of vehicles to do their deliveries am i right?
  No idea what any of your mumbling about in regards to USPS or fedex, I'd worry about the online sales tax more.
39. Re:Goodbye USPS by afidel · 2013-03-28 05:59 · Score: 1
  
  Actually when I bought a large entertainment unit through Walmarts ship to store it in fact had UPS Ground stickers on it. I was surprised since I had picked Walmart not because the item was any cheaper than at other stores but because everyone else was charging $150 for the same shipping method Walmart ended up using.
  
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40. Re:Goodbye USPS by s0nicfreak · 2013-03-28 07:08 · Score: 1
  
  Why the hell do I want to drive across town to a Walmart to pickup my stuff
  Because you're already going to walmart to grocery shop anyway.
41. Re:Goodbye USPS by Belial6 · 2013-03-28 07:32 · Score: 1
  
  In many newer neighborhoods, the mailboxes are just lockers at the end of the street anyway. I currently live in a neighborhood with delivery to each house, but a few years ago, the neighborhood I lived in only had deliver to an apartment style mailbox locker down the street. This was not a rural neighborhood. It was in the Sacramento metropolitan area.
42. Re:Goodbye USPS by Belial6 · 2013-03-28 07:37 · Score: 1
  
  Hey now. Us Americans have been told that every square inch of Europe is accessible by superb public transportation. You must be pulling our leg.
43. Re:Goodbye USPS by demonlapin · 2013-03-28 12:50 · Score: 1
  
  Only if you pay for it. That's the whole point of these Wal-Mart or 7/11 lockers - you don't have to rent something in order to be able to get a package.
Where will they be located? by jtownatpunk.net · 2013-03-27 09:56 · Score: 3, Funny

I mean within the store. I've done Walmart pickups at a couple stores and the pickup department is way the Hell in the back of the store, as far from the entrance as they can put it. When I do in-store pickup at a local store, I do it to reduce the time I spend walking around the store, not maximize it. :P
1. Re:Where will they be located? by chromas · 2013-03-27 10:12 · Score: 1
  
  Free Store Pickup Today items can be ordered online just before you drive over and you can often save $5-10 compared to lifting it off the shelf yourself. I wonder if that annoys any of the workers.
2. Re:Where will they be located? by Nidi62 · 2013-03-27 11:06 · Score: 1
  
  I mean within the store. I've done Walmart pickups at a couple stores and the pickup department is way the Hell in the back of the store, as far from the entrance as they can put it. When I do in-store pickup at a local store, I do it to reduce the time I spend walking around the store, not maximize it. :P
  It's the same reason why they put electronics and sporting goods in the back of the stores: those are what bring people in, so if you make them walk past other stuff they might see something they want to buy. Although this would really only work for people who browse and are impulsive; if you go to a store knowing what you want and know you are getting only that, then you aren't going to be buying anything else. On the bright side, you can walk into pretty much any Wal-mart/best buy/whatever and assume that what you want is always in the same place: I always head straight for the back corner, usually down the center and over across the back. Takes you straight to electronics/computers. What I do find interesting is that Sam's and Costco are pretty much the only ones that put electronics right by the entrance. I wonder how that affects their sales rate on those items as compared to Wal-mart.
  
  --
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3. Re:Where will they be located? by ChrisMaple · 2013-03-27 11:58 · Score: 2
  
  Pickup is at the back because it's close to the receiving dock and the stockroom.
  
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4. Re:Where will they be located? by AK+Marc · 2013-03-27 13:02 · Score: 2
  
  I used to do that at Best Buy, but even after it was marked "ready" 50% of the time they had to go find it on the shelf and run it over. It's like reverse convenience, multiple lines, slow service, and in Best Buy's case, same price. Well, except for the time I ordered a web special on my phone and waited in the store for them to get it, for the $5 savings.
  
  --
  Learn to love Alaska
5. Re:Where will they be located? by fotbr · 2013-03-27 15:59 · Score: 1
  
  On the rare occasion that I have to get something from walmart, I use the door by their automotive service department (yes, I know, not every walmart has one). Quick in, quick out, the register at the automotive desk works just as well as the ones up front, and often with no line. The only real downside is that only works when the service department is open.
6. Re:Where will they be located? by JabberWokky · 2013-03-27 16:27 · Score: 1
  
  I've always liked how Target seems to position their pick up area -- at least in their newer stores. Right by the front, almost a distinct area from the rest of the store. Walk in, take care of business, walk out. They've got a pretty good system for things like wedding registrations where they hand you a scanner, and you can walk through the store, look at items and add them to your list. It's a good position to be in for integrating physical retail into a mixed online/offline retail era.
  I'd love to show up, wave a NFC device at a terminal, wait a few minutes and have a couple boxes full of my shopping items, from groceries to USB cables, slid to me to take back to my vehicle. Or, if I want to look at something like clothes in person, walk father into the store and either browse or go right to an item from the website.
  
  --
  "$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
7. Re:Where will they be located? by s0nicfreak · 2013-03-28 07:24 · Score: 1
  
  At every Walmart I've been to, at the front is the cash registers, followed by fresh food and women's clothing (I'm not going to order those online from Walmart, as I'd want to look at them first). When I order stuff from Walmart, it's usually electronics, which is in the back anyway, right next to the online pickup.
  
  It reduces time for me; Even though I have to wait for someone to come to the back and hand me the item(s), that is less time than it would take for me to go through multiple isles and find the item(s), then stand in a checkout line or go through the self checkout (and often they have the self checkouts set to not scan electronics). I've never experienced a line at Walmart's online pickup. And usually, I check the availability of what I want before heading to the store anyway, so it's no extra time to just buy it then, and if the store only has a couple I don't have any worry about it selling out before I get there.
Any way to get more people in the store... by bluephone · 2013-03-27 09:58 · Score: 5, Insightful

Amazon is more likely to be used by people with money to burn, people wealthier than the average WalMart customer. This will get those types into the store, and will certainly result in more purchases by those types. The long term viability will depend on Walmart making the store attractive to those types.

--
jX [ Make everything as simple as possible, but no simpler. - Einstein ]
1. Re:Any way to get more people in the store... by Deekin_Scalesinger · 2013-03-27 10:45 · Score: 1
  
  If I didn't blow my mod points, this would go up. Wal-Mart isn't doing this to be good guys, they want additional business.
  
  --
  "As the intrepid kobold companion continues his journey, he begins to wonder... if priests raises dead, why anybody die?
2. Re:Any way to get more people in the store... by jewens · 2013-03-27 16:47 · Score: 1
  
  I believe it is safe to assume that they (Walmart) also receives some form of direct compensation as well to host the lockers, either on a fixed monthly or per-use arrangement.
  
  --
  That group of bovine standing over there appears quite portentous. That's right it's an ominous cow herd.
3. Re:Any way to get more people in the store... by Algae_94 · 2013-03-28 14:23 · Score: 1
  
  Do people not even read the summary any more? This is not about Amazon lockers in Wal-Mart stores. It is about Wal-Mart putting their own pickup lockers in Wal-Mart stores for purchases from Wal-Mart.com. It is directly competing against the Amazon lockers. It will in no way help bring Amazon customers into Wal-Mart.
  
  It will most likely cause Wal-Mart to reduce staffing even more and have even worse service, further driving away "those types".
OOS, Again by JackSpratts · 2013-03-27 10:02 · Score: 1

They can barely keep their shelves stocked as it is. They should nail the basics before botching a line extension.
Re:walmart customer service by preaction · 2013-03-27 10:12 · Score: 1

So, the gears of the free market grind slowly, but they do grind.
Some people can't receive packages by chuckugly · 2013-03-27 10:12 · Score: 2

There are some people who cannot receive packages at work and have no one at home to sign. Not even their mom.
Re:walmart customer service by Synerg1y · 2013-03-27 10:24 · Score: 1

Nice rant,
but if you look at this picture here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443545504577567763829784538.html you'll notice there's no interaction with Wal-mart employees, similar to a redbox.
It doesn't make sense from an accountability standpoint either for it to work the way you think it does. Amazon trusting wal-mart to deliver its packages?
That or suck less with packages by Sycraft-fu · 2013-03-27 10:33 · Score: 2

A functional tracking system would be a good start. It isn't like the package market is something they just can't do. They just do a crap job of it so people use the other carriers all the time. The post office could and should improve their service and they'd probably see more use.
Re:Canada by Deekin_Scalesinger · 2013-03-27 10:43 · Score: 2

You Canucky types seem to get the short end of the stick far too often :( you poured out your hearts for Operation Yellow Ribbon back in the day and you have two crappy ISPs (Rogers is famed even down here), a lot of snow and second tier billing (Netflix, Wal-Mart, etc).

Just a cheery nod to our friends North of the border, a thanks for being good neighbors, and sorry we suck as neighbors. Not all Yanks are raving morons, and this one appreciates having you guys next door to us.

PS - Girls from Nova Scotia are hawt. Hawt I say! Thank you, that is all :)

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"As the intrepid kobold companion continues his journey, he begins to wonder... if priests raises dead, why anybody die?
Re:walmart customer service by Deekin_Scalesinger · 2013-03-27 10:47 · Score: 1

I love Publix...where shopping is a pleasure. Wish we had decent groceries up North...

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"As the intrepid kobold companion continues his journey, he begins to wonder... if priests raises dead, why anybody die?
Airports? by capt_mulch · 2013-03-27 10:53 · Score: 1

What would be nice would be to have lockers at airports. I live out in the Pacific and it would be convenient to have stuff sent to a locker at say Brisbane airport, where I pick it up for my last leg home.
Re:Ship-To-Store? by Anubis+IV · 2013-03-27 10:57 · Score: 1

Assuming you can do something like key in a code without having to grab anyone to open it for you, you could think of this as combining ship-to-store with self-checkout. And if they can combine the free shipping of ship-to-store with the convenience of self-checkout, I'd actually consider going for it from time to time. That said, with stuff like Amazon Prime, it's hard to beat simply having it shipped to your front door, so long as you're either able to take delivery or are comfortable leaving packages at your doorstep while you're at work.
Good... by houbou · 2013-03-27 11:09 · Score: 1

Competition is healthy... Let's see if Walmart can make it happen..
criminals rejoice by wbr1 · 2013-03-27 11:29 · Score: 2

Sounds like a handy way to pick up goods purchased fraudulently on a stolen card or paypal account. Walmart does accept paypal.

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Silence is a state of mime.
1. Re:criminals rejoice by s0nicfreak · 2013-03-28 07:33 · Score: 1
  
  7-11 has cameras everywhere. It is much safer to set something to be delivered at a random person's address when you know they (and maybe their neighbors) will be at work, or at an unoccupied or abandoned house.
  
  Walmart has less cameras and more traffic, so it's easier to blend in or be lost in the shuffle, but they are often right next to police stations, which makes criminals more nervous than just using a different address...
Be careful Amazon... by rmdingler · 2013-03-27 11:31 · Score: 1

One thing my parents were spot on about was, "Be careful who you hang out with!"

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Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.
Ernest Hemingway
Thank God... by Lumpy · 2013-03-27 11:34 · Score: 1

Because dealing with the drecks of society waiting in the line at the "customer service" counter is just plain old gross. Honestly, a 500 pound woman in yoga pants that smells like parmesan cheese from 10 feet away is not something you want to wait behind.

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Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
1. Re:Thank God... by Hal_Porter · 2013-03-27 22:45 · Score: 1
  
  Wash your yoga pants, Shaniqua!
  
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  echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;
MODS: Get real. by girlintraining · 2013-03-27 11:55 · Score: 1, Offtopic

My previous post wasn't off topic, THIS one is. Stop modding me 'offtopic' because you disagree with me, that's what 'overrated' is for, idiot.

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#fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
Re:walmart customer service by demonlapin · 2013-03-27 14:25 · Score: 1

Meijer and Tops come to mind when I think of up there. Depends on where you are, of course. If you think a Publix is good, though, you really ought to see a Harris Teeter (NC/SC/GA, though it looks like they've expanded quite a bit since I lived in the area). Great stores.
Yes but it still means by Fnord666 · 2013-03-27 15:29 · Score: 1

This is all well and good, but it still means I have to go into a Walmart. Personally I would rather drag myself over broken glass than go there to get something. At least not without a tetanus shot.

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'The tyrant will always find pretext for his tyranny.' - Aesop's Fables
Thank goodness by fyngyrz · 2013-03-27 18:23 · Score: 1

You know, when this all started, I was only carrying 8 bits. That wasn't so bad. But then it was 16. Then 32. Now I'm always carrying 64 and what was a light purse is now clogged by these massive integers, big FP numbers and flag collections you could almost make the United Nations out of.
Thank goodness Amazon has created a locker for me to put those bits down in when I shop. My Chiropractic bill has never been lower.

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I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
Walmart has never been inside a Walmart? by gelfling · 2013-03-28 00:04 · Score: 1

Ever try to get ANYTHING from the back of the store or the desk to pick something up? IF, and that's a huge if, IF you can find a breathing human, they're all 'on break'. If you go out on the floor everyone is instructed to give the same answer to all questions "Yo, I jus started here I dun know". If you eventually find anyone in the bowels of the store who is standing behind some counter all they will do is push a few random keys, frown and give up. So if you think THESE drones are going to get your stuff placed in the right locker or any locker at all and/or will be around and capable of addressing their own mistakes while you are there......you're as dumb as they are.
Why do they just leave the packages anyway? by nitio · 2013-03-28 03:46 · Score: 1

I'm always baffled in trying to understand why USPS (or others) simply leave the package at the doorstep. Is that a regulation or something? I mean, what type of parcels require signature upon receiving?

In Brazil all parcels requiring signature cannot be left without a person taking responsibility for it and the post office is required to try three times (sometimes they just pretend they tried 3 times - yay for tracking) and after that they leave a notification that you now have to go the post office to pick it up.

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http://stoploudness.org/