Wal-Mart Corp. Contact Wanted

imported post

Can any one give me a name, title and address of some one in a corporate level upper management position that can address concerns of totally unsatisfactory response to RKBA by both store and district manager.

Great care will be taken to not generate a negative response. I wish to educate and inform + include a list of other places (50+) that I shop w/o problems.

Appreciate your help.

Yata hey

imported post

I saved this from the PAFOA forum back in December. Hope it helps.

I placed a call to Wal-Mart Corporate.
They directed me back down to the Regional Marketing Office.
They gave me POC name Cory Confer @ 570-821-6180.
I called – he’s out today but the Regional Management Assistant took my info and told me that one of the other Regional Mangers would return my call.

So….Mr Robert Reck called me back. 717 Area Code. He was absolutely confident in his tone. He was “at-his-fingertips” clear about Wal-Mart policy. And was absolutely FIRM with his answer.

And I was bowled over SHOCKED at how friendly and supportive Mr Reck was.
I told him the details of the incident.
I didn’t tell Mr. Reck that his manager was condescending at one point. And I didn’t tell Mr. Reck that I drew attention to the manager’s weight.
I DID tell Mr Reck that the two managers handled the entire situation without drawing any attention whatsoever to what we were talking about.

Now for the shocker – and this is from coming from the Regional Manager servicing areas south of us (717 area code).

Mr. Reck was pleased that his managers did not draw attention to the situation.

HOWEVER – he was alarmed that the managers made me cover up and even more alarmed that I was told that if I am seen OC’ing in Wal-Mart again…..they’d call DCPD and have me escorted out. He flat out told me that is untrue and his managers were WRONG. They absolutely CANNOT ask customers to cover. Reason is that the managers have no right to demand you to produce your carry permit (though he said they can ask???) and therefore cannot definitively prove that you ARE a valid LTCF holder. Mr Reck was immediately alarmed because he knew that that practice could, invariable, cause a customer to be in a situation where they ARE breaking the law (concealed with no permit). Kudos to him.
Point#1 – Wal-Mart Regional Manager Robert Reck said managers are NOT permitted to tell customers to cover….ever.

Mr. Reck was even more alarmed that I was told that the DCPD would escort me out if I were seen OC’ing again. He said that is absolutely untrue and that I should NOT be asked to leave the store based on the fact that I have a firearm on my hip. Lawfully armed citizens are welcome in Wal-Mart.

Mr. Reck acknowledged that there is new management in place and said that he will absolutely be getting in touch with store #1884 (Dickson City) management to refresh them on how to handle lawfully armed customers.

Point#2 – Wal-Mart Regional Manager Robert Reck said managers are NOT permitted to tell customers to leave the store because of lawful firearms carry.

SO……how ARE they supposed to handle us? Mr. Reck explained.
If another customer were to notify management that they are nervous because they saw another customer with a firearm…..then management WILL approach the armed customer and ask if they have a permit (why he was saying this, I dunno). There isn’t much more that management can do – Mr. Reck says that he trains all his managers to, if in such a situation, approach and introduce and ask if the gun carrier is a permit holder (but they cannot demand it produced). Then the manager is supposed to go BACK to the initial customer who complained and reassure them that the armed customer, for all intensive purposes, is lawfully carrying a firearm.

Another thing that Mr. Reck made ABSOLUTELY clear is that managers ARE NOT to tell customers to go back and secure their firearm in their vehicle. Because, he said, first of all, lawfully armed citizens are welcome in Wal-Mart. Secondly, he briefly shared a story about an incident that occurred recently in his jurisdiction…….a manager wrongfully instructed a customer to leave the store and lock the gun in his car….then he may return to the store. Wellllll somebody overheard this and when the gun guy went back into the store, his firearm was stolen from his vehicle. Mr Reck said that incident turned into quite a mess.

Point#3 – Wal-Mart Regional Manager Robert Reck said managers are NOT permitted to tell customers to go lock their firearms in their vehicles.

So towards the end of our conversation I asked Mr. Reck……”So the next time I visit the Dickson City Wal-Mart, may I be permitted to continue to wear my firearm as I always had?” He said “Absolutely.” He’ll be getting in touch with the 1884 management team to clarify Wal-Marts firearm policy.

I’ll let you know next Saturday!

__________________
Gary in Pennsylvania

Click to expand...

imported post

I will try that name & number tomorrow - thanks SD-GEM. If it is not the right region, then perhaps they will refer me.

Wal-Mart seems to be shelter their mgt. employees from the public.

Yata hey

imported post

Any updates on this?

imported post

GlockMeisterG21 wrote:

Any updates on this?

Click to expand...

Only that Wal-Mart seems to be ignoring me in hopes that I will go away. Have not talked to a Regional Mgr. yet. You've heard to remark that "Your call is very important to us" ? - don't believe it!

Contacts made to date:

Sheila Lane Store
Desmond (Store Mgr) Take it to your car or CC next time - "I was a LEO & don't like OC." :X

Wal-Mart Customer Service 1-800-925-6278 - Asked that they not refer this to the store but have a Regional Mgr. call me - they referred it to the store. :X

Richmond District Marketing office 1-804-768-0060
Talked to Cal's assistant Cathy
Her response: "We can ask anybody to leave for any reason." Would not respond to carry permitted or not - would have Cal call me. After 5-6 days called back and was told that it Cal requested that the matter be referred to Risk Management - I would be hearing from them - it has been 3 weeks and nothing. :X

Regional Marketing Office (Eastern Va) 1-609-671-3304, Greg Frank - talked to his assist Trudy who said "We do not allow guns in Wal-Mart." Was told I would hear from Mr. Frank - have not. :X

Cory Confer 1-570-821-6180, Regional Mgr in another region - no return call. :X

Robert Reck 1-717-228-2634. Called him because of the excellent response he gave in XD-GEM's posting above. Talked to his assist. Barbara who was quite shocked/appalled that I would carry a gun in front of customers while grocery shopping and such - keep asking "you mean in front of customers?" Was told that Mr. Reck was at a meeting of Regional Mgrs but that she would type a report & send it to him. That was 6/24 and have not heard from him yet.

The problem for me is only the Sheila Lane store which is the one most convenient to me. All other stores in Va. & Pa. that I have been in have presented no problems and I have interacted with store mgrs. while OCing.

Perhaps a letter to Michael T. Duke, President & Chief Executive Officer of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., would get somebody's attention - just kidding.

I am preparing a letter to Greg Frank (Regional Marketing Mgr. of Eastern Va) which will contain an attachment listing over 50 stores that compete with Wal-Mart in various categories and do welcome me. Think maybe a copy of this letter to Michael Duke might be in order - I'm sure that he will pass it on to his assistant.

May 27 to June 26 and counting.

Yata hey

imported post

Grapeshot, what is wrong with going straight to the president of Wal Mart? We already know their policy is to adhere to local law on the matter, and doo doo rolls down hill. So if you start at the top, it's gonna hit a lot of people. In fact I think a letter to their president is the best thing that could be done.

imported post

I have to agree with sv-lib here. Having worked for (under) large bureaucracies much of my life I can say with certainty that trying to deal with the minor functionaries and local pooh-bahs can drive you to distraction and accomplish very little. I suspect part of the function of such people is to keep the average complainant so frustrated and bamboozled that he finally gives up, leaving the higher-ups serenely unaware of little aggravations.

I'd say take it to the top and spend your energy there. You still may not get the answer you deserve, but what do you have to lose?

imported post

Dutch Uncle wrote:

I have to agree with sv-lib here. Having worked for (under) large bureaucracies much of my life I can say with certainty that trying to deal with the minor functionaries and local pooh-bahs can drive you to distraction and accomplish very little. I suspect part of the function of such people is to keep the average complainant so frustrated and bamboozled that he finally gives up, leaving the higher-ups serenely unaware of little aggravations.

I'd say take it to the top and spend your energy there. You still may not get the answer you deserve, but what do you have to lose?

Click to expand...

Point taken - working on it now. Will send out by snail express.

Yata hey

imported post

Some links that might help:

http://www.intelligenceonline.com/c/illustrations/io/pdf/INT548%208.pdf A PDF showing the corporate security chain of command for Wal-mart (slightly dated, from 07).

Corporate Office
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
702 SW 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611
479-273-4000
http://walmartstores.com/AboutUs/

Not sure if it'll help, but hopefully it will. I know there's a thread with a phone number for the walmart western division security manager somewhere on these forums, but I can't find it anymore.


Edit: This might help. Here's the number for the head of security for Idaho in this thread, who might be able to direct you to the appropriate person for your area: http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum20/20956.html Sounds like he's pretty on the ball about the wal-mart firearms policyand making sure that managers follow that policy.

imported post

NightOwl wrote:

Some links that might help:

http://www.intelligenceonline.com/c/illustrations/io/pdf/INT548%208.pdf A PDF showing the corporate security chain of command for Wal-mart (slightly dated, from 07).

Corporate Office
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
702 SW 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611
479-273-4000
http://walmartstores.com/AboutUs/

Not sure if it'll help, but hopefully it will. I know there's a thread with a phone number for the walmart western division security manager somewhere on these forums, but I can't find it anymore.


Edit: This might help. Here's the number for the head of security for Idaho in this thread, who might be able to direct you to the appropriate person for your area: http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum20/20956.html Sounds like he's pretty on the ball about the wal-mart firearms policyand making sure that managers follow that policy.

Click to expand...

Appreciate that. I have the corporate address and letter w/attachments will go out shortly.

I may contact the Idaho person to get the similar level person in Va.

Yata hey

imported post

Walmart
Policy is to follow the law of the state the store located.
Customer Service1-800-Wal-Mart
(1-800-925-6278) Questions regarding a Wal-Mart Store issue
702 SW 8th Street
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611

In my opinion make the manager do the leg work. Also if he will not... call them and register a complaint against him.

I have been asked about it by our store manager and when I told him the policy and told him to call Bentonville himself he mumbled something under his breath and walked away. I haven't been bothered since.

I think they know the policy but like some cops they are testing you to see if you know. If you don't they seem to enjoy ordering a person with a gun around!

Actually I have noticed that Anti's are pretty brave or stupid as they are always the unarmed person ordering the armed person to do something:banghead: I guess they think because we are law abiding and won't cross them.

imported post

This is really weird in the Ohio post on the the same issue the reginal mgr responded with a comment stating that walmart refuses to get involved with state issues. Meaning if the the state dosent prohibit it they wont do anything to stop it,and for this very reason your going threw where if you have over 80billion then you would sure them to make a point. but walmarts official policey is to not get involved.
I dont know what number this is my boss is an asst mgr for a walmrt here in ohio but she has a business contact number its 18007755944 good luck

imported post

sv_libertarian wrote:

Grapeshot, what is wrong with going straight to the president of Wal Mart? We already know their policy is to adhere to local law on the matter, and doo doo rolls down hill. So if you start at the top, it's gonna hit a lot of people. In fact I think a letter to their president is the best thing that could be done.

Click to expand...

Should we consider getting Mike involved in this? I mean, this is Wal-Mart we're dealing with here. This could get some press coverage if it catches on, and we want it to be positive and well represented. No offense to the OP, as I include myself in the same category.

imported post

Any new updates on this?

Seeing some of Walmarts other new corporate initiatives they are announcing recently ( supporting Nationalized health care and the looting of the health care system, and pushing suppliers to be "green" ) makes me wonder if they have decided to go in the Progressive direction in all things.

imported post

any updates?

imported post

Skeptic wrote:

Any new updates on this?

Seeing some of Walmarts other new corporate initiatives they are announcing recently ( supporting Nationalized health care and the looting of the health care system, and pushing suppliers to be "green" ) makes me wonder if they have decided to go in the Progressive direction in all things.

Click to expand...

There is nothing wrong with being progressive just as long your progressing forward and in the right direction.

imported post

FunkTrooper wrote:

Skeptic wrote:

Any new updates on this?

Seeing some of Walmarts other new corporate initiatives they are announcing recently ( supporting Nationalized health care and the looting of the health care system, and pushing suppliers to be "green" ) makes me wonder if they have decided to go in the Progressive direction in all things.

Click to expand...

There is nothing wrong with being progressive just as long your progressing forward and in the right direction.

Click to expand...

Yes, unfortunately, as far as the Progressive movement of the last century or so, progress is only measured by how increases in the power of government and decreases in liberty.

Progressive as used, for example, by the Progressive caucus of the US House of Representatives, is simply a way of saying Socialist without getting people too nervous.

There of course are both Democrat and Republican Progressives, but the goal of less liberty and more government are common to both.

imported post

Speaking of Walamrt... Do they carry guns anymore? Here in Northerm Illinois Walmarts no longer carry guns.

Don't know why eaither. Maybe because of the bowling for Columbine movie.

imported post

halal6 wrote:

Speaking of Walamrt... Do they carry guns anymore? Here in Northerm Illinois Walmarts no longer carry guns.

Don't know why eaither. Maybe because of the bowling for Columbine movie.

Click to expand...

The State of Illinois is the last place I'd expect to have WalMarts carrying guns. One only need look at how Chicago has frakked everyone's right to self-defense.

imported post

Actually Brimfield Walmart neer kent just started selling shot guns as the hunting season will start soon.