Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Walmart Rocks. Literally.

(The following story appeared in Yahoo Plugged-In, April 27, 2009.)

Florida teen finds rocks in Nintendo DS box
by Ben Silverman



Jodi Wykle knew her son would be thrilled when she gave him a new Nintendo DS for his birthday.

Instead, he was rocked.

According to WTSP-TV, the confused teen opened up his gift only to find bunch of stones and a rolled up Chinese newspaper in place of the popular handheld.

Needless to say, mom was equally stunned.

"When he opened it, he was pulling the seal off, my sister-in-law carries a pocket knife and she opened it and that's when he pulled it out and it was Chinese newspaper and a bunch of rocks," she explained.

The troubling discovery prompted the Florida woman to contact the local Wal-Mart where she bought the curious box and complain, but reportedly workers there told her it wasn't their problem and that she should contact Nintendo instead. Of course, Nintendo told her roughly the same thing, leaving mother and son with a $138 box of rocks.

"They don't want to do nothing. They want me to keep the box of rocks. I'm not buying a box of rocks for $138," she said.

Amazingly enough, however, Wal-Mart soon caved after learning that the same box of rocks had been previously returned by another disgruntled customer. How exactly it made it back onto store shelves remains a mystery, but for her troubles, Wykle was given a full refund and a $20 gift card.

It's not the first time Wal-Mart has gotten into hot water for selling a questionable handheld. Earlier this month, a PSP system bought at a different Wal-Mart store in Florida was found to contain a memory stick filled with pornographic images.

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A box full of rocks and a memory stick full of dirty pictures? Way to go, Walmart! I mean, way to buy pirated electronics and pocket the money you're "saving" millions of Americans with your "low prices."

You schmucks.

28 comments:

Kristina P. said...

What a weird thing to have happen!

Unknown said...

Seriously... I could spend ALL DAY saturday telling you about the stupidity that is Fart-Mart (that's what we call it in our house... and when you drive by it you hold your nose and say "ewww.w. what STINKS????)

CaraBee said...

Wal-Mart. I hate them. I never, ever shop there. Have you seen the documentary: Wal-Mart, The High Cost of Low Prices? It's an eye-opener.

Amy said...

I'm glad they returned it at least! That's awful.
I don't like or shop in Walmart either and I'm quite glad now I didn't shop there for Christmas presents.

Amy said...

Sounds like something that would happen to me! I hate walmart too, but in the small town I live in, I have no choice but to shop there. *sigh*

Angie's Spot said...

I despise Wal-Mart. And here's yet another fine example of their customer disservice. Way to go Wal-Mart!

Heather said...

Reason #165 why Target is better than Walmart.

Have you seen the latest commercial, where the red shopping carts are turning blue? Dream on, Walmart.

You will never rock like Tar-jay, no matter how many rocks you sell...

Sissy said...

I have to say that in my family we are staunchly pro-Target and we love it. There is one not three minutes from my house and I am happy it is there. I love my pharmacist, and the starbucks in there. Now, if it was a Super Target, I wouldn't need to shop anywhere else.

Sigh. I have to say though, that the Walmart super center thingy about 25 minutes away from us isn't so bad. I mean, they have started carrying a line of BetterHomes and Gardens house stuff and it is pretty cool, cheap, stuff. We got a table for the nursery there for $15 dollars. I will qualify this by saying, that in a small town, Walmart is awesome. In a big town it is full of people that don't wash and don't speak English. I don't really want to take an interpreter to shop with me.

Ok, enough whining.

Lauren W said...

Classy. Seriously. Way to go WalMart.

Ronnica said...

That's why when I worked at Walmart's service desk, they always told us to look into the boxes that were returned. If it gets accepted as a return, it will go back on the shelves.

Brandy said...

...and here I thought the worst thing about them was the long lines. That SUCKS! And hell yeah they would have given me my money back too. reDICKulus! ~spelling totally intentional~

Melissa said...

You know how I feel sister. I don't even need to go there. The bathroom issue is enough to make me loathe them.

Unfortunately, we don't have Target here is our small little old town. It's maddening!!!!!!!

April said...

I detest Wal-Mart.....but we don't have a choice in our tiny town.....unless you want to pay double for your groceries at the Sally Sunflower.


I would just send in the MIL.....she has a way of getting Wal-Mart to take anything at the return counter.....even items that she realizes later were purchased somewhere else!

Claremont First Ward said...

My sentiments exactly. You just expressed them better. :)

Unknown said...

my fav part is this:

"They don't want to do nothing. They want me to keep the box of rocks. I'm not buying a box of rocks for $138,"

is she saying she WOULD pay for a box of rocks? Just not $138?

Jen said...

Just another reason to add to the list of why I hate Walmart.

SunshineBarlowe.com said...

I wish I had a Target three miles from house - -

which would help me refrain from going to Hell Mart.

Swirl Girl said...

You seee? That is why I buy full retail.

Jenny and the Princess Peonies said...

I don't go to Walmart. Thank goodness they opened a Winco here. Their prices beat Walfart and it is employee owned.

Amy said...

I am not a Walmart fan. We have a Walmart and a Safeway. I go to Safeway for groceries - i pay a little more but it is worth it. I only go to Walmart if I absolutely have to and I always come out in a bad mood. Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment - you made my day.

WAICSoCal said...

Walmart can go kick rocks.

{Apparently they have plenty. Bwahahahahha}

Anonymous said...

I hate wal-mart so much, it makes me cringe. I would rather spend three thousand trillion times the amount. OR just shipping and handling. Walking in there just makes me cringe and want to disinfect my entire body.
Ok, enough said.

ParentingPink said...

Ha! Interesting stuff! I feel sorry for the kid who opened the box!

Btw, thanks for your sweet compliment on the "rice crispy pops." AND I think you are a GREAT mom for bringing in push pops and capri suns - kids LOVE those things!

Anonymous said...

I cannot believe both Walmart & Nintendo first refused to do anything! I would be mad!!

Heather said...

I. hate. the Wal Mart. That is all.

Marrdy said...

Such weirdness!

Live.Love.Eat said...

I can't stand Wal-Mart and this past weekend we went to a less than stellar Target (love Tarjay but not this specific one) and while heading to the car I walked in a bunch of gum and half melted candy. I was so frustrated and belted out "this place is turning into Wal Mart." I know, I am soooo crazy. Anyway, you reminded me............

Ash said...

I'm with Bekah...

"They don't want to do nothing."

Speaks so highly of the average Walmart patron.