Thursday, September 25, 2008

I Have An Opinion And I'm Not Afraid To Use It!

A couple weeks ago, Coach and I went into our local Wal-Mart. This one has only been here for about 6 months or so, but its the ONLY one in a ten mile radius. And its OUR Wal-Mart. The city we live in, that is. Our town really isn't such a huge, thriving Metropolis; but its getting there. And from the day we discovered that this new construction site was going to be a Wal-Mart, we've been suggesting to the Powers That Be that maybe they should make sure to carry some apparel for the local high school. The other Valley Wal-Marts carry stuff to support whatever high school feeds the area they're in, and we really wanted some shirts and jackets for our high school. We're supplying it with a couple of students, after all.

Anyway, our local store has NOT carried any high school apparel. At all. Until a couple of weeks ago when Coach and I walked in and noticed something incredibly disturbing. On the one hand, they now had a high school clothing display. However, it was for ..... DUN DUN DUN..... our BIGGEST RIVAL.

That's right. Not a single item to be found ... anywhere ... for our local school. The school that is literally less than two miles down the road. The school that supplies the largest percentage of this store's work force, between the students and the parents. The school that this same store has donated a bunch of money to. This store, in all the infinite wisdom that the supply manager must certainly have to have in abundance, decided NOT to stock clothing aimed at their core clientele. Oh no. They chose, instead, to slap us all in the face with our rivals.

Well, Coach and I were not going to stand quietly by and accept that calmly. We had the store manager called over. And we proceeded to explain just what was so offensive about this display. Then we asked that they reconsider stocking some clothing with OUR school's logo. After all, this was OUR Wal-Mart, right? We didn't even insist that they do anything with the rival school's stuff. Just carry something that would actually sell, would'ya??

So when the manager called over a couple of stockers (is there another word for them? That one just sounds rather creepy....) and had them start taking down the display, Right.NOW.... we were thrilled!

And when, last weekend as Coach and I were once again walking through the store, we saw this:


Well.... I am a little embarrassed to admit that I sort of squealed OHMYGOD....is that PURPLE I see?? and ran over to the display. And YES! It was PURPLE! And GOLD! Our school colors! Our school mascot! WooHOO!!!


Cost of the hoodie: $25.

Having my teenage son tell all of his friends how his parents totally ROCK for getting this to happen? Priceless.


PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek


18 comments:

Jenn Valmonte said...

Awwww... that's so great! It's like seeing a treasure!

My PSF is posted here. Please pass by if you have time. Happy weekends!

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

What a great find! Have a great weekend!

Flea said...

You go, girl! And Coach is awesome!

tiarastantrums said...

oh - perfect!!

Crazymamaof6 said...

that is awesome! way to go! i have a walmart by me i call "My Wal-mart"!
i'm so glad your walmart manager was smart enough to take care of that for you! WHOOHOO! awesome!
Fry's by me has our highschool stuff.does your Fry's have stuff for yours?

Cecily R said...

You and Coach are RAD. And really, so is that manager for taking your complaint so seriously. I love that!

Our local Walmart has three school's gear in it. But that's how many high schools are within a 10 mile radius around here!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Oh yeah, now that's what I call GENIUS and THRIFTY. What a deal!

And coach? He. rockeths.

Chris said...

Way to get something done! Why have an opinion, if you're not going to use it?
I'll refrain from giving my opinion on OUR local Walmart.

Anglophile Football Fanatic said...

Way to crack that whip! I'm proud of you for defending the honor of the school. That's the sports mama I know.

Wendy said...

Great story and something I definitely would have done also! Kudos to you for caring about the kids and school in your community. I really am surprised that this store manager was so clueless!! At least he acted quickly before the school pep rally was held in the parking lot!!!

AutoSysGene said...

Wow, one person can really make a difference. You go, girl!

Anonymous said...

Why it's worth it to speak up. Yay that they are carrying your school's apparel.

Karen said...

You're officially on my team for getting services for Micah. I need someone with a voice that isn't afraid to use it. You go, girl!

Unknown said...

Coach and you are heroes!! That was such an awesome story...good for you for speaking up. The saying, "the squeaky wheel gets the oil" is really so true.

Tara R. said...

That is freakin' awesome. Your kid should be giving you props. I have to hand it to the store manager too. Very nice.

Susie said...

OMG! you guys totally rock! what an awesome story! good for you for speaking up!

Burgh Baby said...

I would bet anything that store manager was just dying for someone to complain. Buyers are usually the one that do that sort of crap, and the managers usually have to go with it. But one complaint? He's good to go. Well done, Sports Mama!

(I used to practically beg people to complain that the Stein Mart I managed needed to get Steelers gear and oust the Browns gear. Geographically we were right smack in the middle, but good taste knows no zip code.)

nikkicrumpet said...

Way to tackle Walmart and sack their big box butts! They should have been smart enough without being brought to task...sheeesh!