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Now Wal-Mart wants you to make its deliveriesThe retailer mulls a plan to ask store customers to drop off online orders. Is it a way to compete with Amazon, or cut costs?
By Aimee Picchi Mar 28, 2013 1:46PM
http://money.msn.com/now/post.aspx?post=51a59563-9212-4b0c-81ba-67abc46ab36b#scptih$
Retailing giant Wal-Mart (WMT -0.77%) is eyeing the "sharing economy," but that might mean unloading some of its costs onto customers.
That's because it's considering a plan that would ask in-store customers to deliver packages for online buyers as it seeks to remain competitive with Internet retailer Amazon.com (AMZN -1.40%), according to a report from Reuters.
The plan raises questions about Wal-Mart's motives, such as whether the company -- known for its tight controls on spending -- is seeking simply to defray delivery costs by unloading the burden on its customers.
Wal-Mart said it would offer a discount for in-store customers if they agreed to drop off packages for online buyers while on their way home, according to the report. Joel Anderson, the chief executive of Walmart.com in the U.S., said the discount would cover the cost of gas.
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There is more at the link.
This is so hair-brained!
I can only surmise that they've sensed that they are going down!
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)all of it.
that would be a real sharing economy.
JHB
(37,161 posts)...give it a kiss and wave goodbye.
What are their losses going to be, thanks to false names, identity theft, and people never delivering the merchandise in question. Or someone stealing it at the point of delivery. "I put it inside their screen door. Not my fault no one was home."
And if their attempts to safeguard against that become too onerous, how many reliable people will put up with it? Enough?
Then there are liability issues: accident or injury while delivering? Either receiving or causing.
Cirque du So-What
(25,949 posts)there are likely at least an equal number of problems that haven't even yet been considered - not even by the legal beagles in Bentonville. I predict this scheme will never see the light of day.
IdaBriggs
(10,559 posts)** Except when they take the "discount" and steal the merchandise, or give it to someone else.
"Customer Volunteers: When Paying Employees Costs Too Much."
TeeYiYi
(8,028 posts)...for April Fool's Day?
TYY
Hassin Bin Sober
(26,330 posts)What was the old joke?:
"Why not give the US mail to Jehovah's Witnesses, they're going to your house anyway."
But who would have dreamed the largest US employer would also have the most employees on public aid?
Joke's on us, I guess.
warrior1
(12,325 posts)as one of the more stupider ideas I've every heard.
mysuzuki2
(3,521 posts)and ask yourself whether you want any of those people to show up at your front door.
Myrina
(12,296 posts)Holy cow, I didn't even think of that!!
Brickbat
(19,339 posts)Idiots.
closeupready
(29,503 posts)more attractive to do so.
Spirochete
(5,264 posts)I need a new TV...
Myrina
(12,296 posts)... the delivery may sorta not happen. Then the purchaser can seek recompense from the corporation.