Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Walmart vs. Taco Bell: which one of you do I hate more?

As we were leaving town Friday evening, we realized we had not packed swim diapers. These were going to be a necessity since we were pretty much going to live at the beach for the next few days. We knew we had to stop, because unlike fireworks, churros, camerones, curios, and cheap knock-off prescription drugs, swim diapers aren't one of those things that you know you can find cheap on every corner in Mexico.

So we stopped at a Super Walmart on the edge of town. Diapers were in the very far back corner, about 2 miles away, but I still was able to find them and get back to the registers within a few minutes. I should've been out in record time. But, no. There were about 85 registers in the place, but only 3 cashiers, even though the place was packed and several people were in each line, all with a shopping cart piled high. Hoping to save time, I opted for the self-checkout. The guy in front of me had problems and ended up having to get someone to cancel out his order so he could go through a cashier's line. I asked the girl manning the self-check out area if the machine would have change for a large bill and she said "Oh, definitely." I knew we didn't have any small bills and we needed some in case we got pulled over in Mexico - everyone knows you need to have a few 20's on hand just in case.

So I rang up the swim diapers and paid. The machine kicked out about 1/4 of my change and a notice came up that it needed to be refilled. The attendant called and said it would be a few minutes. I asked if she could give me change, but no - it had to come from that machine and there was only one person who could open it. TWENTY minutes later he showed up to refill the machine. Let's remember that Col and the baby are waiting in the car because I should've been in and out. What a nightmare.

Speaking of In-N-Out, that's where I wanted to grab dinner but Col was in the mood for Taco Bell. Col? In the mood for Taco Bell? I've never even heard him entertain the thought. So we ate Taco Bell. And it was gross. And so now, I will forever more associate Walmart and Taco Bell with misery. Misery, I tell you!

16 comments:

Carlos said...

Your story has touched my heart. Never before have I heard of anyone with as many problems as you had. Walmart has always been an excellent experience with me. Likewise Taco-Bell which NEVER gets a drive-thru order right. I say we boycott.

Tatum said...

Great story! I love your stories when are we going to hang out again? I need some good stories. My question is, Is the super as busy there?

Courtney said...

Dad, that is only the Taco Bell on 59th Ave. and Thuderbird, where high schoolers also hang out in the parking lot.

Judson said...

wow. i really liked the wal-mart saga right up until you made the taco bell comment. unfortunately, i live for tb and am now questioning our so called "family bond".

Tiffany said...

Sadly, I am with Judson on this one. Troy and I live for the Bell. Where else can you get the "fourth meal?" Aubrey, our family bond may be in question too. Although I suppose we're really not directly related, so I guess I have no right to threaten. Carry on.

Col said...

This renews my rsolution to never again shop at VValmart. I guess that's why I had her go in while I waited in the car.

the Painters said...

Glad to know I'm not the only one these things happen to Aubrey... except Matt's in the car waiting in the Wal-mart parking lot with 3 boys, 2 of which won't stop fighting with each other and a baby who has just learned that he can scream really loud for fun. I didn't bring in the cell phone for Matt to call me cause it was supposed to take JUST 2 MIN! Oh boy! And I hear ya on the taco bell tryst. I HATE all fast food unless it's in-n-out.

Aubrey said...

I like Chick-fil-A. And is Prickly Pear fast food? (That's the Arizona knock-off of Cafe Rio, for you Utahns).

Jud, Tiffany, and all your constituents - I don't judge you for your addiction to vomitacious Taco Bell, but I will never join you. Never.

Cameron said...

Robyn, Colman and I learned a hard lesson about Super Wal-mart a few years back. If you do go to Walmart, never order 20 chicken nuggets to split between friends. I have to say that I usually defend the idea of Wal-mart because I like capitalism and the free market and they have mastered their market. My disdain is more for specific stores - we won't go to the one on Chaparral, or the one in Palm Springs, CA.

I am not a TB regular - I don't even know where there is one in Scottsdale. I could support a boycott just to have a cause.

Aubrey said...

If there ever was a good reason to support a boycott, that is it.

Cardalls said...

Col just left a comment on our blog. I've enjoyed looking at your and Adeline's blogs (she is absolutely beautiful). It is fun to reconnect. We missed you guys after you moved. You were our first friends in Scottsdale!

Tiffany said...

Ok, to support my kind, I have to squeal out one of your own. . .
Courtney!!!! Let's just say, if you ask her where she went to lunch today, she probably won't say Paradise Bakery.

Aubrey said...

Yeah but even when she goes to fast food places she gets them to make her a fancy panini and I'm left saying "Why did you wrap that fancy bistro sandwich in Arby's paper?"

Judson said...

10 words:

interactive taco video game is why i love taco bell.

www.fourthmeal.com

Scrap Happy said...

Aubrey, I have to say, "You're unAmerican." Super Walmart and TB have to be my two favorite places... in fact, the girls and I went to Taco Bell for lunch today...

jillmaren said...

Don't get me started on Wal-Mart...from the small business crushing machine to the harried, disorganized aiseles to the snotty children running around barefoot...I truly believe that Wal-Mart is HELL. Really.

And as for the TB, well, I love it. Except they only serve Pepsi.

And what is this Prickly Pear thing? Never heard of it.