WALMART ripoff Is this REALLY the kind of place you wish to spend your hard earned money TOMBALL Texas

I was arrested recently for a crime that I did not commit, due to some overzealous and incompetent loss prevention clerks whose name I leave out because I do know that in a small town, everything gets around quite rapidly. And you know as well as I that any press is good press, is it not?

Well, back to the matter at hand... the three obviously untrained persons whom shall remain nameless, but are in the employ of the Wal-Mart Corporation handled some business most dastardly. They, and I speak not only for myself... but for many, many others (see the anti-walmart website for verification of this statement) continually harass sweet Aunt Mabel and Uncle Roy for merely opening their purses for a pen; digging in the pocket of their slacks for a breath mint; or even just peel back a tag on a product which has been marked down for clearance umpteen times just to see how much they are actually saving at ole Sam Walton's world-famous mercantile.

They do this only to find themselves not pestered while in the comfortable confines of the bloated market, not while standing at the register paying for your wanted and/or needed goods, but just as you mark time three steps out of their lovely automatic doorways. Just as you try to open that frosty beverage or light that much craved cigarette (you know who you are, smokers), you are accosted by the three "workers" mentioned earlier in this story only to find yourself thrust back into the best-seller conglomerate and into a small grey room to face humiliation and interrogation.

Sounds fun, doesn't it? Wait... there's more! Just about the time you are asking, "What did I do?", you are told that you are going to be turned over to the custody of our professional (and I AM being sincere, not sarcastic here) public protectors, the Tomball Police. As you ask a question... or shall I say "attempt" to, you are sworn at repeatedly... but vaguely remember from watching PATTON or FULL METAL JACKET that what they are shouting at you is the equivalent of "SHUT UP!" Well!!! Of course you do, by golly... you do NOT want to stir up any more mayhem than is already at hand; yet somewhere in your now shaking mind you are thinking, "WHAT PROOF HAVE THEY THAT I DID THIS, FOR I HAVE A RECEIPT AND HAVE CHECKED OUT OF THIS PLACE! OR AT LEAST I DID HAVE A RECEIPT UNTIL IT WAS SWIPED FROM ME EVER SO ABRUPTLY!"

At this point, these are words you dare not ask of these cruel men/women, whomsoever they happen to be, for fear of assault and battery or perhaps worse! Oh! The mutiny! It only goes downhill from here, folks... so strap in for the ride. Well, from this point, they have taken your wallet and cellular phone (most viciously, I might add... I mean, where did these folks learn their manners... in addition to their public relations skills?) and deny you any phone calls, so as to call an attorney or someone else who just might be able to help with your present situation of impending false imprisonment.

And then it gets worse... loss prevention improperly trained individual number one says as loud as possible, "I BELIEVE THAT HE/SHE HAS BEEN DRINKING AND IS MORE THAN LIKELY DRUNK." They then question as to whether or not you have driven there. Well, of course you have! Few folks take taxi cabs in historic Tomball, you know. About this time the police officer arrives and you sigh out an "Oh thank you Lord!" The representative of the law asks the loss prevention squad as to what went on in their coveted place of business for you to have this fine individual trapped in a hard steel chair, and being grilled as if he were to be served as tonight's dinner. They tell him/her, of course, and he/she appears to think about it, as if given a difficult algebraic mathematics problem.

The officer then lightly questions you, in a much more professional manner, mind you; BUT since the loss prevention team, who I can only describe as... oh never mind, my mother taught me better... has told the law enforcer that they believe you are quite possibly intoxicated, it would now be your moment in the sun... your field sobriety test. You will love how you are or are not deemed "sober." I was asked to stand and blow in the peace officer's face. I did. They replied, "funny... no alcohol."

Then comes the fun... or shall I say DIFFICULT part. I was commanded to walk across the room; fifteen paces I would presume; and then turn and face the policeperson. It was now time for me to do my impression of a pink flamingo. I, being one who had broken their toe two or three days prior, AND had multiple ankle surgeries in the past few years... FAILED MISERABLY! So guess what? I was charged with a misdemeanor theft, for looking at a price tag, of course... and then received a public intoxication of an unknown substance.

Why? Because I could not balance without the aid of my "balancing" toe; plus it hurt so bad, in addition to being unsteady, on my already frail ankle. I was then taken to the Tomball Ramada for the night... in a pair of loaner bracelets of fine stainless steel. I could tell you more, but it would just be redundant. So many people have experienced city jail. You know the drill. If you haven't, it is definitely an "e-ticket", a must-see, if you will.

Anyway, $200 later, that was the bond to get out... for something I didn't even do... plus another $1000 for an attorney, because I am a fighter and will not go down without thoroughly defending myself; I got out and met my "bond provider" in the parking lot, shook my head, lit a cigarette and reflected on the stupidity and ignorance of the ones who made this situation not only possible, but HAPPEN for me. Then I find out I have nearly 4 months to wait for a court hearing. So much for a speedy trial. HA!!!

But you see, what I am telling you is not the ONLY thing that is wrong with that place of business. My dear old mother, of whose age I will NOT disclose under penalty of death, has had nothing but trouble with that store's representatives, management, and so-called "courtesy team members" as well. And THIS has been going on for purt near two and one-half years! That is insane. I then spoke with others in my small, warm and cuddly little town where I reside... Guess what? You already know it. They have had nothing but trouble with the Tomball Wal-Mart. Hmmm... They told me when they "allegedly" nabbed me for shoplifting the item, which i would have been capable of paying 80 times the price of, according to my bank account, I would never be able to enter another Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, or shop at Murphy's USA Fuel Station. Wow! Really? Gee, like I would want to.

In fact, it started with my family and has moved on to bigger accumulations of people... you guessed it... we are boycotting anything Wal-Mart related. Thanks Tomball Wal-Mart! You really made my family's and my day! Use your own judgment, but heed my story, for it is factual. Is this REALLY the kind of place you wish to spend your hard earned money? I didn't think so.

Chris
Tomball, Texas
U.S.A.

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