No store does more...

For nearly my whole adult life, I have faithfully shopped at Walmart for groceries.  I know that sounds silly, but it wasn't necessarily because I believed that Walmart was a store that I should be loyal to, but simply put: their prices were always better.  I have always been on a budget, and never really had the luxury of being able to spend money needlessly, especially once I was buying food and supplies for two, then three, and now five.  Money gets tight, and food prices aren't exactly falling.  Praise God I no longer need to buy baby food and diapers!  But feeding a teen aged boy and two growing children doesn't exactly seem any cheaper.

I had a bad experience a few months back at my local Walmart store.  I was treated poorly by a cashier.  Once I attempted to report the wrong-doing to a manager, she informed me that if my customer service experience was so negative at her store, I might be better off at another grocer.  I haven't stepped foot in a Walmart store since.  Perhaps it is because I'm super stubborn, but I prefer to think of it as being "principled".  My money is just as valuable at one of the 12 other local grocers, and I don't have to take any abuse to spend it there.  

So, I have taken my weekly shopping elsewhere.  My favorite place to shop happens to be my local HEB.  If you aren't familiar with the Texas-based grocery chain, check out their website at www.heb.com.  Their prices compare with Walmart's prices.  They do not carry the Great Value store brand, but they do offer two store brands of their own that are quite good, some of their items are even better quality/taste than Great Value brand.  HEB offers excellent coupons and weekly meal deal specials where you buy a main item, say a package of ground beef, and get several accompanying items for free, like shredded cheese, a two-liter soft drink, and tortillas.  Voila!  An instant dinner.  We check the circulars for these deals because often times they are quite good and you can buy several of them throughout the week to save and freeze for future meals.  All in all, I feel like there is a lot of value available at HEB besides just low prices.  They have a bakery, fresh seafood, and a butcher - almost unheard of at Walmart anymore. Plus my HEB has a walk-in clinic and a drive-up pharmacy.  

But perhaps my biggest grievance with Walmart has always been their service.  From the "greeter" at the front door, who really couldn't give a crap whether you "have a nice day" or not, to the always unavailable customer service rep, to the cashier who really didn't want to come in to work today - and it shows.  No one seems to care that you are spending your hard-earned dollars in their store or on their product.  And worst of all, we take the abuse two to three times a week!  I didn't realize how badly I was treated until I stopped shopping there and started shopping at HEB.  Walmart will gladly take your money, but what you get in return is a sour attitude, lack of assistance, and a downright intolerance for kindness.  What's up with that?  They have a slogan, "No store does more than my HEB", and I believe it.

HEB does little extras that mean a lot to me.  They still bag groceries for you.  Yeah, those days are long gone at Walmart.  And I get discounts for bringing my own reusable grocery bags at HEB.  And here's the best part: they will help you out to your car, without you having to ask, and they won't accept tips for it.  They help you.  Amazing. HEB is a Texas-based company, priding itself of keeping the local economy strong.  They buy local, sell local, and give local.  HEB supports local schools and funds a special summer camp for kids in Texas (my niece used to go every year).  HEB hires folks to do jobs - like stocking, cleanup, and bagging - that might not be able to be hired to work elsewhere, like folks with physical or mental handicaps.  They participate in a number of charitable events throughout the calendar year, supporting our local communities and charities.  Texas proud?  Indeed.

Yes, I am now a faithful HEB shopper.  I have been ever since Walmart decided to take a giant dump in my wallet.  But even for all the reasons I have previously listed, HEB won my heart today.

I have been in a walking fracture boot on my right foot for several days.  This will be the case for several more until I can get an MRI.  Long story.  But despite the fact that I'm walking slowly and with much more effort, the show must go on.  I got errands to run and things to do.  Moms don't usually have the luxury of stopping their routines because of illness or injury.  So I waddled through HEB, getting everything on my shopping list.  At the checkout, the kind woman rang my groceries, gave me the coupon discounts, and then asked me where my husband and kids were (can you tell we've become regulars?).  While we were "catching up", the sweet man bagged my groceries, meticulously (just the way I like it).  He too asked about my family. He calls me "princess" and "boss" a lot, because he thinks it's funny to make my husband feel like he's not in charge, something I find to be very amusing.  He also always tells me, "I'll see you tomorrow," because he knows I come in at least twice a week. I think this amuses him some, like having a friend come to visit. He speaks poor English, with a speech impediment, and shows signs of mental retardation.  His heart is as big as all of Texas, though, and he has a memory like a steel trap.  He remembered how I liked my groceries bagged, did so, and smiled at the last one returning to the cart.

He remembered that my foot was in this ugly boot, and insisted that he walk me to my car since Matt wasn't with me this trip.  He talked my ear off about this and that while we slowly hobbled to my truck.  He put all my groceries up, and wouldn't let me so much as shut the tailgate.  Then he helped me in to my truck, something I am more than capable of doing.  At first I was a little off-put.  I'm not crippled!  But then I saw the love in his eyes.  This little act of kindness was big to him, and I didn't want to take that away from him.  I thanked him for his help and he nodded.  Then he said, "I know that hurts you.  I will be glad to help you next time."  He showed me the store's phone number on the receipt and urged me to call the store and make sure he is working on my next visit so he can help me shop. I smiled and thanked him again.  Then he said, "I will pray."  I didn't even have a chance to think about what he had said before he put his hand on my boot and began praying in a combination of broken English and Spanish.  Then he made a cross in the air over my foot and smiled at me, "it will get better, I know."  He helped me get situated in the truck, and said, "I'll see you tomorrow," and shut the door.

If I have over spent by a million dollars by switching my regular weekly grocery shopping to HEB versus Walmart, I have still stored up treasure in my heart.  This sweet soul did far more than bag my groceries, which in and of itself was a kindness I had not been afforded before.  He has built a relationship with me, a loyal customer, based on generosity, kindness, and service.  And as a representative of several HEB employees (or "Partners" as they call them), he is not in the minority there.  But he certainly sticks out.  

I know that if I go tomorrow or the next day, he will be more than happy to give me a smile and a wink, as he does most times I come in.  I know that he will rib my husband for not being the "boss".  I know that he will give my kids Buddy Bucks (special HEB "money" used in a game machine that gives kids points they can earn and save towards prizes).  And I know that he will bag my groceries just the way I like them.  I also know that he cares deeply for me as a person, not just a patron, and that makes all the difference.

I call him St. Peter, his name is Peter.  He's very special.  

I'll see him tomorrow...