I find that a lot of the stories on Consumerist are not really about "fighting the man" as much as being about "being the biggest ass you can be."

I guess there were no bike racks, trees, or anything to lock a bike to outside the store?

And the complete non-sequitor that makes no sense in the story:

She threatened to call security if I didn't leave so I told her that I would never be coming back to that store again and that I was glad I hadn't driven there since the gas to go four miles was probably more expensive than what her underpaid employees make in an hour.

WTF?

It appears that stupid people still go to Wal-Mart.

Etchy333: I guess there were no bike racks, trees, or anything to lock a bike to outside the store?

since there are plenty of stores around here that don't have those, including wal mart, yes, thats a distinct possibility.

Etchy333: I find that a lot of the stories on Consumerist are not really about "fighting the man" as much as being about "being the biggest ass you can be."

That's ok, so long as they keep paying for green lights.

She honestly expected them to let her bring her bicycle into Wal-Mart? And then she stripped off her clothes when she didn't get her way?

Look at me! I'm an attention whore!

People employed by Wal-mart are generally very, very stupid.

I was glad I hadn't driven there since the gas to go four miles was probably more expensive than what her underpaid employees make in an hour.

A whole lotta logic going on right there.

CravenMorehead: People employed by Wal-mart are generally very, very stupid.

Listen jerk, I used to work at Wal-Mart and... yeah, you're pretty much right.

Still, this lady sounds like a massive attention whore. How hard is it to just lock your bike up? Use one of the racks they have in the parking lot for shopping carts.

I understand why she wanted to bring her bike in, but I've never seen a store that didn't have SOMETHING that you can lock to. Most WalMarts have a garden center, string your lock through the chain link fence around that. Instead she decided to look like an ass.

The shoe thing is state law, not a store policy.

Chariset: She honestly expected them to let her bring her bicycle into Wal-Mart?

Why not?

whiskeyinthejar: Listen jerk, I used to work at Wal-Mart and... yeah, you're pretty much right.

Same here. Store 810, Mason City IA.

timujin: Why not?

There's really nowhere to store it inside. The Customer Service desk at my former place is packed with returns 90% of the time. They can't let customers into the stockroom because of insurance reasons, and if they do take it and put it somewhere and it gets damaged, guess who would get blamed?

submitter: Wal-Mart is now clothing-optional

OH GOD NO MY EYES

Etchy333: I guess there were no bike racks, trees, or anything to lock a bike to outside the store?


It makes my teeth itch when people bring bikes into a non-bicycle shop. They're farking vehicles, leave them outside with the other vehicles.

I have a little mini U-lock and I can always find something to lock to. Sometimes it means having my bike hanging three feet in the air locked to a signpost set in one of those huge concrete columns, but it's locked and not being a nuisance.

Let's properly bash Walmart by naming all the stores that do allow customers to bring their bicycles inside the store.

I'd go first but I don't know of any stores that allow their customers to bring bikes in the store. I have never seen anyone shopping while pushing a bicycle through any store I've ever been in.

timujin: Chariset: She honestly expected them to let her bring her bicycle into Wal-Mart?

Why not?

Because there is no place to store it that is safe and if you walk it around while you shop the 300 pound shoppers won't be able to get pass you in the aisles.

Mercutio879: There's really nowhere to store it inside. The Customer Service desk at my former place is packed with returns 90% of the time. They can't let customers into the stockroom because of insurance reasons, and if they do take it and put it somewhere and it gets damaged, guess who would get blamed?

I got the impression she was just going to take it with her through the store. I don't see why she couldn't do that. And before someone starts with, "But it's not safe!", if I were to go to Wal-Mart to buy a bike, I don't think they'd have a problem with me pushing it through the store to get it to the register. As long as she wasn't riding it down the aisles, I don't see the issue.

ExJerseyGirl: Because there is no place to store it that is safe and if you walk it around while you shop the 300 pound shoppers won't be able to get pass you in the aisles.

Really? A bike is wider than a shopping cart?

Psychotropic: I'd go first but I don't know of any stores that allow their customers to bring bikes in the store. I have never seen anyone shopping while pushing a bicycle through any store I've ever been in.

You know, if it's store policy, then that's fine, that's the store's right. But the stupid thing here was the reason they gave. Rather than just saying, "Sorry, it's against store policy." and leaving it at that, the manager went with, "Um, we sell bikes and it would be confusing." And that's just dumb.

timujin: Really? A bike is wider than a shopping cart?

Okay, it isn't wider, but it certainly takes up a lot of room and would probably create an inconvenience for other shoppers.

ExJerseyGirl: Okay, it isn't wider, but it certainly takes up a lot of room and would probably create an inconvenience for other shoppers.

Again, more room than a shopping cart?

real shaman: It appears that stupid people still go to Wal-Mart.

And people even more stupid work there, as the manager couldn't dispute her flawless argument.

The sense of entitlement among bike riders continues to grow. From Critical Mass to demanding to bring a bike indoors, to riding down the middle and flouting any existing traffic law, then screaming their rights have been violated if anyone questions their increasingly militant and vigilante behavior.

This chick needs a web site and a camera, stop hassling the minimum wage flunkies.

timujin: Again, more room than a shopping cart?

Yes. Bikes are quite a lot longer than shopping carts. Plus you have to lean it against something if you want to walk a few feet from it while shopping. It isn't free standing. (And no self-respecting cyclist uses a kickstand.)

timujin: Chariset: She honestly expected them to let her bring her bicycle into Wal-Mart?

Why not?

because her walking it around constitutes a safety hazard. The pedals stick OUT. She might hit someone with their back turned. You're not expecting some jackass to be strolling around the isles pushing a mountain bike. Bike pedals are jagged and sharp. She's an idiot for even thinking it was a good idea.

/carts are made so that they fill a box of space. No protrusions stick out. Not the same thing.

This comment on TFA, written in response to someone defending this crazy biatch by saying "She's just making life interesting", is so full of win:

Watching a crazy homeless person on a bus scream that Oprah is controlling their mind while they take a shiat on a seat is also making life interesting, but it's also irritating too.

lionfish: because her walking it around constitutes a safety hazard.

I will contend that a bike is no more of a safety hazard than a shopping cart.

She might hit someone with their back turned.

That's just dumb, but I'm going to assume the best and that you meant to type something completely different.

Bike pedals are jagged and sharp.

Some are, some aren't, we have no evidence in either direction here, so that isn't relevant.

You're not expecting some jackass to be strolling around the isles pushing a mountain bike.

And seeing this unexpected mountain bike (which, by the way, we also have no evidence for, it could have been any sort of bike) I suppose people might feint from shock?

She's an idiot for even thinking it was a good idea.

I frequently see people with bicycles in grocery stores where I live, usually they're the cruiser type with a basket on the front.

faint... dammit

She didn't have to take the bike in. Nevertheless, Wal-Mart might want to consider the store design where you have an exit in front of the registers and an entrance as opposed to a combo entrance/exit. Those appear to work pretty well for many, many, stores. Anybody leaving the entrance with "stuff" in that case is worth stopping.

I think the real story here is how she couldn't find a bike rack.

Even if there is none I will spend the extra 2 minutes looking around for something that looks appropriate to lock a bike to. Problem solved!

Her problem was with the manager, not Wal-Mart.

She needs to be able to discern between the two.

People who blame the corporation for a bad employee are just as bad as people who hate all Americans and our country just because we have some very bad politicians.

/perhaps that's not the most accurate analogy, but it's an interesting to examine...I like it.

lionfish: timujin: Chariset: She honestly expected them to let her bring her bicycle into Wal-Mart?

Why not?

because her walking it around constitutes a safety hazard. The pedals stick OUT. She might hit someone with their back turned. You're not expecting some jackass to be strolling around the isles pushing a mountain bike. Bike pedals are jagged and sharp. She's an idiot for even thinking it was a good idea.

/carts are made so that they fill a box of space. No protrusions stick out. Not the same thing.

You know, if the manager had been arguing that point, she might not have stripped. Maybe she'd have impaled herself on her bike pedals. However, the argument was that they sell bikes in there, so you can't bring it in.

That being said, cyclists really are turning into a wild bunch. I watch those videos of them pedaling in groups down the road deliberately slow, yelling out license plate numbers on video. One of them always gets run over. I chuckle every time.

Every WalMart in Canada has a bike rack or two outside of it. If your city or community is not properly equipped for bikes, then bring the legislation in front of your local government and make it happen. That kind of stuff is what your mayor is paid to do... if you can't get him to do it you are doing it wrong.

There is no sense, whatsoever in complaining about it on the internet... nobody in your area who matters will ever know about it and nothing will ever be done about it. Complain in person to your mayor.

whiskeyinthejar: Listen jerk, I used to work at Wal-Mart and... yeah, you're pretty much right.

Still, this lady sounds like a massive attention whore. How hard is it to just lock your bike up? Use one of the racks they have in the parking lot for shopping carts.

Me too, for five years and most of that as management. I was very stupid.

And yeah, she is obviously an attention whore but the excuse they gave her was stupid so I applaud her.

Perhaps all you people biatching missed the part of the story where there was a half-naked lady at a Walmart?

Could anyone really confuse a $600 bike with the POS bikes sold at Wal-Fart?

Actually, I suppose so.

ExJerseyGirl: timujin: Again, more room than a shopping cart?

Yes. Bikes are quite a lot longer than shopping carts. Plus you have to lean it against something if you want to walk a few feet from it while shopping. It isn't free standing. (And no self-respecting cyclist uses a kickstand.)

Why is that? Kickstands were nice as a kid. I miss them, although I know they are available as add-ons.

Also, bike people tend to be relatively healthy, which makes me like them more.

timujin: lionfish: because her walking it around constitutes a safety hazard.

I will contend that a bike is no more of a safety hazard than a shopping cart.

Really? Shopping carts have protruding handles and levers and jagged sharp metal pedals sticking out? the last time I looked, the widest part of the basket was THE DAMN BASKET There are no protruding dangers on a cart. They are designed with this in mind. To say they the same as a bike in insanely, colossally stupid.

She might hit someone with their back turned.

That's just dumb, but I'm going to assume the best and that you meant to type something completely different.

Nope, it goes to my "not expecting it behind you" theory. If you aren't expecting the person walking by to also have a bike, you might back up and get hurt is all I'm saying.

Bike pedals are jagged and sharp.

Some are, some aren't, we have no evidence in either direction here, so that isn't relevant.

It's very relevant. Bikes don't belong inside a crouded store like walmart for this very reason.

You're not expecting some jackass to be strolling around the isles pushing a mountain bike.

And seeing this unexpected mountain bike (which, by the way, we also have no evidence for, it could have been any sort of bike) I suppose people might feint from shock?

(and *my* comment was stupid?) No, people are stupid. They need to know what to expect when entering a store, people are on the subconscious lookout for other people, strollers and carts in a store, not bikes, and so won't notice it behind them if they are shopping and she's walking past.

Like i said, if you back in to a cart, you get hit by the basket, it brushes against you, no harm done. Back into a passing bike? Something is jabbing you, and removing skin.

She's an idiot for even thinking it was a good idea.

I frequently see people with bicycles in grocery stores where I live, usually they're the cruiser type with a basket on the front.

Remind me never to shop in whatever store you shop in. Give me the name so I can avoid it. Bikes belong chained to the rack outside the store. Not in it with people walking around.

Also, I use stop signs to lock up my bike. They're everywhere.

Also, if the chick is hot, I support attention whoring so long as it involves me seeing some T and/or A.

Razorwolf: lionfish: timujin: Chariset: She honestly expected them to let her bring her bicycle into Wal-Mart?

Why not?

because her walking it around constitutes a safety hazard. The pedals stick OUT. She might hit someone with their back turned. You're not expecting some jackass to be strolling around the isles pushing a mountain bike. Bike pedals are jagged and sharp. She's an idiot for even thinking it was a good idea.

/carts are made so that they fill a box of space. No protrusions stick out. Not the same thing.

You know, if the manager had been arguing that point, she might not have stripped. Maybe she'd have impaled herself on her bike pedals. However, the argument was that they sell bikes in there, so you can't bring it in.

That being said, cyclists really are turning into a wild bunch. I watch those videos of them pedaling in groups down the road deliberately slow, yelling out license plate numbers on video. One of them always gets run over. I chuckle every time.

I'd agree the failure is on the manager for just not saying "it's not safe to bring that in here." He fails. It's what *I'd* have said. And I'd have been right.

Otherwise Just Fine: Why is that? Kickstands were nice as a kid. I miss them, although I know they are available as add-ons.

They add more weight, change the balance on the bike, and occasionally fail, causing the bike to fall. If you are tooling around town, get a kickstand. If you are biking lots of miles, don't.

lionfish: Like i said, if you back in to a cart, you get hit by the basket, it brushes against you, no harm done. Back into a passing bike? Something is jabbing you, and removing skin.

She's an idiot for even thinking it was a good idea.

I frequently see people with bicycles in grocery stores where I live, usually they're the cruiser type with a basket on the front.

Remind me never to shop in whatever store you shop in. Give me the name so I can avoid it. Bikes belong chained to the rack outside the store. Not in it with people walking around.

Well, I can see why you'd be worried about it, since you apparently live in a world where bikes are covered in razor blades and broken glass.

You'd think they'd keep that sort of dangerous thing away from children.

Seriously, dude, you're reaching here with your "A bike can result in rending and tearing of flesh!" line. The manager didn't say, "Bikes aren't allowed because they're dangerous to the other shoppers." The reason that wasn't the argument is because it's a stupid one. The argument given was also stupid, but even someone dumb enough make that one wouldn't make yours.

lionfish: Like i said, if you back in to a cart, you get hit by the basket, it brushes against you, no harm done. Back into a passing bike? Something is jabbing you, and removing skin.

Either you've never had your ankle run into by a moron with a shopping cart, or you've never actually seen a bicycle in person. Because there's no way any part of a bicycle would actually cut you. They aren't made of sharp little pokey bits, most of the bike is dull metal and plastic.

The problem, clearly, is stupid people. fark stupid people, if they aren't paying attention they deserve to get hurt. Maybe then they'll learn to pay attention.

Wal-Mart is now clothing-optional

There is no amount of eye bleach in the world that will undo the damage caused by the mental image I just received from reading this headline. The wounds will never heal from the mental picture of the stereotypical greasy haired, yellow toothed, overweight, trailer trash Wal-Mart shopper sans clothes.

/hold me. I'm scared.

Walmart is bad enough around here with big cows running around in ill fitting human clothing. Keep those things fenced up where they belong or take em to market. Moooo!

nashBridges: Razorwolf: I watch those videos of them pedaling in groups down the road deliberately slow, yelling out license plate numbers on video. One of them always gets run over. I chuckle every time.

Do share, please.

I apologize for lack of HTML-fu. Please copy and paste. This is just one video, there are at least three more of the same type of demonstrators. Here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev6pBtf_b2g

nashBridges: Razorwolf: I watch those videos of them pedaling in groups down the road deliberately slow, yelling out license plate numbers on video. One of them always gets run over. I chuckle every time.

Do share, please.

Oh and for the most part, it does in fact seem like they are taking falls deliberately. They should be a soccer team. It pays better and no one runs you over.

Razorwolf:
I apologize for lack of HTML-fu. Please copy and paste. This is just one video, there are at least three more of the same type of demonstrators. Here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev6pBtf_b2g

Wow they are assholes. Blocking two lanes of traffic? Get them off the road now.

Canadian Canuck: Razorwolf:
I apologize for lack of HTML-fu. Please copy and paste. This is just one video, there are at least three more of the same type of demonstrators. Here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev6pBtf_b2g

Wow they are assholes. Blocking two lanes of traffic? Get them off the road now.

Watch more videos of them being run over. It helps with the frustration. There's one video where they claim an old couple has one of their ranks pinned under their minivan, but they scream all sorts of stuff for the camera, thinking they can turn it into police later or something.

timujin: ExJerseyGirl: Because there is no place to store it that is safe and if you walk it around while you shop the 300 pound shoppers won't be able to get pass you in the aisles.

Really? A bike is wider than a shopping cart?

A shopping cart has no protruding pedals and poky handles.

So when are Bi-Cyclists going to be declared Retarded???

/Remember. Human bodies are 70% water. Can't let that in to the store either.