Indiana woman issues PSA about Walmart Spark drivers who botch orders. There’s just one problem: ‘I don’t have time’
If you order groceries for delivery, there’s a significant likelihood that something will be messed up.
No matter how hard workers try, it’s always possible that a few items fall through the cracks. Sometimes, this is due to products having similar names. Other times, it’s because overworked employees simply miss an item in the mad dash or orders. Finally, there are, of course, instances where the shopper is just being a bit lazy.
Regardless of the reasoning behind the screw-up, it happens. But when it does, who is at fault? A Walmart Spark driver is sparking discussion with her answer.
Who Is In Charge Of Walmart Spark Orders?
In her video, TikToker and Walmart Spark driver Laura (@laurag0121) explains something she believes people should know about delivery orders.
“When you order groceries this Easter weekend or candy or anything else, and you go online or the app and you pick a delivery time, and your groceries get delivered during that time—maybe a little after, ’cause they’re super busy right now—and they have a little barcode tag on them, and the little tag has your name and maybe your last initial or whatever name you used in the app, and it has a barcode, your entire order was picked by a Walmart employee,” she says.
This means that, if your order has these tags, it was put into bags by Walmart workers. Therefore, if there’s an item missing from your order, the culprit is Walmart, not the Spark driver.
“When I, your delivery driver for Walmart, goes and gets your order, all they do is check to see who I am. I scan your little barcode, they load your groceries into my car and I deliver them to you,” she summarizes. “I don’t pick your stuff, I don’t have any idea if everything’s there or not.”
She adds, “I don’t have time to sit and check every single bag for four orders that I have in my car. I’m sorry, I don’t—especially when you have 89 items.”
What If Something’s Missing?
In these cases, Laura says missing items are the fault of Walmart. As such, one can resolve the issue if they “call your Walmart or contact customer service and let them know.”
“Please do not berate your driver,” she says.
That noted, she claims that there are some situations where your Spark driver may be more directly at fault.
“If you go on the app and you place an ‘express shopping’ or like…quick delivery or whatever, and your order does not show up with…a barcode label taggy thing with your name,” she says, “that means you placed an order through Express Shop.”
This changes how the order is fulfilled.
“Your Walmart delivery driver got your order. I physically went into the store and picked your order. Anything that you had on there, I picked it, I put it in those bags, I checked out, and now I’m delivering to you,” Laura explains.
Consequently, “If there is anything missing or your order is screwed up, then, yeah, it is the Walmart delivery driver’s fault,” she concludes.
How Does Walmart Spark Work?
Laura’s explanation does a decent job of explaining the roles a Spark driver may fulfill over the course of their work.
As noted on the program’s website, Spark drivers perform one of three jobs. These jobs include Delivery, Shopping, and Returns.
If a driver is simply performing delivery, that means that the packing has been done by Walmart employees. As explained by Laura, missing items in this case are likely the fault of your local Walmart.
A Spark driver can also be a shopper. This is where the driver gets a list of items and must pick them from the store. Then, they deliver this order to the customer.
Finally, Spark drivers may also be offered returns. This is when they pick up an item from a customer and bring it back to Walmart.
All of these offers are made to Spark drivers individually. This means that they can accept or reject them as desired.
Commenters Have Problems
In the comments section, users shared their gripes about the Spark system.
“Walmart employees always give you broken items, overstuff bags, etc. I always had to repack the orders & rearrange them in my car, I got a new job and I’m so glad I don’t have to Spark anymore, I hated all 3 years of it!” exclaimed a user. “I hated possibly having my tips and ratings affected because the WM employees did such a terrible job, I hope you get the largest tips, girl! That job is not easy and it’s stressful.”
“Once i got an order and seemed like items were missing, i asked an employee and said they didn’t have the items and wasn’t updated for me,so now i just take a quick look to make sure it looks correct what is there because ive gotten mixed up orders,” shared another.
“If I am missing items I just go to my app and get a refund. I do not complain about the employee or the driver,” declared a third. “I know stuff happens.”
@laurag0121 Be kind to your delivery driver #walmart #grocerydelivery #easterweekend ♬ original sound – laurag0121
The Mary Sue reached out to Laura via TikTok direct message and comment and Walmart via media relations contact form.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
