Like many on this Forum, I go through many many rounds of Wal-Mart "value pack" boxes of ammunition. I tend to always stop at the sporting dept. and purchase a few boxes everytime I visit the local store in Detroit Lakes. Typically I stop at the counter, ask for a few boxes and then continue shopping, paying later when I check out all items.

Today the store refused to allow me to take the ammuntion. I was given three options: (1) I could pay at the sporting goods dept; (2) I could have the clerk take the ammo to the front cashier line and could pick it up there when I was ready to do a final checkout; or (3) I could be escorted to the front cashier for checkout.

This is the first time they have done this and I was told it was corporate policy that was now going to be enforced. Fortunately for my blood pressure they did not also say that "it is for our customer's safety."

I realize this is a minor inconvenience that costs me nothing in time really and no money. But, it left a very sour feeling. Being treated as a third class shopper does not sit well with me when there are so many other alternatives (I think Natchez is soon going to be my supplier.)

Is this happening in the Twin Cities, or were they blowing smoke here in the tundra. I did send an e-mail to Wal-Mart corporate offices asking if this is truly corporate policy.

I purchased ammo earlier this week at Wal Mart in Monticello. They just handed me the two boxes I requested and sent me on my way. I also used the self service check-out. No problems there, either.

Over the last couple of years, I've experienced both of the above reactions -- at the same store!

I have not had this experience at Wal Mart but find the 100 round Whitebox "dirty" and several folks have told me WB are Winchester's seconds. Don't know that either is true but, to me, it seems smokey when fired and my guns appear dirty compared to Federal AE. I am an admitted freak for Federal ammo, but I also like GM over Ford, and have no objective data to support either preference

I used to buy my Federal ammo on sale at Farm Fleet, but no more. First they ID me to assure I'm 21 ( I'm in my 50's) then, at least in Osseo, they wrap it in plastic and the clerk at the main register also checks my ID. No thanx.

I buy all my ammmo from Natchez and highly recommend them. Good people, good prices, just not worth it to order less than 10 boxes due to shipping costs.

I've always just paid at the sporting goods counter. When I buy ammo, it's the only reason I'm in the store, so I don't need to buy anything else.

Same as that "rat guy" I usually just pay @ the sporting goods dept anyway. If I pick up anything else I do it 1st and pay @ sporting goods for all of it. I'll try it the other way next time I'm in, to see what happens.

At the Wally-Mart in St Paul they do not sell ammo, guns either. It was part of the "agreement" with the neighborhood councils to keep the neighborhood safe........

Oh well, Natchez and Ammoman deliver to my fortress.

I sometimes purchase ammo from Fleet Farm in St Cloud and they never card me!! At least you're still getting carded!!!

(I used to be a GM person until I got my 97 F150. Ford trucks just fit me better. I have a 72 Cutlass down in the barn in Hastings and I like that car a LOT!!)

Well, now I have mixed feelings about Wal-Mart. I always take stuff to the sporting-goods counter to pay for it anyway, no matter what I'm buying, because that saves me the hassle of waiting in line at the front checkout.

The woman doesn't ask me my age because there's no way I could possibly be under 21, but she does ask whether the ammo is for a handgun or not, which is some kinda store survey policy, I suppose. It has no effect on my ability to purchase it. . . although I'm sure that new nitwit playing James Bond would be very upset.

They always asked me the same question and I always say NO!

Frequently it's pay at the sporting goods counter for pistol ammo. Once in a while they'll offer to take it to the front for me. It's got to be a blue moon if they let me bring it to the front myself to pay. Usually I'm either just getting ammo or I get all my other stuff first and then grab the ammo. Especially if there are long lines in front.

I never say that the ammo is for a pistol if I have a choice. Sometime I'd like to find a 19-20yr kid (with a parent with) to try to buy 357 or 44 ammo for a carbine and see what they do. I'm guessing that they wouldn't sell but I could be wrong.

Steelheart

I worked for a Wal-Mart (off-duty providing security) about 10 years ago, and they did have a policy like that for guns & ammunition. Sounds like now it either varies from store to store or (more likely IMO) the employees there don't know what the policy is, so what they ask of you depends on who's on duty.

For the record, I buy all my ammo at WalMart 'cause it's cheap, but that's me.

If I were having problems with inconsistency I'd talk to the store manager and get it straighted out.

I do the same. Much easier, and never a line.

I haven't bought ammo at our local Wally World (Shakopee), but they never seem to have anyone manning the sporting goods counter.
The few times I've purchased ammo for my handguns, it's been at Fleet Farm in Lakeville. They put my ammo in a ziplock bag with some flourescent colored cardboard, and send me to the centeral checkout lanes. I think that's supposed to alert the cashier to check my age or something, because they always ask to see my DL.

My experience is that Fleet Farm ID's everyone on ammunition Even those of us that are twice the legal age (or better)