Walmart

Funny I was telling my wife and a friend how I needed to go to Walmart since I ran out of food on my truck, and now my assignment for tomorrow has me picking up at a Walmart Distribution Center in OH and delivering to two Walmart super centers. I wonder if I'd have time to pickup a few things while I wait to get to loaded

Unloaded is what I meant, I should really start previewing my post before I post it....

Jamie, Walmart store deliveries is all that I do, process is the same at every one of them.

A few things to be aware of:

Please check both of those stores using Google Maps satellite view and follow the directions printed on the trip sheet (top one in your packet of paper work). GPS will not typically take you to the dock, but have you in the front lot; not good. Many times the docks are accessed by way of back roads that your GPS, both company issued and personal, will not find. And don’t be surprised if there are 20’ & 40’ containers parked randomly around the dock areas getting ready for holiday lay-always. The Walmart dispatcher will likely review the paperwork with you, let them know this is your first Walmart run (I assume?), it’s different than what you have already experienced. Take your time. You’ll be fine.

The Super Centers will typically have separate grocery docks (GRC or GROC) and General Merchandise (GM) docks, make sure you know what you are delivering and where to take it.

Realize these are live unloads that you will need to supervise and possibly pull tickets from the pallets as they come off your trailer. The driver is responsible to ensure the correct pallets are delivered by matching the store number to the number on the pallet tag.

You will also be returning the empty Walmart trailer to the DC, it must be locked. The guard will ask you to unlock it and show that it’s empty.

I go on-duty at 0430 tomorrow morning. Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll do my best to reply.

Jamie, Walmart store deliveries is all that I do, process is the same at every one of them.

A few things to be aware of:

Please check both of those stores using Google Maps satellite view and follow the directions printed on the trip sheet (top one in your packet of paper work). GPS will not typically take you to the dock, but have you in the front lot; not good. Many times the docks are accessed by way of back roads that your GPS, both company issued and personal, will not find. And don’t be surprised if there are 20’ & 40’ containers parked randomly around the dock areas getting ready for holiday lay-always. The Walmart dispatcher will likely review the paperwork with you, let them know this is your first Walmart run (I assume?), it’s different than what you have already experienced. Take your time. You’ll be fine.

The Super Centers will typically have separate grocery docks (GRC or GROC) and General Merchandise (GM) docks, make sure you know what you are delivering and where to take it.

Realize these are live unloads that you will need to supervise and possibly pull tickets from the pallets as they come off your trailer. The driver is responsible to ensure the correct pallets are delivered by matching the store number to the number on the pallet tag.

You will also be returning the empty Walmart trailer to the DC, it must be locked. The guard will ask you to unlock it and show that it’s empty.

I go on-duty at 0430 tomorrow morning. Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll do my best to reply.

Thank you for the information, I wasn't aware it'd be different then the other loads I have ran. I figured it would be the typical deliveries, but I'll be sure to handle better with this information. I'll be delivering groceries (prepared and preserved food) is what the work assignment says. I've never delivered to an actual store, only their distribution centers.

I did use Google maps to see the store layot and how to get to the docks on the back, these specific stores don't seem to have a side road leading to the docks, but I'll double check to be sure.

Matching numbers to ensure its going to the correct store doesn't seem to different then how I did it when I worked at a family Dollar warehouse, so hopefully that goes smoothly if I do have to check the tickets.

But I'll definitely make sure if I need to go a special route to get to the docks.

Again, thank you for the information! I'll be leaving my current location around 4:30-5am to go to the DC, as it says the load will be ready at 7am,I want to beat the traffic in this area wthout wasting to much time waiting when I get there.

You might be delivering dry (which is more likely) or reefer. If it’s dry it could be darn near anything that Walmart sells on the grocery side of the store. Be aware that these trailers are mixed loaded with highly variable weights from on pallet to the next; such as a water pallet at 2200 pounds next to a paper towel pallet weighing about 200 pounds. Every Wally DC has a scale on the exit lane before checking-out with security. I highly recommend scaling the load and expect to adjust your tandems.

Walmart trailers are configured with roll up doors. Do not break your seal, unlock and open until you are inside the unloading area.

Your second stop (last) might be a drop & hook location; ask dispatch. If so and the store has a Grocery Empty, drop the load, get your paperwork signed, give them the seal/invoice, grab your empty and go. It will you save time.

Good luck! 👍

I hope it's dry, it would only make sense since I have never done anything with reefers yet. I was actually looking at getting on a dedicated Walmart account not to long ago, this will hopefully give me insight on if I might like it or not.

Yeah, I'll be sure to scale and adjust as needed. The load is going to be pretty heavy accoo to the assignment. I have only been to a hand full of places that have had scales, but they have always been blocked off.

And do you mean you just in the unloading area or when I'm about to dock for example?

I'll keep that in mind, maybe I'd be able to get out faster on the last stop. it's weird, because it doesn't say anything about dropping the trailer or even taking it back to the DC. I would imagine they will let me know tomorrow otherwise I'll be sure to ask to make sure what I'm supposed to do afterwards.

Thanks!

Inside the unloading area

Sorry I should have been more clear; dock your trailer, goto the entry door (has a bell), once you are inside the back of the store, they will unlock the dock door and open it. You then unlock your trailer door and open it.

If after ringing the door bell, don’t wait more than 5 minutes before calling the number associated with the store found on the trip sheet. When they answer tell them you are a Walmart grocery driver and you need a manager to let you in.

I can almost guarantee the Walmart DC you are pulling out of has a scale meant for outbound store loads. Ask where it is; likely before the security shack at the entrance to the DC.

Alright, thank you for the information. I have only pulled trailers with the swinging doors I guess you would call them never a roll up door. So that's good to know, I wouldn't want to do something I'm not supposed to do and delay the load, etc.

Well I'm glad I made this thread, found out some useful information from you. Looking forward to the run tomorrow. I'll be sure to post back here with how it went.

That’s what we are here for, to help.

Good luck Jamie!

I did a few Walmart loads for Swift in Colorado. I used a Swift trailer with swinging doors. I'm not contradicting Gtown, just suggesting that your load might have some variables. The vast majority of Walmart folks I dealt with as a driver were very helpful too. Enjoy your day.