Walmart employees are often called out for their less-than-pleasant customer service. Dealing with them in the bakery section might take the cake. A Nebraska-based mother recalled how a simple request to write “Happy Birthday” on a blank cake at Walmart’s bakery was “the most annoying experience” she had at the retailer.
While sitting in her car, Midwestern TikToker Emily (@mle_john) sets up her camera. “I had the most annoying experience at Walmart,” she begins the clip with more than 10,000 views. From there, she recalls the incident.
The endless stream of negative customer service
“I go there because it’s my son’s birthday and I need to get a birthday cake for him for when he gets home from school,” she shares. “So, I go to the bakery. They have a bunch of cakes, but they’re all blank.” When she picks out a cake, she asks the two female workers behind the counter for someone to write on it.
“[One] looks up at me and says, ‘I don’t write on cakes’ and walks away,” the content creator reveals. “[The other] girl stares at me and doesn’t respond.” Brushing off the incident, Emily walks away, but is stopped in her tracks by another employee.
“‘Did you need someone to write on a cake for you?’” the employee questions, adding, “[The other employee] is just gonna get someone else who can. What did you need it to say?’”
The mother only wanted “Happy birthday, Declan” written on it. Sounds simple, right? Not exactly.
“’You’re gonna need to write that down. ‘What color do you want?’” Emily imitates the employee’s rude tone. After giving her answer, she hands the piece of paper with her request, and the employee repeats her question in an angrier tone. “Blue or whatever color you have,” the content creator replies, maintaining her composure.
The tension intensifies
To make matters worse, a cake decorator never showed up.
“[The other employee] comes back, she did not go get anyone to write on the cake. She’s not gonna write on the cake still,” she says. When the main employee asks the other girl if she can write on the cake, she “shakes her head.”
The main employee’s response? “Well, it’s your job. You’re gonna write on this cake,” Emily recalls the worker saying. Feeling uncomfortable, she tries to find a way to diffuse the tension.
“I see there’s a tower with candles but then I see ones that spell out ‘happy birthday,’” she says. “I was like, ‘You know what? I’ll just do these candles because no one feels comfortable writing on the cake.’”
Instead of de-escalating, this had the opposite effect. “‘No, [the other girl is] having a bad day. I don’t know what their problem is but they’re gonna write on the cake for you,” she recalls the employee saying. “‘I’m gonna write on the cake for you! I got you!”
However, the mother had already reached her breaking point. “I put the cake in the cart and I’m like, ‘No. I’m done. This is poor customer service. I’m taking the blank and cake, and I’m going,’” she says.
“Me telling the story doesn’t give it justice because that was ridiculous,” she concludes.
Emily sought out advice in the caption, “Am I wrong or was that annoying?”
What did viewers say?
Many agreed with Emily, believing that Walmart employees are notoriously unhelpful and rude.
“Walmart employees NEVER help and always have [an attitude],” one viewer remarked.
“I hate shopping at Walmart (but continue to do so because of their prices) because almost ALL of their employees are so bothered by just [doing] their normal job duties,” a second stated.
To avoid a similar situation in the future, others listed alternatives for those last-minute birthday desserts.
“Next time stop at Dairy Queen they usually have a bunch of ice cream cakes that say Happy Birthday for about $30,” one commenter suggested. “Just wont have their name on it! Perfect for a last minute buy and plus who doesn’t like ice cream?”
“Go to Costco or Sam’s Club next time!” another proposed.
However, if you ever want a premade Walmart cake with a message, the best solution would be to place an online order or call ahead of time.
@mle_john Am I wrong or was that annoying?
♬ original sound – Emily | Midwest Mom
The Mary Sue reached out to Emily via TikTok comment and direct message as well as Walmart via media contact form.
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