topic Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart in Community Chat

What happens when IT freezes Walmart

SunValley — Sat, 12 Oct 2019 23:38:10 GMT

At 1:00 this afternoon half-way through my Saturday shopping trip at Walmart the PA system announcer tells us the host server is down, no debit or credit card processing was possible, not even checks, and only cash transactions can be accepted. There was a run for the ATM and it was emptied within minutes. Carts were abandoned everywhere throughout the store and many were filled with freezer and refrigerated foods that had to put away. Lots of cash registers crashed partway through the process and were frozen till they could be rebooted to even take cash. We're a college town with a home game tonight so the store was packed with folks buying gear, drinks and party food. It was a mess.

It was a stark reminder of how merchants and customers are not used to dealing with cash transactions and how vulnerable we are to crashed servers. I can remember the days of no debit or credit cards, and to see the chaos from having to use cash only was quite a reminder of how our finances have so little to do with actually handling money.

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

Snowpuppy — Sat, 12 Oct 2019 23:52:27 GMT

I still pay cash for most shopping around town. I hit the ATM on payday, withdraw what I need for gas & groceries. Great budgeting tool.

My farmer's market and small bulk store only accept cash. It keeps the costs of goods and services low when you don't pay that swipe fee.

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

aroc3435 — Sat, 12 Oct 2019 23:56:57 GMT

@SunValley Dependent is absolutely correct. About ten years ago I went into a RiteAid on a Saturday afternoon. In the midst of a very busy store the power shut off.

The cashiers, and most of the customers, didn't know what to do.

The manager got some kind of flashlight and told folks he could only process cash. He did the transactions on a hand held calculator and I was the only buyer that could complete my shopping and get out of there.

A couple of others left their purchases and went across the street to the bank ATM and were able to get some money, since the outage was limited to this store.

I try to always have some cash on me and a total of fifty tucked into a special compartment in my purse, separated from the bills in my wallet. You never know when an emergency taxi ride might come up, or something else unplanned.

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

homedecor1 — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 00:00:35 GMT

This happened on Friday at our Publix😳most in line left because they didn't have ca$h, including ME!

They said it was a connection problem with the bank they use for debit/charge transactions. The lady in front of me asked what about using a check -- the system was the same for processing. Therefore, cash was only be accepted.

I went to Winn Dixie no problems🙂. It really shows how many of us don't carry cash anymore. I have less than $20 and normally this is for "emergency".

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

SunValley — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 00:02:30 GMT

@Snowpuppy I used to do the same but have gotten out of the habit.

@aroc3435 I have a $50 bill tucked away too!

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

Spacrazy — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 00:07:00 GMT

Wow, that sounds like it was a dilemma! Hope everything ended up okay.

Something similar happened yesterday when I stopped at Walmart Express. I was walking through automated doors when they began to close and lights went out. There was no announcement but I saw dim lights on register monitors so I walked to closest one and asked if I could go get what I needed and if I would be able to check out. Young checker replies, sure, that’s okay. Generator kicked in providing little light - still no P.A. I did notice as I passed pharmacy and courtesy bank they were kindly advising unable to help guests on emergency generator. I noticed special panels closed down on refrigerated/frozen items and we kept shopping. By then I was done by paying cash.

Everyone was quiet and quick. We assisted a couple of mobility users. It was weird.

I called later that night to make sure it was a temporary problem - you never know anymore. Made a suggestion it might be more diligent to provide information.

So, I guess this is what its come to be...

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

SunValley — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 16:01:21 GMT

Makes me realize just how vulnerable we are to cyber attacks and how much we depend on computer-aided activity as we go about our daily lives. I imagine folks who have survived emergency evacuation know only too well how our lives can be affected.

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

patbz — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 00:30:11 GMT

I had a similar experience in our local Wal-Mart; power went out and that was it for two days (they lost everything that was frozen or refrigerated!

Another topic but similar thread: went into Mac Donalds and clerk couldn't make change (and didn't realize she had a probleml!l!l

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

PamfromCT — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 00:36:49 GMT

@SunValley, Yes, you are right. Many Americans don’t think about how a cyber attack could turn life upside down. No electricity - no way of getting gas- generators do need gas, cell phones need charging, etc. Not a pretty picture.

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

SurferWife — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 00:41:28 GMT

My husband tells me to never leave the house with less than $100 cash in my wallet. I just say, "hand it over Big Daddy!"

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

Anonymous032819 — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 01:02:38 GMT

@PamfromCT wrote:

@SunValley, Yes, you are right. Many Americans don’t think about how a cyber attack could turn life upside down. No electricity - no way of getting gas- generators do need gas, cell phones need charging, etc. Not a pretty picture.

I agree.

We had a small taste of what it's like to go for about 24 hours without electricity recently, and I swear, people lost their ...

They were on the verge of looting, and this was only for a single day without electricity!

It make you wonder just how "spoiled" we have become to having instant gratification.

It's almost like electricity is a drug, and we are all junkies looking for the next fix.

It makes you wonder how our great-great-grandparents manage to survive before electricity came along.

Sometimes I think that it would be good for us as a society to have to do without electricity for awhile, so that we can re-learn how to interact with each other face-to-face again, and go back to a simpler way of life.

As a final note, it's not only cyber-terrorism that can knock out electricity, but a strong solar flare can do the same thing.

Who knows?

The next great blackout could come from Mother Nature herself, the Sun.

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

Mz iMac — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 01:03:05 GMT

@SurferWife wrote:
My husband tells me to never leave the house with less than $100 cash in my wallet. I just say, "hand it over Big Daddy!"

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

NewNickname1x1000 — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 01:36:36 GMT

@Anonymous032819 wrote:

@PamfromCT wrote:

@SunValley, Yes, you are right. Many Americans don’t think about how a cyber attack could turn life upside down. No electricity - no way of getting gas- generators do need gas, cell phones need charging, etc. Not a pretty picture.

I agree.

We had a small taste of what it's like to go for about 24 hours without electricity recently, and I swear, people lost their ...

They were on the verge of looting, and this was only for a single day without electricity!

It make you wonder just how "spoiled" we have become to having instant gratification.

It's almost like electricity is a drug, and we are all junkies looking for the next fix.

It makes you wonder how our great-great-grandparents manage to survive before electricity came along.

Sometimes I think that it would be good for us as a society to have to do without electricity for awhile, so that we can re-learn how to interact with each other face-to-face again, and go back to a simpler way of life.

As a final note, it's not only cyber-terrorism that can knock out electricity, but a strong solar flare can do the same thing.

Who knows?

The next great blackout could come from Mother Nature herself, the Sun.

I agree with you both. I don't think it's a matter of could. I think it's a matter of when.

As a side note: The beginning of October the computer system at my doctor's office crashed. In our semi-small town 95% of the healthcare facilities are owned by the same company. So it wasn't just the doctor's office where I had an appointment but also the hospital, other doctors' offices (PCPs as well as all specialities) outpatient services (labs, xrays, ct scans, MRI etc.) The parking lots were all basically empty. No doctors could see patients. Plus, they couldn't call us to even reschedule because they don't print out the schedules like they used to do. So no names or phone numbers were even available. I'm glad it was a 6 month follow up appointment with no urgent issues. Also, I only live 10 minutes away. I felt bad for the patients who travel an hour or so and for the older patients.

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

sunshine45 — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 01:25:29 GMT

@SurferWife wrote:
My husband tells me to never leave the house with less than $100 cash in my wallet. I just say, "hand it over Big Daddy!"

i always have at least $100 cash in my wallet, along with a debit card and credit cards.

of course, $100 is never enough at walmart. LOL

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

Tinkerbell3 — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 02:49:50 GMT

Hate Walmart- Don't understand the appeal at all

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

GCR18 — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 04:42:24 GMT

I try to bring cash when shopping around town. yes, many use plastic. My father was one who only used cash no matter what he bought. He also kept a healthy stash at home for emergencies.

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

SandySparkles — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 04:50:42 GMT

I had a similar experience at our local Target last week. I left my items and assured them I would return. When I did, the clerk gave me a free soda that was part of my purchase and was very apologetic. I am scratching my head after reading this post. Something is amiss...

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 06:41:29 GMT

Even if all the customers had cash, I'm betting that the cashiers didn't know how to make change!

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

SunValley — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 06:58:55 GMT

Once they rebooted, the cash register system retained functionality to scan, print receipts, and show the change owed the customer for cash transactions, thank goodness. I'm sure many cashiers are not use to counting back change. What they couldn't do was process debit or credit cards or run checks through the system. I had enough cash to pay for the few items I really needed for a DIY project so I stayed and waited my turn while the poor staff was rounding up abandoned carts so they could return cold items to the freezers and refrigerated sections. Not sure about the connection of the ATM, but the long line evaporated to no one. No free soda for me, just a thank you from the greeter for my patience as I left the store. I can only imagine the disruption to online delivery and store pickup orders.

Re: What happens when IT freezes Walmart

SunValley — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 07:04:38 GMT

@SandySparkles wrote:
I had a similar experience at our local Target last week. I left my items and assured them I would return. When I did, the clerk gave me a free soda that was part of my purchase and was very apologetic. I am scratching my head after reading this post. Something is amiss...

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Yes, there certainly was something amiss...the connection to their card services interface.