I am formally expressing my concerns regarding the practice at Walmart in Penticton where store employees appear to be manipulating customer service ratings after the use of the self-checkout system. Specifically, it has come to my attention And been personally witnessed by me, that after customers complete their transactions, employees are rating the service with a five-star rating on behalf of the customer without their knowledge or consent. This practice is misleading, as it does not accurately reflect the customer’s experience, and it undermines the integrity of the rating system.
From a legal perspective, this practice could be considered deceptive and in violation of consumer protection laws. In Canada, the Competition Act prohibits deceptive marketing practices that may lead to false or misleading representations. By artificially inflating service ratings, Walmart is providing an inaccurate representation of customer satisfaction, which could be construed as misleading advertising to potential customers. Additionally, this manipulation of ratings raises concerns about transparency and the company’s ethical responsibilities toward its customers.
This issue has been a repeated problem in our town, and it is not only damaging to the trust between customers and the store but also potentially harmful to Walmart’s reputation. I urge Walmart to take immediate action to address this issue by ensuring that only customers have the ability to rate their experiences and that employees are not involved in the manipulation of these ratings. I am considering letting consumer protection know as it’s part And I recommend that others let them know as well.
