Walmart is indeed still shipping to the U.S. Virgin Islands, and some recent difficulties appear to have been corrected, but a wide array of seemingly innocuous and apparently arbitrarily selected items are unavailable for shipping to the territory.
More than one Source representative successfully ordered items from Walmart’s online store in the past few days, and received a notice confirming the order and giving an estimated arrival date.
And Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen’s office, following up on a slew of recent complaints, contacted the company and told the Source that Walmart representatives assured them it was still shipping, but would look into why customers seemed to be having trouble.
"While we don’t have an official statement from Walmart as to what occurred in response to our inquiry, our office has been informed by our constituents that they are now able to resume their online purchases," said Aesha Duval, a legislative assistant to Christensen, in an email Monday.
"Some are still reporting issues with certain items and we will continue to work with them and Walmart on those products. In the meantime, we are happy to have indication from V.I. customers that they are able to complete their purchases," Duval said.
In a follow-up phone call, Duval said, "We are hearing from our constituents that the bulk of stuff – household and cleaning supplies and such – that has resumed."
An order placed Nov. 5 found a majority of items selected to be unavailable for shipping to the territory, but many items readily available, with no discernible logic or pattern.
Books were unavailable for shipping, while a 24-roll pack of toilet paper was available, so neither weight, size nor being made of paper seemed to be a factor. Blank reporter notebooks are also unavailable for shipping to the territory, so the concern, if any, would not appear to be a copyright matter.
Razor blades can be purchased and shipped here, but Scotch tape cannot. Baseball hats are unavailable but underwear can be purchased. Toothbrushes are fine, but ballpoint pens were rejected. Lysol brand spray disinfectant was OK, but a replacement Brita brand water filter that is smaller and lighter than a spray can was not allowed. A tiny headphone jack splitter was banned, as were an array of other electronics, but a Sony Walkman with its headphones went through without a problem.
Duval said Christensen’s office is still working with Walmart officials to resolve these issues. The Source will continue to try to get Walmart to comment and to provide some explanation for the seemingly nonsensical restrictions on their sales to the territory’s residents.
Efforts by the Source to get official comment from Walmart have been unsuccessful thus far. A customer service representative who gave his name as "Adam" could not connect to, name, or give the email address of any company official able to speak on the record and suggested writing a physical letter to a customer service office in San Bruno, Calif., which is on its way. The Source will continue to check both with Walmart and Christensen’s office to try to get more answers.
Lots of places don’t ship to the VI, or have restrictions. Either get over it or move out of that hyper-violent 3rd-world cesspool.
A troll by any other name is still a troll.
Orders that we placed just a month ago went through and were shipped. Now the very same orders are being cancelled after they were placed.
The United States Post Office around the world also has restrictions on what items are banned like agricultural and perishable items, explosive materials or illegal contraband.
Frankly, at the moment, I really don’t understand Walmart’s logic.
Unless, it is more cost-effective to ship certain items while others might be a tad bit expensive to ship to the prestigious Virgin Islands.
Here’s a word of advice for Walmart, Virgin Islanders loves to shop.
There are others in the competitive market of retail that are reaping the rewards while you miss a golden opportunity to monopolize the others.
For example, Kmart, Costco and Price Club to name a few who can deliver what you have chosen not to ship.
Anway, Good Luck!!!! with your ridiculous way of assessing shipments to the V.I.,
amazing_1
BillK Iriestx- you regularly comment, which we appreciate. However every single one of your comments is bubbling over with hatred of all things V.I., frequently tinged with over-the top and borderline racist comments- talking about a noise ordinance concerning bars, but shifting over to vilifying the type of cars you imagine people are driving and the music they listen to, for example. (Just an FYI- 20 year old St. Croix men are not listening to as much Tupac as you imagine.) Here, for example, you respond to an article about purchasing toilet paper online at Walmart, with “Either get over it or move out of that hyper-violent 3rd world cesspool.” It’s hard to see how that’s really relevant to ordering office supplies online. Do you think Walmart has trouble shipping because the crime rate is similar to the worst U.S. cities? Cities that have dozens of Walmarts? That’s a rhetorical question. Everyone can see what you “think.” VI Bad. The territory’s terrible badness emanates bad energy, forcing Walmart to have problems shipping to it, due to badness.
This is the second time I’ve asked you to pause and reflect on the ugliness of your, shall we say “views.” Perhaps you should consider consulting a professional or clergy about your obsessive hatred. If you live here, I would encourage you to move. If you don’t, perhaps examine what it is about yourself that compels you to spew vitriol about a place you do not live.
Well that was short lived! Walmart not shipping things again! I just ordered last week, got everything in my cart. I duplicated the order this week and what do you know! No longer shipping!