I'm beginning to understand why this position was vacant. I know everyone here knows I'm working with phone sales, but I've got to explain the full job dynamic so what I say next makes some sense.

I work for a third party hired by Walmart to sell their phones in a specific store. Walmart associates are prohibited under pain of termination from doing anything other than selling them at the register. The idea is that I work with them to promote and sell their phone stock through various methods.

They have no interest in doing any of that, to the point that they became literal children when I tried to press the issue. The department manager literally went "La la la! I can't hear you!" when I asked about a display of mine they had no interest in using. Did it three times. A older woman who worked in the department became incensed that I contradicted her about that same display (I knew what I was talking about. She was wrong.) and told on me to Mr. La la la. who then lied to my face on her behalf. I mean, she didn't even hide her smirk!

From what I gather from the actual adults in the room, this is typical behavior for them. Walmart hires all of us vendors to work their products and the children in charge don't utilize us. I'm tempted to do an end run around them and contact corporate, but I can see that backfiring... for everyone. They might face punishment or termination, but that will leave me with no electronics crew.

An aside: If this Walmart has no interest in letting me do my job, my bosses have set up the job so I have to rely on them to do it. They want as little confusion as to what my role is in the store to the point I'm (technically) not allowed behind the counter. I'm supposed to sell, sell, sell, but they're the ones who actually cash them out. I lose the electronics crew, I lose that.

Also, if they're willing to throw tantrums to get what they want, I have to expect they'll do something petty if they really get thwarted. If I do go to corporate, I'm going to have to pick my moment. Question is: Which corporate? My employers? Or Walmart.

The temperature in the proverbial room will go down tomorrow, but there's some serious issues there!