How is Target any less evil than Walmart?

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: jjsole

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: jjsole

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Target shoppers look down on Wal-mart shoppers, Wal-mart shoppers look down on K-Mart shoppers, K-mart shoppers look down on... [I dunno, homeless people?]

[Big Lots!]

I love Big Lots.

/shame

The ones around here are great. Usually very clean and sometimes great deals on energy drinks. Used to get some cheap tool stuff there as well until I found there was a Harbor Freight nearby. I've picked up an inexpensive sealy mattress there for a guest bedroom and gotten countless other deals.

I'm actually surprised some loathe it. Feel free to share...

I love Big Lots. It's probably my favorite store, period. They always get good food stuffs, and the supply changes regularly so it's a new experience every time you go.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Target shoppers look down on Wal-mart shoppers, Wal-mart shoppers look down on K-Mart shoppers, K-mart shoppers look down on... [I dunno, homeless people?]

[Big Lots!]

Or maybe Piggly Wiggly.

Hey ease up on the Pig. I'm sticking with the Pig! Well as long as it can remain open. They opened a Walmart about 2 years ago down the road from the local Pig. Piggie ain't doing so good anymore.

Now Big Lots does have some good deals from time to time. I will admit going into a Big Lots every so often.

 

[lxskllr]

I don't go to stores much, but I prefer Target. You can get a nicer gift type item from them for not too much money.

 

[LS21]

target has prettier women but best of all NO LINES

 

[Raincity]

Originally posted by: Xonoahbin
It so happens that I work at Wal-Mart right now. It's a summer job so I don't have that great of a perspective, but I have one nonetheless. I'm a cashier by the way. Wal-Mart is paying me $.40 above minimum wage, so you're correct that it's not so phenomenal, but minimum wage is $7.75 here so it's at least good in that respect. In their training videos, they specifically talked about unions. Some of you inferred that Wal-Mart doesn't allow unions, but de facto, that is incorrect. They advise against them because they "don't feel there's a need for them" or whatever, but they're not specifically disallowed. We do hire slightly disabled/elderly people as door greeters, so that's correct. I can't think of anything else, so if there's something you're wondering about, let me know.

Did your training videos even discuss the anti union rapid response team deployed from Bentonville once the word union is even spoken by a Walmart associate in the presence of a store manager.

 

[gorcorps]

I don't have to speak a 2nd language to get answers out of Target employees =P

The only reason I know of that people think of Walmart as 'evil' is because of very aggressive business strategies that end up favoring imports rather than U.S. products. IMO it's not evil, but rather smart business. Most people shop for the lowest price which is what Walmart does. If it just happens to boost the economy of other countries and possibly involve some sweat shops, so be it.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: Xonoahbin
It so happens that I work at Wal-Mart right now. It's a summer job so I don't have that great of a perspective, but I have one nonetheless. I'm a cashier by the way. Wal-Mart is paying me $.40 above minimum wage, so you're correct that it's not so phenomenal, but minimum wage is $7.75 here so it's at least good in that respect. In their training videos, they specifically talked about unions. Some of you inferred that Wal-Mart doesn't allow unions, but de facto, that is incorrect. They advise against them because they "don't feel there's a need for them" or whatever, but they're not specifically disallowed. We do hire slightly disabled/elderly people as door greeters, so that's correct. I can't think of anything else, so if there's something you're wondering about, let me know.

But de facto, that is not incorrect. I have yet to find a company that does not train on union avoidance, except already unionized companies. Advising against unions is not disallowing, and is not illegal.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: Raincity

Originally posted by: Xonoahbin
It so happens that I work at Wal-Mart right now. It's a summer job so I don't have that great of a perspective, but I have one nonetheless. I'm a cashier by the way. Wal-Mart is paying me $.40 above minimum wage, so you're correct that it's not so phenomenal, but minimum wage is $7.75 here so it's at least good in that respect. In their training videos, they specifically talked about unions. Some of you inferred that Wal-Mart doesn't allow unions, but de facto, that is incorrect. They advise against them because they "don't feel there's a need for them" or whatever, but they're not specifically disallowed. We do hire slightly disabled/elderly people as door greeters, so that's correct. I can't think of anything else, so if there's something you're wondering about, let me know.

Did your training videos even discuss the anti union rapid response team deployed from Bentonville once the word union is even spoken by a Walmart associate in the presence of a store manager.

Jesus Christ...if workers strongly desired a union, nothing Walmart could do could stop it.

 

[Raincity]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: Raincity

Originally posted by: Xonoahbin
It so happens that I work at Wal-Mart right now. It's a summer job so I don't have that great of a perspective, but I have one nonetheless. I'm a cashier by the way. Wal-Mart is paying me $.40 above minimum wage, so you're correct that it's not so phenomenal, but minimum wage is $7.75 here so it's at least good in that respect. In their training videos, they specifically talked about unions. Some of you inferred that Wal-Mart doesn't allow unions, but de facto, that is incorrect. They advise against them because they "don't feel there's a need for them" or whatever, but they're not specifically disallowed. We do hire slightly disabled/elderly people as door greeters, so that's correct. I can't think of anything else, so if there's something you're wondering about, let me know.

Did your training videos even discuss the anti union rapid response team deployed from Bentonville once the word union is even spoken by a Walmart associate in the presence of a store manager.

Jesus Christ...if workers strongly desired a union, nothing Walmart could do could stop it.

Walmart?s tactic is to scare and intimidate their associates from union organization. They send in undercover private investigators and surveillance specialists along with their associate coaching staff to dispel the benefits of union organization.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: LS21
target has prettier women but best of all NO LINES

Oh man, Target in the middle of the day on a weekday is wall to wall MILFs. Though my local Walmart has one hot cashier.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: 40Hands

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: MrChad

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
Watch Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price for reasons why WalMart is evil.

Cliffs:

WalMart:
Pays lower wages than other big box retailers.
Refuses to allow many employees to attain full-time status.
Cheaps out on heath care and benefits, instead relying on state and federal programs to support its workers
Obtains free grants/incentives from local governments to set up shop, to offset land, zoning and road costs, etc. Local businesses do not get preferential treatment.
Drives out local businesses, causing unemployment.
Has set up in towns and then left shortly after before repaying loans, etc.
Disallows unions.
Is discriminatory in its employee advancement practices (e.g. glass ceiling for women)
Imposes censorship on media products (music, movies, print) it sells.

Essentially, Wal-Mart is heavily subsidized by local, state and federal governments, which is one of the reasons it can offer such low prices.

These concerns are in addition to the common complaints leveled at big-box stores - environmental concerns, traffic and vehicle use, supporting abusive suppliers in developing countries (e.g. China).

I don't know if Target is involved in any of the specific practices I mentioned, but I can tell you that, for example, Costco is a big-box retailer which is not guilty of those Wal-Mart specific practices - only the basic problems with big box retailers.

You forgot "creates thousands of jobs in towns all over the country" and "lowers the cost of living for millions of consumers by offering lower prices on everyday goods".

You forgot that most of those are "$6/hour shit jobs that people can't afford to live and support a family on" and "lowers the cost of goods by shifting undue health care and benefit burdens to state and federal governments".

Guess who pays for the increased strain on those health and benefit programs - you, the taxpayer!

This.

Also the low prices part is not always true for everything. They will lower the cost of some stuff and raise other prices. Because people think Wal-Mart is so cheap, they don't think twice about price checking.

Truthfully, average pay at Walmart is around $8.50/hour for sales associates. It's actually higher than the average pay at a "ma&pa" store, plus privately owned stores usually don't offer any health benefits at all to it's employees.

People often argue that "Walmart puts small business out of buisness." However, a lot of those people may be better off working at Walmart anyway.

 

[moshquerade]

The only difference is their names and how Target tries to play they are upscale when they are buying the same imported crap and passing it on to the cash cow consumer.

 

[ja1484]

In my experience, Target's products tend to be a notch above Wal-Mart's in quality level. This obviously doesn't apply to merch from third party manufacturers (i.e. a Sony product is a Sony product), but otherwise seems to be the case.

They also tend to be a HELL of a lot cleaner and have less frightening patrons. Most of the time.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
The only difference is their names and how Target tries to play they are upscale when they are buying the same imported crap and passing it on to the cash cow consumer.

a lot of their in-store brands, at least the ones I've seen, are made in the USA. Granted, maybe not all the textiles - then again, it seems textiles (clothing, specifically) are rarely made in the USA unless it is made to be sold at tourist/mom&pop stores. That might not be correct, but my experience tends to lean that direction.

That, and just the environment in target is something that keeps me going only to target. pricing is still great and with some awesome deals, and employees are better/more helpful/more easy to find.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: Titan
It's spelled Tarjhey.

I had a friend who went to the states for a few months and when she came back she was convinced that Target was pronounced like that. I'm pretty sure some Americans were just screwing with her.

 

[krunchykrome]

it's been discussed plenty of times before on ATOT

but I'll add my opinion to throw fuel on the fire again


Walmart: Lower class customers which means an unpleasant environment. Dirty stores; cheaper products. Self-scan never works. Cashiers are slow and incompetent. Impossible to find employees willing and ABLE to help you. But the main thing is the customers; I would rather pay a few bucks more and shop with people a bit more civilized.

Target: Cleaner stores. Better quality products. Friendlier staff, and faster checkouts. Customers are usually of a higher-tier-class than that of Walmart customers. More pleasant shopping experience.

IMO, you get what you pay for, and that includes general shopping experiences. It's not worth it for me to save a few bucks and have to shop in section-8-ville.

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: Fayd

job pay is BIDDING FOR WORKERS. if they manage to get workers for $6/hr, then more power to them. it pulls the low cost workers out of the worker pool, and in effect drives up the potential wages of all other stores around them.

you dont seem to understand that a worker pool is a market. so what if walmart is a low bidder? if they make their bid, then it means there are people willing to fill those jobs. "oh noes" if people cant live off their job there. then i guess they should IMPROVE THEMSELVES and make themselves more marketable and look elsewhere for a job, rather than continuing to work at walmart and whine about their job.

I disagree with your corporate apologist stance.

WalMart is a massive monopoly which is unhealthy in a capitalist system. Even many other large corporations cannot compete with its clout. I'll say it again: when WalMart decides to come into a community (often under false pretences), it drives out other sources of employment. There is less choice for workers.

There is no fair wage competition for other businesses because WalMart received an unfair advantage in coming to town (council paid them). WalMart pays less of its startup costs, and because it has such deep pockets, in can unfairly undercut its competitors in a war of attrition, until those competitors simply go bankrupt.

If they are desperate enough, people will take any job (see my earlier post about people going to school, who only finished high school, etc.).

What about people who need to work to pay for school to IMPROVE THEMSELVES, as you suggest. Even with scholarships, it's pretty hard to pay for an education on $6/hour, no? Oh well, too bad. Since WalMart came to town, Joe's Grocer, where you could earn $10/hour, is now out of business.

What about people who lost their businesses or jobs because of WalMart and can't find something similar? Not everyone can just move to another town, and it's sad if they're forced to do so.

By brushing off the importance of these jobs (undervalued as they are), you do these people a disservice. I'm not saying they should be paid as much as brain surgeons, but if you shop at WalMart, they provide a service to you. They stock the shelves, clean the store and help you find items so that you can save money. Stores cannot operate without these workers. And yet, you deride them as the scum of the earth and support a company which refuses to pay them a decent living wage.

Give your head a shake.

wow, talk about a nitwit. it's like arguing with a wall.

corporate apologist stance? sorry, dumbass, take some classes in econ.

simply by being a consumer in the employee market, they are BIDDING UP the price for employees.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: pontifex
i see the same types of people shopping in wal-marts and targets here in central PA. just like with everyone else on this forum, ATOTers believe they are superior than other people.

from my experiences, there is a noticeable and significant difference between walmart and target both in environment and customers. if i had to choose, yeah, i'd go with target.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: QueBert

Originally posted by: OCguy
Walmart is great, because it keeps those people out of the good stores.

And whatever store you shop at is great because it keeps asshats like you out of Walmart. I'd rather shop with a few people who might be considered ghetto over people who think they're shit doesn't stink because they live in Anahiem Hills or Laguna Hills. Oddly most places that end in Hills are full of douchbags who love to cast judgement on people they feel are lesser than them.

I'm sure NOBODY except those people you speak of shops at Walmart.

Do you tip the cashier at Walmart too cus they are serving you?

They're not servers, they're cashiers. Last time I checked nobody tips a cashier. Also the associates and door greeters aren't servers, so I don't tip them either. I do tip all servers at places I eat who give me good service though, because I'm not a cheap ass bastard like many.

Customer SERVICE

 

[TurtleCrusher]

As being an employee of both at one point (currently security/LP at Target) i've got to say that Target is much more easy going and doesn't wear you into the ground like walmart does.

Not that you can really express individuality at both, but red and khaki is personable compared to black pants and a blue vest.

 

[Genx87]

If you have a target and walmart in your area go grocery shopping at both stores. Note in the Walmart how every aisle will have at least one idiot consumer who parks their cart in the middle at a 45 degree angle. Essentially blocking the whole damn aisle. When you go to Target this wont happen.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I'm not a huge fan of Wal-Mart. However, it's cheaper, and if I feel like fighting the crowds I'll do my shopping there. I usually end up at Publix (grocery shopping) though for most of the same reasons a lot of people end up at Target. Cleanliness, less people, no lines.

With that being said, the cleanliness/no lines is probably tied to the fact that no one shops there. Any Target I've been to is a ghost town relative to the nearby Wal-Mart.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Genx87
If you have a target and walmart in your area go grocery shopping at both stores. Note in the Walmart how every aisle will have at least one idiot consumer who parks their cart in the middle at a 45 degree angle. Essentially blocking the whole damn aisle. When you go to Target this wont happen.

This!!!

Oh and of course its YOUR fault they have to move.

 

[breakit23]

Buy from local small businesses when you can.

 

[HumblePie]

Originally posted by: Fayd

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha

Originally posted by: Fayd

job pay is BIDDING FOR WORKERS. if they manage to get workers for $6/hr, then more power to them. it pulls the low cost workers out of the worker pool, and in effect drives up the potential wages of all other stores around them.

you dont seem to understand that a worker pool is a market. so what if walmart is a low bidder? if they make their bid, then it means there are people willing to fill those jobs. "oh noes" if people cant live off their job there. then i guess they should IMPROVE THEMSELVES and make themselves more marketable and look elsewhere for a job, rather than continuing to work at walmart and whine about their job.

I disagree with your corporate apologist stance.

WalMart is a massive monopoly which is unhealthy in a capitalist system. Even many other large corporations cannot compete with its clout. I'll say it again: when WalMart decides to come into a community (often under false pretences), it drives out other sources of employment. There is less choice for workers.

There is no fair wage competition for other businesses because WalMart received an unfair advantage in coming to town (council paid them). WalMart pays less of its startup costs, and because it has such deep pockets, in can unfairly undercut its competitors in a war of attrition, until those competitors simply go bankrupt.

If they are desperate enough, people will take any job (see my earlier post about people going to school, who only finished high school, etc.).

What about people who need to work to pay for school to IMPROVE THEMSELVES, as you suggest. Even with scholarships, it's pretty hard to pay for an education on $6/hour, no? Oh well, too bad. Since WalMart came to town, Joe's Grocer, where you could earn $10/hour, is now out of business.

What about people who lost their businesses or jobs because of WalMart and can't find something similar? Not everyone can just move to another town, and it's sad if they're forced to do so.

By brushing off the importance of these jobs (undervalued as they are), you do these people a disservice. I'm not saying they should be paid as much as brain surgeons, but if you shop at WalMart, they provide a service to you. They stock the shelves, clean the store and help you find items so that you can save money. Stores cannot operate without these workers. And yet, you deride them as the scum of the earth and support a company which refuses to pay them a decent living wage.

Give your head a shake.

wow, talk about a nitwit. it's like arguing with a wall.

corporate apologist stance? sorry, dumbass, take some classes in econ.

simply by being a consumer in the employee market, they are BIDDING UP the price for employees.

LOL Fayd, I agree, the points that InflatableBuddha make have me shaking my head.

Look InflatableBuddha, do some deductive thinking here. First off, how many communities have PAID Walmart to come in and set up shop? Not many. And those that did, think about the reasons WHY they did. Why would a town on a "budget" pay a company to come in and drive out the rest of the business? Think about that because it doesn't happen that way moron. Despite whatever you may claim.

Also, Walmart MUST PAY MINIMUM WAGE! Out of every place I have ever travelled to, walmart is not the only place that pays minimum wage. I would venture to say, this is a number taken from my experience, that a good 70%+ of businesses out there only pay minimum wage in any community. So how is walmart any worse than the vast majority of business, both large and small, out there in this regard?

Now as for not allowing overtime, NO SHIT DIMWIT!!! I don't know a single company that wants to pay employees overtime pay. Tell me one that actually likes doing this.

As for places that lose business or jobs because of walmart, "Well tough titty said the kitty but the milks still good" as the saying goes. That means that places fold, and they don't automagically fold because Walmart showed up. They fold because they were on the brink of barely getting by in the first place and Walmart tipped the scales over for them. It happens. Why? Because that is competition and weak go under if they don't know how to survive.

Also, the government programs that Walmart utilizes aren't solely for them idiot. Every company out there has the ability to use them. If they choose not to then that is their prerogative. Walmart hires elderly and cripple people to gain access to government assistance, and to provide jobs for those that normally would never have job in the first place.




Sorry, but I had to clean up that dribble of crap when I read stupid FUD like that. Look, I shop walmart for knickknacks and such I know to be cheaper than other places. I shop target for clothes and the clearance end cap. I use HEB or Krogers around here for my groceries. I do not like Walmart clothing or food as they don't usually have what I want. I don't shop target for food because it is usually much worse of a selection. I use newegg, fry's, or microcenter for my electronics. I go where the deals are for what I want.

Now, there are things about walmarts in general I do not like at all. Most of them are Ghetto. Most of the Ghetto stores have atrocious customer service. However, the one by my house is nice, new, and for some reason has really good service. The last problem is that walmart has 50+ registers and only 10 or less open at any given time and doesn't have a self checkout. So unless you shop before 8AM or after 10PM, you are going to have a VERY long wait in line.