The Ultimate Wal Mart Thread; Is Wal Mart good for America

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: Ldir

Originally posted by: Bowfinger

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: Bowfinger

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
[ ... ]
I understand it's a hard concept for you WalMart haters to understand, but WalMart succeeds because the CONSUMERS buy things there. WalMart couldn't afford to have low pricing if people didn't shop there en-mass.
[ ... ]
But anyway Bow - you seemed to have missed my point. The point of my last post was to show that "sales" are "predatory" by definition - they just seem to be a nicer word, and one you and others seem to think is OK. So the question really becomes - who defines "fair" and "threat"? At what point do "sales" become "predatory" in your mind? Do you think that everyone should charge the same price for same product? If not, then where do you draw the line?

I'll keep this short since this wasn't really my issue to begin with.

First, I didn't say a word about Wal-Mart with respect to predatory pricing. I was just responding to your twisted definition. While it would not surprise me to know Wal-Mart uses predatory pricing at times, I am not prepared to make that claim.

Second, predatory pricing is simply and inarguably not the same thing as sales and loss leaders. Predatory pricing is an intentional, sustained reduction in prices to artificially low levels to drive current competitors out of a market and discourage the entry of new competitors. It relies upon a disparity in financial resources and market position to cushion the loss in revenue until the competitor's resources are exhausted. A typical sale or loss leader simply does NOT meet that definition.

And like I asked - who gets to decide what constitutes "preditory"? Does a competitor have to go out of business? How much profit do they need to lose? Who(what) determines when a sale isn't "preditory"? How long does the sale have to be?
"sales" do meet the definition of "preditory" - but like I said - it seems to be a nicer more accepted term.

CkG

1. The courts decide.
2. No, a sale does NOT meet the definition of predatory.
3. Predatory is spelled with an "a", not an "i".

predatory pricing: The process in which a firm with market control reduces prices below average total cost with the goal of forcing competitors into bankruptcy. This practice is most commonly undertaken by oligopoly firms seeking to expand their market shares and gain greater market control. Predatory price has been outlawed by antitrust laws, but it can be difficult to prove, and is thus likely exists more than most people think.

predatory pricing: A company engages in predatory pricing when it sets the price of its goods very low in order to eliminate its competitors and prevent new companies from entering into the marketplace.

predatory pricing: The practice of selectively pricing a product below that of competition so as to eliminate competition, while pricing the product higher in markets where competition does not exist or is relatively weaker.

Ldir, you can have him back. I don't have the patience to indulge his obstinacy this evening.

No thank you. Life is too short. He is cornered. Everyone knows how CkG gets when cornered.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Bowfinger

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
[ ... ]
1. OK, so what have the courts said?

Either "guilty" or "not guilty depending on the facts in each case.

2. According to Ldir's posted definition they certainly do, and yours don't rule them out either.

Yes, they do.

3.

A more mature response, demonstrating the "accepting personal responsibility" platitude you throw at others, would have been, "Oops, thanks." That would have required acknowledging you made a mistake, however.

1 - so what are the requirements they seem to have used?
2 - No - they don't. I explained why. Those terms are too generic and yes - sales can do exactly what the definitions you posted say.
3 - A "mature" response wouldn't be trying to make an issue over spelling - especially here. Good to see that you need it for your argument though.
Since it hasn't been answered yet -

Originally posted by: Bowfinger
Sales are the purposeful lowing of prices to draw consumers - no?. Now why would someone do such a thing? To keep them from buying the product at their competitor? To make their product more attractive to the consumer? When does this "keeping them from buying from competitors product", or attractiveness become "predatory"? How long? - how low? - How many?
No one has presented anything even close to a real working definition. Ldir tried one - but it was too general and easily included "sales". You tried 3 here - but they again use general terms which leave great leeway in deciding when pricing = predatory. So basically it's opinion - no? If a store constantly keeps a "sale" on an item or group of items - does that constitute predatory?

CkG

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
3 - A "mature" response wouldn't be trying to make an issue over spelling - especially here. Good to see that you need it for your argument though.

Did I hurt little Caddy's feelings? Poor fella.

I didn't "make an issue" of it at all. I just pointed it out: "Predatory is spelled with an "a", not an "i"." I didn't call you a name, suggest you were stupid or your post was stupid because you kept misspelling the word, roll my eyes, or do anything else even faintly derogatory. I just pointed it out to you, assuming you would appreciate the chance to correct yourself. I didn't realize you were that thin-skinned.

Re. the rest of your posts, (1) if you're interested in the legal details of what does and does not constitute predatory pricing, look it up yourself. I'm not your legal professor and I'm not the one who introduced it in the first place.

(2) I already told you I'm not of a mind to play your games at the moment. As we have seen over and over, you absolutely refuse to ever admit you were wrong about anything. I am quite comfortable that everyone else here (except DB) recognizes the difference between a sale and predatory pricing. I won't get dragged into another of your never-ending circles of obstinate denial in a futile attempt to clarify and re-clarify and clarify yet again something that is already obvious.

"You missed me. It's only a flesh wound."

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Bowfinger

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
3 - A "mature" response wouldn't be trying to make an issue over spelling - especially here. Good to see that you need it for your argument though.

Did I hurt little Caddy's feelings? Poor fella.

I didn't "make an issue" of it at all. I just pointed it out: "Predatory is spelled with an "a", not an "i"." I didn't call you a name, suggest you were stupid or your post was stupid because you kept misspelling the word, roll my eyes, or do anything else even faintly derogatory. I just pointed it out to you, assuming you would appreciate the chance to correct yourself. I didn't realize you were that thin-skinned.

Re. the rest of your posts, (1) if you're interested in the legal details of what does and does not constitute predatory pricing, look it up yourself. I'm not your legal professor and I'm not the one who introduced it in the first place.

(2) I already told you I'm not of a mind to play your games at the moment. As we have seen over and over, you absolutely refuse to ever admit you were wrong about anything. I am quite comfortable that everyone else here (except DB) recognizes the difference between a sale and predatory pricing. I won't get dragged into another of your never-ending circles of obstinate denial in a futile attempt to clarify and re-clarify and clarify yet again something that is already obvious.

"You missed me. It's only a flesh wound."

No "feelings" hurt - it's just ridiculous to include it as one of your points.

Right, so since you and others don't want to get a real definition - you rely on a broad generalized definition where it leaves everything up to interpretation and opinion. You can try to say it's my circle all you want but until you quit dodging the questions - it is you who is the one making circular tracks. Your Monty Python quote is more attributable to what you've displayed here than what I have posted. I challenged you to back up your(ldir's) assertions. Sales can most definitely be "predatory" by the definitions you both posted, but the point is - when does a "sale" become predatory? When does discount pricing become Predatory? How many items does it need to be? How long does it need to be? You seem to duck and dodge those questions. Why? If people don't understand the terms and what they mean - they shouldn't try to use it as their argument.
I've read plenty on Predatory pricing and the challenges it has faced in the courts - the problem is that the legislation surrounding it is weak - the rules too general to actually define it in legal terms.

read Yes, I know it's age, but it's concept is the same. Walmart isn't presenting some "new" wrinkle.

CkG

 

[dmcowen674]

Aha ha ha ha, next Industry to be dessimated by Walmart, Banks:

1-20-2004 Walmart begins Bank Pilot project in 30 stores in two States, TN and GA

(Atlanta)--Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, is working with National Bank of Commerce in Memphis, Tenn., to blend the two names at 16 of the bank's branches within Wal-Mart stores.

The test is taking place in north Georgia and east Tennessee.

Cities where the co-branded banks are: In Georgia: Alpharetta, Buford, Calhoun, Canton, Cumming, Dalton, Fort Oglethorpe, Gainesville, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville, Moultrie, Rome, Roswell and Suwanee.

In Tennessee: Chattanooga and Hixon.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Aha ha ha ha, next Industry to be dessimated by Walmart, Banks:

1-20-2004 Walmart begins Bank Pilot project in 30 stores in two States, TN and GA

(Atlanta)--Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, is working with National Bank of Commerce in Memphis, Tenn., to blend the two names at 16 of the bank's branches within Wal-Mart stores.

The test is taking place in north Georgia and east Tennessee.

Cities where the co-branded banks are: In Georgia: Alpharetta, Buford, Calhoun, Canton, Cumming, Dalton, Fort Oglethorpe, Gainesville, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville, Moultrie, Rome, Roswell and Suwanee.

In Tennessee: Chattanooga and Hixon.

This thread is still around?

But anyway - maybe this will be good for you dave. Maybe they'll call you in for an interview - and <gasp> maybe they'll offer you a job.

CkG

 

[SSibalNom]

hooray for walmart! but i'll always get meat from the butcher