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Wal-Mart is evil?

XMan

XMan

Lifer
They built a Super Wal Mart in my hometown to replace the standard Wal Mart. It's been kind of amazing, really, the changes that have occured in the last few years since I moved back . . .

- 12-screen movie theater behind the Wal-Mart
- Ritter's Frozen Custard beside the theatre
- Lowe's across the street from Wal-Mart
- Circuit City, Old Navy, Chili's, Hobby Lobby, and Bed Bath and Beyond across from Lowe's, caddy-cornered from Wal Mart. These aren't replacing anything.

As recently as five years ago two of three corners of the intersection were cornfields. And, strangely enough, no mom and pop stores seem to have gone out of business as a result. The local factories have downsized, but that's linked to the diesel market, not to Wal Mart.

Anyhoo, LA has moved to make it harder for Wal Mart to move in . . .

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=6012114
 
You want to bash Wal-Mart? I'm all for it- but come on, at least post a link to a news article. Something?

If not, maybe you'ld like to hear about that fish I caught last week? It was huge...
 
Originally posted by: Wag
You want to bash Wal-Mart? I'm all for it- but come on, at least post a link to a news article. Something?

If not, maybe you'ld like to hear about that fish I caught last week? It was huge...
Click to expand...

Look up sarcasm in the dictionary . . .
 
I'm actually torn when it comes to Wal-Mart. I'm a die-hard capitalist, but at the same time I do believe in supporting companies that behave ethically and boycotting those that don't. I don't know how long exactly it's been since I bought something at Wal-Mart, but a few years at least. I'm sure they're really hurting from not getting my business, but at least it makes me feel more moral.
 
Originally posted by: jdbolick
I'm actually torn when it comes to Wal-Mart. I'm a die-hard capitalist, but at the same time I do believe in supporting companies that behave ethically and boycotting those that don't. I don't know how long exactly it's been since I bought something at Wal-Mart, but a few years at least. I'm sure they're really hurting from not getting my business, but at least it makes me feel more moral.
Click to expand...

what do you have against Wal-Mart? they seem to do a lot of good for my community, and the original poster's community.

and this is a political issue.
 
Wal-Mart has run numerous small businesses out of towns across America, including one near where I grew up. It's one thing just to be better at servicing the community, but Wal-Mart routinely prices items at a loss when it enters a new neighborhood, then raised prices (to still low levels) once the competition is sunk. Additionally they have a history of abusing workers' rights and engaging in other nefarious practices. I used to have a site bookmarked that listed all the "evil" things Wal-Mart does, but I can't seem to find it.

All those who hate me for being a Republican would probably be surprised that I was a political activist (the protest-leading kind, not the campaign-serving kind) for years before disillusionment (and I was Repub at that time too). That's back when I first became anti-Wal-Mart and helped found a group called "People for the Ethical Reform of Capitalism." Ahhhhh the naivete of youth.
 
Funny as I was just talking about Walmart to my boss at work....

people on here will bitch all day about how they are the evil empire and how they are running locals out of business and yet the same people will flock to whatever internet site will give them the lowest prices on stuff or try to haggle the cheapest possible deal out of their locals...same people will bitch and moan about the quality of other services and then cheap it out as much as possible.

My theory, if a local store is willing to give me the same thing as the net or walmart at a higher price but with better customer service then I am more than willing to pay, however since virtually all of my regular local stores suck ass in terms of help, selection and overall quality of merchandise then I have no reason or motivation to shop there. I find I can get far better deals, on better quality merchandise as it is factory direct instead of manhandled in a store when I do with net deals and with better service to boot even though I may never talk to an actual person whereas locally I pay a premium for crappy service and a beaten up product....

with walmart if there is something I need and have to go there I will, but personally I prefer Target or Costco...when I think of the stores around here which Walmart displaced (Woolworth, Bradlees, Caldor, Zayres, Ames, K-Mart) I feel no sympathy as they all sucked, treated their employees like crap and had poor quality merchandise.

People want to bitch about walmart and the net putting stores under, instead they should look in the mirror and blame themselves, or better blame the local store for not providing a quality service with their products...

Just my 2
 
IMO, Wal-Mart succeeds because most people value low prices over product quality and customer service. For some reason, most people just think they "save money" while they are spending it. So they buy a gallon jar of pickles for $2.99 that they never eat or $150 bike that breaks down before the next year (when a $400 bike could last 10 years), etc. It's immediate gratification.
 
Originally posted by: Vic
IMO, Wal-Mart succeeds because most people value low prices over product quality and customer service. For some reason, most people just think they "save money" while they are spending it. So they buy a gallon jar of pickles for $2.99 that they never eat or $150 bike that breaks down before the next year (when a $400 bike could last 10 years), etc. It's immediate gratification.
Click to expand...

It's the "i want it NOW" mentality, same thing that causes huge credit card bills that people can not afford.

It's not exclusive to the US, it is the same everywhere.
 
I have mixed feelings about walmart too.

If you are a true believer of capitalism walmart is one example of the american dream at its best.

What people do need to understand is that with a competitive market, with too few competitors like walmart has done (taking out the competition). Even though they may pay a decent rate, give benifits, and create jobs (not debating this). It is still negative for the economy as a whole.

If walmart sells products that two or more firms could have sold, you'd definately have more jobs as it is less efficient, also there is competition so advertising and contracting is needed...If the monopolies in the US were not allowed, you'd have a much better economy. But it does take away from the original plan.

Tough situation to deal with.
 
I think what most people are missing is that todays market isn't about the US, Canada, UK, Germany, etc, it is a world wide market and you have to compete on it to stand a chance.

We have equal brands here, kicks the local hardware stores out by selling cheap tools or the local bike shops which were once common, but this is change and the customers are the ones who get to decide.

When the customers get to decide, that is a good thing wheter you are far right or far left or anywhere in between.
 
Sam Walton would not be happy with today's Walmart.

He was a big supporter of things being American made. He wanted Walmart to be the BEST retailer...not necessarily the biggest.
 
Originally posted by: Ferocious
Sam Walton would not be happy with today's Walmart.

He was a big supporter of things being American made. He wanted Walmart to be the BEST retailer...not necessarily the biggest.
Click to expand...

A lot of things simple ARE NOT made in the U.S. anymore.. AT ALL.. it would be IMPOSSIBLE for Walmart to only carry goods made here. Not to mention they would all be overpriced.
 
Originally posted by: Crimson
Originally posted by: Ferocious
Sam Walton would not be happy with today's Walmart.

He was a big supporter of things being American made. He wanted Walmart to be the BEST retailer...not necessarily the biggest.
Click to expand...

A lot of things simple ARE NOT made in the U.S. anymore.. AT ALL.. it would be IMPOSSIBLE for Walmart to only carry goods made here. Not to mention they would all be overpriced.
Click to expand...

Both true statments.🙂

CkG
 
Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
Originally posted by: Crimson
Originally posted by: Ferocious
Sam Walton would not be happy with today's Walmart.

He was a big supporter of things being American made. He wanted Walmart to be the BEST retailer...not necessarily the biggest.
Click to expand...

A lot of things simple ARE NOT made in the U.S. anymore.. AT ALL.. it would be IMPOSSIBLE for Walmart to only carry goods made here. Not to mention they would all be overpriced.
Click to expand...

Both true statments.🙂

CkG
Click to expand...

yep... so what's the question?
 
I'm indifferent to Walmart.

We don't have any nearby in NYC, but when I was at college (Penn State), it was the only place to shop. the employees seemed happy (or at least no less depressing than other retail employees), and I never had quality issues with anything I purchased there.

Plus, unlike local stores, the Walmart was open 24-7 :thumbsup:
 
Originally posted by: loki8481
I'm indifferent to Walmart.

We don't have any nearby in NYC, but when I was at college (Penn State), it was the only place to shop. the employees seemed happy (or at least no less depressing than other retail employees), and I never had quality issues with anything I purchased there.

Plus, unlike local stores, the Walmart was open 24-7 :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
how can you not have 24 hour retailers in New York of all places?
 
Originally posted by: LordMagnusKain
Originally posted by: loki8481
I'm indifferent to Walmart.

We don't have any nearby in NYC, but when I was at college (Penn State), it was the only place to shop. the employees seemed happy (or at least no less depressing than other retail employees), and I never had quality issues with anything I purchased there.

Plus, unlike local stores, the Walmart was open 24-7 :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
how can you not have 24 hour retailers in New York of all places?
Click to expand...

I was talking about at college... there aren't any 24-7 stores here to go to if I needed to buy clothes or electronics, but there are tons of 24-hour drug stores, supermarkets, and delis.
 
Originally posted by: LordMagnusKain
Originally posted by: jdbolick
I'm actually torn when it comes to Wal-Mart. I'm a die-hard capitalist, but at the same time I do believe in supporting companies that behave ethically and boycotting those that don't. I don't know how long exactly it's been since I bought something at Wal-Mart, but a few years at least. I'm sure they're really hurting from not getting my business, but at least it makes me feel more moral.
Click to expand...

what do you have against Wal-Mart? they seem to do a lot of good for my community, and the original poster's community.

and this is a political issue.
Click to expand...
Toys for Tots and a lot of other Charities benefit from the Hell's Angels contributions. Many small towns and even large cities (Frisco) benefit financially when they have rallies and large get togethers. Are they evil or good for the community?
 
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