Is Wal-Mart really evil?

MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan · Thu May 25, 2006 1:35 am

You know how people always say that Wal-Mart puts "mom & pop" stores out of business? The more I think about it, the more I think that's a load of shit. I just made a trip to the evil Supercenter today. I bought some packing tape, two Sharpie markers, some teriyaki beef jerky, and a bag of fun-size Pay Days. In past trips to Wal-Mart, I've purchased soap, razor refills, shaving cream, vacuum bags, toilet paper, socks, etc. In other words, absolutely nothing that I would otherwise buy at a "mom & pop" store if I didn't get it at Wal-Mart.

I guess I might feel differently if I lived in some backwoods, rural area where mom & pop stores still actually exist. But I don't, and neither do most other people, including the ones who so vehemently oppose Wal-Mart. I don't see why I should feel guilty for not spending my money at an only slightly less pervasive mega-chain like Safeway or Target.

The only thing I refuse to buy from Wal-Mart is music, and that's because of their censorship policy. I buy the majority of my CDs at independent stores, mainly because I know I can find what I'm looking for there.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Thu May 25, 2006 1:49 am

I used to hate Wal-Mart, wouldn't go there for any reason whatsoever to buy Made in Taiwan junk, fight the crowds, and park a half fucking mile away...until they opened them there Supercenters selling name brand groceries.

Now, I buy my groceries there most every week. Can't see paying 25% more to get the exact same products.

As for the Mom and Pop's...tough shit.

This is a dog eat dog world we live in, and nobody is gonna' cut me any slack if I can't compete.

Wolfman · Post by **Wolfman** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:00 am

anti-WalMart is nothing less than
elitist -- anti-capitalist agitprop

my 2¢ worth !!

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:13 am

It's not as simple as the Mom and Pop stores. That's the very tip of the iceberg.

Mike, someday if you drive through the Ohio River valley, or through the hollers of West Virginia and Carolina, you'll see town after town where local economies had thrived, but now have been ruptured by big box stores. Perhaps you live - as I do - in an urban landscape, where strip malls have been in place for decades, and to pick out WalMart for scrutiny would be laughable. However, in small town America, Walmarts leave a much bigger footprint.

WalMart is so big that they have changed the landscape of manufacturing drastically. They force suppliers to do business their way, at their prices, or they force them out of business. American companies - even big ones - cannot compete with a multi-national behemoth that can offshore every single aspect of their business, from manufacture, packaging, warehousing, etc. and do so while benefitting from slave labor. American glass companies that supply tubes for televisions have gone under. Or how about Rubbermaid?

http://www.sprawl-busters.com/search.php?readstory=646

In 1994, Rubbermaid was one of the best-known plastic companies, says the story, but by 1999 Rubbermaid was bought out by a lesser-known company called Newell Company. A former Rubbermaid manager calls the takeover "a sad story", the gist of which is that Wal-Mart did Rubbermaid in. In the mid 1990s, Rubbermaid was dealing with skyrockeeting prices for resin, a key ingredient in its plastic products. In fact, the company lost $250 million in 1995 due to resin prce hikes. When Rubbermaid tried to pass a higher price for its products on to Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart warned that if prices rose, Rubbermaid products would be dropped. At the time, Wal-Mart was as much as 20% of Rubbermaid's business. Rubbermaid executives told the Akron Beacon Journal that Wal-Mart's selling of products as loss leaders also hurt Rubbermaid, because other stores wanted Rubbermaid to lower its prices for them also. "They backed us into a corner," one Rubbermaid manager admitted. "We couldn't recoup our product-development costs before they'd slash prices. That led to less innovation." When Rubbermaid raised the prices of some of its toys to Wal-Mart, the retailer dropped Rubbermaid toys, and dropped the kitchen products also, going with another company "adept at making Rubbermaid look-likes at a lower cost." In 1995, Rubbermaid earnings plunged by 30%. Wal-Mart also insisted that Rubbermaid get its products to Wal-Mart within 2 days of being ordered, and if it didn't, it was fined for each dollar Wal-Mart said it lost, and was required to buy back unsold wares. Finally, Wal-Mart dictated to Rubbermaid what types of products it should make, and how it should make them. The former Rubbermaid manager said Wal-Mart "squeezed too hard." In 1998, the Newell Company bought out the troubled Rubbermaid company, and their products started to reappear on Wal-Mart shelves--ostensibly because Newell Company agrees to do things 'the Wal-Mart way.'

Mike, have you seen the Frontline piece on Walmart? It's an interesting show:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline ... mart/view/

Y2K · Post by **Y2K** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:14 am

War Wagon wrote:I used to hate Wal-Mart, wouldn't go there for any reason whatsoever to buy Made in Taiwan junk, fight the crowds, and park a half fucking mile away...until they opened them there Supercenters selling name brand groceries.

Now, I buy my groceries there most every week. Can't see paying 25% more to get the exact same products.

As for the Mom and Pop's...tough shit.

This is a dog eat dog world we live in, and nobody is gonna' cut me any slack if I can't compete.

Christ! You shopping options must really suck serious ass if a shithole like Walmart saves 25%......

Round here we shop at these things called Grocery Stores namely one called Save Mart. They have these things called unionized Clerks and Managers who run clean, organized and efficent stores. People actually work there as a career and make enough money to own a home and raise a family with benefits and stuff. Surprisingly they have a low employee turnover and massive popularity with the community. I LMAO when people talk about Walmart, there's no fucking way I shop there when there's so many other options without paying any more for the pleasure of dealing with $6.75 an hour drones. If you actually think they are cheap, then enjoy your shopping paradise...........

Wolfman · Post by **Wolfman** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:15 am

I do not frequent the Wally Mart nearest to me
because its location is not and easy in/out driving
situation for me.
I couldn't care less who is shopping there or not.
Basically I go there if Target or Home Depot don't
have what I (or MrsO) needs !

Diego in Seattle · Post by **Diego in Seattle** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:18 am

Holy shit.....I'm going to have to rack Y2k!

Rack Costco & SaveMart for doing things the right way!

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:21 am

MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan wrote:The only thing I refuse to buy from Wal-Mart is music, and that's because of their censorship policy.

Well, there you go. You have a cause, and you've made your stand, and spoken with your wallet. Other people avoid Wally altogether, because they don't believe in supporting a very few wealthy people and the entire country of China's economy before that of the USA, due to corrupt politicians changing the laws in order for Wally to get even wealthier, at the expense of this nation's economic well-being.

Same thing as you're doing... just on a different scale.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:21 am

Customers dictating what, when, and at what price suppliers can produce?

oh, the humanity!

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:31 am

Y2K wrote: Christ! You shopping options must really suck serious ass if a shithole like Walmart saves 25%......

Round here we shop at these things called Grocery Stores namely one called Save Mart. They have these things called unionized Clerks and Managers who run clean, organized and efficent stores. People actually work there as a career and make enough money to own a home and raise a family with benefits and stuff. Surprisingly they have a low employee turnover and massive popularity with the community. I LMAO when people talk about Walmart, there's no fucking way I shop there when there's so many other options without paying any more for the pleasure of dealing with $6.75 an hour drones. If you actually think they are cheap, then enjoy your shopping paradise...........

So, when can we expect them to put Wal-Mart out of business?

Y2K · Post by **Y2K** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:39 am

Dinsdale wrote:
MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan wrote:The only thing I refuse to buy from Wal-Mart is music, and that's because of their censorship policy.

Well, there you go. You have a cause, and you've made your stand, and spoken with your wallet. Other people avoid Wally altogether, because they don't believe in supporting a very few wealthy people and the entire country of China's economy before that of the USA, due to corrupt politicians changing the laws in order for Wally to get even wealthier, at the expense of this nation's economic well-being.

Same thing as you're doing... just on a different scale.

Rack the fuck outta this!

I don't blame Walmart for making money off of Walmart Shopper mentality, The same fat ass slob who pays $300 dollars for a front stage seat at a Madonna show raves about Walmart's "value." ....

The enablers of the Walton Family con job are a classic bunch for sure.

Y2K · Post by **Y2K** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:46 am

War Wagon wrote:
Y2K wrote: Christ! You shopping options must really suck serious ass if a shithole like Walmart saves 25%......

Round here we shop at these things called Grocery Stores namely one called Save Mart. They have these things called unionized Clerks and Managers who run clean, organized and efficent stores. People actually work there as a career and make enough money to own a home and raise a family with benefits and stuff. Surprisingly they have a low employee turnover and massive popularity with the community. I LMAO when people talk about Walmart, there's no fucking way I shop there when there's so many other options without paying any more for the pleasure of dealing with $6.75 an hour drones. If you actually think they are cheap, then enjoy your shopping paradise...........

So, when can we expect them to put Wal-Mart out of business?

Guess what?
The local Walmart's are dissapointed with their Grocery sales.....

They have run 2 big box stores outta town already (Von's and Ralph's) and they purposely endorse small specialty retail grocery stores by staying out of certain specialty markets and neighborhoods.
Walmart isn't giving you Jack fucking squat for you supposed "value"
They offer a few serious discounted items to drag your dumb ass into the store and charge the same or more than the competitor.
The bank the cash and laugh.........

People are free to spend their money as they please, but dear God.....

A smart shopper isn't anywhere near a Sam's Club or Walmart store mmmmkay?

edit for UBB overload..

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:48 am

Y2K wrote: The enablers of the Walton Family con job...

Enablers?

You mean the customers who go there and spend their cash?

The ones who make it the largest employer with the highest gross revenues in the world?

Those enablers?

Yep, quite the "con job", I must say.

Bizzarofelice · Post by **Bizzarofelice** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:54 am

Wolfman wrote:anti-WalMart is nothing less than
elitist -- anti-capitalist agitprop

my 2¢ worth !!

one of the worst posters in internets history

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:54 am

When you can totally circumvent the American manufacturing sector, when you can staff your superstores with social security recipients, when you can demand low prices from suppliers or run them out of business, when you can demand and receive municipal tax windfalls for building new stores,

yeah, I call that a con job.

Y2K · Post by **Y2K** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:55 am

War Wagon wrote:
Y2K wrote: The enablers of the Walton Family con job...
Enablers?

You mean the customers who go there and spend their cash?

The ones who make it the largest employer with the highest gross revenues in the world?

Those enablers?

Yep, quite the "con job", I must say.

I don't hate Walmart ok? I have no problem with them being in my town, I don't accept communities that single them out with assinine arguments or tactics....(see a NoCal's affluent community using Imminent Domain as a tactic to keep the "riff raff" out. I just see it for exactly what it is.
A well run Con using Chinese and other "slave made" products the All American way...

I'll pass.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:56 am

Bizzarofelice wrote:
Wolfman wrote:anti-WalMart is nothing less than
elitist -- anti-capitalist agitprop

my 2¢ worth !!
one of the worst posters in internets history

At least he's valued it correctly.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Thu May 25, 2006 2:57 am

Y2K wrote: edit for UBB overload..

Thought I'd capture this before you had time to edit it...No, you're not shitting all over yourself or anything...

A smart poster, as well as a smart shopper, hits "preview" before bashing their head on "submit"...mmmmkay?

MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan · Thu May 25, 2006 3:01 am

Toddowen wrote: I always use the Garden Center door

Ditto that. The Garden center entrance is always less congested.

As far as the larger issue goes, I guess for me, it's about finding a balance between price & convenience. If I just need $20-30 worth of groceries, I'll go to the Fry's that's 1/4 mile down the road. The buck or two I might save at Wal-Mart isn't worth dealing with freeway traffic, the parking lot, and the unwashed masses roaming the aisles. I usually only go to Wal-Mart if it's going to be a bigger shopping trip and/or it will save me from making multiple stops.

I guess I'm pretty libertarian when it comes to shit like this. If you don't like the "$6.75/hr drones" and the lower socio-economic clientele at Wal-Mart, by all means, don't shop there. If you think Wal-Mart treats their employees shitty, for god's sake don't work there. But don't paint me as a villain for taking advantage of lower prices on the exact same merchandise that I'd buy at Target or even the mythical mom & pop store.

PSU,
I will watch that Frontline video after the Mavs/Suns game.

Diego in Seattle · Post by **Diego in Seattle** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:06 am

PSUFAN wrote:When you can totally circumvent the American manufacturing sector, when you can staff your superstores with social security recipients, when you can demand low prices from suppliers or run them out of business, when you can demand and receive municipal tax windfalls for building new stores,

yeah, I call that a con job.

Don't forget demanding tax windfalls while paying their employees poverty wages & instructing them on how to apply for welfare.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:10 am

Diego in Seattle wrote:Holy shit.....I'm going to have to rack Y2k!

Agreed. And I'm more than willing to pay a couple of extra bucks at the stote to not watch my friends and neighbors starve to death while working for minimum, watch their families become devastated because they were compelled to work for a heartless POS employer who intentionally engages in practices that have the sole intent to avoid paying insurance, and I'm quite happy to share some of my often-lean bankroll to do what I can to ensure that MY FELLOW FUCKING AMERICANS are doing as well as that can, and not some opressive government on the other side of the world.

Because that's what good Americans...and good people do.

I honestly, truly feel pity for the subhumans that don't get that, and don't understand that the world isn't always about them every minute of every day.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:12 am

Y2K wrote: A well run Con using Chinese and other "slave made" products the All American way...

This just in, but we're all "slaves" to something, whether or not you realize it or care to admit it.

Demonizing Wal-Mart because you dislike their business model is pretty shallow and dis-ingenuous at best.

Frankly, I expect better from you.

Bizzarofelice · Post by **Bizzarofelice** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:16 am

Y2K wrote:
Dinsdale wrote:
MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan wrote:The only thing I refuse to buy from Wal-Mart is music, and that's because of their censorship policy.

Well, there you go. You have a cause, and you've made your stand, and spoken with your wallet. Other people avoid Wally altogether, because they don't believe in supporting a very few wealthy people and the entire country of China's economy before that of the USA, due to corrupt politicians changing the laws in order for Wally to get even wealthier, at the expense of this nation's economic well-being.

Same thing as you're doing... just on a different scale.
Rack the fuck outta this!

I don't blame Walmart for making money off of Walmart Shopper mentality, The same fat ass slob who pays $300 dollars for a front stage seat at a Madonna show raves about Walmart's "value." ....
The enablers of the Walton Family con job are a classic bunch for sure.

Rack Dins and Y2K.

I don't hate Wal-Mart. They have a lot of power, and are able to wield it ably against local politicians. They are the bestest capitalists evah. So long as they work within the law, me and Sam are cool.

That being said I'm not about to buy stuff there.

They get property taxes written off and all kinds of assistance from municipalities to build their stores. Small busniesses do not. Instead of the tax money getting collected, it is turned into company profit. I feel no need to support that.

Profits are funneled into the Rams, Blues, Nuggets, Avs or whatever other endeavor a Walton family member has their hand in. Small business profits stay in the town where the sale is made. Essentially, I get to enjoy my Rams because the workers of Ames, Iowa are shipping money out of their economy. I'd be a damned fool to do the same in my hometown.

I can find a store with women that have great asses in baby blue running track suits to shop at. Nothing but disgust to be found at Wal-Mart from seeing women with asses as big as a running track and the 4 kids doing laps around her asking if they can buy the extra big bag of Doritos.

Most importantly, I don't wear Minnie Mouse sweatshirts or listen to Toby Keith. Only thing Wal-Mart has to sell me is fabric softener, which I can get for a comparable price at a local store.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:18 am

MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan wrote:But don't paint me as a villain for taking advantage

Bull-fucking-shit, brother.

You're perfectly free to shop where you like...whether it fucks your neighbors and the country over or not...

And I'm perfectly free to paint you as the villian that you are for doing so.

Works both ways.

But props on demonstrating the WalMart mentality -- "It's all about ME ME ME...FUCK EVERYONE BUT ME!!!"

Y2K · Post by **Y2K** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:19 am

War Wagon wrote:
Y2K wrote: edit for UBB overload..
Thought I'd capture this before you had time to edit it...No, you're not shitting all over yourself or anything...

A smart poster, as well as a smart shopper, hits "preview" before bashing their head on "submit"...mmmmkay?

Well DAMN! I thought I already did the edit thing, I guess you misunderstood my use of the words "edit for."

A smart poster?
Somehow I'm thinking that someone who finds being a "smart poster" and wastes even more time playing Messageboard Mensa important also sees a place like Walmart as a modern day shopping Utopia.....

I should have known my non-use of the preview function would be so brutal on my massive board cred I have worked so tirelessly to achieve.
I wonder how I'll rebound from that careless error as all the UBB Gods watch?

:P

MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan · Thu May 25, 2006 3:20 am

Dinsdale wrote:
Diego in Seattle wrote:Holy shit.....I'm going to have to rack Y2k!
Agreed. And I'm more than willing to pay a couple of extra bucks at the stote to not watch my friends and neighbors starve to death while working for minimum, watch their families become devastated because they were compelled to work for a heartless POS employer who intentionally engages in practices that have the sole intent to avoid paying insurance, and I'm quite happy to share some of my often-lean bankroll to do what I can to ensure that MY FELLOW FUCKING AMERICANS are doing as well as that can, and not some opressive government on the other side of the world.

Because that's what good Americans...and good people do.

I honestly, truly feel pity for the subhumans that don't get that, and don't understand that the world isn't always about them every minute of every day.

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:21 am

War Wagon wrote:I used to hate Wal-Mart, wouldn't go there for any reason whatsoever to buy Made in Taiwan junk, fight the crowds, and park a half fucking mile away...until they opened them there Supercenters selling name brand groceries.

Now, I buy my groceries there most every week. Can't see paying 25% more to get the exact same products.

As for the Mom and Pop's...tough shit.

This is a dog eat dog world we live in, and nobody is gonna' cut me any slack if I can't compete.

I have a Wegmans, KMart and a Target within 5 miles of me. No reason to ever go to a WalMart ever. And for that I thank god and God.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:23 am

Dinsdale wrote: I honestly, truly feel pity for the subhumans that don't get that, and don't understand that the world isn't always about them every minute of every day.

So says the poster boy for "It's ALL ABOUT ME...ME ME ME"!

Don't believe it? Dins will TELL you all about it.

Go blow smoke up someone else's ass, because this savvy consumer ain't buying it.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:31 am

BSmack wrote: I have a Wegmans, KMart and a Target within 5 miles of me. No reason to ever go to a WalMart ever. And for that I thank god and God.

Yeah, K-Mart has been so successful, they merged with Sears.

And you'll still pay more there and at Target than you will at Wal-Mart

Damn straight, people are free to spend more than they have to for basic items. I don't choose to.

Diego in Seattle · Post by **Diego in Seattle** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:32 am

War Wagon wrote:
Dinsdale wrote: I honestly, truly feel pity for the subhumans that don't get that, and don't understand that the world isn't always about them every minute of every day.

So says the poster boy for "It's ALL ABOUT ME...ME ME ME"!

Don't believe it? Dins will TELL you all about it.

Go blow smoke up someone else's ass, because this savvy consumer ain't buying it.

A person who buys crap that doesn't last is "savvy?"

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:32 am

MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan wrote:If you think Wal-Mart treats their employees shitty, for god's sake don't work there.

If you THINK WalMart treats their employees shitty?

I've done enough business with WalMart employees to KNOW they are treated like mindless dispensable drones. Not that other retail outlets are much better. But when in doubt, roll with the lesser evil.

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:34 am

War Wagon wrote:
BSmack wrote: I have a Wegmans, KMart and a Target within 5 miles of me. No reason to ever go to a WalMart ever. And for that I thank god and God.
Yeah, K-Mart has been so successful, they merged with Sears.

And you'll still pay more there and at Target than you will at Wal-Mart

Damn straight, people are free to spend more than they have to for basic items. I don't choose to.

Even if I wanted to go to a WalMart, the nearest one is a 30 mile round trip. Which, thanks to you red state assholes, pretty much kills the price differential right there.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:35 am

MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan wrote:Some Retarded Smiley

If caring about my fellow Americans makes me a "bleeding heart," then that is a badge I'll wear with the greatest pride a man could possibly have.

Sorry if I've got a thing against seeing people starving in the streets. And as long as a have a dollar in my pocket, I'm going to do what I can.

And nothing anyone can say or do, nor will any amount of money ever convince me that my path isn't the right one.

Some Dude wrote:Go And Do Likewise

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:38 am

Diego in Seattle wrote: A person who buys crap that doesn't last is "savvy?"

I buy groceries there.

You know, consumable goods?

How long should that last?

Dumbfuck.

Diego in Seattle · Post by **Diego in Seattle** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:39 am

Enjoy your rancid meat. bozo.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:40 am

You should check out what Mr Savvy saved on air conditioning and fence repairs.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:42 am

BSmack wrote: Even if I wanted to go to a WalMart, the nearest one is a 30 mile round trip. Which, thanks to you red state assholes, pretty much kills the price differential right there.

You need to stock up.

TenTallBen · Post by **TenTallBen** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:44 am

Funny how you don't hear about any other big box or national chain anything for that matter catching any shit besides Wal-Mart.

I've seen more minorities, old farts and retards employed by walmart than ANY other company - Chik-Fil-A runs a close second.

Why isn't anybody bitching about all the major fast food chains bumping out all the mom-and-pop lunch counters? Fuckin Pep Boys screwing the local garage! I could go on and on and on....

Gimmie a break faggots. Capitalism is alive and well in the U.S.of A. much to your dismay.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:44 am

Dinsdale wrote:You should check out what Mr Savvy saved on air conditioning and fence repairs.

Yes, you should...since you don't know what the fuck you're talking about.

I Luv this thread.

Diego in Seattle · Post by **Diego in Seattle** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:49 am

TenTallBen wrote:Funny how you don't hear about any other big box or national chain anything for that matter catching any shit besides Wal-Mart.

I've seen more minorities, old farts and retards employed by walmart than ANY other company - Chik-Fil-A runs a close second.

Why isn't anybody bitching about all the major fast food chains bumping out all the mom-and-pop lunch counters? Fuckin Pep Boys screwing the local garage! I could go on and on and on....

Gimmie a break faggots. Capitalism is alive and well in the U.S.of A. much to your dismay.

I see a healthier capitalism in Vancouver, B.C. than most places around the west coast.

T1B

Is Wal-Mart really evil?

Is Wal-Mart really evil?

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