Mr Brown
Registered
Me too! There is some funny stuff on that website.....I love the people of walmart pictures !
wal-mart, really?
- Thread starter kitchener rider
- Start date
You throw some great information out. Can you show any references to support it ?
I live in a small town and when I moved here 35 years ago I was stuck buying from local merchants who had owned the town for generations, selling products out of buildings built a hundred years ago. If I was doing a big project I would drive 120 miles round trip to buy the materials because it would save me thousands of dollars and believe me, they would see you ride through town with your goods and hate talk you the next time you came in to do business. I really don't feel any great pity for the locals that had been screwing locals for hundreds of years.
Mr Brown
Registered
I live in a small town with under10k people. Since walmart opened the supercenter (which I helped build ironically) we have lost a grocery store, 2 shoe stores, 2 "general" type stores and a hardware store. There are several other small business barely hanging on....
I totally understand the small town hate talk mentality you have been exposed to, it happens here also sometimes, but there are plenty of good people that charged fair prices that can't make a living for themselves anymore. If wally world lowered prices and kept them low I wouldn't have an issue, it's the artificial lowering to drive out competition and then raising back up that irks me. Sam Walton didn't do business like the company does now. He made a ton of money being a decent human, charging a fair price for his goods, and taking care of his workers.
I totally understand the small town hate talk mentality you have been exposed to, it happens here also sometimes, but there are plenty of good people that charged fair prices that can't make a living for themselves anymore. If wally world lowered prices and kept them low I wouldn't have an issue, it's the artificial lowering to drive out competition and then raising back up that irks me. Sam Walton didn't do business like the company does now. He made a ton of money being a decent human, charging a fair price for his goods, and taking care of his workers.
Actually Walmart was built by breaking the law. They got away with it because Wall St respects rule breaking. They violated various work laws and minimum wage laws for years. They did get caught and got a light slap on the wrist by the Feds. If they had grown honestly, I would respect them, but when you break the law and your competitor doesn't, you have a huge unfair advantage. Really not much different than having a mob owned business.
Where do you live where you don't have any other stores within 45 minutes of Walmart?
I live in a hick town in Indiana (our police department closes at 5:00 pm). There is a Walmart about 10 miles east of me. Instead of shopping there I can go to Sears Hardware, buy a computer at Staples, shop at Shoe Depot, buy tools and yard supplies/equipment at TSC.....this is all within the same parking lot as Walmart.
I can then go across the street and shop at Target, buy clothes at Kolhs, building supplies from my choice of either Menards or Home Depot, electronics at Best Buy, pet food at Petco, video games at Game Stop, over priced junk at Radio Shack, go grocery shopping, eat lunch and get a haircut.
If I go to the next Walmart about 10 miles north of that one, I have most of the same choices but swap out Home Depot for a Lowes and Target for Super K.
The other Walmart to the east has all of the above plus Meijer, Toys R Us, Office Depot, HH Greg and a mall with hundreds of stores.
Seriously, can you point out just one Walmart anywhere in the US that doesn't have any other shopping choices within 45 minutes of it?
Mr Brown
Registered
Harrisburg, IL. Next closest town is 23 miles. I didn't say 45 minutes, there are quite a few towns within that radius Paducah KY, Evansville IN and Carbondale IL are all within 45 minutes to an hour. My point was there's nothing left in this town anymore......
Lucid
Registered
99.9% of the species on earth have gone extinct.
People just hate change. Wal-Mart will go under too, but probably well over a hundred years from now. In the early 1900s, the maker of Bob's Horse-drawn Carriages was pretty pissed when they built a Ford lot down the street, Ford was the only game in town for decades. Now look at them vs. the Japs. If you don't like Wal-Mart don't shop there. I shop at Target usually just because it's better quality and shorter lines (looking at 40 out of 43 lanes closed at Wal-Mart while I wait for 20+ minutes always frustrates me.) But *****ing about Wal-Mart isn't going to have an effect for the next hundred years so you might as well keep the stress down in your life.
People just hate change. Wal-Mart will go under too, but probably well over a hundred years from now. In the early 1900s, the maker of Bob's Horse-drawn Carriages was pretty pissed when they built a Ford lot down the street, Ford was the only game in town for decades. Now look at them vs. the Japs. If you don't like Wal-Mart don't shop there. I shop at Target usually just because it's better quality and shorter lines (looking at 40 out of 43 lanes closed at Wal-Mart while I wait for 20+ minutes always frustrates me.) But *****ing about Wal-Mart isn't going to have an effect for the next hundred years so you might as well keep the stress down in your life.
Mr Brown
Registered
I like change. It's a good thing. I disagree with buying lawmakers and breaking laws to artificially force change. Ford prospered because it was a better product. Japan's auto industry is an example of the same. The analogy does not apply to walmart. Their products, prices and services are not superior, they just make themselves the only available option. Kinda like our political system now that I think about it......
I fully agree with a free market economy, and survival of the fittest, I just think the rules ought to apply to everyone, not be re-written in favor of those who can afford it.
I fully agree with a free market economy, and survival of the fittest, I just think the rules ought to apply to everyone, not be re-written in favor of those who can afford it.
Ok 45 mile round trip, that's even worse than 45 minutes. In the grand scheme of things that's still not much. I do plenty of driving because of where I chose to live, Walmart didn't put anything out of business when there were no businesses to begin with. I have friends and neighbors that commute 120+ miles a day to that giant hell hole called Chicago.
How do you feel that Walmart is your only choice for shopping? Do you really have no other options?
I just Googled Harrisburg, IL and yes, it does appear to be out of the way and secluded. However it does appear you have plenty of small merchants in your town. It's also showing many of other chain stores such as Dollar General, a Sears, Fashion Bug, Autozone, Walgreens etc.
Personally I don't care for Walmart and seldom shop there, however if I had to only rely on my town which can be driven through in 20 seconds (and is still 5 miles from my house), I'd gladly welcome a one stop shop like Walmart.
As far as big box stores, no one on this board ever remembers a time when they didn't exist. Was there really a difference 50 years ago when a Wards, Goldblatt's, K-Mart or JC Penny moved into an area?
The only big change I see is they now carry a large selection of all mainstream items. I remember going with my parents to buy a new 25" console from the "TV Store" in town. And then our first microwave from a "Microwave Store" which only sold microwaves. My first computer also came from a Radio Shack Computer Center around 1981. They offered choices the big box stores didn't. Not true today as places like Best Buy offer 50X the selection without the commission hungry vultures.
In the past, our town closed up its doors at 5:00 pm, noon on Saturday and CLOSED on Sundays. I sorta like the fact that today I can leave my house at 2:00 am on any day of the week, buy a TV, a laptop, some engine oil, a T-shirt and a gallon of milk and be back home by 3:00 am. I also won't be boycotting my Roku Box and Netflix in order to save the local video stores which are soon to be extinct.
How do you feel that Walmart is your only choice for shopping? Do you really have no other options?
I just Googled Harrisburg, IL and yes, it does appear to be out of the way and secluded. However it does appear you have plenty of small merchants in your town. It's also showing many of other chain stores such as Dollar General, a Sears, Fashion Bug, Autozone, Walgreens etc.
Personally I don't care for Walmart and seldom shop there, however if I had to only rely on my town which can be driven through in 20 seconds (and is still 5 miles from my house), I'd gladly welcome a one stop shop like Walmart.
As far as big box stores, no one on this board ever remembers a time when they didn't exist. Was there really a difference 50 years ago when a Wards, Goldblatt's, K-Mart or JC Penny moved into an area?
The only big change I see is they now carry a large selection of all mainstream items. I remember going with my parents to buy a new 25" console from the "TV Store" in town. And then our first microwave from a "Microwave Store" which only sold microwaves. My first computer also came from a Radio Shack Computer Center around 1981. They offered choices the big box stores didn't. Not true today as places like Best Buy offer 50X the selection without the commission hungry vultures.
In the past, our town closed up its doors at 5:00 pm, noon on Saturday and CLOSED on Sundays. I sorta like the fact that today I can leave my house at 2:00 am on any day of the week, buy a TV, a laptop, some engine oil, a T-shirt and a gallon of milk and be back home by 3:00 am. I also won't be boycotting my Roku Box and Netflix in order to save the local video stores which are soon to be extinct.
Mr Brown
Registered
I grew up in Los Angeles, I'm familiar with the 3 hour commute. We have all the retailers you mentioned, and a few others. I was talking more about the family owned stores that have ceased to exist in small towns. They were able to co-exist with most major chain retailers, they simply can't compete with wal-mart since they set the rules. Not thru supply and demand as should be the case, but thru either manipulating the system, or when that fails, outright purchase of the people we entrust with making our laws.
If you think the way walmart does business is acceptable keep defending them. I will continue to speak out against their business model, and shop there as infrequently as possible.
If you think the way walmart does business is acceptable keep defending them. I will continue to speak out against their business model, and shop there as infrequently as possible.
superbeagle
Registered
The best thing they ever put in the Wal-Mart is the self checkout. If they did not have this I would not shop there anymore. Although they should have a simple quiz for you to take before using the self checkout. There is to much Made in China crap everywhere.
I like Walmart. Brand name stores in the mall sell the same cheap Chinese crap. Only they try to whack you for it. Wally world has great cheap Chinese crap for me to waste my money on.
I bet there's a McDonalds within two mins of everyone here. Why not complain about them?
It's just a real life game of monopoly and the Walton's have hotels on every color
I bet there's a McDonalds within two mins of everyone here. Why not complain about them?
It's just a real life game of monopoly and the Walton's have hotels on every color
Mr Brown
Registered
McDonald's hasn't lowered the price of a burger to a nickel to run Burger King outta business....I like Walmart. Brand name stores in the mall sell the same cheap Chinese crap. Only they try to whack you for it. Wally world has great cheap Chinese crap for me to waste my money on.
I bet there's a McDonalds within two mins of everyone here. Why not complain about them?
It's just a real life game of monopoly and the Walton's have hotels on every color
Obviously you have missed my points....
There are no Waltons running things at wally-world, since Sam died it's just a faceless corporation.
Mcdonalds is a lot cheaper than any mom and pop burger places. All these have disappeared since Bk and Mickey D's came around. So same principle. Their burgers are a lot cheaper than anywhere else. I didnt miss your point
Sounds like an extremely successful business model..
at least we didn't hafta "Bail'em Out".
Now if we could just get GM, Ford & Chysler to stop screwing their customers and employees with electronics from remote parts of indonesia, canadian engines and all slapped together on an assembly line in mexico?..then wrapped up in an american flag with Bob Seger tough guy songs in the background?
and?..
Get banks to actually be held accountable for all te risky mortgages they wrote out of greed?
we could all drive to walmarts without fear of breaking down and actually spend some money!
Odd..my nissan titan is built in canton, missisippi with drive trains and rear-ends from dayton, ohio..
it's also odd that back in the early 90's?..Ross Perot warned us that if the big boys got their way and passed NAFTA?..that we'd hear a large sucking sound..and it would be all the jobs and money leaving this country..as they pitted the american worker against a global economy while Steve Forbes had a slip of the toungue at a G8 summit and said..
"It's a great plan..but realize..you're not going to bring the american worker back down to $7 an hour overnight."
and i guess he was right...it took about 15 years.
so God Bless china for making cheap shid..it's all we can afford...unless of course you're involved in the Insurance Industry, Health Care, Pharmacueticals, Banking, Politics and Injury Attourneys...then you can shop at the mall.
at least we didn't hafta "Bail'em Out".
Now if we could just get GM, Ford & Chysler to stop screwing their customers and employees with electronics from remote parts of indonesia, canadian engines and all slapped together on an assembly line in mexico?..then wrapped up in an american flag with Bob Seger tough guy songs in the background?
and?..
Get banks to actually be held accountable for all te risky mortgages they wrote out of greed?
we could all drive to walmarts without fear of breaking down and actually spend some money!
Odd..my nissan titan is built in canton, missisippi with drive trains and rear-ends from dayton, ohio..
it's also odd that back in the early 90's?..Ross Perot warned us that if the big boys got their way and passed NAFTA?..that we'd hear a large sucking sound..and it would be all the jobs and money leaving this country..as they pitted the american worker against a global economy while Steve Forbes had a slip of the toungue at a G8 summit and said..
"It's a great plan..but realize..you're not going to bring the american worker back down to $7 an hour overnight."
and i guess he was right...it took about 15 years.
so God Bless china for making cheap shid..it's all we can afford...unless of course you're involved in the Insurance Industry, Health Care, Pharmacueticals, Banking, Politics and Injury Attourneys...then you can shop at the mall.
crusty369
Registered
It is just sad. Yet another nail in the coffin for the "American Dream"....
Not quite.
I am not a fan of WalMart, but let's face it folks, we do it to ourselves.
As Americans we "expect" to be treated differently. We are willing to bust our asses, but we have a sense of entitlement that borders on the absurd.
"Walmart" is what happens when a society puts its blinders on, lives day to day, and puts their faith the hands of big business and government, expecting them to "do the right thing".
They do not care. It's business in it's purest form. Profit/loss. A huge shark swimming in the waters we call capitalism, eating every smaller fish around them.
At the end of it, who is to blame?
We are. Unfortunately, we're hooked.
Outsourcing to China for "higher quality" steel? Going off shore for skilled trades, (welding, etc.), due to the fact that the few domestics capable of the same quality have priced themselves out of the game?
It comes down to that....
We want what we want. We want it now. We want it cheap. We don't care about the consequences.
That is the reality. Very sad.
Hard to get off the "pipe", when you have been "using" for so long..
Before people start flaming me....
I am a dyed in the wool American. A Combat Vet who served his country without so much as a snivel. I love my country, and would answer the call again. Their lies my cynicism.
Too many want to arm-chair quarterback....*****, piss, and moan and do nothing to facilitate change.
Fingers get pointed, but never seem to be pointed in the mirror.
We have lost our sense of responsibility here.
Accountability is the first step in any sort of 12 step program.
If it's going to get better, we , as Americans, are going to have the be willing to make the "hard" choices that don't go along with immediate gratification.
Just sayin'...
Not quite.
I am not a fan of WalMart, but let's face it folks, we do it to ourselves.
As Americans we "expect" to be treated differently. We are willing to bust our asses, but we have a sense of entitlement that borders on the absurd.
"Walmart" is what happens when a society puts its blinders on, lives day to day, and puts their faith the hands of big business and government, expecting them to "do the right thing".
They do not care. It's business in it's purest form. Profit/loss. A huge shark swimming in the waters we call capitalism, eating every smaller fish around them.
At the end of it, who is to blame?
We are. Unfortunately, we're hooked.
Outsourcing to China for "higher quality" steel? Going off shore for skilled trades, (welding, etc.), due to the fact that the few domestics capable of the same quality have priced themselves out of the game?
It comes down to that....
We want what we want. We want it now. We want it cheap. We don't care about the consequences.
That is the reality. Very sad.
Hard to get off the "pipe", when you have been "using" for so long..
Before people start flaming me....
I am a dyed in the wool American. A Combat Vet who served his country without so much as a snivel. I love my country, and would answer the call again. Their lies my cynicism.
Too many want to arm-chair quarterback....*****, piss, and moan and do nothing to facilitate change.
Fingers get pointed, but never seem to be pointed in the mirror.
We have lost our sense of responsibility here.
Accountability is the first step in any sort of 12 step program.
If it's going to get better, we , as Americans, are going to have the be willing to make the "hard" choices that don't go along with immediate gratification.
Just sayin'...
""Walmart" is what happens when a society puts its blinders on, lives day to day, and puts their faith the hands of big business and government, expecting them to "do the right thing".
uhmmm...that whole sentence is giving me heartburn for two reasons..
1. I find it so sad that you coupled big biz with government as that IS a HUGE problem and much of this is the result of a corporate owned congress and..
2. Just like when yourself and i took the oath and doned our respective uniforms?..we have the right to a "REASONABLE EXPECTATION" that the folks we put in office WILL do the right thing..and if they dont?..like us..they would be "Derelict In Their Duty" as trusted servants to "THE PEOPLE" and not...cator to special intrests corporations..that's called "corruption"...and the people know it.
Proof?:...Why do most of our politicians..everybody who is an anybody...need millions if not billions of taxpayer provided money for.."Security & Body Guards"?...cause our entire system is "On-The-Take" and "corrupt"?..so we just go along and get alon..no....barely get by?...as they stand at their lavish podiums uttering sympathy for the victims of the current economy, jobless and forclosure crisis they themselves created?..just before being escorted to their respective bullet-proof limo's by a flock of suites wearing threat level 3 body armor?..to be rushed off to a steak & champagne luncheon? LOL!
My father got by just fine on 40 hours a week..his homes tripled and quadrupled in value in the decade or so that he owned each..while his pay increased 3,000%...and has enjoyed the past decade retired on Social Security many of us will never see including myself..meanwhile?..i've been living in the same home for 22 years..i'd be shocked if it's still valued at what i paid for it the day we moved in..and today?..i earn the same wage i made the day we moved in..except the cost of living has tripled (food & fuel wise)..my mortgage has almost doubled (and it's fixed rate..just the taxes & insurance has gone up)...and while my family healthcare used to be provided free at work?..it now costs me what my initial mortgage used to..and the care has degraded to next to nothing while the deductables have skyrocketed and they might as well cause i cant get them to pay for $hid anyhow! LOL!
now..you still gonna try an convince me that we did this to ourselves?
I'm cool with you..i know a lot of folks embrace that "we did it to ourselves" mindset..but hey..
whatever keeps ya warm at night.
uhmmm...that whole sentence is giving me heartburn for two reasons..
1. I find it so sad that you coupled big biz with government as that IS a HUGE problem and much of this is the result of a corporate owned congress and..
2. Just like when yourself and i took the oath and doned our respective uniforms?..we have the right to a "REASONABLE EXPECTATION" that the folks we put in office WILL do the right thing..and if they dont?..like us..they would be "Derelict In Their Duty" as trusted servants to "THE PEOPLE" and not...cator to special intrests corporations..that's called "corruption"...and the people know it.
Proof?:...Why do most of our politicians..everybody who is an anybody...need millions if not billions of taxpayer provided money for.."Security & Body Guards"?...cause our entire system is "On-The-Take" and "corrupt"?..so we just go along and get alon..no....barely get by?...as they stand at their lavish podiums uttering sympathy for the victims of the current economy, jobless and forclosure crisis they themselves created?..just before being escorted to their respective bullet-proof limo's by a flock of suites wearing threat level 3 body armor?..to be rushed off to a steak & champagne luncheon? LOL!
My father got by just fine on 40 hours a week..his homes tripled and quadrupled in value in the decade or so that he owned each..while his pay increased 3,000%...and has enjoyed the past decade retired on Social Security many of us will never see including myself..meanwhile?..i've been living in the same home for 22 years..i'd be shocked if it's still valued at what i paid for it the day we moved in..and today?..i earn the same wage i made the day we moved in..except the cost of living has tripled (food & fuel wise)..my mortgage has almost doubled (and it's fixed rate..just the taxes & insurance has gone up)...and while my family healthcare used to be provided free at work?..it now costs me what my initial mortgage used to..and the care has degraded to next to nothing while the deductables have skyrocketed and they might as well cause i cant get them to pay for $hid anyhow! LOL!
now..you still gonna try an convince me that we did this to ourselves?
I'm cool with you..i know a lot of folks embrace that "we did it to ourselves" mindset..but hey..
whatever keeps ya warm at night.
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