WalMart Info

Old Hipster said:
I do what I can to "shop local" and keep small businesses in business.

I shop at my local little family owned Drug Store and pay more, but I want to help keep them around. I bought my computer from a local business who builds and sells their own computers and I have my internet access through them.

I do what I can in some small way.

We were just talking about this at work yesterday. I don't know what the answer is, but Wal-mart is not going away. And those of us who do like to save $$ were we can, we do. I personally would rather shop at Wal-mart than the over priced Safeways and Albertsons.

As far as furniture goes, Wal-mart sells cheap junk and if anybody wanted some quality furniture, they sure wouldn't go there to buy it. I am not arguing with anybody, but I don't see how crappy press-board tables and cabinets would put a good furniture business out of business.
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I'm so glad there are people who are willing to keep the "mom & pops" businesses doing well. I'm limited like most of us, but I use a locally owned drug store most of the time, but don't buy anything other than meds. I don't think the price of meds varies that much from the chains...but could be wrong on that. Have to admit any and everything else I could buy in there is purchased at Target. It delivers better customer service than any store of any type I've ever shopped in. Other Targets may not be the same, but mine is outstanding! There may be some of you who equate Target to Wal-Mart, but this is just my opinion, tho Wal-Mart is cheaper, the 2 stores shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath in any aspect....but as I said, just my opinion.

I also shop a locally owned bakery for special dinners and occasions. Their beautifully decorated birthday cakes are like homemade and very reasonably priced, and their sourdough bread is outta this world. And when it comes to eating out, and I'm not talking expensively, chains are out of the question. Way too many of every nationality here to even consider the chains, that all taste the same to me and pale in comparison. My favorite lil soda shop around the corner offers the best junk food around and Katzs' Deli serves up the best Reubens in town. Like you, Hipster, I do what I can and sincerely wish it could be more.

I couldn't agree more on the cheap press-board furniture from Wal-Mart, it's not what any of us would really want. Compared to quality furniture, it's a joke, but I'm so grateful to Phil who explains things better than anyone I know. And that has to be the reason Wal-Mart appears to me to be the bad guy in the deal.
 

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Good for you Katy, at least we try. Our little local bakery went out of business, it couldn't compete with the chain grocery stores.

I think we could rake a lot of other busniness over the coals too, Lowe's and Home Depot just off the top of my head.

They are the culprits for taking business away from small hardware stores and building supply companies.

The chain grocery stores put the mom and pop neighborhood grocery stores out of business.

The small local car dealers, can't compete with the big guys. The local tire shop (which we still use, no Les Slob for us).

If we think about it, Wal-mart is certainly not the only big business that has taken over our lives.
 
Katybug said:
In answer your question...when Wal-Mart first opened here ages ago, I shopped there quite a few times. Enough to form my opinion, and I'm sorry to have misled you. It is a place I no longer care to shop. There is no right or wrong, you either like it or you don't. At the same time, I'm quick to admit there is no way to know how much money I could have saved if I felt differently. I have friends who love the savings and shop there regularly.

I would like to share a funny story, tho, and one I laugh about every time I think back on it. My g'son wanted a particular CD, one that he had seen there and, of course, it would be the least expensive place to buy it. The CD wasn't in place as he had seen it the day before, nor was there an employee in sight to ask for assistance -- as usual. Must have been a bad day for me, but I began very quietly saying to myself, "I hate this place, I hate this place, I hate this place." From out of nowhere an employee appeared and said, "I don't blame you, lady, I hate this place too and if it didn't pay my salary I would never set foot in here." We all got a big laugh out of it.

Obviously there are multitudes of millions who love shopping there, I'm just not one of them.

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I didn't think you misled me. I was just curious how you knew. BUT you're story says it has honest customer service. lol
 

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SifuPhil said:
I buy my clothing from the Salvation Army - on average I pay $2-$3 for a shirt or pair of pants, and they have sizes all the way up. If I were really diligent and wanted to save even more I'd go there on Wednesdays when they have 1/2 off most of the clothing.

You say Walmart helped nudge America away from being a manufacturing economy as if that were a good thing. Yet in an earlier paragraph you tell the tale of the Carolinas losing their furniture businesses. Which is it?
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I'm size 20-22 in women's, last checked size 46 in men's pants. (I can't do men's pants by that size, because it's the hips not the belly, and, apparently men don't have hips. lol) Hubby wears somewhere in the 50s now for pants. (I don't keep track.) I told you--it's a size problem. And, I'm not buying used undies. I have to draw a line somewhere, and that's it. lol

As for America getting away from manufacturing is a good thing? I never said it was good or bad. It just is. I regret it, simply because I grew up with "America has pride in manufacturing." Unfortunately, I also lived through $8000 of any car made in America went to union members for their pensions. Then, to add insult to injury, they simply reneged on their promise of a pension, so those union members were raped, and GM still took a pay-out from the feds to stay solvent.

There was a time when America lived with the horse and buggy. People were flabbergasted when that way of life disappeared for the industrial age. Now we're on the other side, and we're flabbergasted. It's progress--good and bad. It can't be stopped, even if it should be stopped. America is becoming a technology country. We either adapt or get out of the way. We're online, so we didn't get out of the way. ;)
 
Katybug said:
AT WHAT COST says....from what I've read, they single handedly destroyed furniture making in the Carolinas,

You nailed it on that one! A couple friends of the man I work for (from High Point, NC, which used to be a furniture mecca and then some) were yrs ago put in the position of having to close their furn mfg businesses & go bankrupt, or move their operations to Shanghai....and move they did. They despise every aspect of it, but with families to provide for, it was either sink or swim. They "single handedly" blame the infamous Wal-Mart, and say they will never get over the heartbreak of having to put so many here out of work. Staying open would have helped nothing, as American made furniture was not selling, or anything else made here -- as we all well know.
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The Carolina furniture manufacturers were in a hard spot. They took on WalMart as the sole customer (because it made them more money, so it would be hard to pass up.) Pop Walden squeezed them on the bottom line to the point they were hardly making any profit. They were already teetering towards bankruptcy, but he had a thing for only American made at his prices. When he died, his kids weren't so worried about American made, so they negotiated overseas. Overseas made cheaper--in all ways. One of the first things I learned about business is not to rely on just one customer. Sadly, that was the case history to use to prove the point.
 
Old Hipster said:
I do what I can to "shop local" and keep small businesses in business.

I shop at my local little family owned Drug Store and pay more, but I want to help keep them around. I bought my computer from a local business who builds and sells their own computers and I have my internet access through them.

I do what I can in some small way.

We were just talking about this at work yesterday. I don't know what the answer is, but Wal-mart is not going away. And those of us who do like to save $$ were we can, we do. I personally would rather shop at Wal-mart than the over priced Safeways and Albertsons.

As far as furniture goes, Wal-mart sells cheap junk and if anybody wanted some quality furniture, they sure wouldn't go there to buy it. I am not arguing with anybody, but I don't see how crappy press-board tables and cabinets would put a good furniture business out of business.
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Your judging the furniture by what it is now. When the country first heard about WalMart, their furniture was as good as furniture stores, because it was the same furniture. Now you're seeing cheap imports.

I often buy locally too, but I doubt the corner hardware store stays open from my $5 a month. The pharmacy stays open, because my co-pay is the same amount no matter where I go, and the little mom and pop pharmacy has better service than the Rite-Aid around my corner.
 
atwhatcost said:
Your judging the furniture by what it is now. When the country first heard about WalMart, their furniture was as good as furniture stores, because it was the same furniture. Now you're seeing cheap imports.

I often buy locally too, but I doubt the corner hardware store stays open from my $5 a month. The pharmacy stays open, because my co-pay is the same amount no matter where I go, and the little mom and pop pharmacy has better service than the Rite-Aid around my corner.
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We have only had Wal-marts in my area for a short period of time, not even 10 years, so I didn't know they used to sell quality stuff.

I wouldn't buy used underwear to save my soul either.
 
SifuPhil said:
Just a thought ... I agree that their furniture is garbage, but just the fact that it's cheap and available is alluring to the masses who don't have a lot of expendable income. If Wal-Mart weren't around then perhaps a lot of local craftsmen - including retired ones - could set up home shops to produce economical yet quality furniture to fill that niche. You'd having thriving small businesses across the country, employed seniors, an improved economy and happy customers, with nothing bearing a "Made in Taiwan" label.

In addition, there will always be a high-end market, so those folks can go to their usual furniture stores and spend $5,000 on a canopy bed with hand-turned oak spindles. :rolleyes:
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Actually, as much as Americans complain about manufacturing jobs going overseas, it has its benefits. "Made in Taiwan" has become a good thing. Manufacturers go overseas to pay less to the workers. The workers become skilled, form unions, and end up being middle-classed, which, in turn, raises the quality of life for other people and the country in general. Once they do that, then the manufacturers leave for new grounds, and it starts over again. Meanwhile, no one wants to go back to incredibly poor, so the new middle-class finds new ways to keep making the same amount of money. Taiwan is no longer a Third-World nation.
 
atwhatcost said:
I'm size 20-22 in women's, last checked size 46 in men's pants. (I can't do men's pants by that size, because it's the hips not the belly, and, apparently men don't have hips. lol) Hubby wears somewhere in the 50s now for pants. (I don't keep track.) I told you--it's a size problem. And, I'm not buying used undies. I have to draw a line somewhere, and that's it. lol

As for America getting away from manufacturing is a good thing? I never said it was good or bad. It just is. I regret it, simply because I grew up with "America has pride in manufacturing." Unfortunately, I also lived through $8000 of any car made in America went to union members for their pensions. Then, to add insult to injury, they simply reneged on their promise of a pension, so those union members were raped, and GM still took a pay-out from the feds to stay solvent.

There was a time when America lived with the horse and buggy. People were flabbergasted when that way of life disappeared for the industrial age. Now we're on the other side, and we're flabbergasted. It's progress--good and bad. It can't be stopped, even if it should be stopped. America is becoming a technology country. We either adapt or get out of the way. We're online, so we didn't get out of the way. ;)
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Very well stated and I totally agree with you.
 
atwhatcost said:
The Carolina furniture manufacturers were in a hard spot. They took on WalMart as the sole customer (because it made them more money, so it would be hard to pass up.) Pop Walden squeezed them on the bottom line to the point they were hardly making any profit. They were already teetering towards bankruptcy, but he had a thing for only American made at his prices. When he died, his kids weren't so worried about American made, so they negotiated overseas. Overseas made cheaper--in all ways. One of the first things I learned about business is not to rely on just one customer. Sadly, that was the case history to use to prove the point.
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I live here and didn't know that story. Thx for the info. I had no idea that when Pop was in charge that they actually had quality furniture as opposed to the crapola they now sell. Things were a LOT different after he died, things that would make him turn over in his grave from what I've read.
 
atwhatcost said:
Actually, as much as Americans complain about manufacturing jobs going overseas, it has its benefits. "Made in Taiwan" has become a good thing. Manufacturers go overseas to pay less to the workers. The workers become skilled, form unions, and end up being middle-classed, which, in turn, raises the quality of life for other people and the country in general. Once they do that, then the manufacturers leave for new grounds, and it starts over again. Meanwhile, no one wants to go back to incredibly poor, so the new middle-class finds new ways to keep making the same amount of money. Taiwan is no longer a Third-World nation.
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For some reason though I haven't been seeing a lot of Taiwanese-owned companies using cheap American labor opening up in the Wilkes Barre (PA) area.

Taiwan has an authoritative and conservative government and is fighting the brand-new unions at every turn. Somehow I don't see the workers conception and execution of unionization as anything but a paper tiger.

And in the big picture, I don't see how it's America's job to put its own people out of work in order to raise the standard of living of other countries.
 
atwhatcost said:
I'm size 20-22 in women's, last checked size 46 in men's pants. (I can't do men's pants by that size, because it's the hips not the belly, and, apparently men don't have hips. lol) Hubby wears somewhere in the 50s now for pants. (I don't keep track.) I told you--it's a size problem. And, I'm not buying used undies. I have to draw a line somewhere, and that's it. lol
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I'll have to check the next time I'm over there - not sure what size the men's pants (even without the hips! ;) ) go up to, but I know they have a separate Big & Tall section. On the racks I go through I think the largest men's pants sizes I've seen have been somewhere around 44-46, and of course their selection isn't as grand as the skinny-minnies and their 30-32s. :(

As for America getting away from manufacturing is a good thing? I never said it was good or bad. It just is. I regret it, simply because I grew up with "America has pride in manufacturing." Unfortunately, I also lived through $8000 of any car made in America went to union members for their pensions. Then, to add insult to injury, they simply reneged on their promise of a pension, so those union members were raped, and GM still took a pay-out from the feds to stay solvent.
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"It just is" - LOL! Excuse me laughing, but that's a very Taoist saying, one I use all the time. Well-played!

I have no love of unions - I believe their time has come and gone. I was a witness to the inefficiency and downright criminality of unions when my older brother had dealings with them. He had paid into their slush fund for his entire career, but when he needed them they turned their backs and kept the money.

There was a time when America lived with the horse and buggy. People were flabbergasted when that way of life disappeared for the industrial age. Now we're on the other side, and we're flabbergasted. It's progress--good and bad. It can't be stopped, even if it should be stopped. America is becoming a technology country. We either adapt or get out of the way. We're online, so we didn't get out of the way. ;)
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I'm not a Luddite - I just portray one on television. :D

So that technology - it seems most of it is manufactured overseas. We're just the end-users, right? How can we be a nation of consumers without first manufacturing anything? Be a service economy? Service to whom? The 1%'ers? Hardly enough to go around.

Don't know about you, but I'm online because there's nowhere around here that would hire a 55-year-old guy to do anything but minimum-wage work, and even that is at a premium now. I've been in the working world and I've seen all the drawbacks, the dependencies and the cut-throat tactics used by large corporations. I chose not to be a victim of such tactics and decided to use technology to aid me in my quest for self-sufficiency, albeit the minimum amount of tech required to get the job done.
 
I never was a dedicated Walmart customer but I recently gave up driving so I use Walmart's 'deliver to my door' ordering. I save up my list until I have enough items to take advantage of $35 Free Delivery. Also love Amazon same policy. I use a Kindle for reading and Overdrive to access my library for books and other reading supplies. No longer driving requires compromises. Thank heaven, today's options are available
 
If you shop Walmart for only the cheaper products, then you will save money. But, it's best to get your other groceries at other stores. At Walmart, it is the price at the register that counts, not the price at the counter. There's a little box at the cash register, which shows you the price of the item , when it's scanned. You have seconds to decide if you want the item at that price. There is a Pennsylvania lady, Mary Bach ( Look her up), who has successfully sued Walmart for overcharging her 2 cents on her fish sticks. The price at the register was 2 cents higher than at the counter. She sued 5 times and won 5 times. Walmart changed their policy, so it's the price at the register that you will be charged. NOT the price on the counter. Some estimate that 1 out of every 10 items has a higher register price than the counter price. If you notice the price difference, the clerk will give you the items at the counter price. But how many of use even look at that cash register price box/
 
I get a lot of basic stuff -- flour, paper stuff, cleaning supplies, etc. -- at Wal-Mart because it is cheaper. I get my produce at Sprouts. Wal-Mart's produce is terrible, and costs more than Sprouts. One thing I've found that is a heck of a lot cheaper than anywhere else is OTC medicines. My dog has allergies and needs a particular one-- Wal-Mart has a store brand of the drug that works just as well as Walgreen's store brand, and it is WAY less than Walgreens.

Although I'm not impoverished, I can't afford to be spending more than I have to for things, especially as everything seems to be going up right now.
 

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