Interesting replies.
Thanks all.
Thanks all.
Are there any (other) folks that won't...
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Originally Posted By: PurplePride
Shop at Wall*Mart?
I refuse to go there, based on their business practices, etc.
Just curious - I see they often get "deals" with vendors that nobody else can due to their size and buying power.
I just can't stand the whole thing, so I'm wondering if any other feel that way.
So, you use your shopping habits as a political advocacy? You vote with your shopping? Hmmm.... Should we just have "Big Brother" close them down?
Does the word ideologue come to mind?
Shop at Wall*Mart?
I refuse to go there, based on their business practices, etc.
Just curious - I see they often get "deals" with vendors that nobody else can due to their size and buying power.
I just can't stand the whole thing, so I'm wondering if any other feel that way.
So, you use your shopping habits as a political advocacy? You vote with your shopping? Hmmm.... Should we just have "Big Brother" close them down?
Does the word ideologue come to mind?
All consumers vote with their purchases whether they realize it or not. I dont see anything wrong with actively descriminating for yourself where you want your money to go. What does that concept have to do with big brother?
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Originally Posted By: ddrumman2004
For the life of me, I will never understand Kroger's selling practice of the Kroger Card! You save money if you have one and they scan it. But they also have one that they can scan if you don't have one. Why not sell the products at the lower price to begin with? Seems stupid to me.
The purposes are to keep track of what you buy (in general for a pool of people, not just you individually), and determines what sells with what so they can analyze what price is right and how often to run sales.
If you don't want to use your card, you can usually punch in your phone number so they can look you up.
For the life of me, I will never understand Kroger's selling practice of the Kroger Card! You save money if you have one and they scan it. But they also have one that they can scan if you don't have one. Why not sell the products at the lower price to begin with? Seems stupid to me.
The purposes are to keep track of what you buy (in general for a pool of people, not just you individually), and determines what sells with what so they can analyze what price is right and how often to run sales.
If you don't want to use your card, you can usually punch in your phone number so they can look you up.
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Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
All consumers vote with their purchases whether they realize it or not. I dont see anything wrong with actively descriminating for yourself where you want your money to go. What does that concept have to do with big brother?
+1 People should have a thought or two for where their money is going and what its being used for. It's not quite as important as voting but with how "democracy" works these days, its probably close.
For me the Walmart money trail doesn't lead to anywhere worth while. I still have the option of going to grocery and hardware stores where I can talk to the owner. I don't always need their expertise but when I do its nice to have so I spend my money there, and keep them open.
I can see going to walmart if you really need the 10% or whatever lower prices, but for folks in the lower middle class and up, its using our dollars against us, making the Walton's and the Chinese rich... And our local communities poorer, due to lower wages, smaller commercial property tax base, etc...
All consumers vote with their purchases whether they realize it or not. I dont see anything wrong with actively descriminating for yourself where you want your money to go. What does that concept have to do with big brother?
+1 People should have a thought or two for where their money is going and what its being used for. It's not quite as important as voting but with how "democracy" works these days, its probably close.
For me the Walmart money trail doesn't lead to anywhere worth while. I still have the option of going to grocery and hardware stores where I can talk to the owner. I don't always need their expertise but when I do its nice to have so I spend my money there, and keep them open.
I can see going to walmart if you really need the 10% or whatever lower prices, but for folks in the lower middle class and up, its using our dollars against us, making the Walton's and the Chinese rich... And our local communities poorer, due to lower wages, smaller commercial property tax base, etc...
Truth be told, IMO Sam Walton would be disgusted with some aspects of the current Wal-Mart business model.
Then again so would Will Durant or Walter Chrysler.....Sad
Old man Ford might not be too happy about the "mortgage" either.
Then again so would Will Durant or Walter Chrysler.....Sad
Old man Ford might not be too happy about the "mortgage" either.
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
All consumers vote with their purchases whether they realize it or not. I dont see anything wrong with actively descriminating for yourself where you want your money to go. What does that concept have to do with big brother?
You know, it's one thing not to shop somewhere, but when you post it on a forum and try to get others to do the same?
What you do with your money is your business, however, this sounds like some towns in NE that want to keep Walmart (Big Box) out.
All consumers vote with their purchases whether they realize it or not. I dont see anything wrong with actively descriminating for yourself where you want your money to go. What does that concept have to do with big brother?
You know, it's one thing not to shop somewhere, but when you post it on a forum and try to get others to do the same?
What you do with your money is your business, however, this sounds like some towns in NE that want to keep Walmart (Big Box) out.
www.reasors.com
A local chain with better produce, better meats, at least as good a selection of the usual stuff plus a good selection of unusual stuff, helpful staff and managers, etc. -And- prices that are usually on par with the local Walmarts. On those occasions that Reasor's has a higher price, it's always been more than worth it in my experience. Plus, Walmart doesn't carry Boylan's sodas. Jerks.
I've noticed so many Walmart-bought things of mine break or otherwise become useless that I don't even trust what of the big name brands are sold there anymore. Walmart is my last choice for anything except 9mm practice ammo.
A local chain with better produce, better meats, at least as good a selection of the usual stuff plus a good selection of unusual stuff, helpful staff and managers, etc. -And- prices that are usually on par with the local Walmarts. On those occasions that Reasor's has a higher price, it's always been more than worth it in my experience. Plus, Walmart doesn't carry Boylan's sodas. Jerks.
I've noticed so many Walmart-bought things of mine break or otherwise become useless that I don't even trust what of the big name brands are sold there anymore. Walmart is my last choice for anything except 9mm practice ammo.
I try to not be there on the first and 15th of the month when the LINK cards are reloaded.
Wal*Mart needs a few lines that don't take LINK, WIC or any of the other programs that are giving away taxpayer money.
If I do have to go on the 1st or 15th, I'll go before 9AM, because there are few LINK recipients that are out of bed that early.
Go at 10PM at night, and they are there with their children in tow. It's just too painful.
So Wal*Mart, if you are reading, set up some lines that don't take EBT cards.
Wal*Mart needs a few lines that don't take LINK, WIC or any of the other programs that are giving away taxpayer money.
If I do have to go on the 1st or 15th, I'll go before 9AM, because there are few LINK recipients that are out of bed that early.
Go at 10PM at night, and they are there with their children in tow. It's just too painful.
So Wal*Mart, if you are reading, set up some lines that don't take EBT cards.
Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
I try to support the Wal-Mart and the Schnuck's store equally.
(Schnuck's is a regional supermarket chain out of St. Louis)
Here's an example, Schnuck's doesn't have motor oil and filters.... and Wal*Mart doesn't have meat or produce that is worth eating.
So, I patronize both of them...
We tend to shop Wal*Mart, Aldi and the Dierbergs at Green Mount and Frank Scott.
oilBabe likes the Aldi produce, the Dierbergs meat (they do have some pretty good slab bacon from a local meat packer) and Wal*Mart or Sam's has the other household items.
Schnucks just isn't convenient for anyone's drive. The others are.
I try to support the Wal-Mart and the Schnuck's store equally.
(Schnuck's is a regional supermarket chain out of St. Louis)
Here's an example, Schnuck's doesn't have motor oil and filters.... and Wal*Mart doesn't have meat or produce that is worth eating.
So, I patronize both of them...
We tend to shop Wal*Mart, Aldi and the Dierbergs at Green Mount and Frank Scott.
oilBabe likes the Aldi produce, the Dierbergs meat (they do have some pretty good slab bacon from a local meat packer) and Wal*Mart or Sam's has the other household items.
Schnucks just isn't convenient for anyone's drive. The others are.
I am picky about what I buy at Walmart some prices aren't that good . And there are certain things, Food products or locally mfg products I buy .Buying local from good people is the way to go if at all possible. I really shop less and less at Home Depot though seems everything is a lower grade and quality and at a higher price than it is worth{cheap made in China stuff at made in USA prices]. I like when people have discernment how they spend their hard earned money. If all were so, the ecomomy wouldn't be so bad.
I shop at Wal-Mart when I want something that Wal-Mart carries. I shop for meat and most groceries at an acutal nearby grocery store. I go to hardware store for hardware. I shop for auto parts at an auto part store.
W-M is just another store with great deals on most items. I couldn't care less if some people don't want to shop there...more parking spots for the rest of us.
W-M is just another store with great deals on most items. I couldn't care less if some people don't want to shop there...more parking spots for the rest of us.
Originally Posted By: Zedhed
Originally Posted By: PurplePride
Shop at Wall*Mart?
I refuse to go there, based on their business practices, etc.
Just curious - I see they often get "deals" with vendors that nobody else can due to their size and buying power.
I just can't stand the whole thing, so I'm wondering if any other feel that way.
So, you use your shopping habits as a political advocacy? You vote with your shopping? Hmmm.... Should we just have "Big Brother" close them down?
Does the word ideologue come to mind?
Always one in the crowd...
Yes, I make statements with my money.
Just like folks that won't buy a Toyota due to the recent recalls.
Or a GM because they took bailout money.
Or whatever.
You have no idea on my politics, and if you did, you'd be standing there with your thumb in the backside.
Originally Posted By: PurplePride
Shop at Wall*Mart?
I refuse to go there, based on their business practices, etc.
Just curious - I see they often get "deals" with vendors that nobody else can due to their size and buying power.
I just can't stand the whole thing, so I'm wondering if any other feel that way.
So, you use your shopping habits as a political advocacy? You vote with your shopping? Hmmm.... Should we just have "Big Brother" close them down?
Does the word ideologue come to mind?
Always one in the crowd...
Yes, I make statements with my money.
Just like folks that won't buy a Toyota due to the recent recalls.
Or a GM because they took bailout money.
Or whatever.
You have no idea on my politics, and if you did, you'd be standing there with your thumb in the backside.
Originally Posted By: Zedhed
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
All consumers vote with their purchases whether they realize it or not. I dont see anything wrong with actively descriminating for yourself where you want your money to go. What does that concept have to do with big brother?
You know, it's one thing not to shop somewhere, but when you post it on a forum and try to get others to do the same?
What you do with your money is your business, however, this sounds like some towns in NE that want to keep Walmart (Big Box) out.
You don't care much for thinking before you post eh?
WHERE did I or ANYONE else try to get ANYONE to not shop at Wal*Mart?
Go ahead, I'll wait...
Right. Nowhere.
Comprehension:
the action or capability of understanding something : some won't have the least comprehension of what I'm trying to say.
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
All consumers vote with their purchases whether they realize it or not. I dont see anything wrong with actively descriminating for yourself where you want your money to go. What does that concept have to do with big brother?
You know, it's one thing not to shop somewhere, but when you post it on a forum and try to get others to do the same?
What you do with your money is your business, however, this sounds like some towns in NE that want to keep Walmart (Big Box) out.
You don't care much for thinking before you post eh?
WHERE did I or ANYONE else try to get ANYONE to not shop at Wal*Mart?
Go ahead, I'll wait...
Right. Nowhere.
Comprehension:
the action or capability of understanding something : some won't have the least comprehension of what I'm trying to say.
Originally Posted By: Steve S
I am picky about what I buy at Walmart some prices aren't that good . And there are certain things, Food products or locally mfg products I buy .Buying local from good people is the way to go if at all possible. I really shop less and less at Home Depot though seems everything is a lower grade and quality and at a higher price than it is worth{cheap made in China stuff at made in USA prices]. I like when people have discernment how they spend their hard earned money. If all were so, the ecomomy wouldn't be so bad.
Indeed. Well said.
I am picky about what I buy at Walmart some prices aren't that good . And there are certain things, Food products or locally mfg products I buy .Buying local from good people is the way to go if at all possible. I really shop less and less at Home Depot though seems everything is a lower grade and quality and at a higher price than it is worth{cheap made in China stuff at made in USA prices]. I like when people have discernment how they spend their hard earned money. If all were so, the ecomomy wouldn't be so bad.
Indeed. Well said.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
All consumers vote with their purchases whether they realize it or not. I dont see anything wrong with actively descriminating for yourself where you want your money to go. What does that concept have to do with big brother?
+1 People should have a thought or two for where their money is going and what its being used for. It's not quite as important as voting but with how "democracy" works these days, its probably close.
For me the Walmart money trail doesn't lead to anywhere worth while. I still have the option of going to grocery and hardware stores where I can talk to the owner. I don't always need their expertise but when I do its nice to have so I spend my money there, and keep them open.
I can see going to walmart if you really need the 10% or whatever lower prices, but for folks in the lower middle class and up, its using our dollars against us, making the Walton's and the Chinese rich... And our local communities poorer, due to lower wages, smaller commercial property tax base, etc...
Couldn't say it better!
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
All consumers vote with their purchases whether they realize it or not. I dont see anything wrong with actively descriminating for yourself where you want your money to go. What does that concept have to do with big brother?
+1 People should have a thought or two for where their money is going and what its being used for. It's not quite as important as voting but with how "democracy" works these days, its probably close.
For me the Walmart money trail doesn't lead to anywhere worth while. I still have the option of going to grocery and hardware stores where I can talk to the owner. I don't always need their expertise but when I do its nice to have so I spend my money there, and keep them open.
I can see going to walmart if you really need the 10% or whatever lower prices, but for folks in the lower middle class and up, its using our dollars against us, making the Walton's and the Chinese rich... And our local communities poorer, due to lower wages, smaller commercial property tax base, etc...
Couldn't say it better!
I refuse to step foot in there, and refuse to receive, when I know, anything bought there.
This is a (lightly edited) copy & paste from a response I gave in a thread similar to this some months ago.:
A few reasons that might best be illustrated with examples: Here goes:
1) Low, low prices.
I recall an NPR story about the demise of Vlassic (sp?) Pickles. The story went that Vlassic worked out a deal to sell their stuff at Wal-Mart, who imposed really hardcore pricing conditions on their products; something to the effect of a x% drop in the current retail price, *plus a 5% drop each year for the next x number of years*.
Upon agreeing to this, the first thing Vlassic did was shut down most of it's North American production to move production overseas. Production of pickles?! Anyhow, by the time this all shook down, a few thousand folks were now out of work.
As the years went by, and Vlassic had to keep squeezing squeezing squeezing that retail price, eventually the whole company went overseas. *Eventually*, they went under.
2) A town like any other town
Small town, U.S.A. is becoming a series of lightly populated ghost towns with a Wal-Mart just outside town. There are no more communities anymore with an identity of their own; only population centers surrounding Big Retail. This ties in directly with...
3) A giant sucking sound
I knew a guy who owned a shoe store in Windsor. Old Italian fella. He owned his shoe store, knew his customers well. He was *invested* in his community, and had a very deep stake in the community's well being.
Now? He wears a silly blue vest and calls arrogant lil brats "sir" and makes $14/ hour for a company that probably doesn't even remember it has a store here. He's just another employee for a dictatorial power beyond our community.
Things that bother me less than items 1 through 3:
4) Labour practices
This is debatable, given the OP, but there was a store that up and closed in Quebec a few years back when the workers tried to organize.
I've also seen news items here and there about them hiring illegals; but that is probably more the fault of individual managers than the home office.
5) Commodification
Everything is cheap garbage now. Instead of buying quality made hardware, we're all too happy to go buy the cheapest possible kee-rap we can find, wait til it breaks and then...
6) Toss it
All that expendable garbage we're buying was made from stuff. Eventually we're going to learn the hard way, as only humans can, that we cannot go on consuming endlessly.
---
I want to point out that my contempt is for Big Retail in general. I believe in local ownership and strong communities where the members of the community are the ones running it. Wal-Mart just happens to have kicked the tails of all of the others, and is therefore the poster child for the detrimental effects of this business model.
What scares me is that:
1) No one seems to think this through, to fully grasp the consequences of our shopping decisions,
2) Some people think it through and still don't care. Even the ones who love the U.S. of A. and lament it's decline. Even, apparently, union members in KY!
3) Those that embrace this model do so *knowing* what the costs are. Our countries (basically, the industrialized West) are full of people who will willing and knowingly do things that damage not only our economy but the very social fabric that defines what we are, *to save a buck*.
---
I fully realize that my problems with Big Retail and their poster child, Wal-Mart are equally divided between what I think are rational, objective observations about economic short-sightedness on the part of the consumer (and the flippin' corporate interest leading us in this direction!) and moral positions that not everyone would share.
I'd hate to think that I'm using incendiary language in my posts that is dissuading members here from evaluating at least the economic points, but sometimes my blood boils when I see what appears to be hapless consumers trapped in a cycle of dependence on these soulless mega-structures. I have a 2 year old old and a 10 month old and I am honestly concerned about what kind of country they're going to inherit from me; and I'm not necessarily talking about our economy: I am talking about masters and the indentured. I am talking about what kind of trash the Britney-Spears-of-15-years-from-now is going to be dumping into their impressionable minds. Soulless corporate interests with no concern for our long term health or our well being that exist only because we support them, because they tell us to.
This is a (lightly edited) copy & paste from a response I gave in a thread similar to this some months ago.:
A few reasons that might best be illustrated with examples: Here goes:
1) Low, low prices.
I recall an NPR story about the demise of Vlassic (sp?) Pickles. The story went that Vlassic worked out a deal to sell their stuff at Wal-Mart, who imposed really hardcore pricing conditions on their products; something to the effect of a x% drop in the current retail price, *plus a 5% drop each year for the next x number of years*.
Upon agreeing to this, the first thing Vlassic did was shut down most of it's North American production to move production overseas. Production of pickles?! Anyhow, by the time this all shook down, a few thousand folks were now out of work.
As the years went by, and Vlassic had to keep squeezing squeezing squeezing that retail price, eventually the whole company went overseas. *Eventually*, they went under.
2) A town like any other town
Small town, U.S.A. is becoming a series of lightly populated ghost towns with a Wal-Mart just outside town. There are no more communities anymore with an identity of their own; only population centers surrounding Big Retail. This ties in directly with...
3) A giant sucking sound
I knew a guy who owned a shoe store in Windsor. Old Italian fella. He owned his shoe store, knew his customers well. He was *invested* in his community, and had a very deep stake in the community's well being.
Now? He wears a silly blue vest and calls arrogant lil brats "sir" and makes $14/ hour for a company that probably doesn't even remember it has a store here. He's just another employee for a dictatorial power beyond our community.
Things that bother me less than items 1 through 3:
4) Labour practices
This is debatable, given the OP, but there was a store that up and closed in Quebec a few years back when the workers tried to organize.
I've also seen news items here and there about them hiring illegals; but that is probably more the fault of individual managers than the home office.
5) Commodification
Everything is cheap garbage now. Instead of buying quality made hardware, we're all too happy to go buy the cheapest possible kee-rap we can find, wait til it breaks and then...
6) Toss it
All that expendable garbage we're buying was made from stuff. Eventually we're going to learn the hard way, as only humans can, that we cannot go on consuming endlessly.
---
I want to point out that my contempt is for Big Retail in general. I believe in local ownership and strong communities where the members of the community are the ones running it. Wal-Mart just happens to have kicked the tails of all of the others, and is therefore the poster child for the detrimental effects of this business model.
What scares me is that:
1) No one seems to think this through, to fully grasp the consequences of our shopping decisions,
2) Some people think it through and still don't care. Even the ones who love the U.S. of A. and lament it's decline. Even, apparently, union members in KY!
3) Those that embrace this model do so *knowing* what the costs are. Our countries (basically, the industrialized West) are full of people who will willing and knowingly do things that damage not only our economy but the very social fabric that defines what we are, *to save a buck*.
---
I fully realize that my problems with Big Retail and their poster child, Wal-Mart are equally divided between what I think are rational, objective observations about economic short-sightedness on the part of the consumer (and the flippin' corporate interest leading us in this direction!) and moral positions that not everyone would share.
I'd hate to think that I'm using incendiary language in my posts that is dissuading members here from evaluating at least the economic points, but sometimes my blood boils when I see what appears to be hapless consumers trapped in a cycle of dependence on these soulless mega-structures. I have a 2 year old old and a 10 month old and I am honestly concerned about what kind of country they're going to inherit from me; and I'm not necessarily talking about our economy: I am talking about masters and the indentured. I am talking about what kind of trash the Britney-Spears-of-15-years-from-now is going to be dumping into their impressionable minds. Soulless corporate interests with no concern for our long term health or our well being that exist only because we support them, because they tell us to.
Yeah, let's all just be socialist farmers. It'll be great.
/thread
/thread
Originally Posted By: willix
You have a skewed view of the reasons why. They are the best bang for the buck & have quality products that can't be had any cheaper. Convenience is important. I think they are the largest employer in the country, maybe the world. Your reasons are purely political and you must not have any concerns to saving a nickel.
It's less political and more about one's sense of decency and conscience. When folks who measure the quality of life purely based on the money or stuff they have in it, and consider only their own immediate interests and gratification when making purchasing and other decisions, then Wal-mart must seem like a beautiful world full of bright, shiny stuff.
I think the people who run these places know full well that as long as you keep thinking of only yourself and your nickels, you'll never, ever, ever care about what has to happen to people and places and jobs and communities to save you that nickel.
You have a skewed view of the reasons why. They are the best bang for the buck & have quality products that can't be had any cheaper. Convenience is important. I think they are the largest employer in the country, maybe the world. Your reasons are purely political and you must not have any concerns to saving a nickel.
It's less political and more about one's sense of decency and conscience. When folks who measure the quality of life purely based on the money or stuff they have in it, and consider only their own immediate interests and gratification when making purchasing and other decisions, then Wal-mart must seem like a beautiful world full of bright, shiny stuff.
I think the people who run these places know full well that as long as you keep thinking of only yourself and your nickels, you'll never, ever, ever care about what has to happen to people and places and jobs and communities to save you that nickel.
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