Leaving Wal-Mart with a changed outlook?

[Sumboodie]

I have no reason to go there.

Groceries from Fred Meyer and most everything else mail order, auto parts or hardware store.

Don't have time or desire to burn up hours "shopping". Even more so when it's busy. I have minimal patience for people plodding along unaware they're plugging up the aisles, screaming kids, getting run over by morbidly obese on Rascals taking up 7ft of aisle width, etc.

 

[Owen Lucas]

offer medical from day 1.

One of my old companies stopped doing this because women would get hired pregnant or become pregnant soon after just for the benefits and then quit shortly after.

This came straight from the CEOs mouth during one of our conferences.

 

[BISCUT]

@AZjeff
@AZjeff , is that by percentage of products sold? If so, I would say absolutely not.

Without a question Target, Harbor Freight, and Amazon sell a lot higher percentage of Chinese origin products than Wal Mart.

What I find far more frightening is the buying power of the mega-ologopies (i think I made that word up) that can dictate the price they will pay to the manufacturer. IMO, this leads to substandard products that many sellers are a-ok with pushing to the consumer and the consumer generally just accepts the inferior product.

 

[GON]

What I find far more frightening is the buying power of the mega-ologopies (i think I made that word up) that can dictate the price they will pay to the manufacturer. IMO, this leads to substandard products that many sellers are a-ok with pushing to the consumer and the consumer generally just accepts the inferior product.

Many decades ago, a general business practice of Sears Roebuck was to do just that, make a manufacturer so dependent on Sears, the manufacturer had no bargaining power.

Amazon has a like stranglehold. If Amazon discovers a product being sold lower on another website, Amazon will "blacklist" not only the item, but the seller of the item.

You bring up a huge issue. What happens when only a player or two in the manufacturing and sales of a product. Amazon business practices clearly demonstrate the market is not free and open.

 

[Opelman]

Wasn't Sam Walton a huge proponent of domestically made products? They changed radically after he passed.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Many decades ago, a general business practice of Sears Roebuck was to do just that, make a manufacturer so dependent on Sears, the manufacturer had no bargaining power.

Amazon has a like stranglehold. If Amazon discovers a product being sold lower on another website, Amazon will "blacklist" not only the item, but the seller of the item.

You bring up a huge issue. What happens when only a player or two in the manufacturing and sales of a product. Amazon business practices clearly demonstrate the market is not free and open.

Disagree. Capitalism is about winners and losers.
Amazon is in the business of making money. You and I are free to take them on, if we wish.

 

[GON]

Disagree. Capitalism is about winners and losers.
Amazon is in the business of making money. You and I are free to take them on, if we wish.

You need to get your tuition refunded from your economic studies.

Restraint of trade: action that interferes with free competition in a market

Restraint of trade refers to any action or agreement that limits a person or business's ability to freely conduct business, often by restricting competition. These restrictions can take many forms, such as non-compete clauses, price-fixing agreements, or monopolies. While some restraints are legal and even necessary for protecting legitimate business interests, others can be illegal and harmful to consumers and the overall economy.

 

[JeffKeryk]

You need to get your tuition refunded from your economic studies.

Restraint of trade: action that interferes with free competition in a market

Restraint of trade refers to any action or agreement that limits a person or business's ability to freely conduct business, often by restricting competition. These restrictions can take many forms, such as non-compete clauses, price-fixing agreements, or monopolies. While some restraints are legal and even necessary for protecting legitimate business interests, others can be illegal and harmful to consumers and the overall economy.

Again, disagree.
Amazon is free to choose which products to sell on its platform. Amazon operates as a marketplace, and like any retailer, it has the right to decide what products it will offer to customers.

Are you confusing Economics (behavioral science) with Strategic Sales and Marketing (strategy and tactics)?

 

[Owen Lucas]

Amazon has a like stranglehold. If Amazon discovers a product being sold lower on another website, Amazon will "blacklist" not only the item, but the seller of the item.

Amazon and Home Depot have the same price for the same bench grinder. I chose to buy from Home Depot.

 

[4WD]

Costco is 45 miles - and well into a rat race to drive and park …
(gas pump traffic clogging the entrance - crowded inside) …
Walmart is 3 miles and 12 miles in small towns …
Some have 10-30 years … Auto included …

 

[John105]

Today I went to the credit union. The largest in the USA. I go in person to financial institutions once every 10-15 years, usually to find out about cashiers checks and/or car loans. I’m not sure what I was expecting to see but I was a bit shocked. It would have been 30-40 min to speak to someone so I asked if I could handle a car loan online and was told yes it would take 20 min for approval (I calculated that I could borrow 25k and have a $466 pymt—have never borrowed that amount before but I’m confident I’m fine with that monthly). There were people everywhere like what’s the max occupancy of this building, and huge line for the ATM. I guess things really change in 10 years. I doubt I’d want to go back but I’ll probably get the loan and pick up the check in person. I was told VIN is key and maybe apply 2 days before I want to get the car. They were helpful at the front desk. Then we walked over to the hockey store and the guy was super helpful. Said junior large shoulder pads looked big on my son so likely what we have (junior medium and didn’t bring them) is good and no need to buy any now. I thought this is why amazon and costco can’t sell ice hockey gear—there is a level of expertise in the store. Since when do salesman advise customers not to buy anything as they don’t need to?

Both experiences left me with a changed outlook, in positive ways.

 

[Number_35]

Going into Walmart for almost anything but groceries, makes me glad we have Canadian Tire... Canadian tire still is mostly chinese stuff, but with better quality control/product selection, inventory management that is up to date and searchable, decent to lifetime warranty on things, and they have more mid size stores in smaller towns. And it doesn't usually cost any more than walmart. Also the inventory is more customized for the local market.

If I want some inexpensive clothes, I head to Giant Tiger, which is like a mini walmart that is also usually cheaper with better selection, and some of them have groceries too.

Canadian tire also sponsors a lot of kids sports programs and tends to be contributing members of our community. The local store will sponsor a house league hockey association. Walmart seems to be more of a money vacuum that only fills the local dump with plastic junk.... I've never heard of walmart doing anything for the community here?

The Canadian Tire stores here were poorly regarded a few decades ago - aisles of cheap junk, auto parts that outlived the 90-day warranty by mere days, and surly unhelpful staff.

When Walmart opened up here c. 1994, Canadian Tire lost a lot of business. CT had to pull up its socks - and did. The CT stores are now way better than they used to be.

The Walmarts here are good too.

It's been a win-win for the consumer.

I acknowledge CT's contribution in sponsoring the big JumpStart playground here - we've taken the grandchildren often.

 

[CKN]

Today I went to the credit union. The largest in the USA. I go in person to financial institutions once every 10-15 years, usually to find out about cashiers checks and/or car loans. I’m not sure what I was expecting to see but I was a bit shocked. It would have been 30-40 min to speak to someone so I asked if I could handle a car loan online and was told yes it would take 20 min for approval (I calculated that I could borrow 25k and have a $466 pymt—have never borrowed that amount before but I’m confident I’m fine with that monthly). There were people everywhere like what’s the max occupancy of this building, and huge line for the ATM. I guess things really change in 10 years. I doubt I’d want to go back but I’ll probably get the loan and pick up the check in person. I was told VIN is key and maybe apply 2 days before I want to get the car. They were helpful at the front desk. Then we walked over to the hockey store and the guy was super helpful. Said junior large shoulder pads looked big on my son so likely what we have (junior medium and didn’t bring them) is good and no need to buy any now. I thought this is why amazon and costco can’t sell ice hockey gear—there is a level of expertise in the store. Since when do salesman advise customers not to buy anything as they don’t need to?

Both experiences left me with a changed outlook, in positive ways.

Had one loan with a local credit union source by the Volvo dealer two months ago. Super competitive APR. So good in fact I refinanced my truck with them as well. All done through the website with one phone call from the credit union wanting to know how many miles on the truck. No other supporting documentation needed. They did do a credit pull. Only made two payments on the Volvo thus far. They wired the funds to where the loan was previously.

 

[Hermann]

Amazon and Home Depot have the same price for the same bench grinder. I chose to buy from Home Depot.

View attachment 293174View attachment 293173

That is your right sir. I often do the same. Many times I go Amazon.

 

[BISCUT]

Disagree. Capitalism is about winners and losers.
Amazon is in the business of making money. You and I are free to take them on, if we wish.

Barriers to entry have become beyond anything reasonable and IMO, criminal
At times.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Barriers to entry have become beyond anything reasonable and IMO, criminal
At times.

There are those who feel that way. I am not one of them. Opportunity abounds!
Does tech play hardball? Sure. Go big or go home.
There's always been crime in business; heck everywhere, right?

Thinking Amazon is restricting another company from doing business shows limited understanging. Do you think I should be able to tell Amazon what to sell or not sell? That's silly. Amazon has no monopoly; here's a quick list of their competitors: eBay, Walmart, Target, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud. For streaming, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu...

These are the best of times and these are the worst of times...

 

[SC Maintenance]

Amazon has a like stranglehold. If Amazon discovers a product being sold lower on another website, Amazon will "blacklist" not only the item, but the seller of the item.

Thinking Amazon is restricting another company from doing business shows limited understanging. Do you think I should be able to tell Amazon what to sell or not sell?

I am thinking your misunderstanding what @GON said. Price fixing is illegal. Using threats - real or veiled, that if you sell your product to a discounter we will no longer sell it on our platform, is a form of price fixing.

I remember when Gray market stuff from Japan was a thing for this same reason.

This all assuming what @GON said is accurate. Even if it was its almost impossible to prove and never gets prosecuted, so our blame should be directed at our justice department.

I own Amazon stock, but I would actually rather order from just about anywhere else - mainly because they constantly screw up. I used to own Phillip Morris stock but I don't smoke. I am happy to profit from that which I hate. How is that for capitalist

 

[PandaBear]

Walmart to me is a "let's see how far we can push efficiency" system in America. I don't think they cut corner to a point of a scam, like many smaller dishonest businesses in the rest of the world. Walmart at least keep it honest where they save you money and where you have to lower your expectation in the process. They don't pretend to make it nice and make you spend more money there. You spend your time there because you know you want to buy something cheap and get out as soon as you are done. It is not a place I want to go unless I have to.

Is it the best place to shop? No. Is it the cheapest place you can find something? Usually. Is what they sell just pure garbage? It depends. I wouldn't buy a lot of their store brand stuff like I would buy from Safeway or even Target (I think a few lotions I got there were not emulsified correctly or drop out of suspension, but at least their engine oil is good). Some quality cutting is so bad that I would rather play more for a better quality in another store. There is no best store in the world, Walmart has a place and I do go there sometimes (they are way out of my way because they don't want to pay for prime location like Target), I can save more money not going out of my way to buy toilet paper when Target is on sale for the same price.

About "at least Walmart is making attempt to not source as much from China as Target".... no it isn't. Just that Walmart has more grocery businesses than Target to dilute that. The stuff that is imported from China is the same as Target. If you want to endorse a company selling the least amount of Chinese import, go to a Mexican run fruit stand next to the farm. They are probably 100% "Made in USA".

 

[PandaBear]

Various sources estimate the percentage of walmart products imported from China at 60%, the highest of the big box stores. It had been 80% so they're sourcing from different countries. Can't find a time frame or the countries.

Walmart sell more produces than other big box stores. That basically dilute the percentage to the lowest. Costco may be lower but that's probably because they sell even more groceries than Walmart.

 

[PandaBear]

One of my old companies stopped doing this because women would get hired pregnant or become pregnant soon after just for the benefits and then quit shortly after.

This came straight from the CEOs mouth during one of our conferences.

It happens quite often. For big employers that have high hiring standard they get diluted away. For small companies that can be a disaster in their staff planning and cost.