Walmart's low prices hurt every one.

[Vikas]

RE: Auto parts store delivery

Really? So next time when my vehicle is up on the jacks and I need that drive axle pronto, will they drive to my house and deliver it like Chinese food?

If you are talking about auto parts store delivering stuff to shops, why in the world should I take that in to consideration when I am comparing Walmart vs parts store?

 

[1kickbuttranger]

Wal Mart does NOT get any of my money. When I need oil changes I go to Autozone and use my rewards card. Get 5 points and get $20 of the next purchase. Probably comes out cheaper than Walmart in the end. I'm in and out in no time, good parking, get to check out tools and such, etc...
(I did spend $65 there back in 08 though as a last resort though.)

 

[JohnnyZ52]

Walmart buys up quantities of many products in huge numbers and takes a risk of being stuck with that product. The Meijer's chain (think it's just in midwest) has similar or better prices than WM on most things. I do most of my shopping there or on Amazon.

Big corporations push out the little guy. It happens.

 

[Shannow]

If Walmart was buying at close-out sales, garage sales, and auctions, taking a hit on storage, then shipping it to where it needed to be to sell, then I'd agree with you.

 

[mechanicx]

Walmart has little selection or stock in general. Even if something sells well unless it sells really well Walmart stops carrying it. They do this even at the individual store level it seems. It's annoying how their product line often changes. they're on a never ending quest to make every last penny they can.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: jkhawaii
Only wal mart has those low price 5 quart jugs of oil while every other retailer has higher price per quart Gallon jugs.


That may be true where you are located, but around here most retailers carry the same 5 quart containers. I normally pick mine up at a local farm store, and the oil that I purchase is price competitive with what I understand are Wal-Mart's everyday price (seeing the Wal-Mart prices that are quoted on here).

Sometimes the farm store is a dollar or so higher than I understand the Wal-Mart prices to be, but I'm happy to pay an extra $1 or so in order not to patronize a Wal-Mart store.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
On the plus folks who are poor can go much further we with what money they have.the downside is now it will likely never spur any decent jobs having cheap prices.



Has anyone ever made high wages working at a retail establishment? Ever? I remember working retail for minimum wage in high school back in the 1960's. That was in the days when SS Kresge opened K-Mart. Looking for high wage jobs at a retail place is a waste of time.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Walmart enjoys tremendous market power in many lines.


So does GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, KIA, IBM, Dell...etc. Ask anyone who sells them parts or materials.


Yeah, but none of those companies have the sales revenue of Walmart, so none of them have anything like the market power of Walmart.
Walmart has as much revenue as GM and Toyota combined.


Yeah but they all beat the snot out of their suppliers the same way. Actually WM learned it from them.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: JHZR2

Given the way that W-M treats employees, if really trying to save a buck, and assuming I don't need it in the next five minutes, I'll often buy at amazon (assuming they are cheaper which also isn't always the case). I generally get my stuff in a day given my location.


Well, if you go snooping in how Amazon treats its employees and warehouse contractors, it's about as good controversial as WM.

Not that it's a big deal, it's honest work. I've gotten substantial oil deals from Amazon that someone must be losing money on, WM rarely clearances anymore and they're always making a nickel off every oil sale.


Yeah but my point was that if I was only shopping on price, amazon is often cheaper on things (and better things) than W-M, cheaper, I don't have to use gas to go there nor pay tax, etc. why should I pay for Walmart infrastructure when amazon has less? That drives prices lower which is better still for the consumer, right?


+1 Very true. I am an Amazon junkie as well.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Walmart has little selection or stock in general. Even if something sells well unless it sells really well Walmart stops carrying it. They do this even at the individual store level it seems. It's annoying how their product line often changes. they're on a never ending quest to make every last penny they can.


And this is a problem?

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Walmart has little selection or stock in general. Even if something sells well unless it sells really well Walmart stops carrying it. They do this even at the individual store level it seems. It's annoying how their product line often changes. they're on a never ending quest to make every last penny they can.


And this is a problem?


Yes it is a problem if a store has limited selection or a product you regularly bought stops being carried.

And to your other post, yes people use to make a better living working retail and at even grocery stores in the past. And that was when productivity wasn't so high and no where near the huge revenue Walmart is raking in. Walmart could afford to pay a lot better. Some people will defend Walmart no matter what they do.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Some people will defend Walmart no matter what they do.


And some will bash no matter what they do.

That's why I quit participating in Walmart threads, this post excepted. I'm actually impressed that this one hasn't gotten locked yet, after eight pages.

 

[kb01]

Originally Posted By: Doog
er made high wages working at a retail establishment? Ever? I remember working retail for minimum wage in high school back in the 1960's. That was in the days when SS Kresge opened K-Mart. Looking for high wage jobs at a retail place is a waste of time.


When I was a kid, it seemed like there were more commissioned retail jobs in things like electronics, cameras, clothing, lawn care, appliances, etc. My mom worked at a downtown department store and actually made a pretty decent living from it.

I think this model was pretty much obliterated by the big box stores and the idea of a specialty store, with a knowledgeable workforce completely went away (the internet eliminating the knowledge gap also played a significant role). It's a big reason why I won't shed a tear over the death of places like Best Buy or Barnes & Noble.

 

[Sayjac]

Quote:
Walmart has little selection or stock in general. Even if something sells well unless it sells really well Walmart stops carrying it.....

When it comes to oil must be a local thing in your area, not true here. Generally excellent selection and stock, those that are out or low are restocked in relatively timely manner. And, I've not seen oils being dropped.
Quote:
And some will bash no matter what they do.......

True that!

And also as typical when haters come out, at least some bring their easily recognized 'elitist' attitude and stereotyping of Walmart clientele. Same old stuff.

 

[DirtRacer53]

I work in Manufacturing and one of our Clients is Walmart and We produce products for them. We get their business and I have a job thanks to that business.

Back on topic, I find that getting conventional oil and filter (using the Puro classic for the filter) is cheaper at Walmart than at the auto parts store. Synthetic OTOH, I find cheaper at the autopart stores depending on what the sale is and which store (Usually Pepboys or AAP).

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Some people will defend Walmart no matter what they do.


And some will bash no matter what they do.

That's why I quit participating in Walmart threads, this post excepted. I'm actually impressed that this one hasn't gotten locked yet, after eight pages.


That's not really a valid argument. Walmart has never really done anything other than what some criticise them for.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: sayjac
Quote:
Walmart has little selection or stock in general. Even if something sells well unless it sells really well Walmart stops carrying it.....

When it comes to oil must be a local thing in your area, not true here. Generally excellent selection and stock, those that are out or low are restocked in relatively timely manner. And, I've not seen oils being dropped.


I'm not talking about just motor oil. Their motor oil line is about the most solid stock. I'm talking about their inventory in general. They do monkey around with their ATF and have little selection in coolants.

 

[Sayjac]

Quote:
I'm not talking about just motor oil......

As the topic'd thread is specifically about motor oil that's what I referenced, and there was no indication to the contrary.

That said, again the answer to those that don't like Wally for whatever reason(s), don't shop there. Quite simple. And here's a clue, Wally's not going out of business because of the bashing or anti Wally zealots here.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: rjundi
On the plus folks who are poor can go much further we with what money they have.the downside is now it will likely never spur any decent jobs having cheap prices.



Has anyone ever made high wages working at a retail establishment? Ever? I remember working retail for minimum wage in high school back in the 1960's. That was in the days when SS Kresge opened K-Mart. Looking for high wage jobs at a retail place is a waste of time.


The department managers at the grocery store that I frequent can easily make 50-60K a year. Front end managers can do in the neighborhood of 35-40K a year. A high school kid just starting will be around $9.00 an hour. One certainly won't get rich but being a department manager isn't a bad wage at all-certainly higher than your example.

The prices are only marginally higher than Wal-Mart on some items, many prices are the same, and on occasion prices are less than Wal-Mart. They also have vastly better quality and customer service.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: rjundi
On the plus folks who are poor can go much further we with what money they have.the downside is now it will likely never spur any decent jobs having cheap prices.



Has anyone ever made high wages working at a retail establishment? Ever? I remember working retail for minimum wage in high school back in the 1960's. That was in the days when SS Kresge opened K-Mart. Looking for high wage jobs at a retail place is a waste of time.


The department managers at the grocery store that I frequent can easily make 50-60K a year. Front end managers can do in the neighborhood of 35-40K a year.


$50-60k a year for the top tier managers is not that good relatively speaking. $35k is only $12k over the poverty limit for a family of 4. Retail has always been at the lower end of wage scales.