Who here doesnt like Wal-Mart? Options

[BlackCelicaGT94]

I dont know if you guys know what all goes into putting a Wal-Mart up but my goodness theres always a fight in every city to keep it out of their city.


Do you guys have any problems with Wal-Mart?


go to Walmart facts\

they have such a bad rap but i personally see nothing wrong with the company. They are an excellent company for wifes or family members of those who live on military bases. Gives people a chance to work.

[SinisterWhisper]

I work at meijer as a cashier and we are basicaly a superwalmart I guess. Overall nothing wrong with walmart but like every company some of its employees are corrupt but hey thats life.

[Uppitycracker]

I think the main problem people have with walmarts is that it drives small businesses out of business. But I suppose thats life, my family shops there for groceries.

[Coomer]

I like Wal-Mart because I can go there at 3AM to get another gallon of fiberglass resin or another tube of solder or whatever else I need to work on my car when I work all night long in the garage.

[BLINKYxMUNKEY]

i dont really like walmart. i was just walking around and some dude that worked there came up to me saying that he "kicked me out of walmart last week" and that if he saw me to anything bad he will get me in deep trouble. then he sat there for about 5 minutes staring me down. the funny thing was is that i havemt been to any walmart within about 1.5 months. so i was extremly pissed.

[Uppitycracker]

I like Wal-Mart because I can go there at 3AM to get another gallon of fiberglass resin or another tube of solder or whatever else I need to work on my car when I work all night long in the garage.
[right][snapback]234829[/snapback][/right]

they sell fiberglass resin??? How much is?? is it good stuff?

Tim

[Batman722]

dont really like walmart. i was just walking around and some dude that worked there came up to me saying that he "kicked me out of walmart last week" and that if he saw me to anything bad he will get me in deep trouble. then he sat there for about 5 minutes staring me down. the funny thing was is that i havemt been to any walmart within about 1.5 months. so i was extremly pissed.

sounds like you don't like an employee at WalMart.

Walmart is freakin great. You can't beat their prices for anything.

[BlackCelicaGT94]

heres a few reasons people dont like them


they dont promote
they pay cheap
most products are not made in the US
building a wal-mart brings more traffic



those are just a few of the reasons ive heard.

[ghostdog]

reasons I hate walmart

http://www.flagstaffactivist.org/fan/walfacts.phtml

yes I like saving money, yes I occasionally shop there, but I still hate them damnit

[BlackCelicaGT94]

DOES FLAGSTAFF NEED SUPER WAL-MART?

Employment Impacts

On average, communities lose one and a half full-time jobs for every part-time job at Wal-Mart.
Wages and benefits at Wal-Mart are an average of $5.00/hour less than at places like Safeway that pay union wages.
The National Labor Relations Board has ruled that Wal-Mart has threatened and penalized employees attempting involvement in unions
Approximately half of Wal-Mart’s employees are eligible for food stamps
The median income of a Wal-Mart employee is about $12,000 as opposed to the national median income of $25-30,000

Fact: Currently, 74 percent of Wal-Mart’s hourly associates in the United States work full-time. That is well above the 20 - 40 percent typically found in the retail industry. Our average hourly wage for regular full-time associates in the U.S. is $9.68 an hour, almost double the federal minimum wage. Wal-Mart’s average full-time wage in urban areas is slightly higher than the national average. For example: Chicago, $10.69; Austin, TX, $10.69; Washington D.C./Baltimore, $10.08; Atlanta, $10.80; and in Los Angeles, $9.99


Only about 40% of Wal-Mart employees have medical coverage
Fact: Our health care plan insures full-time and part-time associates once eligible. Last year, this was more than 500,000 associates, including many family members. Currently, 86 percent of Wal-Mart associates surveyed have medical insurance - 56 percent of those with coverage received health care insurance from Wal-Mart and the remainder receive health care through another source such as another employer, a family member, the military or Medicare. Unlike many plans, after the first year, the Wal-Mart medical plan has no maximum for most expenses, protecting our associates against catastrophic loss and financial ruin.

Associates enrolled in the Associates’ Medical Plan also have access to world class health care at the Mayo Clinic, Stanford University Hospital, Johns Hopkins University Hospital and many other health care facilities, all without insurance approval.




They usually leave their previous store vacant to prevent a competitor from locating in that building.


Fact: Wal-Mart recycles unused stores to benefit our communities. We have a full-time team of real estate professionals, backed by an entire department dedicated solely to making sure available Wal-Mart properties are sold or leased to benefit our communities. Our stores have been converted to other retailers including Hobby Lobby, Big Lots and Burlington Coat Factory. They’ve also been turned into schools, churches, call centers and automobile dealerships. Last year, we sold, leased or sub-leased more than 15 million square feet of space for our communities. It’s our responsibility to recycle our unused stores and we take it very seriously.




Military Support
Fact: In 2004, more than 38,000 Wal-Mart associates told us they have served in the military. Currently, 3,200 associates are on military leave. It’s obvious we are loyal supporters of men and women in the armed forces. More often than not, they are our friends, neighbors, and frequently our fellow associates. Wal-Mart proudly offers continuation of benefits and salary differential to associates called to active duty.

We support the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Operation Uplink by providing free phone cards so service men and women can call home from anywhere in the world. And we made it possible for customers nationwide to send hundreds of thousands of messages of support to military men and women through in-store kiosks. We provide millions of dollars in financial aid to military family-support organizations and work with manufacturers to supply clothing for the wounded and special-need items for the troops.

Wal-Mart donated $6 million to help build the World War II memorial in Washington D.C. while associates and customers raised an additional $8.5 million. In 2003, Wal-Mart was honored with the prestigious "Corporate Patriotism Award" sponsored by the Employer Support for Guard & Reserve (ESGR) and in 2004 honored with the Secretary of Defense “Employer Supports Freedom Award,” also sponsored by ESGR.

[Coomer]

I like Wal-Mart because I can go there at 3AM to get another gallon of fiberglass resin or another tube of solder or whatever else I need to work on my car when I work all night long in the garage.
[right][snapback]234829[/snapback][/right]

they sell fiberglass resin??? How much is?? is it good stuff?

Tim
[right][snapback]234831[/snapback][/right]

Yeah, a gallon of Bondo resin and two tubes of hardener for $27 I believe. I prefer Bondo over USC, and those are the only two I've used.

[Uppitycracker]

heres a few reasons people dont like them


they dont promote
they pay cheap
most products are not made in the US
building a wal-mart brings more traffic



those are just a few of the reasons ive heard.
[right][snapback]234839[/snapback][/right]

Well they pay according to thie job, which is monkey work. They also prophit share which most companies don't do.

Most products sold anywhere aren't made in the US.

From what I here they do promote, but I mean stores like that don't exactly attract the type that wanna work there way up in life.

Tim

[Uppitycracker]

I like Wal-Mart because I can go there at 3AM to get another gallon of fiberglass resin or another tube of solder or whatever else I need to work on my car when I work all night long in the garage.
[right][snapback]234829[/snapback][/right]

they sell fiberglass resin??? How much is?? is it good stuff?

Tim
[right][snapback]234831[/snapback][/right]

Yeah, a gallon of Bondo resin and two tubes of hardener for $27 I believe. I prefer Bondo over USC, and those are the only two I've used.
[right][snapback]234848[/snapback][/right]

Right on, is bondo resin epoxy? The stuff I got off the net is twice that price so it would be cool to get it local for half the price! Thanks man!

Tim

[BlackCelicaGT94]

oh no i like them :-D trust me i do! and i dont even shop there!

those are just rumors that circulate about them!

[Uppitycracker]

oh no i like them :-D trust me i do! and i dont even shop there!

those are just rumors that circulate about them!
[right][snapback]234851[/snapback][/right]

Ya I know what you mean, people love to yap there jaws, its a sickness.

[orvillescelica]

I LOVE Walmart!!! I use to go to Super Walmart with my friend late at night and we would just walk around for hours and no one would bother us. They let us just sit there on one of the furniture displays for an hour an a half as we watched a movie on one of the TV displays. The walmart brand stuff is sometimes better than the name brand stuff. I would always get their generic brand food stuff because they were either just as good or better, and always a ton cheaper. Walmart is great! Always open, always cheap!

[madmods]

I understand both sides of the arguments and saw a great show on nova about the economic impact Walmart has. Personally, I'm with Coomer here. I've been known to stop at walmart many times very late at night. And the prices are not bad either. So I go to vote that I like them.

[forkee]

umm....the walmarts around here are only open 8-11. what are u talking about 3 in the morning?? u mean to say ur guy's walmarts are 24/7 or somethin'?

[ghostdog]

did you get that from the walmart website? sorry to say but you can't always take things at face value. take for example the statement below:

Fact: Currently, 74 percent of Wal-Mart’s hourly associates in the United States work full-time. That is well above the 20 - 40 percent typically found in the retail industry.[right][snapback]234846[/snapback][/right]

what they don't tell you is that

the company brags that 70% of their employees are full time, but fails to disclose that they count anyone working 28 hours a week or more as full  time.

something else I found interesting:

One of the most telling of all the criticisms of Wal-Mart is to be found in a February 2004 report by the Democratic Staff of the House Education and Workforce Committee. In analyzing Wal-Mart's success in holding employee compensation at low levels, the report assesses the costs to US taxpayers of employees who are so badly paid that they qualify for government assistance even under the less than generous rules of the federal welfare system. For a two-hundred-employee Wal-Mart store, the government is spending $108,000 a year for children's health care; $125,000 a year in tax credits and deductions for low-income families; and $42,000 a year in housing assistance. The report estimates that a two-hundred-employee Wal-Mart store costs federal taxpayers $420,000 a year, or about $2,103 per Wal-Mart employee. That translates into a total annual welfare bill of $2.5 billion for Wal-Mart's 1.2 million US employees.

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/17647

[BlackCelicaGT94]

I like wal-mart and i have the best reason in the world to liek them! :-D

I talk to them everyday!

This post has been edited by BlackCelicaGT94: Jan 17, 2005 - 8:17 PM

[dstrbcelica]

i don't like wal-mart. i work for a competitor though. although, i was at wal-mart last night to buy some car air freshners.

-dstrb

[Coomer]

Right on, is bondo resin epoxy? The stuff I got off the net is twice that price so it would be cool to get it local for half the price! Thanks man!

Tim
[right][snapback]234850[/snapback][/right]

Nah, it's regular polyester resin, not epoxy resin.

umm....the walmarts around here are only open 8-11. what are u talking about 3 in the morning?? u mean to say ur guy's walmarts are 24/7 or somethin'? 
[right][snapback]234867[/snapback][/right]

The one here is open 24/7. It's nice.

[Kwanza26]

I didn't read anything you folks are arguing about... but I don't like WalMart because of the negative impact they have on our economy...

[vangSTa_celica]

Not an overall big fan, but good on a college student budget.

[saleeka]

for me I try to avoid shopping at wal-mart if I can, because like what has already been said, when they move into small communities they devistate the economy... Wal-Mart opens up in town, pop. 5,000. Undercuts competition so eveybody shops there, in turn driving the smaller competitors out of business. Their old employees now are foreced to find new jobs, most likely at wal-mart, making 6 dollars an hour... now lots of the people in the economy have no $ to spend, and the cycle continues...

[Jaws4God]

Kmart rules!

[BlackCelicaGT94]

Wal-Mart Daily News

A daily guide to what's happening in your Wal-Mart

September 6, 2005



Katrina Relief Report
EDITOR'S NOTE: We will continue to send you updates on Wal-Mart’s Katrina Relief Efforts over the next few days. We'd like to include stories about any members of the Wal-Mart family who have helped their fellow associates deal with hardships inflicted by the storm. As you learn of them, please send these stories to us at public.relations@wal-mart.com.

As of this morning, 17 stores are still closed (10 Supercenters, 4 SAM'S CLUBS, 3 Wal-Mart Stores). We have 7 facilities that are operating on generator power. This is a tremendous improvement from the 126 facilities that were closed at the peak last week when Hurricane Katrina struck.


A total of 89 facilities have reported damage. Nine have major damage, 41 have moderate damage and 39 have minor damage or loss of merchandise loss.


Currently, Wal-Mart is allowing 13 of its available properties to be used for the relief efforts in several capacities -- staging areas, shelters, food bank, police command centers, etc.


Currently, we have two temporary pharmacies in operation. The portable pharmacy in downtown Waveland, Miss., has filled over 1,000 prescriptions in the last two days.


We have 6 portable ISD satellite systems in operation to allow our registers and other systems to work.


Company-wide relief efforts

Information on Katrina’s impact on Wal-Mart and the company’s aid to storm victims is available for associates, customers, journalists and the general public on www.walmartfacts.com.


The company has made contact with more than 65% of its 34,000 associates affected by the storm, including some who have been found in the various evacuee shelters. Wal-Mart is committed to provide work for displaced associates who want to work in open stores.


A total of 6,156 associates have received more than $1.5 million, including initial cash assistance paid out from the company's Associate Disaster Relief Fund through the Wal-Mart Foundation. These associates, who represent 65 different Wal-Marts, SAM'S CLUBS or distribution centers, have come into 750 facilities in 30 states to receive assistance.


To date, 960 displaced associates had found work in their new locations at Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB facilities.


The Associate Disaster Hotline has so far taken 12,244 calls (Wednesday 1,128, Thursday 2,312, Friday 2,614, Saturday 2,267, Sunday 1,891, Monday 2,075).


The Online Emergency Contact Registry, which Wal-Mart has set up to give customers and associates access to e-mail facilities at in-store kiosks and on the Web, has had more than 959,675 visits. More than 9,618 associates and customers have posted messages.




In the News

Former Presidents Bush And Clinton Hold A News Conference Regarding Disaster Relief For Hurricane Katrina Victims - Bush: "We're announcing today a fund that will take this outpouring of generosity on to the next level. Recovery is going to take years. We need to help these Gulf Coast communities and, of course, the great city of New Orleans, help them get back on their feet, and we need to help their citizens get their lives back. And standing behind us today -- or with us today is a group of CEOs who came here to help pledge their support. All of them are being -- they're national in scope, all of them being incredibly generous. But I don't think anyone would mind if I singled out the chairman and CEO of Wal-Mart, Lee Scott, who is right here. He told us that they gave the Bush-Clinton fund a total of $23 million ... $15 million from the company and then $8 million more from the Walton family, the marvelous philanthropists that they are."

Clinton: "I, too, want to thank Lee Scott and Wal-Mart. And I want to mention something that they are doing because this, I hope, will give some guidance to our members of Congress -- Hillary and Senator Obama and our House members who are here -- go back to work and wonder what they should do. They still have over 20 stores that are closed and so when the employees of those stores are relocated to other communities, even in other states, they're given a job at the nearest Wal-Mart store, wherever they go, wherever they locate anywhere in America." Transcript of news conference (used with permission)

<<Bush And Clinton.doc>>

Wal-Mart , Waltons pledge millions - Wal-Mart and the Walton Family Foundation have pledged many more millions to help with the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The company has pledged $15 million in an "outright cash commitment that we made to the relief effort headed by former President Bush and former President Clinton," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Andrea Rader said Monday. Separately, the Walton Family Foundation is providing $8 million to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. The Walton Family Foundation has already donated an additional $7 million to organizations such as The Salvation Army, America’s Second Harvest and Foundation for the Mid-South. In addition, an online message board is helping associates locate and communicate with their friends and family members. As of Monday, the message board received more than 8,100 posts (4,800 by associates) and more than 800,000 hits, according to Walmartfacts.com. Benton County Daily Record (AR) (used with permission)


<<Wal-Mart Waltons pledge.doc>>

Creating a Shelter in 2 days - If you go out the door marked "Tire, Lube & Express Entrance" and make a left, you'll find the men's and women's showers. Walk up front to the former pharmacy, past dozens and dozens of floor spaces marked for beds, and you'll be where you can get personal hygiene items. It's all a sign that McKinney is prepared. When the city's fire chief, Mark Wallace, heard at 10:45 p.m. Thursday that his community could be receiving hundreds of Hurricane Katrina evacuees, McKinney officials, businesses and volunteers swung into action. Attention turned to the former Wal-Mart on U.S. Highway 380 – slated for demolition in three weeks – as a shelter site for about 250 evacuees. "This is the epitome of the private sector coming together to support the efforts of the city," Marshal Nickles said Monday afternoon amid volunteers and evacuees. "We put out a call for electricians, and soon we had guys walking up with tool belts." Kim Lake, a co-manager at McKinney's new Wal-Mart Supercenter that opened July 20, said the community came together without federal or state help. The Dallas Morning News (used with permission)

<<creating_shelter.doc>>



Wal-Mart at Forefront of Hurricane Relief - At 8 a.m. on Wednesday, as New Orleans filled with water, Wal-Mart chief executive H. Lee Scott Jr. called an emergency meeting of his top lieutenants and warned them he did not want a "measured response" to the hurricane. "I want us to respond in a way appropriate to our size and the impact we can have," he said, according to an executive who attended the meeting. At the time, Wal-Mart had pledged $2 million to the relief efforts. "Should it be $10 million?" Scott asked. Over the next few days, Wal-Mart's response to Katrina -- an unrivaled $20 million in cash donations, 1,500 truckloads of free merchandise, food for 100,000 meals and the promise of a job for every one of its displaced workers -- has turned the chain into an unexpected lifeline for much of the Southeast and earned it near-universal praise at a time when the company is struggling to burnish its image. While state and federal officials have come under harsh criticism for their handling of the storm's aftermath, Wal-Mart is being held up as a model for logistical efficiency and nimble disaster planning, which have allowed it to quickly deliver staples such as water, fuel and toilet paper to thousands of evacuees. "Wal-Mart has raised the ante for every company in the country," said Adam Hanft, chief executive of Hanft Unlimited Inc., a New York branding and marketing firm. "This is going to change the face of corporate giving." The Washington Post (used with permission)

<<Wal-Mart at forefront.doc>>

Wal-Mart efforts to go chic buck tradition - Wal-Mart became the biggest company in the world by stacking merchandise high and selling it cheaply. But now the firm wants to gain a reputation for being classy as well as affordable. Wal-Mart CEO Scott said in June that Wal-Mart will have to only tweak its business model to capture more high-income shoppers. Scott said Wal-Mart must simply reposition more expensive products like high-definition televisions and women’s apparel. "I don’t see why you’d want to limit yourself," he said. "I think we can be relevant to all people." Advertisements taken out in national magazines show the effort Wal-Mart is making — and the challenges it faces. The Bentonville retailer bought ads for the first time in trendy Vogue magazine, spending an estimated $800,000 for spots in the September issue. Wal-Mart has committed to buy another 48 pages in Vogue next year. Arkansas Democrat Gazette (used with permission)

<<chic.doc>>

Union split takes pressure off Wal-Mart - A year ago, labor leaders were relishing the prospect of a major bid to organize their toughest adversary, Wal-Mart. But a major rift in the AFL-CIO that produced two warring camps in late July has almost certainly derailed that mission and threatened other important labor initiatives. For the past 50 years, since the AFL-CIO was formed in 1955, the percentage of the work force represented by unions has steadily declined from more than 35 percent to 12.5 percent last year, including only 7.9 percent of the private-sector work force. ''We have seen that the unions are very fragmented now,'' said Wal-Mart spokeswoman Christi Gallagher. ''We just don't feel like (labor's threatened campaign)... is anything we need to be concerned about.'' AFL-CIO officials say the planned multimillion-dollar Wal-Mart campaign is almost certain to be scuttled because the major beneficiary would be one of the defecting unions, the UFCW. The Washington Post (used with permission)

[95CelicaST]

[rant]
I do not like Walmart.


Their clothing is crap. My girlfriend's sister buys all the stuff for her daughter there, and it falls apart in the wash. but I guess thats what you get when you outsource to India to save a few bucks

Walmart is a Union Buster store. They move into towns and communities, drop their prices as compared to the other local stores, and when they drive the competition out of business they jack the price up. They put the local "mom and pop" stores out of business so they can have ALL the business. Their employees can't join the union, because that would mean they have to be paid more, which Walmart doesnt like.

Walmart has LOCKED illegal immagrints inside their stores at night so that they can clean it up.

One woman that worked at Walmart was getting married, and Walmart wouldn't give her the day off. so she quit. She invited all her friends that also worked there... also the days were not given to them. So the woman had her wedding INSIDE Walmart. She was arrested.

Walmart, while good on the pocketbook of Americans who wish to save a little, is bringing down all the other store chains. They treat their employees like crap, they dont pay well, they have horrible hours, and they sell crappy merchandise.

Everything I have just said I know is true because it all happened right here in Washington.. think of what else has happened in all the other states. My dad lost his job because of Walmart taking over and outsourcing his job to Mexico. I do not like Walmart and I will never shop there.

[/rant]

[ILuvMyCelica95]

that is far too much to read

[BlackCelicaGT94]

wal-mart gives me a job like ive said! and there are pros and cons to them but i think what they are doing for the hurricane survivors is GREAT

[Benevolence]

I work at costco ( a unionized one) and get a union paper every month and every month they are always bashing walmart, its fun to read. Shop at costco they start their employees off at $10 an hour and lots of room for promotion and you're getting good deals too. Only time I go to walmart is when I need like a 5 dollar stopwatch or some ant traps (just some random stuff I bought there last)

[saleeka]

i will agree that what they are doing for hurricane victims is great, but overall the damage they have done over time by destroying many a small communities (sp) economy far outweighs the 20 odd million they are donating... also, if they DIDDEN'T donate to these people, in the long run I think they would feel a much stronger negative effect since i'd say a large amount of people in these regions either depend, or work for a wal-mart thanks to that small town economy chain these stores perpetuate...

This post has been edited by saleeka: Sep 7, 2005 - 12:34 AM

[jgreening]

i will agree that what they are doing for hurricane victims is great,  but overall the damage they have done over time by destroying many a small communities (sp) economy far outweighs the 20 odd million they are donating... also, if they DIDDEN'T donate to these people, in the long run I think they would feel a much stronger negative effect since i'd say a large amount of people in these regions either depend, or work for a wal-mart thanks to that small town economy chain these stores perpetuate...
[right][snapback]331606[/snapback][/right]

I disagree with this. In fact, I think it is liberal propoganda that should not be repeated. I do not condone predatory conduct but that is illegal and there are remedies for it. Most of the time, Wal-mart simply competes and wins fair and square. People complain about Wal-Mart beating the competition in the market place and say that is unfair. However, do not forget about the money Wal-Mart saves the people of the community thereby INCREASING their standard of living and prosperity of the community. This fact cannot be over-emphasized. Its just like the folks that complained when the Japanese started selling cars in the U.S. If it weren't for the japanese, the U.S. car manufacturers would have kept on making the crap from the mid-eighties. Like it or not, competition forced the others to improve quality and be cost competitive as well. Also, the pay and benefits that Wal-Mart gives to people without a college education is much better in most cases than the competition.

[BlackCelicaGT94]

ha i hope u guys dont think i directly work for them in the store or something

[BlackSTX]

for me I try to avoid shopping at wal-mart if I can, because like what has already been said, when they move into small communities they devistate the economy... Wal-Mart opens up in town, pop. 5,000. Undercuts competition so eveybody shops there, in turn driving the smaller competitors out of business. Their old employees now are foreced to find new jobs, most likely at wal-mart, making 6 dollars an hour... now lots of the people in the economy have no $ to spend, and the cycle continues...
[right][snapback]235201[/snapback][/right]

If you people think Wal-Mart is bad, then you don't understand economics at all. The most competitive companies survive. If you don't like their products or how much they pay, then quit shopping or working there. It's your choice. Wal-Mart was good for my small town because the local businesses didn't have any competition and were charging too much. It hasn't put a lot of companies out of business either. It has however made things more competitive and employeed more people. The town I live in now has a mall, a Meijers, a K-Mart, Best-Buy, Circuit City, Dicks Sporting Goods, Krogers, and a Wal-Mart all within less than a mile, and they have no problem sharing their business.

[blu94gt]

I have mixed feelings about Wal-Mart. Yeah, they do have amazingly low competitive prices that drive lots of other businesses out of business, but look at it this way: I'm a college student. When I go grocery shopping, I can go to Dillons and spend about $60 a month on the groceries I use (with the Plus-card benefits). When I go to Wal-Mart, I can buy the exact same products and spend closer to $40. Plus Wal-Mart is open 24/7 and has everything else I need to buy. Granted I don't buy clothes or anything like that there, but they are helpful here in a college town.

Do you guys know why Wal-Mart can have such low prices? They sell such a large percentage of product compared to other companies that they can then go to the company and say that unless the company sells them the wholesale product for such and such low price, they won't sell it in their stores. The companies go along with it because their sales will significantly decrease if they don't have their products in Wal-Mart.

Oh and BTW, what section is the fiberglassing stuff in, I'm going to go after class and get some lol

[saleeka]

Well, I would like to think I have a decent understanding on economics, but I will say it seems that people think that price and cost are the same thing all too often... Yes, wal-mart is cheaper than competition, and in a sense of selling for less, they do come out on top. Like Jgreening said, they can help improve some people's quality of life because they can obtain more thanks to wal-marts low price. Wal-Mart is accredited to actually helping keep inflation down in this country because of their obsession with having the lowest price. My problem with this store is how they cause long term effects that are unseen to so many people. Wal Mart is the largest comapny in the world- therefore, they can buy in bulk in amounts other competeitors could only dream of, and reducing cost to the consumer. the problem with this lies in that non-corporate competition cannot compete in smaller communities. They cannot provide a competitive price, and therefore, dissapear. You can easily say that "well, they cost more so they lost", but wal mart is so powerful, its almost like dealing with a conglomerate- there just isnt a way to compete with them on any reasonable scale

Do you guys know why Wal-Mart can have such low prices?  They sell such a large percentage of product compared to other companies that they can then go to the company and say that unless the company sells them the wholesale product for such and such low price, they won't sell it in their stores.  The companies go along with it because their sales will significantly decrease if they don't have their products in Wal-Mart.[right][snapback]331690[/snapback][/right]

This is another point I dislike about wal-mart. Because they constantly demand that low price, many of the companies that they do business with cannot produce their product a a cost effective level here in the US, so they outsource jobs. Its a vicious cylce for the companies in that their profit margins also spread thinner when they cater to wal-mart- even though sales are strong, and the cost to produce is less since it's outsourced, the profit is very very slim per unit because of that low low price. Company grows larger in terms of sales, production, but profits dont match at the same rate.

With the huge obsession with that cheap price, comes concequences. Wal-Mart is probably one of the biggest contributors to a "globalized economy" I can think of, simply because of the power it has in its marketplace. That alone has strong rammifications to us here in the US and the economy...

[BlackSTX]

With the huge obsession with that cheap price, comes concequences. Wal-Mart is probably one of the biggest contributors to a "globalized economy" I can think of, simply because of the power it has in its marketplace. That alone has strong rammifications to us here in the US and the economy...
[right][snapback]331703[/snapback][/right]

Wrong. Wal-Mart is a contributor to a globalized economy, but so are good old american companies like GM, Ford, GE, and IBM, as well as companies like Toyota and Nissan, and thousands of others. If you don't understand economics, especially globalization, you should read "The Choice." It's only like 100 pages. It tells why globalization is good and how protectionism is bad. Outsourcing jobs enables Americans to attain better jobs than they would have had. For example, instead of working in a factory, I went to college and am now an accountant. Getting a college degree wouldn't be so important if we all had nice, secure, high paying jobs that required no skills.

[Yota]

The problem with Wal-Mart is that it doesn't keep as much money in the community. It drains the community's economy because their pay doesn't reciprocate the amounts of dollars spent there. Wal-Mart doesn't make money hand over fist like some may think. Their net profit margin is only 3.6% (which means for every dollar spent, Wal-Mart keeps .036 cents).

The benefits of Wal-Mart is that they give their shoppers excellent prices for quality goods. Meaning you can shop there and walk out with a ton of stuff without paying a buttload of money.

Wal-Mart does drive out smaller businesses. Since Wal-Mart was brought into my area, 3 grocery stores have been put out of business. The biggest one, Eagles which had roughly 8 stores throughout my area, is now out of business.

My opinion of liking or disliking Wal-Mart has to do with how you look at them. As a shopper, its great. But as a small business owner (which I am not one) must hate them with a passion. Their profits aren't enough to remain open. And Wal-Mart is capable of lowering their prices (even if it means a net loss on a certain product) just to drive out their competition. As long as a shopper is in the store, they're hooked because rarely can someone just walk in with one item on their list to buy. They will walk out with something else as well that they may need. That's Wal-Marts objective for business: Have EVERYTHING you could ever need in a store for sale at low costs. They're tough to compete against.

[darksecret]

If you people think Wal-Mart is bad, then you don't understand economics at all.  The most competitive companies survive.  If you don't like their products or how much they pay, then quit shopping or working there.  It's your choice.  Wal-Mart was good for my small town because the local businesses didn't have any competition and were charging too much.  It hasn't put a lot of companies out of business either.  It has however made things more competitive and employeed more people.  The town I live in now has a mall, a Meijers, a K-Mart, Best-Buy, Circuit City, Dicks Sporting Goods, Krogers, and a Wal-Mart all within less than a mile, and they have no problem sharing their business.
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Competition is great but the thing is that when I priced my HP 1410 printers at $84.99 Wal-Mart was able to turn around and sell them a week later at $74.99 that's my wholesale cost, they were at $114.99 (I still beat them on PC's and video cards but it's only a matter of time). It's very hard to compete with a company where the manager of the facility has full ability to undercut you with a one day approval from the home office, they'll take a few thousand dollar cut and now my retail side is all but gone. When the supercenter first opened the Winn-Dixe grocery store a block away closed in threes months and quite a number of stores have closed because of it, small business is dying quick and it's thanks mostly to Wal-Mart in my area. Yes my store is still around but it's service work that is keeping it alive. CNN or MSNBC did a big special on Wal-Mart and proved they did us sweat shops for almost their entire textiles line (excluding certain cloths, as for our Wal-Mart they do school emblems but send them to a large printing company to make them).

Ironic how Wal-Mart drives out small business yet the Sam's Club "motto" is we are in business for small business, I call BS on that I never shop at Sam's and my girlfriend works there, she's paid as a cashier but works in the bakery, deli, and stock crew where the average pay is $11 an hour (she makes $8.75 there and $10 at Wendy's), GO WAL-MART!

This post has been edited by darksecret: Sep 7, 2005 - 4:34 PM

[yarik83]

I hate walmart for the people that work there-never willing to help, always rude (such as argue right in front of you of which one should assist me and I can clearly see that neither one wants to at the first place. I hate some people that shop there for obvious reasons. I want a quick in and out and I dont want to wait in line because some (lets not be a sexist here) wants to buy pantyhose at 2.54 per pair but it is ringing up as 2.71 etc etc etc.

I do, however like their prices and that is why I come there whenever I need to buy something that I know would cost less at walmart... but I never buy anything below $50 mark because I would rather visit a more pleasuring atmosphere for easy shopping etc etc.

Also someone mentioned $9. something per hr. hell no. I made a mistake in working for Target, Wallmart, ToysRus, petsmart, BJs and sears on a seasonal basis. your paycheck is never $9/hr. for a regualr employee you are getting like $6.50-7.60 and $1 more per hr if you are working a nightshift ($8.50) working nightshift is a slave job.. I did it. You not only have no personal life but loose weight at a faster rate than if you were swallowing Leptoprin pills.

Easiest retail job-Toysrus because less people shop there when it is not a holiday season.

Also many people who work in the stores have 2 jobs.. but either way even if their income is 30K per year.. working 80hrs per week and sitting up to their ears in credit card bills and NOT having a decent life in general is inevitable. That is precisely why many people in this country are falling from middle class to low class whether they like it or not.

Now this is not to say that ALL people that work in stores are poor. Some people choose to be that way, some people have their better half making enough money for both of them.

I personally retired from retail and I am in food and beverage.. working as a server and attending college I am making on average $15-18 bucks per hr including tips and all

nothing more to say

[saleeka]

Wrong.  Wal-Mart is a contributor to a globalized economy, but so are good old american companies like GM, Ford, GE, and IBM, as well as companies like Toyota and Nissan, and thousands of others.  If you don't understand economics, especially globalization, you should read "The Choice."  It's only like 100 pages.  It tells why globalization is good and how protectionism is bad.  Outsourcing jobs enables Americans to attain better jobs than they would have had.  For example, instead of working in a factory, I went to college and am now an accountant.  Getting a college degree wouldn't be so important if we all had nice, secure, high paying jobs that required no skills.
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With that logic, the divison of class in the US becomes greater- it further thins out the middle class, enlarges the lower class, and makes the gap between lower class and upper that much farther away... of course the big corporations love globilazation because it allows them to keep spending down and profits steady, or better, usually at the expence of the blue collar worker. I guess I am too stupid to see how eliminating 1000 factory worker jobs in a community helps things out in the long run...

[macavely]

2 weeks ago i stepped foot into a wal mart for the first time with my girl and her mom... they had a lot of good stuff at great prices... i might go back again when i can..

[soltrain]

It tells why globalization is good and how protectionism is bad.

That's a really black and white view of a very complicated issue. Especially for a book that's only 100 pages..

This post has been edited by soltrain: Sep 7, 2005 - 5:39 PM

[jojobombiest]

the attitude of employees usually reflects how much they like working there and how well they are treated. anyone ever been to in n out burger in CA? they're the nicest people of all the fast food places. i had a friend that worked there and she said she loved it.

[BlackSTX]

It tells why globalization is good and how protectionism is bad.

That's a really black and white view of a very complicated issue. Especially for a book that's only 100 pages..
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Then read this one instead: The Commanding Heights. It's about 300-400 pages and a much more difficult and boring read but takes the same stance. It's even better because it gives historical proof. Our country's economy has been much stronger as a whole since the existence of Wal-Mart and globalization. The fact of the matter is that there have always been low paying jobs and cheap labor in this country. What industry and company it is in is just irrelevant. I seriously don't think a small local business would pay any better than a Wal-Mart. If Wal-Mart has so many problems like everyone says, then there's room for competition. Personally, I don't even shop at Wal-Mart, and I'm poor. I don't like a single thing in their store, and they don't have a thing I can't find somewhere else. I don't like their big parking lot and long lines. Same thing with Meijer's and all the other "big box" stores.

[Jeremy1210]

Don't forget that walmart treats women like ****. A woman and a man at the same level with same time in and everything, the woman will be paid a lot less. They have had many lawsuits against them for this. Also, walmart will try to build in a city even when the city says that it doesn't want them there. I have no idea where someone got the information that walmart pays like 7-9$ and hour. that is completely wrong. My buddy had to beg to get 6. The manager there makes 7. In no way does that even give a person some quality of life. Thats way below poverty.

[Kwanza26]

It tells why globalization is good and how protectionism is bad.

That's a really black and white view of a very complicated issue. Especially for a book that's only 100 pages..
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Then read this one instead: The Commanding Heights. It's about 300-400 pages and a much more difficult and boring read but takes the same stance. It's even better because it gives historical proof. Our country's economy has been much stronger as a whole since the existence of Wal-Mart and globalization. The fact of the matter is that there have always been low paying jobs and cheap labor in this country. What industry and company it is in is just irrelevant. I seriously don't think a small local business would pay any better than a Wal-Mart. If Wal-Mart has so many problems like everyone says, then there's room for competition. Personally, I don't even shop at Wal-Mart, and I'm poor. I don't like a single thing in their store, and they don't have a thing I can't find somewhere else. I don't like their big parking lot and long lines. Same thing with Meijer's and all the other "big box" stores.
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C'mon now... you're from Florence Kentucky... 25,000 90% white "MIDDLE CLASS" population. What could you possibly know about living in poorest parts of the country? What experience could you possibly have about downsized buisness ousourcing jobs so Americans have the "opportunity" to attain new "better" jobs? Realize that most people who's jobs get outsourced do NOT suddenly gain new skills and reap the benefits of being "released" by getting better paying jobs (Released is a funny word too. I doubt people were actually locked up at a decent job... so they aren't actually being "released" or "let go"... kicked the fawk out perhaps). That's just a joke. It's so funny you actually believe that and you believe this because you read it in a book. Most people who get their jobs outsourced end up flipping burgers for minimum wage... assuming that can even support their families, pay the bills, and maintain their standard of living (hell no!). Go to LA... a city where not everyone is white and makes 45-50K a year, and take a look around... and see how great of jobs people have from big buisness globalization. See how well off these people are because their well paying jobs with good benefits have moved to a country where people are willing to work for 10 cents a day.

[saleeka]

thank you Kwanza for putting it "not so politely" as I would have... It's the truth, however- unemployed with no skills = screwed...

[jgreening]

thank you Kwanza for putting it "not so politely" as I would have... It's the truth, however- unemployed with no skills = screwed...
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Good reason to acquire some education and skills...

[jgreening]

It's so funny you actually believe that and you believe this because you read it in a book. 
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Perhaps you should read the book before you critisize it. Surely, you wouldn't fault someone from learning something from the BGB just because it was a "book" and not based on experience. The problem with basing everything off your personal experience is that people do not have sufficient experience to form competent opinions on all subjects. Thus, we read, listen and learn.

I don't think anyone that has seriously studied this issue fails to acknowledge that the short term effects for the workers whose jobs are displaced are significant and, in some cases, devastating. But, that does not answer the question about whether fostering a free market and a global economy is better for society as a whole. The negative effects must be balanced against the positive effects as well. Even left wing politicians like Bill Clinton and Al Gore have forcefully argued for more expansive and open trade agreements with less developed nations.

The difference between a society with an open market and one that engages in protectionist tactics or other marxist economy theory is not the existence of poor people. Indeed, both societies have poor people. The difference is the number of wealthy people and the relative health of the middle class.

For more insight on the laws of economics, try a google search on Austrian Economics. It is the purest economic discipline. In the end, I find the laws of economics to be like the laws of gravity: you can choose to believe them or not but your opinion does not make them any less true.

[BlackSTX]

It tells why globalization is good and how protectionism is bad.

That's a really black and white view of a very complicated issue. Especially for a book that's only 100 pages..
[right][snapback]331840[/snapback][/right]

Then read this one instead: The Commanding Heights. It's about 300-400 pages and a much more difficult and boring read but takes the same stance. It's even better because it gives historical proof. Our country's economy has been much stronger as a whole since the existence of Wal-Mart and globalization. The fact of the matter is that there have always been low paying jobs and cheap labor in this country. What industry and company it is in is just irrelevant. I seriously don't think a small local business would pay any better than a Wal-Mart. If Wal-Mart has so many problems like everyone says, then there's room for competition. Personally, I don't even shop at Wal-Mart, and I'm poor. I don't like a single thing in their store, and they don't have a thing I can't find somewhere else. I don't like their big parking lot and long lines. Same thing with Meijer's and all the other "big box" stores.
[right][snapback]331927[/snapback][/right]

C'mon now... you're from Florence Kentucky... 25,000 90% white "MIDDLE CLASS" population. What could you possibly know about living in poorest parts of the country? What experience could you possibly have about downsized buisness ousourcing jobs so Americans have the "opportunity" to attain new "better" jobs? Realize that most people who's jobs get outsourced do NOT suddenly gain new skills and reap the benefits of being "released" by getting better paying jobs (Released is a funny word too. I doubt people were actually locked up at a decent job... so they aren't actually being "released" or "let go"... kicked the fawk out perhaps). That's just a joke. It's so funny you actually believe that and you believe this because you read it in a book. Most people who get their jobs outsourced end up flipping burgers for minimum wage... assuming that can even support their families, pay the bills, and maintain their standard of living (hell no!). Go to LA... a city where not everyone is white and makes 45-50K a year, and take a look around... and see how great of jobs people have from big buisness globalization. See how well off these people are because their well paying jobs with good benefits have moved to a country where people are willing to work for 10 cents a day.
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Dude, I'm not from Florence. I still don't make 45,000-50,000 a year either. I grew up in a trailer in central Kentucky in a town called Athertonville. Look up the stats for that place. You can't seriously tell me that you think there are many places in the U.S. that are as impoverished as rural Kentucky. I started out working the register at a Long John Silver's for $5 an hour, then worked in a facotry for $6 an hour, then went to college. I ended up in Florence after my wife took a job there. Most people move here because of "globalization". Procter & Gamble is located in the area, and Toyota's North American manufacturing headquarters is two miles away, and we have an industrial park full of internationally owned companies. The two "big towns" I grew up near each got Wal-Marts when I was a kid and it was good for both of them. Both towns had lost a lot of low paying jobs from factories that supplied parts to automotive manufacturers and GE appliance park in Louisville. Wal-Mart gave jobs to a lot of these people. My point is that instead of pouting about the lost job opportunities in my home towns I seized the opportunity to go to college and find an even better job. Some of you think you have the "right" to have a good job and that it's supposed to be provided for you. That's not the case. Sometimes, you have to make things happen for yourselves. Instead of complaining about your low-paying jobs, pick up a classified ad and pick one of the many thousands of jobs listed. I find it hard to believe there are no open jobs in L.A. If there aren't, then move to Florence.

[Kwanza26]

Perhaps you should read the book before you critisize it.  Surely, you wouldn't fault someone from learning something from the BGB just because it was a "book" and not based on experience.  The problem with basing everything off your personal experience is that people do not have sufficient experience to form competent opinions on all subjects.  Thus, we read, listen and learn. 

I'm not criticizing the fact that it was read it in a book. I criticize the fact that people so often base opinions off of opinions. If you've read the works of Adam Smith, Marx, Keynes, John Mill, there are radically differing opinions on economy, even though it's all based on relatively the same laws and ideas, and as time changes, economic needs and society changes. Something like the BGB is not a book based on ideas or laws... it is simply a manual depicting almost exactly how something works. If you look at when I give people sh!t about cars... it's not really a matter of opinion. Most econ books that are based on old-time laws and facts which still does ring true... but because of modernization and technology, a lot of the old globalization antic dotes no longer apply to the vast majority. Much of modern economics will differ greatly between areas. The topic here specifically are the pros and cons of globalization. A fairly broad topic such as globalization and its effects on national and global economies have been argued to death time and time again. A simple way to explain my point of view: how often do you see "made in the USA"...

I don't think anyone that has seriously studied this issue fails to acknowledge that the short term effects for the workers whose jobs are displaced are significant and, in some cases, devastating.  But, that does not answer the question about whether fostering a free market and a global economy is better for society as a whole.  The negative effects must be balanced against the positive effects as well.  Even left wing politicians like Bill Clinton and Al Gore have forcefully argued for more expansive and open trade agreements with less developed nations. 

I actually am in the middle when it comes to globalization... I don't dismiss the fact that there is good in globalization, but nor will I ignore the fact that globalization is essentially feeding other countries economies. Take China for example... exponential growth in the past 20-30 years... not even mentioning exploitation at the cost of American jobs...

The difference between a society with an open market and one that engages in protectionist tactics or other marxist economy theory is not the existence of poor people.  Indeed, both societies have poor people.  The difference is the number of wealthy people and the relative health of the middle class. 

I agree... but I'm not really trying to preach isolationism or marxian socialism or anything like that... I'm preaching more... "take a walk in another man's shoes before you jump to a conclusion"... I'm really not trying to argue economics here... I'm arguing understanding. More psychology than economics...

For more insight on the laws of economics, try a google search on Austrian Economics.  It is the purest economic discipline.  In the end, I find the laws of economics to be like the laws of gravity: you can choose to believe them or not but your opinion does not make them any less true.
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The problem with topics like these is that people tend to jump to conclusions. One of the laws of power states a person needs to stay as neutral as possible. Neutrality allows one freedom to adapt and lean towards either or... as neccesary for one's advantage and needs. Economics is a system based on proven laws, but as times change... laws need to adapt to suit modern needs. That's my opinion on the matter.

Dude, I'm not from Florence. I still don't make 45,000-50,000 a year either. I grew up in a trailer in central Kentucky in a town called Athertonville. Look up the stats for that place. You can't seriously tell me that you think there are many places in the U.S. that are as impoverished as rural Kentucky. I started out working the register at a Long John Silver's for $5 an hour, then worked in a facotry for $6 an hour, then went to college. I ended up in Florence after my wife took a job there. Most people move here because of "globalization". Procter & Gamble is located in the area, and Toyota's North American manufacturing headquarters is two miles away, and we have an industrial park full of internationally owned companies. The two "big towns" I grew up near each got Wal-Marts when I was a kid and it was good for both of them. Both towns had lost a lot of low paying jobs from factories that supplied parts to automotive manufacturers and GE appliance park in Louisville. Wal-Mart gave jobs to a lot of these people. My point is that instead of pouting about the lost job opportunities in my home towns I seized the opportunity to go to college and find an even better job. Some of you think you have the "right" to have a good job and that it's supposed to be provided for you. That's not the case. Sometimes, you have to make things happen for yourselves. Instead of complaining about your low-paying jobs, pick up a classified ad and pick one of the many thousands of jobs listed. I find it hard to believe there are no open jobs in L.A. If there aren't, then move to Florence.

Did I hit a nerve? Heh... I do that too often... but don't take anything personally. I try never to take personal jabs... unless the person deserves it. My statements weren't meant as a personal shot at your situation... but more to "hope" that you'll try and see the "other side" before you make those beliefs the gospel truth. Try to understand that not everyone in the world is able to go to college, nor are they able to change their situation at will. There are people working 2-3 jobs night and day just to make end's meat... and I'm sure most of them would gladly change that if their situations permit it (mortgage, kids, bills, work, + higher education?). College costs in California have more than doubled in the past 3-4 years alone... and it's probably gonna go up still. I know that your world and mine are vastly different... but I'm not gonna generalize and say people can overcome adversity and change their lives for the better. I wish we all could... but it isn't how things work. It's the American dream... as Michael Moore puts it (btw... i'm not a huge fan of michael moore or anything... he's a bit of an extreme liberal) The American Dream is a dream all Americans can achieve, but Americans need to dream less and do more. Society just won't function without the working class... and the goal of the American Dream is to live richly and not have to work. Every American tries to live this dream... unknowing that there's a silent social order that people all need to fit into.

Anyway... I'm done with this. As I've always stated in the past... I don't like political or social discussions. People get offended really easily... and considering I do that easily enough in the tech forum... I'll definately knock heads here... =D PEACE!

[jgreening]

Intelligent reply and I agree with 99% of it. The only part I don't agree with is this:

Economics is a system based on proven laws, but as times change... laws need to adapt to suit modern needs.

Laws don't change or "adapt" as you suggest. Perhaps they need to be applied differently or more facts need to be added to the equation. More likely, we just don't like the results of the laws so we dismiss them as "outdated" or "inapplicable in the real world". An example is welfare. The laws of economics indicate that the higher you make welfare payments, the more people will rely on it and not work. Therefore, increasing welfare funding actually has the effect of causing a higher incidence of poverty. Many people dislike that conclusion so much they will dismiss the economic laws it is based upon. Again, these folks are free to believe anything they want - but the economic principal is constant. (Edit: Please understand that I am not advocating the absence of a safety net despite the fact that its a fact that more people will be self-sufficient and prosperous without one)

In any event, I think we can agree to disagree on this point.

[97lestyousay]

:

This post has been edited by 97lestyousay: Apr 4, 2012 - 7:57 PM

[darksecret]

Let's not forget the cities that deny Wal-Mart, the land Wal-Mart is basically condemed, one town in I believe Pa denied Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart simply that they'll sit on the land until a new generation agrees to have one. A town near Charlotte called Marvin told Wal-Mart to shove it (it's a very wealthy area and they consider Wal-Mart low class) well Wal-Mart worked some kind of magic and still managed to build there but the town sort of rebelled and came to an agreement (since big business usually gets what it wants) Wal-Mart cannot post a sign near the road so that the locals can't see it or it has to be really small.