The Wal-Mart poll

I avoid Walmart because of:
- Crowds of people
- Long lines
- Crowds of cars parked outside
- Too many abandoned shopping carts all over the parking lot that could hit my car

I'd much rather go to my local grocers for food and Target for other stuff

 

I used to shop at Walmart occationally. Then, one day, I just thought, "You know? There are more important things in life than money." I never spent that much at Walmart, anyway (maybe $100/year), but after reading about how they treat their employees, how they unreasonably squeeze manufacturers in poor countries, etc, etc, I just decided that it wasn't worth it.

I should say that I am fairly fortunate that I'm not really tight for money (although I am a grad student), so I recognize that it's significantly easier for me to make that decision than someone making minimum wage and trying to raise kids.

On the other hand, I've actually found that the amount that I would have really saved from Walmart is quite small; between Costco and the local supermarket, I do OK.

 

I've always liked JibJab's "Big Box Mart" spoof of WalMart

http://movies.msn.com/movies/JibJab

 

Walo-mart is destroying America, brick by brick. They portray themselves as all-american when there purchasing hq is in China. They are awful to their employees and will do anything for a buck. They never see my
buck.

 

Pretty much my sentiments combined with malorn's comments. BTW Malorn, nice rack. :lol:

 

Another possible answer would be 'I don't want to but don't have any other choice.' Walmart's basically the only thing that resembles a department store where my parents live in rural Pennsylvania; they have to drive to neighboring counties to reach a Target. Walmart killed the local retailers, so there isn't much local choice.

 

Too bad that's not reality.

 

Wal Mart devastates local economies, imports huge amounts of goods from mainland China (usually produced under almost-slave-like conditions). I make it a point to NEVER go to Wal Mart. I will do without and defer a purchase rather than patronize Wal Mart.

 

There would be tremendous suffering initially, but in the long run, every american other than the waltons would be better off. If that could be done over the next 10 years in phases Iwould say begin tomorrow. Who do you think would suffer? The masses would not be able to buy as much plastic "landfill-junk" from China? What a shame that would be!

 

I never thought that I'd see the day when I will wholeheartedly agree with malorn.

 

My family go to Target instead
- more pleasant shopping environments (not as crowded and chaotic)
- slightly high price for similar items
- higher-end merchandizes in term of design

We do go to Wal-mart once in a while if we have to get something quick and Wal-mart happens to be nearby.

 

I do not know, I hate Walmart, as the rest of you, but I also can't help but wonder just how much of the goods within other similar retail stores come from "slave-like" sweat-shops in China too...

Walmart is definitely the biggest, so it does attract the most attention, I wonder how similar, or different, places like Target and Kohl's are...

 

My biggest problem with Wal-Mart is the fact they are selling their"Made in the USA" image much more than the others you listed. Making money is the american way, i just think until recently Wal-mart has received 0 scrutiny about their business practices. I would never try some of their employment practices and I'm a car-dealer, i am as low in the food chain as you can go right? (maybe I should clear my posts with dsunman, he seems to have a problem with everything I post)

 

Me too. Except I shop Costco. The bluest Big Box retailer in my area.

I shop for groceries at Keil's because Vons, Ralphs and Albertson's were all together on the strike to screw their union employees. And thanks to them, the school district tried to do the same to teachers.

I try to put my money where my mouth is.

I drive a Prius!

 

Some of those folks would have a relatively high paying job in manufacturing if Wal-Mart did not buy everything in China and Toyota did not sell 1.8 million vehicles in the US. I think the biggest problem with the 'free enterprise' system right now is the media.
The mainstream media is controlled by a handful of people today and real investigative journalism has been replaced with splashy stories about nothing and headline grabbing soap-opera type stories. At some point the media changed from being a chack and balance to something much different.
I have a whole topic i want to start on the subject but don't have enough time today. My recent purchases of ad time has left me scratching my head about alot of things. Hopefully i will have time on WEd or Thursday to explain myself. Right now I have to get ready to take my wife out for Valentines day!

Happy Valentines Day to all. Even you dsunman.

 

I hope you are not taking your wife to Walmart