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Do You Shop at Wal-Mart?
Posted by lotusb • 9/28/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: wal*mart
I recently watched a documentary on the common business practices of Wal-Mart and was basically appalled. I've never been a fan or consumer of Wal-Mart stores, mostly because I think their stores look crappy and their associates aren't very helpful.
I am WELL aware that ANY viewpoint from ANY source is one sided, but there were some startling facts produced:
1) Wal*Mart consistantly fails to meet economic standards such as keeping dangerous pesticides away from strom drains that lead to drinking water.
2) Wal*Mart founding family, The Waltons, who are worth over $100 Billion combined, donated $6,000 to employees in crisis situations in 2005, while fellow employees combined donated over $5 million that same year. -Money taken out of their paychecks monthly.
3) Wal*Mart stores increase crime in the area an average of 80%, most crimes taking place thier parking lots.
4) Wal*Mart spends more on the prevention of worker union formation than it does on over all security, benefits and up to code factory conditions combined.
5) Wal*Mart General Managers practice moving worker's time over in order to prevent having to pay any earned overtime. They have consistantly paid out to class action suits against them for denial of overtime into the tens of millions of dollars.
6) Sant Louis has closed 6 public schools within the same year it gave Wal*Mart over $3 million to build it's stores there. Wal*Mart promised to give back to the community and never did. This is a common story in most urban communities.
With all this said, I understand Wal*Mart is cheap and affordable. But I fail to understand supporting a large corporation such as this that fails to give back to the community.
What do you guys think?
User Comments
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Due to the trade deficit with China, I do not shop at WalMart.-
Another reason...thank you.
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I do not go unless I have to. I buy local and only have to go around christmas. I worked for them along time ago and they sucked then. The employees were scammed out of bonuses and insurance. I hated that job with a passion.-
I once worked for a bio-chem company that was about 70% investor supported and they gave everyone free benefits from the first day they started. I never understood how a mid-sized company could do so much for their employees and the biggest corporation in the world can not.
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I was preganate when I worked for them. They were not very nice about that either. I was Diabetic, throwing up all the time and they stuck me up front and I threw up in front of customers all the time. They just told me to get over it. that is why I quit.
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Geez, that's horrible.
I guess your baby was an inconvenience to their bottom line. Assholes.
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No Wal-Mart stores here! \o/ < --- that's a person-
Where is "here"? And is that a vagina?
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Here is Guatepanamexirico the Dominican Republic.
Not, that's not a vagina.
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Not really. I find it so crowded, and the lines so long, it's just not worth it to me.
Also, I don't care for how they tend to sensor films for content/language. Things that aren't even really risque still get an extreme sanitization.-
Well it considered itself ("it" as if it's a force or something) to be STRONGLY Christian. I wonder what Christ would think about them scamming millions out of benefits and money to help make sure the Waltons are able to keep their $100 billion dollars in the bank?...
Hmmm....
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No, and I became part of a citizens group that gave rise to zoning changes in our community plan and land use bylaws, so that big box stores will not be allowed here, via rezoning of commercial properties. Our local preference is to support small independently owned businesses, which are owned by citizens residing in our own community. This preference is now clearly expressed in our local legislation.-
TT, didn't even recognize you!
That's awesome. I think more people should make those efforts, because America is becoming one big strip mall and I'm sick of it. -
Meet my new dog ... lol .. he's a bundle of joy that does not yap.
I'm a long time political and environmental activist, who has passed on this "addiction" to being intensely involved in local and regional politics to the next generation. -
Agreed. It's not too much of a wonder why we're in the position we are in today.
I think it's the "easy" or "cheapest" way out that digs us further into the hole. -
The town my college is in has something like this. No chain stores of any kind are allowed in the town, including on our campus (like if we wanted to put a fast food chain at school). It's a different environment, but I like that everyone is supporting local, small businesses rather than Wal-Mart and such.
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I'm sorry I used to work @ Wal Mart, the stuff from China is appalling but they are "supposed" to be doing something about that. They are now trying to be Wal Mart but more like a Target. We will see.
As far as working there, insurance didn't do what it was supposed to do, I got a small raise although I got an excellent evaluation, in our rural area if you were out of a job due to not having your own business anymore that is where you work.-
I think the irony of Wal Mart is that it caters to the very broke and the very rich. It does nothing for bringing those groups closer together (financially) or for those in the middle whose main concern is not just to save $ but to also have a healthy community and one that still maintains some sense of identity and character.
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I am proud to say I've made it a point to shop locally! I live in Halifax Nova Scotia and there is a publication that lists the locally owned businesses, there is a blurb about the business and how to locate them. I've used this guide many, many times. I've frequented these shops and have been greeted with enthusiasm and gusto! I get excellent service, prices are reasonable and I'm feeling good because I'm supporting local business!-
I think that's awesome. I try to do the same. The problem is, that because cities are starting to cater to the big businesses, small ones are getting wiped out. So people are forced to go to the larger places.
I thought monopolization of the market was illegal...there seems to be a loop whole though when the richies are getting their pockets padded. -
We are on top of that on the opposite coast of Canada too. I always consult my local business list previous to shopping for anything. I also distribute a pamphlet I created that outlines the 10 reasons that shopping lock makes good sense. And, the information in the pamphlet has been used by many other groups as well.
See below my comment for the link and spread the word.
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There are 10 valid reasons to shop local listed in the OP of a thread I have previously posted that I think you may want to be aware of.
Shopping local benefits communities
www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/shopping-local-benefits-communities-
Those are all good and were touched on in the doc I saw.
Particularly the point on "job creation". I think that's the main driving point in Wal*Mart and the like when they are selling their brand. They create jobs. They are massivley ovproduced and larger than needed so that they can create jobs. Creating jobs is important, so it's hard to argue that, but that's a bottom line. The real problem is the money being drained out of the community to give those businesses subsidaries which could go into helping unemployed people find lasting careers, training for a skill, going back to college or keeping public schools from closing....all things that will help ultimately create stronger communities. It's a case of the teaching a man to fish versus handing him one. -
I love shopping at small local grocery stores, but I am against shopping at a store just because they are "local." I find that many local shops are in trouble because of their inability to cut down on overhead, which they should have the advantage over big box stores, and their lack of creative, low cost, marketing. What local stores also need to realize is that selling only "local" is cutting down their customer base by a ton. In this day in age, selling nationwide and internationally, via the internet, is a must. This also ties in the with low cost, creative, marketing thing. It doesn't cost much to set up a website (just read a book on quick webcoding), there are cheap electronic merchant account services available, and webhosting costs are a smidge. Instead of paying workers to stand around and do nothing while no customers come in the store, you can have them packaging products that people worldwide are buying from you. And while this is happening, you are getting your name out there, building your customer base and your REPUTATION (reputation is EVERYTHING!), and also still selling locally.
Ahh, you know what, I don't feel sorry for these local businesses at all. Boo hoo, give your business to me and let me make a fortune off it, and then I'll write a book about it and sell it to you telling you how I did it. But until then, they can keep marking up their prices trying to make up for their losses while driving themselves out of business.
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It's hard right now because alot of families are struggling financially...so it's a toss up between conscious shopping and being able to afford what you need. Wal-Mart is cheaper and that's why people shop there...locally owned private stores or chains tend to be more expensive.-
A lot of generations of families have always struggled financially and we can learn from the lessons they have to share with us. Speak to your elders and you will be amazed at what wisdom they have to share. My grandparents survived the Great Depression, and passed on all they learned to my parents, who passed it on to me.
I abandoned the "consumer driven" societal model years ago when I recognized that there was a distinct difference between what I actually need and what I desire. I also recognized that advertisers and the companies that avail themselves of their services were manipulating my mind and creating an insatiable desire fore more, more, more - of everything, whether it was needed or not. So I removed myself from being bombarded by media advertising by changing the dial on radios to non-commercial stations, I shut the boobtube off. Later I learned how to toss all advertising inserts into the recycle bin without reading them.
I don't impulse purchase anything ever. If it's not on the needs list I don't buy it - period. I have substantially reduced what I buy right across the board. I reuse, I recycle and I barter and exchange with neighbors.
I find that a great deal of my needs can be met by shopping second hand in charity shops, consignment shops, and sometimes by shopping in the city at liquidation centers. Have you tried these approaches?
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Walmart owns certain supermarkets here (honduras), but I rarely shop there because its always too crowded and usually i cant find some of the more specialty items i like buying.
Besides I rather shop at supermarkets that are locally owned. -
I'll admit that I do my shopping regularly at Wal-mart. But the story about St. Louis closing six of its school down disgusted me. Even if people became more aware Walmart's practices, odds are they would walk away unscathed. Too big of a company imo.-
True. I think the get-rich-or-die-trying attitude adopted by corporations like this are gruesome. Anyone in the position of enriching a community economicall who chooses to continue to cut corners to support their bottom line is going to walk away with billions. But way to step all over the community in order to get it.
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I try to never go. You can get everything you need somewhere else. I try to avoid chains and give my business to local owners. -
All social issues aside, the only reason to shop at Wal-Mart is the exercise you get from the dark side of the parking lot to their front door. It's terrible. I've had some terrible customer service days there too, which I've bitched about in my blog.-
Oh don't get me started on the parking lot. I had to go to a WalMart in Sacramento, CA to buy lord knows what (but it must have been SUPER important, trust me) and I got followed from my car to almost to the door, the when I came out got followed again by the same man. I was just about to book it to my car when I decided to be smart and head back into the store and force security to escort me.
Never went back.
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I don't shop at Walmart unless I have no other option. I can also understand why some have to because of their competitive prices. They are planning to open stores in India. Oh no!-
You can do something about it. Hundreds of communities all over have formed alliances to force the decision to a vote and force WalMart out.
I say do some reasearch and give it a try. -
Right now, people want to have big stores like Walmart in India. They want to shop in departmental stores and shop cheap. Most of the people are unaware of the wrongness that could come if the stores like Walmart takes over. It would take a lot of convincing for 1 Billion people.
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I think the big issue with Wal-Mart is affordability. Wal-Mart's first efforts to open a store in Ithaca were defeated by a very vocal anti-growth grass roots minority, mostly comprised of college-educated activists. This enraged the local working-class community who were struggling with the absurdly inflated prices of fashionable boutiques and specialty stores. Wal-Mart's second effort to open a store was successful and practically all the lower-income folks shop there without a second's thought.-
This is exactly what I was going to say - because of the affordable prices, many people don't even want to worry about why it's so cheap or what Wal-Mart does. It's a tough issue.
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Well unfortunately those with severe economical needs have a different outlook than those who do not. I understand the need to save money. Since I left my parents house I've never had it easy financially. I've had to sustain on $800 a month and no benefits living alone and paying rent and car and the whole nine. I understand needing to buy cheap.
BUT, again...this isn't just about the consumers.
The cities generally support these corporations to come in a monopolize the market. Local stores have to keep their prices higher because otherwise they woul not stay in business.
What does this do?
It keeps the rich, rich and the poor, poor. This mentality is what's wrong with the entire country.
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i've always hated walmart... but i do sometimes shop there, especially if i'm with a friend who is going. it can be hard when their prices really are undeniably lower! 99% of the time i avoid it, though. -
My city of Halifax really promotes shopping local! I'm so proud of this fact. I avoid box stores for so many reasons. This is an excellent topic, thanks for bringing attention to it.
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If Wal-Mart business practices are so crappy...how come I can't get a job there? 8-(
If I'm overqualified to get a job at Wal-Mart, I'm in bad shape!-
You don't want to work there -
You have to understand that "overqualified" for WalMart means you don't fit the profile for the kind of person they know they can run down. You probably don't fit the profile of the kind of person who might become dependant on that income and take whatever crap they give or even report some of their practices...etc. I'd say being overqualified is a HUGE compliment.
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In Brazil most people don't know the reality about Wal-Mart and it is a great success here because of Sam's Club and its prices are usually lower than other groups.
Unfortunately, Brazil is a young democracy and we have 30 million on poverty living with one dollar a day. Congressmen are not interested in improve access to public education because they need voters who don't know their rights.
Brazilians love big supermarkets and local markets don't have nice prices to offer because they can't fight with big groups. And I must confess I go sometimes to Sam's because the prices are lower than others. Sorry for that.-
I think the person or people to blame here is congress as well as those big businesses. I think tighter standards need to be held on business like WalMart...but as for right now..companies like that have congress in their pockets.
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I've said it before and I'll say it again. I do shop at walmart and will continue to do so because I can't afford not to. I usually don't buy food there because is not really cheaper than Albertson's and the latter is way closer to my house. When it comes to house cleaning products and personal hygiene products I go to Sam's or Walmart. At the end the people that work there still need their job.-
I understand need, and that makes total sense. The issue is those who don't HAVE to still do when they can instead take a stand against a corporation that is ruining ours and many countries. If you need to then ok...your not the enemy..they are.
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There are a number of reasons that I do not shop at Wal-Mart and have not for the last 7 years. The two biggest reasons are below.
1) I have several family members who worked at Wal-Mart and they were treated like crap.
2) Their anti-theft alarm went off once while I was leaving the store, and instead of asking me to show them my receipt, they accused me of stealing and called security. -
My husband & I made an oath 2 years ago never to shop at WalMart again. We've kept that up ever since & have no plans to change it any time soon. We prefer to support local businesses. -
Well I try not to,because I hate how crowded ours is,but sometimes u gotta bite the bullett-
Holly,
Friday night at around 11:30 pm ours is pretty deserted!
I don't want to shop there - but financially I really have no choice. -
Yup,know the feeling...I do go grocery shopping in the middle of the night sometimes. So much easier to go through the store.
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I ought to start a thread: is capitalism nothing more than a buzzword from old textbooks?
No one's talking about competing to produce better, cheaper products?-
How is it possible to compete with lower prices when businesses are trying to stay afloat. Places like WalMart drive prices so low that there is NO way to compete unless you drive in MASSIVE crowds (like WalMart) and have deep pocketed share holders (like WalMArt). It's not as simple as takig out the old pricing gun and putting things on Clearance.
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You and me may not know, but people would be out there who know!
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I have not shopped at Wal-Mart since I got a job that let me shop when normal stores are open (more than four years).
I am disgusted by their employment practices and greenwashing. -
Never shop at Wal-mart before -
It sucks for the workers at Walmart. I'll shop there because of their decent prices, but I sure as hell have never, nor will I ever, work there.
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I don't live anywhere near a wal-mart -
I shop at Wal-Mart for products that we need and is cheaper than at other places.
I don't buy all that one-sided crap .. although there are some truths www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html .. but if you believe Wal-Mart is the root of all evil, the true cause of climate change, the reasons why local businesses fail, why people have low paying jobs and little healthcare - then, you probably believe all the crap in videos like this that are being flaunted to elementary schools these days www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8 -
there is no such thing here -
Good stats about Wally World but bad for them. I only shop there when I really have to but thats not to often. With those stats that you have, Wally World maynot be the only corporation doing this.-
Definitely not the only corp, no doubt. The thing that makes them stand out is 1) They are THE LARGEST retail company in the world and the largest corporation in the world. 2) They consistantly have a pattern of not giving back to the areas whose market the monopolze. Target gives back something like 40% of their profits to the communities they come into, same with Home Depot and other large retailers.
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Yes, I shop at Wal-Mart. Everyone keeps saying Wal-Marts are overcrowded and trashy, but that appears to be changing as they are upgrading all of them. The one I go to is as upscale as a discount store can look (it looks a lot better than the local Target). There is plenty of room between merchandise. The one here is not terribly crowded and I can always find a good parking spot.
Although I do shop at Wal-Mart, I also make it a point to shop locally as well. -
Sure, I shop at Walmart. I have relatives who work there, and they are nice, decent people with families to feed. -
Our particular Wal-Mart contributed over $6,000 to the local schools and many more thousands to charities. Crime in our Wal-Mart parking lot is lower than in most other shopping centers.
I not only shop at our local Wal-Mart I work there and most people I work with are happy to be employed there.
In most towns where Wal-Mart replaced the local small stores it has provided jobs that were going to be lost by those stores because of the changing markets anyway.
I grew up in such a town. The local stores closed because people began to shop in the larger nearby town. When Wal-Mart came in people who could not afford to shop at those stores in the larger town had a place to shop again.
Wal-Mart is like any other business or person it ain't perfect but life is not perfect. So most of us make the best out of what has been handed to us and the rest complain about life.
As in the words of the Eagles, "Get Over It!". Sorry I get ticked when people moan and groan because they ain't successful and someone else is.
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