Is Wal Mart good for America?

[GL]

I love Wal Mart.
They have everything my family needs right in one location.
The only thing they lack is beer. They an aisle marked BEER but all it has on it is something called "Bud" something and "Miller" whatever that is. Nothing from Northern Europe or anything from a decent Left Coast microbrewery. I usually shop for real beer elsewhere but for everything else Wal Mart is hard to beat for price.

 

[Lowbatts]

Again, all those "job loss" technologies require technicians and people with technical skills. Resulting in a more educated and diverse work force. Got a cousin who isn't working now due his illness, but last work he did was providing belts for conveyors in automated distribution centers, you know, the ones where no one works? Except the much better paid technically skilled people who took the time to get through school.

Automated lines require technicians and engineers. Teach your children well, they will do well in the future economy. Which will be store-less one day. People will order clothing and computers and pots and pans online. We will need drivers so there's hope for the kid who does nothing beyond high school. We'll also need packers and loaders. Expect minimum wage plus maybe ten percent for those jobs. So being bilingual might help if you plan on a management job.

I remember being in one business class where the instructor asked everyone what they wanted to do. I was really chastised by that old wench for answering, "retire early" but then again she was a teacher, not a doer. She really seemed to like the kids who answered "be in mangaement" and did not pursue their answers further. I dained to ask, "Management in what?" and again she went after me.

I just kinda think it's necessary to know what you want to manage before actually deciding to manage it. One thing we won't need in the future, more managers.

 

[Urban Prospector]

All that Chinese junk they sell at Walmart is sent here by ship were it is offloaded by Longshoremen and handed of to teamsters neither of which work as hard as the stockboy at Wally's but get payed much better.The cost of product from the shore to the door plus the taxes and regulatory compliance is quadruple the material,labor and overhead.I owned a manufacturing plant in California for 16 years. In the end I worked for the state/ feds and my employees so I sold the land for 6 years gross and walked away.Walmart gets my vote and my business.I would reword the original question to "Is America's bureaucracy good for America" and hell no would be my answer.

 

[Noodle]

I look at Wal-Mart as the "company store." You know, the one in the Westerns where the boss hires the hands, puts them up in his barns and cabins (for rent) and sells food for them at "the company store," the only one in town. First thing you know, the boss has all his paid-salaries back in his own hands.

America used to manufacture goods, but not anymore. American corporations moved to foreign countries for the "cheaper labor." So Sam's and Wal-Mart buy their goods in GROSS quantities from foreign countries to supply their thousands of stores in the U.S.

My boss is a former manager at Wal-Mart and he knows my disdain for them. He told me, "If you want to hurt Wal-Mart, go in and buy their milk and bread and eggs. They underprice those. And never buy anything off the ends of an aisle. Folks think they're on sale, but most of the time, they aren't; maybe overpriced. Store managers know the tricks and sometimes misuse them.

Cashier stands are not manned because that costs money. When lines get long, they may call for more cashiers, but the folks working the floor lay back, not wanting that duty. There are no 'cashiers' as such. They're not lined up to get on that register. They're back stocking shelves or taking a break in the back room.

I disagree with the fact that folks will be buying most of their "stuff" off the internet. Not gonna happen. Sooner or later those over the age of 35 or 40 will realize they have enough "stuff." When they get to be about 55, they'll realize they can grow a lot of their own food if they wish. Or barter for the "stuff" they have and no longer need. Or get a freezer and buy a side of beef. Lots of ways to survive without a WM on every corner. But for those communities where there is a WM on each end of town, I understand the compulsion and the need for stretching the dollar.

 

[Mental Granny]

Over priced is right when I worked at this one I was in the mens dept. at one time and a lady asked me how much a sweater was well no # on it so I went to the comp. in the back and looked it up somehow I got into an area I was not supposed to and saw it was 25$ but, in the next colum it showed how much cost Walmart hed in the garment ....3$.

 

[jeff of pa]

Over priced is right when I worked at this one I was in the mens dept. at one time and a lady asked me how much a sweater was well no # on it so I went to the comp. in the back and looked it up somehow I got into an area I was not supposed to and saw it was 25$ but, in the next colum it showed how much cost Walmart hed in the garment ....3$.

hey, Don't knock it.

that $3.oo was probably a weeks wages for one of
Kathy Lee's Slaves.

 

[Michigan Badger]

Anybody got a copy of that song "I met my babe in a Wal Mart parkin lot" ?

 

[Noodle]

A hundred years ago in another lifetime I worked for a Dallas company, Titches, a competitor of Nieman-Marcus, just down the street. I worked in the Accounts Payable department as an after-school job earning 90 cents an hour. One product struck me: Titches paid $6 for a dress from Spain and resold it for $180 because it was.... from Spain. Never trust what you see in a store as being a "bargain."

 

[jeff of pa]

A hundred years ago in another lifetime I worked for a Dallas company, Titches, a competitor of Nieman-Marcus, just down the street. I worked in the Accounts Payable department as an after-school job earning 90 cents an hour. One product struck me: Titches paid $6 for a dress from Spain and resold it for $180 because it was.... from Spain. Never trust what you see in a store as being a "bargain."

That's so they can say Everything in the store always Half off.

And later have a Half of sale.

& If they later go out of buisness Mark it 50% off
Say they are loosing money
and file for Bankruptcy.

 

[Mental Granny]

Theres been more than one wedding in this Wallyworld!

 

[outback2000]

all i can say is Ma an Pop stores died long before wally world came they are not all to blame
In Canada where i am from,,I saw the demise of ma an pop greasy spoons lose out to harveys dairyqueens mcds boston pizza mr sub tim hortons all on one stretch of hiway and i miss those ma pops places its all about big buisness the mighty chains we are the ones to blame we had a choice where to buy and ma an pa left

 

[Mental Granny]

Eating choices here are as bad I dont think they know how to build anything here except buger, chinese, and pizza, with lossing 2 clothes places this year alread and rumor to lose 2 more before summer they tore down Mcd and are rebuilding it they built a Starbucks and 1 year later have closed it new chain Food Pyramid took over Safeway and United soooo Steak place bought land now are not building. Oh sorry for going off subject.

 

[*Molly*]

Nobody mentioned slave labour. I have seen on TV the ppl that are abused in other countries to maintain cheap prices at Walmart. I know Walmart aint to blame but still ppl are being abused, child labour..

I think these days they buy far too much cheap junk & its onsale in Walmart. Have ya'll seen how many childs toys are suspended from sale due to them being dangerous to children..

My point is, bring back good workmenship 'Made in usa' instead of only giving us the option to buy junk from China.

A friend of mine purchased a washing machine in England a 'Service'. She had it 17 years-worked great, just replaced the belts every 2 years or so. She gave it away in the end for one of those Japanese types. That Service washing machine is STILL working after 27 years. The japanese one was broken after the first 6 months, infact she has had a new 1 every few years for the past 5 years..

NOTHING lasts anymore..STOP buying cheap junk & maybe they will be forced to make some 'Made in USA'

I know its good relations with other countries but, we are being ripped off, its not good ethics to buy cheap, it just doesn't last..

Ok I have said enough lol.

Molly.

 

[coinmojo]

Wow there is some really good discussion going on here.

I was loosing faith in America but it appears some of you do get it and some .......Well..... Don't.

Did anyone actually click on the link and take the time to view the story. It will take a little over an hour. You can run it in the back ground and just listen.........

Thanks for taking part.

Mojo

 

[diggemall]

For those who might be interested, there is a site where you can find all sorts of Made in THe US of A products and manufacturers

http://www.madeinusa.com

Diggem'

 

[Lowbatts]

For those who might be interested, there is a site where you can find all sorts of Made in THe US of A products and manufacturers

http://www.madeinusa.com

Diggem'

I get most of my goods that are made in the USA at WalMart.

Sears Roebuck did it first people! The evil catalogue spelled the doom of many a local store. Later, they consolidated themselves with Penny's, Marshall or Carson's outside of the downtown areas, killing off the primary shopping areas when they relocated to Malls. While a lot of small businesses disappeared, and many a downton area dried too thin, many others saw opportunities in these malls.

Chains of smaller specialty outlets showed up. Many of these were the catalysts for the foreign textile/fabric and clothing markets. Did I leave the Big K out that picture? That was the first place I noticed the lack of "Made in the USA" Then came the food courts. Wal Mart is, if anything late to that game.

 

[jeff of pa]

all i can say is Ma an Pop stores died long before wally world came they are not all to blame
In Canada where i am from,,I saw the demise of ma an pop greasy spoons lose out to harveys dairyqueens mcds boston pizza mr sub tim hortons all on one stretch of hiway and i miss those ma pops places its all about big buisness the mighty chains we are the ones to blame we had a choice where to buy and ma an pa left

Yep Malls took them out in the 70's here

 

[jeff of pa]

For those who might be interested, there is a site where you can find all sorts of Made in THe US of A products and manufacturers

http://www.madeinusa.com

Diggem'

I get most of my goods that are made in the USA at WalMart.

Sears Roebuck did it first people! The evil catalogue spelled the doom of many a local store. Later, they consolidated themselves with Penny's, Marshall or Carson's outside of the downtown areas, killing off the primary shopping areas when they relocated to Malls. While a lot of small businesses disappeared, and many a downton area dried too thin, many others saw opportunities in these malls.

Chains of smaller specialty outlets showed up. Many of these were the catalysts for the foreign textile/fabric and clothing markets. Did I leave the Big K out that picture? That was the first place I noticed the lack of "Made in the USA" Then came the food courts. Wal Mart is, if anything late to that game.

Good point

 

[seger98]

For those who might be interested, there is a site where you can find all sorts of Made in THe US of A products and manufacturers

http://www.madeinusa.com

Diggem'

I get most of my goods that are made in the USA at WalMart.

Sears Roebuck did it first people! The evil catalogue spelled the doom of many a local store. Later, they consolidated themselves with Penny's, Marshall or Carson's outside of the downtown areas, killing off the primary shopping areas when they relocated to Malls. While a lot of small businesses disappeared, and many a downton area dried too thin, many others saw opportunities in these malls.

Chains of smaller specialty outlets showed up. Many of these were the catalysts for the foreign textile/fabric and clothing markets. Did I leave the Big K out that picture? That was the first place I noticed the lack of "Made in the USA" Then came the food courts. Wal Mart is, if anything late to that game.

Some won't see it! Diggemall But well said!

 

[Mental Granny]

Our Sears got rid of everything except appliances eons ago, at least then if you had some $ you could drive a couple of hoursm to a bigger city where there was a mall and the had sears with more items. Our downtown has auto parts (they tore down a historical building to build it) and offices and banks and hair dresser and mens stores so unless you buy special mens clothes you got to drive out to the other end of town! I forgot coffee shops!