Wal-Mart

[shoe1985]

There are plans to put a Super Wal-Mart in my town. We have a Wal-Mart, but they want to put in a supercenter. What is everyone's opinions on these stores?

I feel that they are bad for the economy. Yes it is nice to shop in one store, but it takes away business from other stores that can't compete. In the local paper, unions are trying to get involved to help the employees getting better wages and healthcare. They were giving out handouts and the manager of Wal-Mart called the cops and had them kicked off their property. I am neutral because I like big business, but it must be handled correctly. Employees deserve good wages, even if they don't go to college. Not everyone can afford it and find themselves working for companies like Wal-Mart. The CEOS are making billions and the mention of giving some money to their employees for healthcare, makes them turn their heads. I would prefer giving my employees more if I could, I was a business owner, then let them barely get by.

Should the governments step in and start doing something about the way things are run?

[darchangel]

I live literally within shouting distance of a Super Wal-Mart, and while I can't say in good conscience that they're an economic boost (although a new Wal-Mart does provide a lot of jobs), they are helpful to those of us who can't afford to shop in higher priced grocery stores.

There are three other more localized grocery stores in the area in which I live (Foodland, Foodfair and Kroger, still corporate, but not WAL-MART corporate). Foodland is about a mile down the road from Wal-Mart.

While I'm sure that Wal-Mart has hurt their businesses, it's been there over two years and hasn't put any of them out of business. I know Kroger has been having "10 for 10" sales, selling the store-brand products for a dollar. It's a brilliant marketing ploy because they sucker people in to buy things for a dollar then get them to buy milk, bread and other essentials because they don't want to go to six different places to buy food.


I don't think the government should regulate Wal-Marts until they become a monopoly problem...meanwhile, I need to go get some "Sam's Choice" cola...

;)


~darchangel~

[TheDeadWalk]

The documentary "Wal-Mart: The high cost of the low price" shines a really negative light on what Wal-Mart does to the American economy.

Things they point out:

Wal-Mart strives to keep employees at part-time level

Health care benefits take so much out of the paycheck, Wal-Mart has encouraged its employees to apply for welfare to get better benefits instead of opting for the ones they offer

Employees that work over-time often have those hours shifted over to the following week so they don't have to pay time-and-a-half for anyone who works over 40 hours.

Exploitation of work environments in third-world countries and China. American representatives that give poor feed-back about nature of the foreign factories are fired.

People suspected of trying to form unions have been a cause of dismissal.

China's Wal-Mart manufacturing docks automatic rent, and all utilities from the employee's paycheck in exchange for being able to live in their subsidized housing developments. If you do not wish to live in the subsidized housing, then Wal-Mart removes utliity cost from your paycheck, but still docks "rent" from your pay, regardless of whether or not you live in the housing apartment.

Foreign employees must smile and say nice things when American reprsentatives visit for fear of being fired. They work sun up to sun down for very little pay. (less than 3 dollars per day)

The cost for a "toy" to be made in China: 18 cents. The cost for that "toy" to be sold from China in America: $14.96.

Wal-Mart has been fined by the EPA more than any other retailer for clean water act violations in nine states.

"If one day I encounter a lady who's just bought a toy from Wal-Mart, I'll say... 'Respectable customer. Respectable Wal-Mart customer. Do you know why you can buy such cheap toy from Wal-Mart? That's because we workers work all day. Every day and night." --- Chinese factory worker interviewed.

Wal-Mart spends money each Christmas advertising Salvation Army commercials about the people ringing the bells outside of their stores, and asking people to remember what they're ringing those bells for. The Walton Family has donated 1% of their wealth to charity. Bill Gates - 58%. The Walton Family spent $3.2 million in political contributions in 2004. They offer the option for Wal-Mart workers to dock pay from their checks to give to the "critical need fund" for people recovering from fires, tornadoes, disasters, etc. In 2004 all Wal-Mart workers combined donated over $5 million. The Walton family gave $6,000.

The list goes on and on and on...


Wal-Mart is fucking the American people, and anywhere else they reach. 16-20 hours a week is not a job. Working that will still allow you to apply for welfare benefits, the medical card, etc. I am a proponent for Universal Health Care, but this is pure exploitation. They exploit not only Americans, but third-world nations whom they make a killing off of through cheap labor and stiff working conditions thanks to Wal-Mart's out-sourcing.


On a side-note... Wasn't Bush's tax cut improvised so that our rich would spend back into American soil and help boost the economy?

[The Postmaster General]

Originally posted by darchangel
I don't think the government should regulate Wal-Marts until they become a monopoly problem...meanwhile, I need to go get some "Sam's Choice" cola...



WalMart is classed as an efficiency monopoly. However, having a monopoly doesn't mean the same thing as it did before most of us were born. Now, having a monopoly isn't wrong-doing enough, and there has to be bigger problems than just crushing the competition.

[shoe1985]

One way they are allowed to do what they do is by giving huge donations to people running for office. This in turn gives them huge tax breaks and leverage against the competitors.

There have been a few places that have a Super Wal-Mart in other counties, and they are a ghost town now. People support them because they are so cheap.

The grocery store I work at on the weekends, college through the week, has been having a lot of dollar sales, but the managers have said that once we get one look out. Chances are we will go out of business because we beginning to make cutbacks by having less employees, and how much we order. We seem to run out of stuff a lot more because one week something won't sell, but then it is out the next.

[Lynn7]

I try to shop at Walmart once a month. They are sometimes an entire dollar cheaper than anywhere else and that counts with me for my family. So I'll go and buy Tylenol and shampoo and laundry soap etc..


What's wrong with part time jobs? There are many people who work full time and want to supplement their income with some part time hours. There are also college kids who can't work full time. Walmart provides those great jobs for people. And there are some opportunities for careers but let's face it- Walmart is not and insurance company or a hospital. It's a retail store. It is unskilled work and for the most part easy work.

As far as the businesses it puts out of business, that is not them doing that. They are offering products at a lower cost and people choose to shop there. It is the people that are choosing to put the other businesses under. Some would like to blame Walmart for this but since when is it a crime to offer a lower price? That was always a good thing.

One more thing- Walmart is the only store like it still around. Most of the discount stores have gone under (Bradlees, Caldor, Two Guys whatever) They have not raised their prices even when they could have done that. I have no problem with them.


On Drudgeport there is a link about Walmart tonight. I didn't read it but it seems that some towm is going to take over their Walmart property by eminent domain. It is popular to pick on Walmart's these days.

[shoe1985]

Wal-mart is not really part-time in my area. In fact I don't think anyone that works there is part-time. They don't hire to high schoolers much, mainly the people that didn't go to college or the woman that got pregnant and need to provide for their families. College is nice, but a lot of people can't afford to go and get stuck working for places like Wal-Mart because there is nowhere else to go. In a way it is Wal-Mart's fault that they put people out of business, people are always looking for a cheaper product, and when you become as big as they are, they can reduce the price below what other places can. I remember a day when you didn't have to have any skills for a job, the job would have on the job training, and you would get paid well. Now you have to pay for all of this schooling and that doesn't mean anything either. I know a lot of people that have put in 100's of applications to places, they have college degrees, and work at Mcdonalds and Burger King for minimum wage. What has happened to this country?

[Lynn7]

People make choices in life about what they are going to do. If someone does not pursue a career, that is their choice. It is not any given company's responsibiblty to provide for people. They should use Walmart to get started and then strive to get other types of jobs if they are not happy there. There are many businesses that offer mostly part time help. What about Filene's and Macy's and J.C Penny and SEars etc. I just don't get this. If they are all reequired to hire fulltime people and pay all of their benefits then how much are we all going to be paying for our merchandise. The very people that are working at these places will no longer be able to afford to buy clothes.

Places like Walmart, Filene's and Macy's are a good place to start and work up from. It is the person's responisblity to reach up to go higher. I know quite a few people who only have high school eduations who have done well. My own brother worked in a pizza place part time and then started working at a factory. Over the years he has worked his way up and now he is a manager. He has a nice house and a nice car and goes on great vacations. He could've stayed at the pizza place but would it have been their responsibiblty to hire him full time and provide insurance? And by the way, the factory where he works is an hour away. He commutes two hours a day.

One more thing- about the college degrees. A lot of people are going to college and are majoring in non-marketable jobs. Where I went to school there were so many people majoring in "Communications" what the heck kind of jobs are they going to get when they get out? And how about poli-sci majors and other majors like that. College may not be the best choice for careers anymore. A lot of men especially are opting out of college to go to tehcnical schools. Our society is changing and we need to change with it.

[TheDeadWalk]

From the same Wal-Mart film:

Excerpt from a wal mart commercial, promoting the job:

Woman: "I think my company takes family very seriously. And they'll help you achieve anything you want. The possibilities are endless at Wal-Mart!"

Another wal-mart commercial, this time with a family of three Hispanics that supposedly work at wal-mart, promoting the job: "Our family truly is living the American dream. It's out there, and it's at Wal-Mart!"

Lee Scott, CEO of Wal-Mart: "Think of the careers that get started in this company, and the difference it makes in people's lives. But most important to me -- jobs that come with opportunity for personal development.

Wal-Mart employees cost taxpayers $1,557,000,000 to support its employees.

[SIREN30]

This is old, I know. Just wanted to add.

Siren loves her Super Walmart :D

I live about 15 miles from everywhere. I went to the local 'Bestway' recently and got the same stuff I buy at Walmart. Spent 25.00 more than I spend at super Walmart. That's about 100.00 extra a month. That speaks volumes when it comes to planning my budget.

I drive the 20 minutes to Super Wal mart.:cool:

[outsyder]

Originally posted by darchangel
I live literally within shouting distance of a Super Wal-Mart,



Tell it to fuck off.

[Lynn7]

Originally posted by SIREN30
This is old, I know. Just wanted to add.

Siren loves her Super Walmart :D

I live about 15 miles from everywhere. I went to the local 'Bestway' recently and got the same stuff I buy at Walmart. Spent 25.00 more than I spend at super Walmart. That's about 100.00 extra a month. That speaks volumes when it comes to planning my budget.

I drive the 20 minutes to Super Wal mart.:cool:

I agree. I went to Target the other day which is a good store but I paid more for their merchandise than if I had gone to Walmart. I hope no one screws around with Walmart cause I save a lot of money by shopping there too. I go once a month cause it is about 20-25 minutes away. Its worth the trip though.

[EVILxxx]

Originally posted by TheDeadWalk
From the same Wal-Mart film:

Excerpt from a wal mart commercial, promoting the job:

Woman: "I think my company takes family very seriously. And they'll help you achieve anything you want. The possibilities are endless at Wal-Mart!"

Another wal-mart commercial, this time with a family of three Hispanics that supposedly work at wal-mart, promoting the job: "Our family truly is living the American dream. It's out there, and it's at Wal-Mart!"

Lee Scott, CEO of Wal-Mart: "Think of the careers that get started in this company, and the difference it makes in people's lives. But most important to me -- jobs that come with opportunity for personal development.

Wal-Mart employees cost taxpayers $1,557,000,000 to support its employees.

So marketing people are souless ghouls... when did that happen?

[BorderEevilIII]

After watching that WAL-MART documentary I haven't been back to any of their stores since then.......

Every tried asking someone at WALMART if they stock this flick?


http://images.tlavideo.com/images/catalog_gaybase/220697.jpg




But to swing BACK to the topic on hand.....
Lots of towns are fighting back not wanting the box store to be popping up in their areas and most of the times the community manages to fend of the evil giants from opening in their neck of the woods.

Theres a K-MART in dire need of a make overs but does have ppl goin there.
I am moooore TAGHET ;)