who are these people that shop at walmart?

[WCBias]

The Wal-Mart here in Henderson competes pretty well on the MILF scale with Target, and pure-protein bars are like $2 cheaper per box than at Vons.

This debate is pretty amusing. I have a friend who rants and raves about the low-lifes in Wal-Mart. One time she was out visiting and I dragged her into the Henderson Wal-Mart to pick up something and she elbowed me the first black person she saw, as if to prove her point.

I told her to take another look and check herself. It was the only black person in our field of vision, every one else was pretty much wasp, just like us. Amazing how someone can see a black person and automatically think...poor, criminal, gangster. Unless of course they are a tall, well-built male, then they are an athlete.

Perception is a funny drug......

 

[BlackBart]

I'll go to Walmart, but I much prefer Target.

Target = MILF Central

Amen, bro. Amen.

 

[kermit16]

Some parts of this thread pertains only to WalMart. However what is not being mentioned is that Walgreens is a chain that has put many of Mom and Pops Drug stores out of busines also. As a matter of fact the Company I work for owner used to have a corner Drug store and couldn't compete with Walgreens for many of the same pricing reasons that are being mentioned about WalMart. I worked for Home Depot briefly and same thing applies to them and Lowes. Many Mom and Pops hardware and building supplies stores have bit the dust because of these two giants. I could go on and on naming big chains that put smaller shops out of business ! Right here in Vegas the consolidation of the Casinos have eliminated so many of the smaller Casinos. There is really nothing We can do to stop this from happening.

 

[oldirtyku]

I been in Walmart once when driving through the moutains of PA. Peeps were playing Bingo in the food area... I thought that was pretty funny...

 

[levistep]

So what you're saying is Wal-Mart's got all the leverage in the situation?

Yeah. So let's say I'm Black & Decker or whatever. I go to Wal-Mart in Bentonville. I go walk across the street or drive across the street, because the Wal-Mart buyer's calling me. He wants to negotiate pricing. So I go over there and sit down with the buyer, and he says: "I want you to make those cordless screwdrivers this year for less than you did last year. We bought 60 train carloads last year. We're going to buy 160 this year if you can sell them to us at this price."

And there is no saying no, because Wal-Mart already knows the cost of your raw materials, the cost of your production, the cost of your shipping, the cost of your everything. They know everything. …

And so what do these manufacturers do? They walk away, and, you know, I can envision these phone calls that take place back to their corporate: "You're not going to believe what Wal-Mart wants us to do." "What is it this time?" "Well, they want us to sell that same product that we sold them last year, but they want it at a 2 percent discount in cost this year." And they're already just making ends meet.

So now the company has to look at it and say: "We can't make it here in America anymore. We might have a union plant where we're paying you good, living, union wages. I think we need to close this plant, maybe move it over to China or move it down to Monterrey, Mexico. We've got NAFTA, so let's take advantage of it."

So Walmart forces companies to be more efficient, and puts pressures on the unions? That's great because an increase in standard of living can only come from an increase in productivity. Walmart's drive towards an ever higher productivity forces borderline companies to straighten up, or get out.

You may think factory jobs are the bellwether of a healthy economy, but according to every single economic progession model i've ever seen, factory jobs are only 1 step above agriculture. Service, finance and management jobs, information and the internet are the new frontiers.

I could go on more about the economic aspect, but there is also a freedom aspect to it. Walmart has made Black & Decker a lot of money over the years, but why should they be forced to continue to do the same? B&D doesn't have a birthright to make a huge amounts of money off Walmart every year.

So who's driving the process? … What does it look like to you? You've been inside Wal-Mart. You've seen it. You've talked to Wal-Mart buyers; you've seen suppliers; you've heard the story. ... You just said these companies are having trouble bargaining... I mean, it's pretty hard to escape the conclusion, isn't it, that Wal-Mart is a factor pushing the jobs to China?

Absolutely. The company's completed shifted its focus again from the founding principles of Sam Walton, who, by the way, used to really enjoy and take a lot of pride in what's called the "Buy America" program, "Made in America," "Bring it home to the USA." He was all about going to factories in America that were closing, like a flannel-shirt factory. I remember one example of that. They couldn't make flannel shirts in America as cheap[ly] as they could in China, so the factory closed. Three hundred-something jobs went down.

Well, Sam went to that owner of that manufacturer and said: "Look, if you'll make flannel shirts just for Wal-Mart exclusively for the next three years, I'll retool your plant. I'll give you a loan ... get your business up and going, and you just sell them to us." And that's what he was all about.

I recently heard a speech by Lee Scott, the CEO, and in his speech, what was disturbing to me is he said -- somebody questioned him about China: "Why are you doing so much business in China?" And he just kind of resigned himself to it and said: "Well, it's just the way it's got to be. This is a global economy now. We've got to do business with China. We have no other choice."

What happened to Sam Walton's founding principles? What happened to "Buy America," "Bring it home to the USA," good, American, union jobs? What happened to that?

As I said earlier, manufacturing jobs are stage 2 of economic progression, they aren't the promised land. We have comparative advantages over China in many areas, but they have us beat with cheap labor. A shift of unskilled work over to China helps the poor Chinese, the US consumer, and Walmart. The people that lost their job have to find another area to work in. We can't subsidize their inefficiency. I could quote a study about how bad tariffs/quotas were on the US economy during the '80s. Not exactly the same as Wallmart, but shows you how detrimental protectionism is.

Some parts of this thread pertains only to WalMart. However what is not being mentioned is that Walgreens is a chain that has put many of Mom and Pops Drug stores out of busines also. As a matter of fact the Company I work for owner used to have a corner Drug store and couldn't compete with Walgreens for many of the same pricing reasons that are being mentioned about WalMart. I worked for Home Depot briefly and same thing applies to them and Lowes. Many Mom and Pops hardware and building supplies stores have bit the dust because of these two giants. I could go on and on naming big chains that put smaller shops out of business ! Right here in Vegas the consolidation of the Casinos have eliminated so many of the smaller Casinos. There is really nothing We can do to stop this from happening.

Why does everyone think Mom and Pop stores = good, big stores = bad. Mom and pop stores are relics from ancient times.

 

[Seymour]

k-dog, the more i think about it...the more i think you're right. i had no business posting this. i feel really bad for people in this world who are struggling to survive...like those in darfur, for example. but, i never have much sympathy for people in this country who cant make it. i guess that's because i always thought that this is the land of opportunity and if you cant make it here, its because you made bad choices in life.

but, who am i to make that kind of judgement? i think its probably best for me to be thankful for what i have...and shut the hell up.

Blue, I think it is terrible that you basically called all of us white trash - that's fucked up - just because you are sitting up there in your 10,000 sqt foot house with 2 hot french maids ready to serve your every need does not make you better than me - can I get an apology too? In 10 minutes I am going to Walmart - I need some new clothes for a date tonight - nice looking girl I just wish she had all her teeth.

 

[blueedwards]

Sometimes I get so upset that I make no money, but at the same time, I am probably in the top 5% in the world. I have a nice house, a huge heated shop to run my business out of, a backer who bought tools for that shop. I have a ton to be thankful for but everyday I worry about money because it is so freaking tight. Truth is, since the babies, we spend more than we make. Hence the business I am starting up.

its a good thing you live in america where you can think "man, i dont make enough money...i'll take a risk and start a business and, if i hit a homerun, i'll be making six figures." 95% of the people in this country can improve their situation if they really want to...even black folks born in the ghetto.

good luck with your new business. have a nice christmas.

 

[FairWarning]

For the ones who love them, just work as a distributor and you'll see a whole different side of the argument.

 

[TTinCO]

The KC Royals are the biggest proponent of revenue sharing in baseball. They always whine and cry that they cant compete with the major market teams such as yanks, red sox, etc.

David Glass is the owner of the KC Royals. David Glass is also a former CEO of WalMart. Could this be any more ironic?

 

[FairWarning]

The KC Royals are the biggest proponent of revenue sharing in baseball. They always whine and cry that they cant compete with the major market teams such as yanks, red sox, etc.

David Glass is the owner of the KC Royals. David Glass is also a former CEO of WalMart. Could this be any more ironic?

Thought the same thing. Ran the Royals like a Wal-Mart too.

 

[xpanda]

I hate WalMart as much as the next person, but it has to do with the crappy shit they sell and their horrendous B2B practices.

But ... Rather than blame WalMart for what happens to Mom 'n' Pop stores, blame the consumers. They're the ones keeping the company afloat. WalMart's not forcing anything on anyone.

As for the slave labour remarks ... would it be better for the people of Bangladesh, etc., if they didn't have these factories to work in? What would they be doing instead?

We forget that less than a hundred years ago we didn't have a minimum wage, either. Look at us now.

 

[FairWarning]

I hate WalMart as much as the next person, but it has to do with the crappy shit they sell and their horrendous B2B practices.

But ... Rather than blame WalMart for what happens to Mom 'n' Pop stores, blame the consumers. They're the ones keeping the company afloat. WalMart's not forcing anything on anyone.

You are partially right. Wal-Mart will force you to only sell to them and not your competitors on certain items.

As for the slave labour remarks ... would it be better for the people of Bangladesh, etc., if they didn't have these factories to work in? What would they be doing instead?

Is slave labor really "bettering" the third-world workers? Why do US companies go there? Cheap labor, lack of regulation, no unions, no pollution standards, no overtime pay, child labor, no disability or health insurance..... Just look at US labor before 1900 and thats what you have.

We forget that less than a hundred years ago we didn't have a minimum wage, either. Look at us now.

:scared:

 

[levistep]

:scared:

Ohh man, I HAVE to get back to this. I'd be doing you a disservice by not exposing the popular union myth for the fraud that it really is. But i have an exam to study for right now.

 

[xpanda]

FW: it's not 'slave' labour. Slave labour is when the people have absolutely no choice to work there.

Are their working conditions shitty? Yes. Would I ever want to do it? No.

However, for many many many of the people who would turn to 18-hour days at shite money, think about what their alternatives must be. Prostitution comes to mind.

We can't expect a country to suddenly pull itself out of poverty overnight. My grandfather had no soles in his shoes for three months, worked for seven dollars a week. Two generations later and we're spoiled rotten.

It's about the babysteps. If there is more money coming into these communities because of companies like WalMart, Nike, etc, it will have a trickle-down effect. Peripheral businesses open up. Restaurants, shops, etc.

If you boycott products that come from these 'cheap overseas labour markets', you're effectively putting the poorest people in the world out of work. I don't shop at WalMart because I think it's crap, but I'm not kidding myself that the stores I do shop at aren't doing the same thing. The Gap, Target, JC Penny, etc. They all outsource manufacturing.

Nothing wrong with that at all. They get jobs, we get cheaper stuff. Win/win.

 

[FairWarning]

Ohh man, I HAVE to get back to this. I'd be doing you a disservice by not exposing the popular union myth for the fraud that it really is. But i have an exam to study for right now.

I hate unions. They have long outlived their usefullness, but to say they didn't do good back in the day is ignoring the facts. To this day we enjoy the benefits of the unions - like 40-hour work weeks, paid holidays, safer working conditions, etc.

I am totally against a "living wage". I'm with you that one is not "owed" anything. One should try to better themselves.

 

[TTinCO]

Wal-Mart Employees Worth More To Wal-Mart Dead



I STARTED WAL-MART STORE # 1767 IN SHALLOTTE N. C. IN 1993. WORKED THERE 10 YEARS AND WAS DISMISSED WITH 1 OTHER TOP PAYING ASSOCIATE, AND OF COURSE A FEW LOWER PAYING ASSOCIATES, STATING THE CAUSE WAS WE WERE NOT LIVING UP TO COMPANY STANDARDS.

I WON MY UNEMPLOYMENT, SAW A LAWYER, BUT I LIVE IN A "RIGHT TO WORK STATE" WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A REASON TO FIRE YOU. THEY NOT ONLY FIRED US, THEY MADE IT WHERE WE COULD NEVER WORK AT WALMART AGAIN,

BUT THEY CAN STILL COLLECT 350.000 DOLLARS AT THE TIME ME OR ANY EMPLOYEE DIES. IF WE DIE IN A ACCIDENT, SOMETHING OTHER THAN NATURAL CAUSES THEY COLLECT 700.000 DOLLARS. I JUST WONDER ON AN AVERAGE DAY HOW MANY WORKERS AND EX WORKERS DIE, FOR WHAT EVER REASON AND HOW MUCH WAL- MART COLLECTS.

WITH THAT KIND OF MONEY COMING IN THEY WILL NEVER SHUT THEIR DOORS. I WAS MAKING 22.00 AN HOUR AND BECAUSE I WOULDN'T GO ON SALARY I WAS FIRED.

EVERYONE PLEASE WARN YOUR LOVED ONES, WHAT WOULD ANYONE, MUCH LESS A LARGE COMPANY DO FOR THAT KIND OF INSURANCE...

ALSO STAY CLEAR OF THE SHALLOTTE STORE, 3 PEOPLE IN PERFECT HEALTH, MY FRIENDS, DIED OF SPINAL MINENJIDUS, AN AIR BORN DEASE, BUT THEY COVERED AND HUSH IT UP, AND STATED NATURAL CAUSES...I HOPE THE B*TCH (NAME REMOVED) OF THAT STORE IS FINALLY FOUND OUT ABOUT HER ACTIONS, AND THE WAY SHE TREATS HER ASSOCIATES....THANK YOU




posted by WalmartSucks.org at 4:50 PM

<!-- End .post --><!-- Begin #comments --><!-- End #comments -->Wednesday, December 06, 2006

<!-- Begin .post -->Murder at Wal-Mart



One of our CSM's got murdered / shot in the head in the store on a busy Sat afternoon.(Many familes and children were present). Management knew she was being stalked and her ex boyfriend had threatened to kill her several times.

They were informed each and every time he came in the store. Brilliant management moved the money podium, BECAUSE OF A MEMO, away from the front of the store, where she could see 180 DEGREEES around her, with her back to the wall, to the middle of the friggin candy /softline main aisle , exposing her 360 , so she was looking at back end of the customers and checkouts.

Her stalker was hiding amoung all the clothing racks.

Walmart has the murder on video. Walmart cares more about their stupid memo's than about employees safety. She died within a 10 day period of this brilliant move. Walmart management and Corp policies don't give a damn about people they care about money and whatever dumb new ideas they can think up. (What's this crap about "flights").

They knowlingly put her in an exposed area.

One of the managers of the store, who leans heavily on her help, and can't deal with a crisis alone, called in the HR mgr, who lives 2 hours away, had to help her deal with everything. He came in and helped everyone, management, the victims family, set up a memorial book, tables, helped with the funeral etc. was there for the assoc. p.s. no one saw that manager for weeks. he was the veritable backbone that kept that store going.

OBVIOUSLY THE STORE CLOSED THAT SATURDAY, SINCE IT WAS A CRIME SCENE AND THERE WAS BRAINS AND BLOOD ON THE FLOOR, ETC. SO MANGEMENT SENT EVERYONE HOME. TOLD THEM YOU WILL BE PAID FOR THE DAY. duh!!! WE KNOW ITS NOT YOUR FAULT YOU CAN'T WORK YOUR HOURS. THERE WAS A MURDER!!!!

CORP WALMART DID AN AUDIT THIS YEAR AND FIRED THE HR MANAGER, BECAUSE THE EMPLOYEES WERE PAID FOR THE HOURS MANAGEMENT PROMISED ON THE DAY THE CSM WAS MURDERED.

WHEN CORP DEMANDED TO KNOW WHO AUTHORIZED THE DAYS WAGES. ONE OF THE STORE MANAGERS LIED/ BAILED, AND LEFT THE PERSONNEL MANAGER HANGING IN THE BREEZE. BECAUSE THAT MANAGER DIDN'T BACK UP HER PERSONNEL MANAGER , WALMART FIRED HIM. TOLD HIM HE COULD QUIT OR BE FIRED AFTER 16 YEARS WORKING FOR WALMART. IT WAS HIS ONNNNLLLY JOB REFERENCE.

DON'T TELL ME WALMART CARES ABOUT IT'S EMPLOYEES. IT CARES ABOUT ITS LAST NICKEL IT CAN DRAG OUT OF YOUR DYING HAND.


posted by WalmartSucks.org at 6:05 PM

<!-- End .post --><!-- Begin #comments --><!-- End #comments -->Friday, December 01, 2006

<!-- Begin .post -->No Family Or Friends? The Cult of Wal-Mart Wants You!



I used to be a manager at a Walmart store and its not all that’s its cracked up to be! Most Walmart managers don’t care about the associates and the ones that do get fired!

I worked for Walmart for 5 years and was forced into management or I would lose my job! You have to go through 17 weeks of training by yourself and they expect you to master the ins and outs of Walmart!

After your training they throw you in a store and expect you to improve everyone and everything. All the store manager cares about is money! I consistently heard if this store doesn’t have a good inventory I will not get my 45,000-dollar bonus and mind you the associates are lucky to get a bonus and most of the time it’s a few hundred dollars.

They start everyone out at the lowest pay possible and inform him or her about all the incentives they offer, just to get people in the door. They expect you to be there 80-100 hours a week and you are on salary so they work you to the bone!

I guess all in all Walmart is a good place to work if you have no family or friends, but if you do I suggest looking elsewhere for a job, unless you like to be screwed over by big corporate companies!


posted by WalmartSucks.org at 10:24 AM

http://www.walmartsucks.org/

 

[CaPPiNgTiGeRz]

wow , i think the wal mart as a company posts in this thread is one thing and a whole different conversation than calling people that need to shop there trash. I cannot imagine what i thought were classy people here to have made some of the comments ive just read. If you going to look down your nose fine no one can stop you , but please keep the comments to yourself. I am not a big wal mart person myself but i would never look down on those who need to shop there because they do save a lot of people money, who are just getting by already.
With the kind of attitudes shown here from high up poster maybe the RX isn't the place you want to be posting and supporting if your thought of as white trash by the people who run or help run it. I am really disappointed by some of the comments made here because i always thought this place was better than that. Just goes to show how easy it is to be wrong.

 

[Buffalo66]

Answer is: Just about everybody.

 

[kermit16]

TTinCo,
Let's be real here ! The long post of yours is from www.walmartsucks.org ? Sounds like a pretty unbiased site to me ! :lolBIG: Please don't tell me you really believe every word is the Bible ?
How do you spell gullible ?uppy:

 

[TTinCO]

Kermit, the link to the site is at the bottom of the post. Well aware that the folks there may be tad biased.