Wal-Mart is selling America's soul for less

4

43698

Guest
I recently watched a movie called The High Cost of Low Prices. I stopped shopping at Wal-Mart long ago because I realized that all the retailers in our area that were privately owned went under when Wal-Mart showed up. I have known a few people that worked there and none of them were compensated very well for what they did. I am not just talking about people getting carts or working a cash register part-time. Wal-Mart sells products that are made in China for cheaper than you can get them anywhere else and they also use buying power to bully companies into selling their stuff to Wal-Mart for less. Here is a fine example......

I live in North Carolina. Some of you may have heard of the Mount Olive Pickle company. They are a locally owned and operated business that makes pickles, relish and other canned condiments and goods. Wal-Mart went to them and said that they would pay Mount Olive 3 cents a jar for pickles. Mount-Olive said that they wanted to get 5 cents a jar because they needed it to cover their production costs, which include cost of living raises for workers, as well as compensating for a rise in overhead due to inflation. Wal-Mart told them that if they did not sell them the pickles for the price they wanted that they would not sell Mount-Olive products anymore. Wal-Mart would instead buy the pickles else where and possibly purchase them from outside of the country. The problem with that (besides the obvious) is this, Wal-Mart is the nations largest retail store and is the nations largest employer. Wal-Mart has shutdown numerous chain stores and killed private retail industry everywhere they have gone. So if you do not sell your products on Wal-Mart shelves there is little chance that you will be able to sell enough product to cover costs and much of it will go to waste. Mount Olive was then forced to make a dreaded deciscion. They had to sell their product for little profit lay off and or fire employees and then still produce the same quality and quantity of products. The effect the econemy has had on their expenses to get supplies and run their facility has increased while the profit earned on their product has decreased.

Wal-Mart owns numerous factories in countries such as China, where workers are forced to work seven days a week and lie to inspectors about their wages. They (factory workers) are forced to pay for room and board even if they do not live in the dormatories, or eat the meals. Wal-Mart employees are encouraged to go on public assistance for income and healthcare.

Essentialy we wind up in a gridlock of not being able to find employment that is gainful, being on unemployment yet still having to provide for families and exist. It is hard to go to a smaller chain store and purchase products that cost more when you could go to Wal-Mart and get them for less. When you are unemployment you are on a fixed income. So because you can not afford to spend more money you often wind up supporting one of the organizations that is killing your chances of having a job. It is a vicious cycle. We need to wake up and realize that we are selling our souls. Go to the website WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price and check it out. No matter if you are straight, gay, bi, republican, democrat, red, green, white, black or titanium blue this effects you and is a problem.
 

vince

Legendary Member
Joined
May 13, 2007
Posts
8,271
Media
1
Likes
1,677
Points
333
Location
Canada
Sexuality
69% Straight, 31% Gay
Gender
Male
I am happy to say I have only been to WalMart four times and I have never bought anything from them. Once was just to watch the Americans with my daughter. Kind of a culture fieldtrip.

I fully agree with your points about the company. It profits by getting the people to consume the cheapest badly made crap which actually puts the well being of their own communities at risk.

I wonder how many years it will be before WalMart is opening stores in China with cheap goods made in low-wage places like... Ohio.
 

Mem

Sexy Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2006
Posts
7,912
Media
0
Likes
54
Points
183
Location
FL
Sexuality
99% Gay, 1% Straight
Gender
Male
Stores and downtown areas have been closing since the 70's. The malls had a lot to do with that. It's a free market economy.
 

BIGBULL29

Worshipped Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2006
Posts
7,603
Media
52
Likes
14,197
Points
343
Location
State College (Pennsylvania, United States)
Sexuality
Pansexual
Gender
Male
Wall*Mart is a bully that makes money off of cheap foreighn labor -- plain and simple. It exported millions and millions of jobs overseas and yet flies an American flag at the entrance way of its stores? Are you kidding?

All, and then there are the jobs that Americans just won't do. It's already been for a few decades now that we can't pick fruit or milk cows anymore; those jobs must filled by Mexicans or other Latin Americans. So who do we think we are nowadays? It's news to me that beggars can be choosers, but again, I reckon you can be so if you're importing employees.

Neither the rich white farmer nor Wal*Malt is interested in strengthening America economically and giving "real" jobs to its people -- not in the least. They take and take and give nothing back to our land (except those "always low" prices). And then they act all conservative and patriotic to make us feel as if they're the American people's best friend, even in the toughest of times.

Don't be duped, people, don't be duped. Greed is killing our nation.
 
Last edited:

BadBoyCanada

1st Like
Joined
Jan 20, 2010
Posts
75
Media
0
Likes
1
Points
41
Location
East Coast
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Male
Stores and downtown areas have been closing since the 70's. The malls had a lot to do with that. It's a free market economy.

There's a lot of truth to that. However, Wal-Mart moved into small town USA where malls don't exist...and shut down mom and pop operations.
 

Mem

Sexy Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2006
Posts
7,912
Media
0
Likes
54
Points
183
Location
FL
Sexuality
99% Gay, 1% Straight
Gender
Male
I recently need to buy some mascarpone cheese for a recipe. I didn't see it at my Walmart Neighborhood market. In fact it was very hard to find at any market but I found it at Publix (which wants to be a high end market, but is only a high price market) it cost $6 for an 8 oz container. I later saw it at Walmart for $3. Guess where I will buy it next time. I want to pay fair prices at the market and not feel ripped off.
 

BIGBULL29

Worshipped Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2006
Posts
7,603
Media
52
Likes
14,197
Points
343
Location
State College (Pennsylvania, United States)
Sexuality
Pansexual
Gender
Male
Most companies sell or make their products abroad, it's been done for decades.

Doesn't make it right.

Yes, many do it and have done if for many a year, but it's excessive nowadays with Wal*Mart being the prime example. It's pornographic greeed.

I'm not picking fruit for 4 bucks an hour in the hot sun to make a rich farmer richer. Anyhow, this society says I'm too good for that job, and that I don't have to be a beggar. But, remember, if the farmer couldn't import foreign aid, he'd have to increase the hourly wage - and god forbid - hire Americans. Then I might apply for the job.
 

helgaleena

Sexy Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2006
Posts
5,475
Media
7
Likes
43
Points
193
Location
Wisconsin USA
Sexuality
50% Straight, 50% Gay
Gender
Female
They have Camembert cheeses made in New York state. Tried to get them at trendy Trader Joe's and they only had Brie-- a dozen kinds of Brie, but still not Camembert. However their wholemeal breads are made of nothing but white flour and bran; they look nice but are actually crappy.

Someday the groceries will get things right. I do try to shop the worker-owned chains for my staples.
 

Bbucko

Cherished Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2006
Posts
7,232
Media
8
Likes
325
Points
208
Location
Sunny SoFla
Sexuality
90% Gay, 10% Straight
Gender
Male
I will cop to using Wal-Mart's optometry shop. Both the exam (which was thorough and very professional) and my contacts (which are the same exact things available anywhere) were steeply below what I'd have paid anywhere else. If I'd had the extra cash, I'd have paid more to support the local mom-and-mom (lesbian owned and operated) shop but it just wasn't feasible to spend that money at that time, and I needed new lenses immediately.

I've always tried to support the smallest possible businesses for my various needs, but it's becoming close to impossible: when was the last time I even saw a real old-fashioned hardware store? Shopping at Publix is a necessary evil for me because they're a ten-minute walk away, but they're only "small" in relation to Wal-Mart. It seems silly that they have a monopoly on groceries in "downtown" Wilton Manors, but they do. If Trader Joe's was an option, I'd gladly shop there instead.

I know it's just be being a diva, but I wouldn't buy clothing at Wal-Mart with a gun pressed to my head: besides, I doubt they stock my size.
 

SilverTrain

Legendary Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2008
Posts
4,623
Media
82
Likes
1,327
Points
333
Location
USA
Sexuality
No Response
Gender
Male
I will cop to using Wal-Mart's optometry shop. Both the exam (which was thorough and very professional) and my contacts (which are the same exact things available anywhere) were steeply below what I'd have paid anywhere else. If I'd had the extra cash, I'd have paid more to support the local mom-and-mom (lesbian owned and operated) shop but it just wasn't feasible to spend that money at that time, and I needed new lenses immediately.

I've always tried to support the smallest possible businesses for my various needs, but it's becoming close to impossible: when was the last time I even saw a real old-fashioned hardware store? Shopping at Publix is a necessary evil for me because they're a ten-minute walk away, but they're only "small" in relation to Wal-Mart. It seems silly that they have a monopoly on groceries in "downtown" Wilton Manors, but they do. If Trader Joe's was an option, I'd gladly shop there instead.

I know it's just be being a diva, but I wouldn't buy clothing at Wal-Mart with a gun pressed to my head: besides, I doubt they stock my size.

They have THE worst clothes on earth, anyway.

I will cop to occasionally satisfying my undying hunger for inexpensive blu-rays/dvds at Wally World. :redface:

Their produce sucks, their meat is worse. I generally loathe even getting near their parking lot, and I hate that the company put so many other businesses out of business. Also, my snobbery reaches outrageous heights when I am forced to mingle with so many people of a certain "caliber".
 

B_kracker

Experimental Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Posts
122
Media
0
Likes
22
Points
163
Age
34
I went to wal mart recently checking out tire prices they were as high or higher as anyone else around plus they wanted 15$ a tire mounting and balancing..( online prices were very good but not avaiable in everystore whats the use?)every one else around here included thats in the tire price..I got my tires elsewhere from a locally owned store
 

nudeyorker

Admired Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2006
Posts
22,742
Media
0
Likes
820
Points
208
Location
NYC/Honolulu
Sexuality
100% Gay, 0% Straight
Gender
Male
I always try to support family owned business. Wal-Mart gives me the creeps. The only time I've been in one was when The Eagles CD Long Road To Eden was only available there for the first year.
 

Bbucko

Cherished Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2006
Posts
7,232
Media
8
Likes
325
Points
208
Location
Sunny SoFla
Sexuality
90% Gay, 10% Straight
Gender
Male
They have THE worst clothes on earth, anyway.

I will cop to occasionally satisfying my undying hunger for inexpensive blu-rays/dvds at Wally World. :redface:

Their produce sucks, their meat is worse. I generally loathe even getting near their parking lot, and I hate that the company put so many other businesses out of business. Also, my snobbery reaches outrageous heights when I am forced to mingle with so many people of a certain "caliber".

When I lived in North Haven, CT (1999-2003), I passed a smallish Wal-Mart every day to and from work; initially they didn't have a grocery section. Once they did, my then-partner and I tried it once, as it was a tad closer to us than BJs (where we'd buy meat in bulk). I never went back, preferring the old-fashioned A&P a mile or so down the street, or resuming our use of BJs for bulk items. The selection sucked goat's ass :rolleyes:

As to the "caliber", the one in CT was just your standard-issue bland suburban array of quiet desperation. The local (closest) one here featured a desperation of a much sharper pitch, for sure, but local demographics are completely, utterly different. This varies by location (as, evidently, does the selection of goods): the one Mem frequents, while still very SoFla, is much kinder and gentler, indeed.
 

Mem

Sexy Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2006
Posts
7,912
Media
0
Likes
54
Points
183
Location
FL
Sexuality
99% Gay, 1% Straight
Gender
Male
the one Mem frequents, while still very SoFla, is much kinder and gentler, indeed.

Yes, the one I go to is not a regular Walmart, it's a "Neighborhood Market". I don't care for grocery shopping at a Walmart Supercenter store where people are buying DVDs, shoes, lamps and everything else.

Walmart has a very fair no questions asked return policy on most things, if you buy a grocery item and don't like it you can return it without a receipt for exchange or for a Walmart card with that amount credited. One thing you can't return, and it says so at the return area are Airbeds a, I guess people use them for guests and return them later.

I forget the number but they calculated how much they lose if they lose a customer for life and I think it was over $100,000. One time I had a problem with a worker in the deli and when I got home I sent an email to them. The manager contacted me and he apologized, said he would talk to her and left a $50 gift card waiting for me to pick up next time I was in.

I bought my car battery there and I had oxidation problems and the battery died. I went to them to charge it, but they found it wasn't good, and it still was in warranty and they replaced it free. I also got an oil change, wipers changed and they replaced a brake light that was out. The brake light change, which I couldn't figure how to do on my own, only cost $5 plus the cost of the bulb. Once for another car I had to go to the dealer to replace it and it cost me $30. The brake light, oil change, and wiper blade install cost about $45. I think I now get a brand new 2 year warranty of the replacement battery.:biggrin1: Their car service center is not perfect, one lady wanted to buy a tire and they told her that they couldn't sell it to her because all her tires were not the same size.
 
Last edited:
D

deleted15807

Guest
I want to pay fair prices at the market and not feel ripped off.

The High Cost of Low Price. What obligations did Wal-Mart manage to get the public to pay for so that it could charge a 'fair price'? When it doesn't offer good health care plans and it's workers have to go on public assistence to get health care? Who pays then? Who pays when Wal-Mart arrives and drives down wages and with wages goes a whole standard of living? Yes on the one hand the buyer saves but right out the other side the community pays.
 

Mem

Sexy Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2006
Posts
7,912
Media
0
Likes
54
Points
183
Location
FL
Sexuality
99% Gay, 1% Straight
Gender
Male
The High Cost of Low Price. What obligations did Wal-Mart manage to get the public to pay for so that it could charge a 'fair price'? When it doesn't offer good health care plans and it's workers have to go on public assistence to get health care? Who pays then? Who pays when Wal-Mart arrives and drives down wages and with wages goes a whole standard of living? Yes on the one hand the buyer saves but right out the other side the community pays.

Blame the programs in place that give assistance to low income people. Walmart is in business to make a profit and make sure their stock does well. If the state governments feel that Walmart is taking advantage of them they should file legal actions against them. I'm sure these states would rather see people working at Walmart than on total welfare. Most large companies don't care about their employees, they care about the bottom line. Starbucks is the only company that I can name that really cares about employees and their healthcare needs. People are singling Walmart out, but McDonald's and many other corporations do the same thing that they do, only on a smaller scale.
 

curious_angel

Sexy Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Jan 29, 2010
Posts
1,052
Media
18
Likes
35
Points
283
Location
England
Verification
View
Gender
Female
Wal-Mart sounds like the equivalent of Tesco in the UK. Apparently UK consumers spend £1 in every £8 in Tesco stores.

I've never had the pleasure of shopping at Wal-Mart, but I do get regular updates on the Wal-mart "shopping experience".

Apparently there is an abundance of tits and ass there?
 

Attachments