I told myself I wouldn't go to Wal-mart

**frugalandsimple** · 07-31-2008, 06:00 PM

I rebelled against my inner voice and did it anyways. I don't care for Wal-mart because of their business ethics. However, a co-worker was telling me how much cheaper groceries were than another supermarket. So, I went there. Most of the groceries there is cheaper. There is more selection, however, on some groceries there isn't as many flavors or kinds like the other supermaket I go to to shop. I also noticed at Wal-mart, there isn't as many things on sale even though groceries there is cheaper than the one I regulary go to.

I went there and stocked up on frozen veggies and other non-perishable items. Their produce isn't all that great. I was suprised for how big it is, there isn't much organic produce or all-natural/organic non-perisable items.

**mhope** · 07-31-2008, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by frugalandsimple

I rebelled against my inner voice and did it anyways. I don't care for Wal-mart because of their business ethics. However, a co-worker was telling me how much cheaper groceries were than another supermarket. So, I went there. Most of the groceries there is cheaper. There is more selection, however, on some groceries there isn't as many flavors or kinds like the other supermaket I go to to shop. I also noticed at Wal-mart, there isn't as many things on sale even though groceries there is cheaper than the one I regulary go to.

I went there and stocked up on frozen veggies and other non-perishable items. Their produce isn't all that great. I was suprised for how big it is, there isn't much organic produce or all-natural/organic non-perisable items.

Produce is one thing I will not buy at Wal-mart if and when I go.

**DJ1972** · 07-31-2008, 06:33 PM

IMHO they are only cheaper on non-perishables. Their meat is much higher than what I pay for it at a local grocer and same for produce. The selection is bigger, but that's a bad thing for me as I tend to spend more on all the shiny things that catch my eye. So, I try to stay away.

**treeluva** · 08-01-2008, 03:42 AM

For me, it doesn't matter how much cheaper a few things would be, I stay out of WalMart so I will not be tempted to gravitate towards other things. Too many things in Wal Mart.... argh!

**Momto2Boyz** · 08-01-2008, 06:40 AM

I have not shopped at Wal-mart since December, and am better for it. When we used to shop at Wal-mart, since nothing was ever really on sale, I would spend $120 on groceries. Now, shopping 2 different local stores for meat & produce (only stocking up on what is on sale) and Aldi's for everything else (which is way cheaper than Wal-mart), I was able to cut my grocery bill in half.

We have our own reasons for not shopping there, but I am glad I haven't. I honestly don't think I will ever set foot in a Wal-mart or Sam's again!

**cheles2kids** · 08-01-2008, 07:59 AM

Wal-mart *can* save you on some items.

I actually went shopping yesterday, first I went to SAL and bought alot of what I needed and then made a trip over to Wal-mart and got the rest.
Also, they carry items that other discount stores normally don't have, one such item that comes to mind are the Kosher hot dogs that my family likes.
So, I will shop at Wal-mart, but only for those few items that I know I can't find anywhere else.

Before moving out here in the country, I hadn't stepped foot into a Wal-mart in over 2 years, but we have alot less available to us now.
So, we make due with what we have.

**Pemberleyan** · 08-01-2008, 08:38 AM

We're big Walmart and Sam's shoppers, but might not be if we lived somewhere else. The nearest Aldi's is a two-hour drive away, and we simply can't justify going.

We live about 45 minutes from the nearest Walmart and most other shopping. I do tend to buy most meats at a small local grocery when they are on sale and some meats at Sam's. I am always amazed when people say they can get comparable prices at large grocery stores because ours are much higher than Walmart.

I'm not without my frustrations with Walmart, and I think a lot of the problems are because of individual management. Our local Walmart is often without commonly-used items. Also, the long lines and unmanned cash registers! On the other hand, we'd have to go to 3 or 4 stores to get everything on our list.

**dcompton** · 08-01-2008, 02:13 PM

I'm neither particularly for or against Walmart. I used to live a few blocks from one that was a great store. It had been built as a super walmart not long before the shopping hub of the city began shifting to the east, leaving it sort of marooned. It didn't have as much choice as the even bigger, newer ones, but it was also close, had all I wanted, and was never crowded. it's the only Walmart I've ever known that was nearly always a quick in and out.

I've moved and a brand new one is not too far, but I seldom go anymore because its out of my way. There are a few things that I routinely keep on hand that I know are cheaper there, like dried cranberries, and I'll stock up when I'm in, and I'll go there if I have a very miscellaneous list that would take many stops otherwise. But I find that Krogers is actually as good or better on some things. One that surprised me was dried beans.

**CristiK** · 08-01-2008, 03:56 PM

We get our dogfood and cat litter at Walmart. One thing to consider when buying anything that requires freezing or refrigeration though, is how they treat unbought items. I have frequently seen items that should be kept cold, left by registers and in carts of stuff to be put back after somebody left it. This stuff has been sitting out for who knows how long and then an employee gets called to the front for their basket of returns to be put back....yuck! Plus it is really gross in there when somebody who had leaking food was in line right before you. You have to stand there frantically keeping your stuff off the conveyer belt or your new _______ will have chicken juice or something equally gross on it. I think when Walmart added grocery it was a bad thing.

**ladykemma2** · 08-01-2008, 04:20 PM

i have always shopped at walmart because they have good plus sizes.

but I used to shop at lah-de-dah Randalls for groceries when i was married to mr. moneybags. then came divorce...

i continued to shop at randalls and would go home sobbing because i went overbudget again. this went on for a few weeks because i was in "coping mode" and busy dealing with other divorce related stuff. then i sucked it up and went to the local superwalmart. it was claustrophobic, crowded, and very unpleasant.

as i checked out my bill for the exact same food was 50 less than randalls. huh! I said, "I'm on to something".

I felt very sorry for myself but sucked it up and went again the next week.

gradually over the past year, i came to appreciate the walmart grocery near me. i learned (duh) not to go on a sunday afternoon. i noticed that the produce was incredibly fresh and good. the meat at "my" walmart is gross, but since i am somewhat vegetarian - no problem. it is very pleasant on a monday evening

so i would say now i am a pretty loyal walmart shopper. when i was in springville, utah last week, every shelf of the store in utah was identical to my walmart in houston. i knew where everything was.

**DonnainME** · 08-01-2008, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by CristiK

We get our dogfood and cat litter at Walmart. One thing to consider when buying anything that requires freezing or refrigeration though, is how they treat unbought items. I have frequently seen items that should be kept cold, left by registers and in carts of stuff to be put back after somebody left it. This stuff has been sitting out for who knows how long and then an employee gets called to the front for their basket of returns to be put back....yuck! Plus it is really gross in there when somebody who had leaking food was in line right before you. You have to stand there frantically keeping your stuff off the conveyer belt or your new _______ will have chicken juice or something equally gross on it. I think when Walmart added grocery it was a bad thing.

I used to work at WM. In my store - if someone changes their mind on a refrigerated or frozen item, it goes to the Customer Service desk for them to count it and log it then it gets destroyed.

I had shut down my register to clean up meat juice spills before. It made customers mad - even though I told them I didn't want them getting salmonella or something like that.

I'm not happy with WM - I had to quit because they wouldn't give me the month of June off. I had worked there for 9 months. I needed the month of June off because my 2 younger children (that live with their dad) were coming for a visit and I needed to spend time with them. WM said if I had been there a year, they would have given me the personal leave but since I hadn't, I could quit or keep working Well, I get to see those kids (oldest lives with me) 2 times (sometimes 3) a year and I decided to quit over it.

**Karla** · 08-03-2008, 04:29 AM

Our walmart is closer for me and only one of 2 reasonably priced stores...so yes I shop there...I would shop most places that would save me a few bucks.

**ri*smom** · 08-03-2008, 10:22 AM

If I am in Walmart for something else, I will grab a non-perishable that I desperately need . . . otherwise all are groceries come from Aldi's. They are crazy cheap. The only time we go somewhere else is if Aldi's doesn't have something I need for a recipe. Then it is Shop n' Save or Walmart. I definitely keep my head down in Walmart, too. Too many seasonal, non-neccessary baubles that tempt me. And we don't need them (on many levels).

**hippytreehugger4ever** · 08-03-2008, 02:24 PM

I actually just came back from Wally World. I just went to get oatmeal and applesauce for baking. Came out with: Oatmeal, applesauce, cabbage, organic cereal, bag of cornmeal, and 4 cans of tuna. The price of vegetable oil just went from 2.32 to 3.62 :-O

**pecunierrant** · 08-03-2008, 09:56 PM

I stop by once or twice a month for dry goods and some food stuffs but they don't sell much in the way of groceries in the ones nearest to me. We buy some basics like clothing, shoes and small appliances when priced right also.

I wish the Walmart was closer to us, I'm able to stretch my dollar so much more there and with all the penny pinching that we do this is a real plus.

Also know a lot of people who want to work there too.