Is Walmart Good for America?

**YankeeMom** · 05-04-2007, 11:28 AM

I just got finished watching a very good Frontline show on PBS on this very subject. It was very enlightening. You can see it online:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl.../walmart/view/

**DJ1972** · 05-04-2007, 11:52 AM

I have seen similar stories like this about the walmart, or as I like to call it, the money sucker. I didn't go to walmart, at all, for almost 2 years, now I only go if there is something I absolutely can't find in any of the local stores, which is rare. During the 2 years that I refused to go there, I would drive to the closest city (45 miles) just to avoid having to go to walmart. But due to gas prices, I have had to venture in there a few times in the past year. I get what I have to have and no more, I don't want my money going to them or some of the things they support.

**Edna_E** · 05-04-2007, 12:04 PM

I have had some of their managers in classes, where they would openly discuss requirements to undercut prices at competing locally-owned stores until the stores went under, after which the plan was to raise prices. I have luckily not yet seen a community where they managed to eradicate the competition - so I don't know whether that plan ever gets enacted. I also have had students who said that they were required to clock out on time but keep working (illegal) and who were subjected to behavior that would get a manager fired from most firms I've worked for. I am NOT a fan!

**Marie78** · 05-04-2007, 12:14 PM

I am not a fan of the store! I stopped shopping there about 4 years ago and I only go about once a year. This year it was for resume paper, I looked in several other stores before going there to buy it. I think their employees are rude at the one nearby, and it's usually crowded. I don't know why, when I was in there for the resume paper I priced things I normally buy and they are cheaper at Aldi or Wegmans!

**annymoll** · 05-04-2007, 12:14 PM

No "around the world and back snap" from me.Give it a "Hated it!"(and still do.)

**Radish4ever** · 05-04-2007, 12:23 PM

We have stopped shopping there and have begun to shop locally. It's more of an environmentalist reason for us - we want to support local (or at least Texan) businesses to save on fuel/gas (less energy is wasted when you buy local items - they don't get put on a fuel-sucking, gas emitting truck and toted around the US) and also to support our local economy.

**PurpleButterfly** · 05-04-2007, 12:24 PM

I'm happy to say that I havent been in a Wal-Mart for more then 8yrs and i dont miss it a bit! I never like the selection for childrens clothing anyway.

**lullaby80** · 05-04-2007, 12:43 PM

Never liked Walmart, been there a handful of times. Sometimes it's worth paying a couple of cents extra.

**fernykins** · 05-04-2007, 12:50 PM

To many people there not enough checker. I'm reading a book right now the Unites States of WalMart. My son gave it to me he won't shop there. I go once a month or less
Fern

**pkellyc** · 05-04-2007, 01:13 PM

Our stores are gone all we have is Walmart. I frequently complain that it is the only store in town. Caldor, K-Mart, Bradlees ( I miss this one the most ) all out of business. These stores went out before our Walmart was built. This goes to show how far their hand reaches.
I find it a little scary. A monopoly on anything can not be good. I believe it will cause the quality of merchandise to go down and higher prices in the end. I already see a difference in the prices and quality now and I tend to look elsewhere before shopping there.
As far as jobs go Dh is a union worker so we have always looked for the made in the U.S. label. But if you noticed the U.S. label is shrinking smaller every day and it is getting more and more difficult to keep our money here. The world wide economy is here and corporations are taking over whether we like it or not.

**socalgal** · 05-04-2007, 01:27 PM

It is called "The High Cost of Low Price". It is a real eye-opener. I no longer shop at Walmart on principle, but I rarely went even before I saw the doc. In my opinion, Walmart is an icon for what is wrong with America today. The middle class shouldn't have to sacrifice the American Dream so that CEOs of big business can live in luxury and not pay for crimes against the system.

**lullaby80** · 05-04-2007, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by socalgal

In my opinion, Walmart is an icon for what is wrong with America today. The middle class shouldn't have to sacrifice the American Dream so that CEOs of big business can live in luxury and not pay for crimes against the system.

Well said!!

**socalgal** · 05-04-2007, 02:29 PM

I live in a suburb of Los Angeles and we have a Walmart on the edge of town. Well....recently a little grocery store opened up around the corner from my house

and is now my FAVORITE place to shop. It is sort of like an enclosed farmer's market. They have tons of inexpensive produce and goods from local growers. I was scared it wouldn't do well in this land of Walmarts, but the place is busy 24-7. And their prices are really reasonable. I'm pulling for the little guy!

**momof42003** · 05-04-2007, 07:41 PM

Not to cause problems, but if you don't shop at WalMart-where do you shop??? I understand the local shops, but what do you buy there? Are you buying higher priced clothes, cleaning supplies, and food just to stick it to WalMart? Or do you now shop at Target, Fred Meyer, ShopKo and the sort??? If so aren't you just making those stores into the next WalMart? FYI I have worked at WalMart and KMart, and they both are ran in the same fashion. I have never been told to cut our prices lower than other stores,(and no one including WalMart would EVER go below store cost), but to at least have them the same price.. It is called price comping and I KNOW other stores do this to WalMart. Here in our two cities (side by side), yes KMart is no longer here, but Target is located directly across the street from WalMart, and FredMeyer is just up the street from that same WalMart. Another WalMart (we have three between the two towns), is located near Goodwill, GI Joes, and PC Market of Choice. The third one is located near a St. Vincent Depaul, and Winco... Not to mention a lot of different shops that are specialty shops, clothing, retail, hardware... None of these stores have "gone under" because of WalMart. If anything WalMart has brought more and more customers to those who are located near them. Just the other day another small town had a town meeting in SUPPORT of their local WalMart expanding into a Super Center. I do believe some of their practices are not so good, but they are NOT the only ones who have these same practices... I think any one can come up with reasons in support and be against WalMart. I don't think WalMart has a "monopoly" on the retail sector.... Every year around here there are more and more local, specialty shops and stores springing up... I do not want to fight, I am just stating what I see happening around my area of the states... Please I hope I offend no one... JMHO......

**geckoace** · 05-04-2007, 08:13 PM

i agree with all that has been said pro and against walmart. i am on the hate it side for alot of reasons. but my main is the way i feel they treat the consumer around here we have a ton of walmarts and they are all cluttered and frenzied, there are pallets full of crap in the middle of the aisle the staff is rude and i often cant find the prices of things. i admit there are things i shop there for every so often ( like trashcans they have the best price around for trashcans lol) there film developing is the WORST.

i do applaud them for some of their proenvrionment steps as of late like the move toward zero waste and being the largest buyer of organic cotton, their organic line of foods and the newer solar powered stores (it's not the sole source of energy but its an effort)