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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 7:14:09 AM   
pogo4pres


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People I and my wife both used to work for Wal-Mart, and with out exception it was the worst employment of my entire adult life, I live in southern NJ, and in '94 when Wal-Mart first appeared in this region I went to work for them in their  over-night receiving.  The starting wage INCLUDING a 35cent per hour night differential was $ 5.75 per hour, you try supporting a wife & 2 children on that some time in a region that is rated the 4th most costly inthe USA. Go ahead defend those  misers if you will, just don't do it around me  ;-)

(in reply to SeeksOnlyOne)
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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 10:06:43 AM   
MercTech


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Since Sam Walton died and the bean counters took over, they lost their clue. 
If I remember correctly, the $350 laptop is so cheap because it has Ubuntu Linux instead of a Mickeysoft OS. 
I paid $699 for my 42 inch HDTV.  You have to know where to order.  I don't do major purchases at Walmart as they are usually not the lowest price and have zero for service.

Walmart is where to go for cheap oil changes, dog food, cheap toiletries, and sheets.  Good buys on linens.

Stefan

(in reply to pogo4pres)
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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 10:15:02 AM   
farglebargle


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From: Albany, NY
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Nah.. .The $350.00 laptop's got Windows XP Home on it. The $199 PC has gOS, "Linux - for people -- people who shop at Wal-Mart".

ASUS has a subnotebook, the eeePC, out for IIRC, $399, which has Linux, ( but can run XP, dual boot, *I GUESS*... ) 7" display, 4GB Solid-State Hard-drive, Camera, Ethernet, Wifi, weighs under a kilo.



_____________________________

It's not every generation that gets to watch a civilization fall. Looks like we're in for a hell of a show.

ברוך אתה, אדוני אלוקינו, ריבון העולמים, מי יוצר צמחים ריחניים

(in reply to MercTech)
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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 10:19:01 AM   
DomKen


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quote:

ORIGINAL: FatDomDaddy
Can somebody please tell just what in the world a Mom & Pop shop is? I live in a fairly large Metro region, BALT/DC over 8 million people. Wal-Mat's competition  is Best Buy, K-Mart, Target, Sears, JC Penny, Kohls and some of the areas major supermarket chains. Mom and Pop they ain't!

No. Wal-Mart's competition in much of the country was true small businesses. The independent tire dealer, the hardware store and all the other small locally owned businesses that used to line main streets all over rural america.

Wal-Mart didn't go after suburbia first. First Wal-Mart went after rural america where they had virtually no competition, the odd K-Mart mostly, except small mom and pop operations. The supercenter that provided everything under one roof except feed and seed destroyed small town downtowns all over the country. Forcing those small business owners and those that they once paid a living wage to to have to go to work for Wal-Mart at subsistence wages. I personally would love to know how many people employed by Wal-Mart at one time owned businesses that were competition for the company but from my own experience it must be substantial.

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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 10:27:20 AM   
curiosone


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From: Kentucky
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the only thing i buy at walmart is flipflops and thats because i like the really thin straw ones. sure they slowly wear away and fall apart, but at $1.75 you get what you pay for obviously

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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 12:32:33 PM   
subrob1967


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quote:

ORIGINAL: pogo4pres

People I and my wife both used to work for Wal-Mart, and with out exception it was the worst employment of my entire adult life, I live in southern NJ, and in '94 when Wal-Mart first appeared in this region I went to work for them in their  over-night receiving.  The starting wage INCLUDING a 35cent per hour night differential was $ 5.75 per hour, you try supporting a wife & 2 children on that some time in a region that is rated the 4th most costly inthe USA. Go ahead defend those  misers if you will, just don't do it around me  ;-)



Why the hell would you expect to make a living wage on an entry level job?

In 94 the minimum wage was $4.90, so you were making more than minimum before the differential, so how are they misers?

Walmart serves a purpose, it provides cheap consumer goods, for those who can't afford to wear Hilfinger, or Gucci, or Nike... You get the picture.

Walmart is trucker friendly, I've yet been told not to park in their lot overnight, unlike a Target, or K-mart.

BTW my fav Walmart is in Winchester Va, they have a pretty good Chinese joint in the adjacent strip mall.

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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 3:49:35 PM   
farglebargle


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From: Albany, NY
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Remember, Bush's mismanagement of the economy has reduced the value of every one of those dollars by over 20%.

So, you need to add %20 to "Today's Dollars" to compensate for the loss of purchasing power for an accurate comparison.

Which shows that people are even worse off than they think.



_____________________________

It's not every generation that gets to watch a civilization fall. Looks like we're in for a hell of a show.

ברוך אתה, אדוני אלוקינו, ריבון העולמים, מי יוצר צמחים ריחניים

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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 3:51:53 PM   
Lordandmaster


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Fast Reply:

You know, one thing people aren't saying about those Mom & Pop stores: the advantage of buying there isn't so much that they know your name and give you friendly service; it's that THE MONEY YOU SPEND STAYS IN YOUR COMMUNITY.  Walmart doesn't give a fuck about your community.

(in reply to farglebargle)
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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 4:01:26 PM   
IdiotMale


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If you don't like Walmart,don't shop there. Spend more money elsewhere if you can afford/choose to do so.If you need a job and don't like Walmart's employment practices,find a job somewhere else. This is the lovely thing about being an American..freedom of choice. I don't care what they pay their employees, nor do I need Walmart to care about me or my community. It's not their job. What I want is a good product at a good price and for the most part that is what they provide people.

(in reply to Lordandmaster)
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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 5:05:58 PM   
SeeksOnlyOne


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quote:

ORIGINAL: IdiotMale

If you don't like Walmart,don't shop there. Spend more money elsewhere if you can afford/choose to do so.If you need a job and don't like Walmart's employment practices,find a job somewhere else. This is the lovely thing about being an American..freedom of choice. I don't care what they pay their employees, nor do I need Walmart to care about me or my community. It's not their job. What I want is a good product at a good price and for the most part that is what they provide people.


i think the point most are trying to make is they take away the freedom of choice, by putting small businesses out of business.  the cheapest price isnt always the best deal.  for you, or the community..

_____________________________

it aint no good til it hurts just a little bit....jimmy somerville

in those moments of solitude, does everyone sometimes think they are insane? or is it just me?

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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 6:27:07 PM   
YesMistressIrish


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quote:

ORIGINAL: IdiotMale

If you don't like Walmart,don't shop there. Spend more money elsewhere if you can afford/choose to do so.If you need a job and don't like Walmart's employment practices,find a job somewhere else. This is the lovely thing about being an American..freedom of choice. I don't care what they pay their employees, nor do I need Walmart to care about me or my community. It's not their job. What I want is a good product at a good price and for the most part that is what they provide people.


And that folk's is one of the main reasons we have a country going to shiaaat.
 
Irish

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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 6:28:56 PM   
farglebargle


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From: Albany, NY
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quote:

What I want is a good product at a good price and for the most part that is what they provide people.


What you're GETTING from Wal-Mart is lead coated toys poisoning your children, and dog-food with plastic added as filler poisoning your pets.

But man, it sure is cheap -- If you survive...





_____________________________

It's not every generation that gets to watch a civilization fall. Looks like we're in for a hell of a show.

ברוך אתה, אדוני אלוקינו, ריבון העולמים, מי יוצר צמחים ריחניים

(in reply to IdiotMale)
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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 7:26:10 PM   
FatDomDaddy


Posts: 3183
Joined: 1/31/2004
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quote:

ORIGINAL: pogo4pres

People I and my wife both used to work for Wal-Mart, and with out exception it was the worst employment of my entire adult life, I live in southern NJ, and in '94 when Wal-Mart first appeared in this region I went to work for them in their  over-night receiving.  The starting wage INCLUDING a 35cent per hour night differential was $ 5.75 per hour, you try supporting a wife & 2 children on that some time in a region that is rated the 4th most costly inthe USA. Go ahead defend those  misers if you will, just don't do it around me  ;-)



So who held a gun to your head and made you work at Wal Mart?

(in reply to pogo4pres)
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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/6/2007 8:02:27 PM   
Invictus754


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quote:

ORIGINAL: FatDomDaddy
I also have to agree with the poster who noted Wal-Mart's return policy, even without a reciept, they will take most anything back. 


I have a problem with their return policy.  They are the bastards that started this whole "use it and take it back" mindset in consumers that every other store has to endure.  If someone buys something, they shouldn't be able to bring it back unless it is defective. 

Case in point:  I knew someone who purchased a tent, sleeping bags, cookware and canoe from WalMart in Missouri, went on a 4 day camping trip - then brought it all back for a refund.  He didn't even have to RENT his stuff for his trip.  Every other store suffers for their return policy, because it used to be that if you bought it, it was YOURS unless it was defective.

_____________________________

You never know your limits, until you push them
If slavery is a gift, the Africans were pretty fucking generous in the 1700 and 1800s, weren't they?

(in reply to FatDomDaddy)
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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/7/2007 12:41:44 AM   
Lordandmaster


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That is the cost of doing business in civilized nations.  Why are you blaming Wal-mart for that?  All the other chains have similar return policies, and Wal-mart didn't invent the idea.  You'd have a better argument if you criticized SEARS for this, since they're the ones who started the "100% satisfaction guaranteed" approach to the retail business decades ago.  But all the major retailers have discovered that no one will buy from them if their return policy sucks.  Circuit City STILL hasn't recovered from the backlash they suffered when they tried their "restocking fee."

Edited to add: Look, I hate Wal-mart as much as the next guy.  I just can't go along with all the baseless criticism when there's so much legitimate criticism that could be raised instead.  This is a devatasting article on Wal-mart's business practices and everything that's wrong with them:

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/17647

< Message edited by Lordandmaster -- 11/7/2007 12:44:13 AM >

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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/7/2007 12:55:24 AM   
ownedgirlie


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Invictus754

I have a problem with their return policy.  They are the bastards that started this whole "use it and take it back" mindset in consumers that every other store has to endure.  If someone buys something, they shouldn't be able to bring it back unless it is defective. 


I could be wrong but I thought it was Nordstrom who first started doing that.  And such a policy has brought them a loyal customer base who will continue to shop there for quality and service (and price when they have clearance sales).

I don't like Walmart either, but I'm not sure crediting them with this practice is accurate.  And I believe it's a good practice, actually.

(in reply to Invictus754)
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RE: Wal-Mart Does it Again!!! (Great consumer news) - 11/7/2007 3:19:17 AM   
NeedToUseYou


Posts: 2297
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From: None of your business
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Invictus754

quote:

ORIGINAL: FatDomDaddy
I also have to agree with the poster who noted Wal-Mart's return policy, even without a reciept, they will take most anything back. 


I have a problem with their return policy.  They are the bastards that started this whole "use it and take it back" mindset in consumers that every other store has to endure.  If someone buys something, they shouldn't be able to bring it back unless it is defective. 

Case in point:  I knew someone who purchased a tent, sleeping bags, cookware and canoe from WalMart in Missouri, went on a 4 day camping trip - then brought it all back for a refund.  He didn't even have to RENT his stuff for his trip.  Every other store suffers for their return policy, because it used to be that if you bought it, it was YOURS unless it was defective.


Hey, I get that stuff that is returned like that. (Not from Wal-Mart, I could but don't want to deal with that kind of stuff).  I get returns from the big electronic stores though(circuit city, best buy), and some other retailers. It is true, that about 80% of the stuff I get was either display models, or returns that are functional. Of the 20 ish % that is genuinely defective I'd guess half of the damage was caused post return by shoddy handling, and shipping. The way it works, I think is that the retailer, claims a defect without verifying it, then gets a credit from the manufacturer, they sell it off as defective, to people like me, I check it, fix it when possible and sell it. That's the only way I can figure this system working in the retailers favor.

It is disturbing to me though how they just junk a whole truckload of electronics and then sell it to me for 6% to 15% of wholesale depending on quality of the load. Of course you have to buy there returns by the truckload but still. It is crazy, when a huge portion of it is completely functional out of the box.


As far as DVD players and electronics go, the super cheap Wal-mart models, or the super cheap models anywhere, I'd avoid, as they seem to put very cheap motors in them. I'd also avoid buying dual purpose machines, as in a dvd/vcr combo. Better to keep each machine specifc, they tend to break less. A good Onkyo, or Harmon Kardon(spelling) single purpose machine, or higher tier brand, will most certainly last longer, than the cheap magnavox dvd player. And by the way I've messed with probably a 1000 dvd players, and the higher end ones do play better, as in you take a scratched up disc and put it in a magnavox, or whatever, versus a high end player, the high end ones seem to have better alignment and optics, so you don't get the stutter or lockup. I test dvd players using the most scratched up disc I have and its amazing how the good dvd players play it all the way through, and the cheap ones will stutter every once in a while. That isn't defectve, that is the standard it was built to. I've tested enough of them to see a costant, tangible pattern based on brand and thus price. I'd also avoid dvd recorders like the plague, they are just computer dvd recorders literally, shoved in a case, but the failure rate is extremely high. Get a hard drive based recorder, I don't think I've had one of those go bad. And you can on most of them just pop the lid off and replace the hard drive with a larger capacity drive. It's just a standard PC hard drive. You'd need to look up the capacities it can handle first. But you can get the 80GB model and generally throw a 160GB drive in it without paying an obsurd markup.

(in reply to Invictus754)
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