Walmart - an observation
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There's a Great WalMart about 5 miles away from where I live. It's not too crowded, there are rarely more than 2 people in line, and it's clean.
This was also true when I lived in Aransas Pass, Texas - even the employees were pleasant there!
I believe that you can tell a lot about the general area by the local WalMart based on cleanliness, employee morale, and who's shopping there.0 -
My local Walmart is in danger of being shut down for health violations. They failed the last five inspections. Most Walmarts I've seen have this seedy unclean appearance. The places are so massive it must be difficult to keep clean especially with unmotivated employees. Maybe it is that.0
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I hate Walmart because is represents everything that is wrong with America - a bunch of cheap, made in China crap, employees not paid a living wage, therefore they are very unhelpful. Other shoppers who also hate it there, so are rude and generally look miserable too, most of them overweight. But we have to go there because there are those few items you just can't find anywhere else. Or because it's a small town and they have put all the small shops out of business. And we also have to shop there because it's the cheapest place and everyone is broke because our jobs went to China so Walmart could buy the crap at the low prices.....
This is such a perfect summary of the vicious circle that is Walmart. I never shopped there even when I lived in a country that had Walmart. Whenever possible I prefer smaller and more local stores. It might sound inefficient, but I shop for groceries nearly every day right after work. I don't have a car, so I either bike or walk to pick up a few things which gives me exercise. I doubt I pay that much more for my stuff than if I went to Walmart, but even if I do, I'm gaining so much in nutrition, exercise and peace of mind and saving so much in gas, I'm pretty sure I'm coming out further ahead in the end.0 -
I stopped shopping at Walmart a few years ago. I only go with my family or friends if they drag me, but I don't buy anything. Besides the dirtiness, disgruntled employees, and not-that-low prices, I don't shop there because there are never, ever enough cashiers. I can find what I need, even when busy, in 5 minutes. I'm not standing in line for half an hour. So I go to Target where everyone is trained to be a cashier, prices are comparable, it's cleaner, and there's better service. :bigsmile: That being said, there are a few good Walmarts out there, just not anywhere near where I live.0
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My husband works for Walmart, and has for a few years. He also worked there full-time for a year or so when he was going to college full-time. When he got laid off from his job at the local newspaper 3 years ago, right as I was ending a 5-week stay at the hospital, he job-hunted for a long time (while also taking care of me while I convalesced until I was ready to go back to work) but nobody was hiring. Enter Walmart. He initially applied there out of desperation, although he had a good experience working for them in our college town 10 years ago. He ended up getting on part-time as a seasonal (Christmas) employee, which he was kind of ambivalent about at first, but they ended up offering him a permanent position that went full-time soon after. He now works in asset protection, and brings home a very respectable paycheck every two weeks. The ironic thing is, when he started there part-time, he was making more money than he did at the local newspaper, and he was a supervisor there and had been there for a couple of years! Plus he likes his coworkers, and the management at Walmart generally treats him very well and actually listen when he brings them concerns. Admittedly their medical insurance is a joke, but whose isn't anymore? (I work for the university, and we have excellent health coverage as a result, so we don't even bother with Walmart's coverage. I don't know how anyone manages anymore with high premiums and shrinking benefits.)
I don't particularly love shopping there, for many of the reasons outlined above (crowded, noisy, selection is weird sometimes), but I do shop there and lately have been getting most of our groceries there. What I don't buy there is purchased at the local co-op or the grocery store next to our apartment. I do my pharmacy business at Target, but that's mostly because I like the pharmacists there and have been a Target pharmacy customer for way longer than my husband has worked for Walmart.
Speaking of Target. I don't know what the deal is, but the last time I was in our store waiting for my prescriptions, I thought I'd pick up a couple of groceries. They do have some products that I can't find at any of the other stores I shop at, and sometimes have some excellent sales or gift card opportunities. I am not exaggerating when I say that I counted at least 20 products on the shelves that ranged from close-dated (i.e. expire within the week) to well over a month outdated. Last week, I saw a bottle of Ocean Spray cranberry juice with lime on a clearance shelf, and was briefly excited, because I loved that flavor when they had it last year. But here's the thing about that flavor being from last year: THIS JUICE EXPIRED IN FEBRUARY. I'm glad I typically remember these days to check the dates on packages before I put them in my cart, because... wow. I hope it's just an isolated incident, but that really bugged me. And of course, there was nobody around to tell about it - in hindsight, I should have taken it up to the cashier, but I doubt they would have cared too much, either.
Yes, some of the products are a little more "upscale" at Target than at Walmart, but their doodoo stinks just like any other mass-merchandiser's when it comes to business practices and selling imported crap. I always have a good belly laugh when people go on and on about how evil Walmart is, then say they only shop at Target or Kmart. If you want to be smug about how much more ethical you are than people who shop at Walmart, stop shopping at ANY chain store, grocery chains included. Go buy a farm plot with some livestock and crops, import your textiles and household goods at a fair price from working mothers in third-world countries, and start living off the land and rolling your own tampons. Then I might take you a bit more seriously.0 -
I got to Walmart when the men aren't bitting at Target.
How you doin0 -
I don't buy my groceries at Walmart if I can avoid it. I don't really save money, their produce and meat aren't appealing to me and I rather support my local independent stores. Walmart also doesn't have everything. I've been in 4 separate Walmarts looking for rye flour. I'm assuming that they just don't carry it.
Bingo! I'll go to Walmart for shampoo and medication sometimes or the cute tees that I like for some silly reason. I do not go to Walmart for food. Their prices are not better. Their meat is horrible and their produce doesn't even look appealing. They also have no real selection or competition between products anymore. They altered Walmart and got rid of a lot of great things. Walmart is the only selection in my hometown, but where I live now I rarely ever have to set foot in one. I'm quite happy about that.0 -
Walmart was my saving grace in college. I was so poor. I couldn't afford to buy much of anything so I had to shop there often for household stuff and food. Their veggies and meat leave a lot to be desired though quality-wise.0
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I def agree there is a difference in quality depending on which location you shop in. I went to college in RI, and shopped at our Walmart practically every week. It was clean and had friendly employees. Having been back home in NJ, I never go to the one by me. Several years ago I'd go early in the day if I could but ever since they put the McD's in a while back it just got worse. Target became my new spot of choice for one-stop-shopping.
Don't even get me started on Costco.... :explode: big love/hate with that one!0 -
I was reading another thread and a lot of people mentioned shopping at Walmart (for groceries) but made remarks about how they hate it. I find this amusing. I have a Super Walmart right down the street from my house. It is very convenient, especially when I need something RIGHT NOW! I shop there A LOT!! I have two kids and I buy everything from diapers to toilet paper there. However, I HATE shopping there. I try so hard to avoid Walmart by shopping at Target but they dont always have what I need. I mean, I actually get a headache when I think about having to go into that store but yet I find myself in there at least 2 - 3 times per week. So what is it, exactly, that we HATE about Walmart? For me, its the crowds, slow cashiers, long lines, but there is something else about it.... I cant put my finger on it... Is it the general demeanor of the employees and other shoppers in the store?? If we hate it so much, why do we keep going back? For me - convenience, prices on every day stuff (diapers, milk, etc). Is it the same for you?
Note **I am bored at work. Can you tell?***
I NEVER shop there. I absolutely hate it. I actually just got a $500 gift card from them for almost being in a commercial for them. We went shopping there and I couldn't handle it. Mainly, I hate the products they have. I use organic cleaning products, eat organic food, and I can't find anything I need in that store. Everything in there is loaded with toxic chemicals, GMO's, etc. It awful.
I forgot to mention that it's impossible to find cleaning, hair care, skin care, etc. products that aren't from companies who test on animals.0 -
I hate Walmart because is represents everything that is wrong with America - a bunch of cheap, made in China crap, employees not paid a living wage, therefore they are very unhelpful. Other shoppers who also hate it there, so are rude and generally look miserable too, most of them overweight. But we have to go there because there are those few items you just can't find anywhere else. Or because it's a small town and they have put all the small shops out of business. And we also have to shop there because it's the cheapest place and everyone is broke because our jobs went to China so Walmart could buy the crap at the low prices.....
And by refusing to provide healthcare for their employees, they pass those costs on to taxpayers. Yeah, Walmart is America in a nutshell.0 -
I believe in the UK Walmart is 'ASDA'... and yes I hate it and only ever go there in an emergency. It's full of chavs.
It's really not an equivalent. Asda existed before Walmart bought the chain, and hasn't really changed much (IMO) since.
It was always equivalent. That's why they bought it, so there was no shock to their chav customer base to be served by miserable staff in a filthy place, buying crap produce.0 -
It's kind of a long store, but here goes:
My mom worked there for seven years, and in the course of those seven years, she had several surgeries on her back. Her back always gave her problems, but the surgeries made it worse. The managers at walmart were unwilling to adhere to very reasonable doctor's requests for my mom, such as letting her sit for a half an hour for every hour she worked. She worked in the infants and boy's and girl's sections, so it would be simple for her to sit while folding clothes or organizing shelves. But no. And, that was another thing, they had her working three departments by herself, and threatened to fire anybody who helped her
There was finally a time when my mom could no longer work for walmart because of her back issues, however, she had to get fired from there to be able to collect money for her disability. She still went into work and did her best, never really trying to get fired, but still needing to, all the same. But, instead of firing her, they put her on unpaid leave of absence-- for a year and a half. At this time, both my brother and I were too young to work and my dad was dead, so she was the ONLY source of our income. I blame them for the hard time we went through, and I don't shop there. I will go out of my way to shop somewhere else.
Also, while working there, they had some employees do what is called "comp shopping" which is sending them to other stores to scan the prices of certain items. They did this to keep their prices the lowest. And this happens to be illegal.
This just breaks my heart...
Target does the price comparison stuff too, just fyi0 -
They are currently finishing up a Walmart Grocery Store about 1/2 a mile from my house. Can't wait. Tired of paying Safeway's over inflated prices.0
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I shop at Giant. And that will never change.0
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I keep going back because of prices and no other reason. Honestly, I don't like Target any better. They're both too big and there's too much going on. But until I win the Lottery, it's all about the bottom line.
I have a Publix (regular grocery store) about the same distance as Walmart from my house. I do my big weekly shopping at Walmart, but if I have to run out mid-week for something, I go to Publix.0 -
I shop at walmart because of the prices. I could not afford to shop any where else. But I will add that I shop at Sam's for a lot of products (cleaning, milk, eggs, etc) because they are cheaper than walmart. I get 99% of my meat from winn-dixie and I have a farmers market on my way to my son's school that is open year round (I live in the south) and I only buy my fruits and veggies from there. It's a lot of running around but I feel like I am getting best prices/ quality of the items that matter most. Also, we have a walmart about 5 minutes from our house but we drive 20 to a nicer walmart. It is not as busy and it gets a much better clientel than the one that is close to us. But I HATE waiting in the long lines with the slow as Christmas cashier. Makes me crazy.
Rumor has it that they are supposed to be opening a walmart grocery store close to my house and I have my fingers crossed for that one. I will be hitting it up like nobody's business. Fresh Market is also in progress so that should be interesting. Publix is not bad either. I've shopped there a few times.0 -
Lots of them hate other shoppers, missing the point, that to the other shoppers they are the others that the others hateIt's funny how everyone goes on and on about how evil wal mart is,but then they still shop there.
You do relize that makes you part of the problem.
Vous vous rappelez: le soufre, le bûcher, le gril... ah! Quelle plaisanterie. Pas besoin de gril, l'enfer, c'est les autres0 -
Meh... I can count on one hand (ok, maybe two) the number of times I have went to walmart looking for something in the past 4 years. I really just don't go... unless, I am dragged by someone else... I don't like the workers and more often than not they have a bad attitude (at least in my personal experience), because they either hate the job or hate their life... I don't like Walmart, because they tend to screw over employees... they also have very high turn over.... I don't like how when a new walmart comes into town, they scope out the smaller businesses under the pretense of "we are just seeing what you sell so we don't sell the same thing" only to turn around and sell it cheaper (yes, I get that it's a capitalistic tendency, but I find it dishonest and thusly don't give walmart a dime of my money and wish my parents wouldn't either... since my mother was one of the small business owners that went under after SuperWalmart opened in our town).... I also don't like their produce... it's always old and crawling with fruit flies... It's always dirty, crowded and filled with rude people that take up an entire aisle because they are the only people that matter....
They only reason I can ever see going to Walmart is to watch Jerry Springer happening in real time....
Of course, these are all my own personal experience and if anyone has better experiences, then great.... But I would rather go to Target... while I get that they aren't much better at least I don't have to worry getting in the middle of a Jerry Springer cat fight, just trying to get to my car... nor do I have to worry about fruit flies all over my produce. Oh, and it's closer to me than Walmart is.0 -
I hate Walmart because is represents everything that is wrong with America - a bunch of cheap, made in China crap, employees not paid a living wage, therefore they are very unhelpful. Other shoppers who also hate it there, so are rude and generally look miserable too, most of them overweight. But we have to go there because there are those few items you just can't find anywhere else. Or because it's a small town and they have put all the small shops out of business. And we also have to shop there because it's the cheapest place and everyone is broke because our jobs went to China so Walmart could buy the crap at the low prices.....
^^ This. Stop selling your soul for cheap crap. Buy less crap and you can afford higher quality goods. Plus you get to keep your soul. Tell Walmart to shove it.
Edit: Sam's Club *IS* Walmart. Same owners, same crap.0 -
They are currently finishing up a Walmart Grocery Store about 1/2 a mile from my house. Can't wait. Tired of paying Safeway's over inflated prices.
Our Safeway (which is Tom Thumb around here) has some pretty good deals... on Friday I just bought 3 pounds of Strawberries for 5 dollars...0 -
My husband actually finds my avoidance of Walmart amusing. I refuse to go in at all costs. I feel like I've been violated when I go- the customers are pushy and rude, the store is dirty, the layout is confusing, the workers are pretty much disgruntled all the time, and the prices really aren't that low. I shop at Meijer (regional chain)- they have their own brand of organics that I LOVE, and the decor is warm and welcoming. Store folks are pretty friendly- but that does change based on the specific store location.0
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I hate the classism of Walmart. I've been to one in a wealthy neighborhood, and it was cleaner, better organized, and had better selection than any other Walmart I have ever seen. Is it too much to ask that all Walmarts be clean? Why do they only clean for rich people?
They don't only clean for rich people. The thing is, is that a Walmart in a crappy neighboorhood hires it's employees from that same crappy neighboorhood. And people who let their neighboorhood get crappy are generally the type of people who could care less if they let the store they work in get crappy either. The attitude of the employees 100% dictates the stores cleanliness and your shopping experience. And the reason the selection is different is based on what sells in that area. There is no point in stocking higher-end products in a store that is in a neighboorhood full of people who can't afford to buy it. A store has to cater to it's market when it comes to the merchandise that it carries.0 -
I was reading another thread and a lot of people mentioned shopping at Walmart (for groceries) but made remarks about how they hate it. I find this amusing. I have a Super Walmart right down the street from my house. It is very convenient, especially when I need something RIGHT NOW! I shop there A LOT!! I have two kids and I buy everything from diapers to toilet paper there. However, I HATE shopping there. I try so hard to avoid Walmart by shopping at Target but they dont always have what I need. I mean, I actually get a headache when I think about having to go into that store but yet I find myself in there at least 2 - 3 times per week. So what is it, exactly, that we HATE about Walmart? For me, its the crowds, slow cashiers, long lines, but there is something else about it.... I cant put my finger on it... Is it the general demeanor of the employees and other shoppers in the store?? If we hate it so much, why do we keep going back? For me - convenience, prices on every day stuff (diapers, milk, etc). Is it the same for you?
Note **I am bored at work. Can you tell?***
I, too, hate shopping there. For all of the reasons you listed, and add to that, when I actually need help there's not an employee to be found ANYWHERE within a 15 aisle radius. Then, when I do find and employee, the response is usually, "That's not my department. Let me page 'so and so'." A) I don't care if it's your department or not, I worked in retail for the better part of fifteen years. That is NOT the correct response. If a customer asks for help, you HELP them. Just because you don't work in that department, it doesn't mean you can't help them...you just don't want to.
Paging someone from "THAT" department doesn't help, because they just ignore the page anyway. I do, however, continue to shop there because they do have the lowest prices for most items, and I drive right by it on my way home, so it's convenient. 0 -
I work in insurance and about 75% of all "hit while parked" claims happened in Wal Mart parking lots. . .coincidence. . .I think not!0
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My husband actually finds my avoidance of Walmart amusing. I refuse to go in at all costs. I feel like I've been violated when I go- the customers are pushy and rude, the store is dirty, the layout is confusing, the workers are pretty much disgruntled all the time, and the prices really aren't that low. I shop at Meijer (regional chain)- they have their own brand of organics that I LOVE, and the decor is warm and welcoming. Store folks are pretty friendly- but that does change based on the specific store location.
Love Meijer!! There is a book out about it too and their corporate structure that is interesting.0 -
Walfart is just not aesthetically pleasing... seriously, the lighting is horrible & it makes everything look dirty & gross. --the prices are amazing tho, but i'd rather shop at the 99cent store lol!0
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My husband actually finds my avoidance of Walmart amusing. I refuse to go in at all costs. I feel like I've been violated when I go- the customers are pushy and rude, the store is dirty, the layout is confusing, the workers are pretty much disgruntled all the time, and the prices really aren't that low. I shop at Meijer (regional chain)- they have their own brand of organics that I LOVE, and the decor is warm and welcoming. Store folks are pretty friendly- but that does change based on the specific store location.
Love Meijer!! There is a book out about it too and their corporate structure that is interesting.
I worked in the advertising department for the Meijer corporate office in Grand Rapids for two years, and the company I work for now does all of their interior and exterior signing (yes, I am a bit biased about their decor, but darn it we do good work here!). One of the very interesting things about the company (at least this was true when I was there) is quite a few of the upper level corporate employees all started out as shelve stockers, cashiers or baggers. It is a company where you can truly work your way from the bottom up if you're motivated.
Also, I know from personal experience the extensive quality assurance they put their produce through. They even have a little instrument they use to measure the sugar level in the grapes they buy. They reject far more produce than they buy because of their standards. The Q&A offices were right across from mine, and we (the employees) would do blind taste tests all day long on various products for the Meijer brand vs. the national brand. If Meijer brand tested low, they'd work on it until it was just as good or sometimes better.0 -
I believe in the UK Walmart is 'ASDA'... and yes I hate it and only ever go there in an emergency. It's full of chavs.
It's really not an equivalent. Asda existed before Walmart bought the chain, and hasn't really changed much (IMO) since.
It was always equivalent. That's why they bought it, so there was no shock to their chav customer base to be served by miserable staff in a filthy place, buying crap produce.
If your local area is full of chavs and your local supermarket is Asda, then it stands to reason that Asda will be full of chavs where you live. That's like me saying Tesco is full of schoolchildren because my local Tesco is near a school. My local Asda isn't full of chavs. You might want to move to a nicer area rather than switch supermarkets.0
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