Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

For those who think Wal-Mart is the root of all evil in the modern corporate world....

Wal-ocaust

I'm sure this will get 2 debates going again.

1. Is this free speech or is it crossing the line?

2. Is Wal-Mart an intrinsically bad organization because of their business practices?

[Guest AllArmyoutdoorsSD]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

Looks like you are trying to open one big can of worms here, I like that.. Free speech definately, if idiots can protest at funerals these yahoos can protest Wal-mart, personaly I don't care for Wal-mart and their over priced low quality goods, but they can bring jobs jo communities, and they are going through some pretty unfair problems with health care bennefits. I too am curious to see what comes of this thread.

[slugshooter]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

As far as whether or not this is free speech or crossing the line. I think there is a very fine line on this issue. IMHO I don't think Wal-Mart has a leg to stand on as far as copyright infringement because any reasonable person can look at that and not be confused between the spoof and the actual company. The thing is that if Wal-Mart decides to sue, like the site says, they have deeper pockets and can outlast any court fight thrown at them.

As far as Wal-Mart being intrinsically bad. Well, that's another fine line. I worked at a Distribution Center, which is a lot different than working at a store in some aspects. I never had a problem with the health benefits although there are some that did. I was never asked to work off the clock and never had a problem getting paid the overtime that was due to me. However, Wal-Mart, for all their benefits, treats their employee's like garbage. I guess the figure there is a line out the door to work there, so, they can pick and choose and when one quits there is another to take their place. I also don't like Wal-Marts attitude as far as thinking they rule the world, which, is not too far from reality. I have seen both sides of workers at a D.C. from working there and from delivering there when I was a truck driver and the people I had to deal with thought their you-know-what didn't stink and that they can dictate what you do, when you do it, and how you do it even though you don't work for them.

As far as their goods and where they come from, well, there are many on here that will say it is their right in a free market capitalistic society. Wal-Mart gets cheap goods from China and marks them up in the name of profit and delivering a low cost to the consumer, but at what price? The cashier at the store is making minimum wage, the stockman is making minimum wage and the person in the sweatship in China is making much, much lower than minimum wage, while the store manager makes a six figure salary and on up the chain to the CEO in Bentonville.

Now, many people say that the reason prices can be low are because the goods are made in China vs. Made in America where people get paid more thus causing the prices to be higher. Well, that stuff made in China doesn't get teleported here. It comes over on a ship and then has to be transferred and loaded onto truck or rail. It seems to me that if the product was made in America and shipped directly from the manufacturer to the D.C., well, the prices would end up being the same. Anyone know how much it costs to ship something from China? But, if we weren't feeding communist China's economy, they would probably get mad and demand repayment on the billions that the current administration has borrowed and then where would we be? We are rapidly approaching the point where we owe so much money to China that soon they will be able to dictate our policies to favor them. Or do they already? Hmmmm

[Canadian_Goose]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

[ QUOTE ]

We are rapidly approaching the point where we owe so much money to China that soon they will be able to dictate our policies to favor them. Or do they already? Hmmmm

[/ QUOTE ]

Queue the theme song from jaws.

[WaCoyote]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

[ QUOTE ]

The cashier at the store is making minimum wage, the stockman is making minimum wage and the person in the sweatship in China is making much, much lower than minimum wage, while the store manager makes a six figure salary and on up the chain to the CEO in Bentonville.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just hate that class warfare talk. Whats wrong with being a CEO? Do they not work for there money. Would you pass up a 6 figure job? I think not. As far as the poor downtrodden employees go. Do they have to work at Wal-Mart? Do they have to accept a minimum wage job?

My jobs. Not one was minimum wage.

Babybreath picker, summers 84-85.

Dishwasher, 85-86

Army- 86-90

Beer poorer/hot dog stand supply boy at the horse track. summer 90

Pizza boy 90-93

Lawn aerator 93

Pesticide applicator 93-94

sales 94-97

management 97-2000

Company sold out so I started my own. Now I guess I'm the evil ceo. I started as a flower picker and it has been a LOOONG BUMPY road, but I reject the notion that minimum wage is a bad thing. It makes you work and look harder. It doesn't last forever. And it makes me sick to think a pimply face 18 year high school kid deserves almost $8.00 an hour to flip burgers, or to stock shelves. Minimum wage is a starting point, it is not supposed to support a family.

Sorry for hi-jacking your thread. I couldn't help myself.

[wtnhunt]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

[ QUOTE ]

I reject the notion that minimum wage is a bad thing. It makes you work and look harder. It doesn't last forever. And it makes me sick to think a pimply face 18 year high school kid deserves almost $8.00 an hour to flip burgers, or to stock shelves. Minimum wage is a starting point, it is not supposed to support a family.

[/ QUOTE ]

Could not agree more. If one with no ambition wants only to complain that the minimum wage is too low and they are not willing to work to get themselves in a position to better themselves, why should an employer have to pay them more just because they think minimum wage is unfair. I mean really, it is not like these are jobs that require skilled laborers.

[slugshooter]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

The statement wasn't made to complain about the minimum wage and people being treated unfairly. It was made to show the fact the Wal-Mart, in their efforts to save the consumer money, sacrifice morals in their business practices. Where are the morals in supporting, indirectly, sweatshops and maltreatment in workplaces so we can buy shoes or clothes at a price that the person who made it couldn't afford with a months or more pay. As far as the people who work in the stores, well, Wal-Mart could pay them more and it wouldn't put a dent in their bottom line. Should people get educated and use Wal-Mart as a starting point in their careers, sure, unless they plan on working there and working their way into management, which, even without a college degree will be more than difficult. But you also can't make them try to better themselves and if they don't, well, that's on them, but even if they don't, shouldn't they still be able to support themselves on their wages. What about the greeters at the front of the stores who are most likely retirees looking for something to do? How should they be treated? Should they be treated like second class citizens because they worl at Wal-Mart? You can't really tell an 80 year old that he needs to better himself.

[WaCoyote]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

[ QUOTE ]

As far as the people who work in the stores, well, Wal-Mart could pay them more and it wouldn't put a dent in their bottom line

[/ QUOTE ]

Says who? Who should dictate this? You? The workers dictate it themselves for accepting these "terrible" wages. They are paid what the market dictates.

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But you also can't make them try to better themselves and if they don't, well, that's on them, but even if they don't, shouldn't they still be able to support themselves on their wages.

[/ QUOTE ]

We are responsible for our own futures. If they don't want to better themselves, then yes, it is on them. Are you saying society has a moral obligation to make sure everybody gets what they want? You say they should make enough to support themselves. I say they do. If they want more "stuff" then they've got to move up. I ate a ton of mac-n-cheese, before I could afford steak.

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Should people get educated and use Wal-Mart as a starting point in their careers, sure, unless they plan on working there and working their way into management, which, even without a college degree will be more than difficult.

[/ QUOTE ]

So if they fail to make management Wal-Mart is required to pay them as if they were in management? Wal-Mart has no life long obligation to all employees.

[ QUOTE ]

What about the greeters at the front of the stores who are most likely retirees looking for something to do? How should they be treated? Should they be treated like second class citizens because they worl at Wal-Mart? You can't really tell an 80 year old that he needs to better himself.

[/ QUOTE ]

You'd be hard pressed to convince me that a retiree door greater would allow him or herself to be treated poorly. Especially if they are just looking for something to do.

Every point you make basically just ignores the fact that people who work there choose to do so.

[slugshooter]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]

As far as the people who work in the stores, well, Wal-Mart could pay them more and it wouldn't put a dent in their bottom line

[/ QUOTE ]

Says who? Who should dictate this? You? The workers dictate it themselves for accepting these "terrible" wages. They are paid what the market dictates.

[/ QUOTE ]

Of course not me, however, I do think you are being a little too critical of some of my comments based on the little you know about me from these forums. The fact of the matter is that Wal-Mart is one of the few companies in America today that turns a record profit every year. As stated before, a dollar extra an hour wouldn't put a dent in the billions Wal-Mart stashes away every year.

[ QUOTE ]

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But you also can't make them try to better themselves and if they don't, well, that's on them, but even if they don't, shouldn't they still be able to support themselves on their wages.

[/ QUOTE ]

We are responsible for our own futures. If they don't want to better themselves, then yes, it is on them. Are you saying society has a moral obligation to make sure everybody gets what they want? You say they should make enough to support themselves. I say they do. If they want more "stuff" then they've got to move up. I ate a ton of mac-n-cheese, before I could afford steak.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's true that one of societies great ills today is the mentality of people wanting what they can't have. Fayetteville, NC is full of people who work low end jobs and live in crappy homes and struggle to support their families but yet are still able to go out and get a hooptie with a system and spinners. There are tons of things that I want at this junture and the difference between me and 10 years ago is that I know the only way to get it is to work for it and save the money away, and even then I would be hard pressed to spend the kind of money on certain things. Why buy a 1K gun when a 300.00 one shoots the same ammo. Case in point, one of my co-workers lives in rundown apartment, the lady that lives below is basically worthless, she doesn't work, collects welfare, and her husband is a OTR truck driver. I used to be OTR so I know he gets decent pay. The woman is constantly asking to borrow money to pay this bill or that bill but yet can still afford to blow a couple grand on her kids birthday party.

[ QUOTE ]

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Should people get educated and use Wal-Mart as a starting point in their careers, sure, unless they plan on working there and working their way into management, which, even without a college degree will be more than difficult.

[/ QUOTE ]

So if they fail to make management Wal-Mart is required to pay them as if they were in management? Wal-Mart has no life long obligation to all employees.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, Wal-Mart shouldn't pay them management wages. I didn't say it, you did.

[ QUOTE ]

Every point you make basically just ignores the fact that people who work there choose to do so.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've said everything but that. Nobody forced that cashier to fill out the app and accept the job, if she chooses to stay there for 20 years, like I said, thats on her. Some people actually like working in low end jobs if you can believe it. So, what do you say to the person who is completely happy with where they are working but not making much money. What's more important, being happy in a low paying job, or miserable in a high paying job? The people who have the good attitudes will inevitably move up or move on to something better.

I work in a low paying job, but I like it, and I am utilizing the benefits of the college to make a better life for myself for the future by way of free tuition. But who is to say that when I do graduate and find a better paying job that I will be happy. What if I decide that I like working as a security supervisor even with a college education. Have I not tried to educate myself. I've had jobs where I made 4 times what I am making now, but there was no future in it, so am I wrong for going to the bottom of the barrell to be treated like an uneducated idiot all because of the uniform I wear? Where someone works doesn't necessarily dictate who they are.

[wtnhunt]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

[ QUOTE ]

What about the greeters at the front of the stores who are most likely retirees looking for something to do? How should they be treated? Should they be treated like second class citizens because they worl at Wal-Mart? You can't really tell an 80 year old that he needs to better himself

[/ QUOTE ]

Sluggo, around here the little old ladies(greeters) at wal mart are just happy to be there and be socializing. I dont think they are concerned about what wal mart pays them. As for passing along saving to consumers, why wouldnt that be good business, it means more volume, more satisfied customers who will continue to shop at your stores.

I keep reading this stuff about all the wal mart inferior products and wal marts dealing with china, someone is continually ignoring the fact that not everything wal mart sells comes from china. Funny really, I worked in a factory(right here in west Tennessee,not China) where wal mart would submit an order for a ridiculous amount of product and want it by a certain time. These orders were always an all or nothing type deal. Was the product inferior, not really, but it was a lower line product. Most of what they sell that does come from china is not sold only in wal mart stores, but is also sold in other stores as well.

[carbonhunter]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

[ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]

The cashier at the store is making minimum wage, the stockman is making minimum wage and the person in the sweatship in China is making much, much lower than minimum wage, while the store manager makes a six figure salary and on up the chain to the CEO in Bentonville.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just hate that class warfare talk. Whats wrong with being a CEO? Do they not work for there money. Would you pass up a 6 figure job? I think not. As far as the poor downtrodden employees go. Do they have to work at Wal-Mart? Do they have to accept a minimum wage job?

My jobs. Not one was minimum wage.

Babybreath picker, summers 84-85.

Dishwasher, 85-86

Army- 86-90

Beer poorer/hot dog stand supply boy at the horse track. summer 90

Pizza boy 90-93

Lawn aerator 93

Pesticide applicator 93-94

sales 94-97

management 97-2000

Company sold out so I started my own. Now I guess I'm the evil ceo. I started as a flower picker and it has been a LOOONG BUMPY road, but I reject the notion that minimum wage is a bad thing. It makes you work and look harder. It doesn't last forever. And it makes me sick to think a pimply face 18 year high school kid deserves almost $8.00 an hour to flip burgers, or to stock shelves. Minimum wage is a starting point, it is not supposed to support a family.

Sorry for hi-jacking your thread. I couldn't help myself.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really I've seen very few CEO's work for there money. A really PATHETIC fact about the job market anymore is not what you know but WHO you know. Many people who climb the ladder anymore arnt fit to run a family or a company.....its all about the politics

[horst]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

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Every point you make basically just ignores the fact that people who work there choose to do so

[/ QUOTE ]

wacoyote, you fail to take into account that in a lot of areas, escpecially rural areas, Walmarts just about all thats left.Theres a difference between wanting to work somewhere and being forced to work somewhere because theres no other options.Escpecially when you take into account the effect Walmart has on other businuesses every time it comes into an area.When it moved into the town next to ours store after store closed untill Walmart was the only place left.Say what you want about free enterprise but other companies cant compete when faced with Walmarts budget, they go broke trying.Its not nearly as cut a dried as you seem to think.

[wtnhunt]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

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Say what you want about free enterprise but other companies cant compete when faced with Walmarts budget, they go broke trying.

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The new supercenter here having groceries I am afraid will do one of two things to the couple of local grocery stores who have always had pretty outrageous prices. They will either have to drop their prices on more of their products they sell, or they will go out of business. I think there is a margin where they can drop some prices and still make money and remain in business.

btw, what do the grocery store baggers and cashiers make? Anyone think they pay the high school kids anymore than what wal mart pays.

[horst]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

wtn, I was more refering to other chain stores, not so much supermarkets.Within a year of Walmart showing up here we had a huge K Mart close along with a Shopko and most of the other stores in the Mall.

As far as food prices go Walmarts so close on them that it doesnt affect the supermarkets much and Walmarts meat sucks so bad most people go to a different store anyway I actually dont hate walmart, in most posts Im defending it.But I know theres a lotta people that work there just because its the only place hiring in a lotta rural areas, its not because they want to work there.

[snapper]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

Bottom line...folks like the Wal-marts varity of stuff, the one stop shop deal. If people weren't shopping there...they wouldn't be in buisness and the little shops wouldn't go under.

So if Wal-marts are here to stay...thats just the way it will be and small mom and pop stores are things of the past.

[wtnhunt]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

[ QUOTE ]

wtn, I was more refering to other chain stores, not so much supermarkets.Within a year of Walmart showing up here we had a huge K Mart close along with a Shopko and most of the other stores in the Mall.

As far as food prices go Walmarts so close on them that it doesnt affect the supermarkets much and Walmarts meat sucks so bad most people go to a different store anyway I actually dont hate walmart, in most posts Im defending it.But I know theres a lotta people that work there just because its the only place hiring in a lotta rural areas, its not because they want to work there.

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No kmart or any other similar stores here in this little town. Funny thing here, the new supercenter they built, that just opened in January, in this town of around 8,000 is supposedly the second or third largest supercenter in the state of Tennessee. Why they chose to build this huge store here I am not sure.

The prices on most of their groceries here Chris, at least what we buy, compared to our local markets are considerably better, and they have more selection than our local grocery stores. This new supercenter saves us from nearly every weekend driving to the closest big town about 30 minutes away.

With the new supercenter came a lot of new jobs, the old wal mart building is supposed to be going to be a rural king, meaning even more jobs. A lowes is supposed to be coming along with a mall, somehow tied to the wal mart deal, more jobs.

No, I dont hate wal mart either.

[stevebeilgard]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

like wal mart of hate it, you have to admit that they are teaching the world how to manage a store. now they are into banking, and a bunch of other stuff. while i don't like them overall, and they have done some damage to small business, i think i'll keep my stock another 20 years or so.....

[DWC]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

i work for wal-mart and i'll admit this company has it's moments but i cn say that wal-mart is better than some big chain stores say like IGA i worked at my local store for iga 3 years and asked for insurance at least 4 times every year and was laughed at. i go to wal-mart and in 6 months i had insurance there and though it might not be the best i can get it is the best for the time being

[BowJoe]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

Things change. It's the nature of life. Used to, gas stations were a two pump Texaco and had service that didn't cost extra just to pump your gas and clean your windshield. Now, you have supercenter stations with restaurants and parking for semi's on one side an a plaza mall on the other. When people are forced to be thrifty instead of loyal to that few pennies on the dollar cost, then they have to go to where things are more efficient and cost cutting just to survive and enjoy life a little more. We liked what we saw with the convenience of WalMart and now we have only what we created.

[Guest WEEGEE9]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

the next time anyone who thinks the ceo makes too much money needs a job, go ask a poor guy if he's hireing...

[Guest longknife]

Re: Just for those who hate Wal-Mart

Guys i know this is a place to speak your mind but your getting to close to home you might want to think about where you are saying this.Wal-mart is one of the carriers of the REALTREE CAMO PATTERNS in this country, the pattern may be sold to the dealers but where do the dealers sell to WAL-MART,not including your deer and turkey calls and look where alot of your clothing is made with the patterns on them CHINA and TIAWAN plus other parts of this flipping world outside this country.So you might want to watch how far this thread goes, there are always two sides to the coin.Now as far as the upper class of walmart if it was'nt for SAM WALTON they would not be here.That man had belief's that went to heck after he and his son passed on.Wal-mart is now owned by a panel and not one man.The goverment is the one at blame for the IMPORTS does"NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT" or NAFTA ring a bell.they could have put a stop to this but they choose to line their pockets while we sit and watch our country get spat on.So don't blame one blame all and i mean everyone,even us we let this happen.We defeat a country then we hug and kiss on them get my meaning.Look not to get away from the scribe SAM was an true AMERICAN it's the blockheads that took the company over that killed the principals of AMERICAN MADE.The money is the problem not the people remember the fraise "MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL".we just let it go to our heads and now are living that.I hope i did not tread on the thread,I did not mean to defend anyone or thing just speak the truth.Guys or Gals next time you pick up some camo clothing look at where its made.