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  • People Who Complain About Wal-Mart

    This has almost always bothered me to some extent. It bothered me back when i worked there, and it still does a little bit, though not for the reasons that some people may think.

    I worked at Wal-Mart during the first five years of the 21st century (April 2000-August 2005, to be exact). I also found CS during those years, and I used the site to vent about the many frustrations I experienced during my working hours. I soon realized there was a touch of anti Wal-Mart sentiment on the site. A fairly hefty chunk of the members seemed to harbor resentment towards the company, though most of them put that aside and welcomed me to the community even though they didn't like the entity that gave me my paycheck.

    It still bothered me when people bashed Wal-Mart, and like I said, it still does. However, it's not because I feel any attachment or loyalty to the company. I don't now, and I really never did.

    The other day, I was at Wal-Mart doing some shopping, and I thought about this. I thought about it as I maneuvered my way through the aisles, trying to dodge the hoardes of other shoppers. Then, I thought about it some more when I finished my shopping and went to the front of the store to check out and saw that every single cash register had a long line of people waiting to check out. I proceeded to think about this as I waited for about ten minutes before it was my turn to pay for my things.

    We have all sorts of sanctimonious people in our society blathering on and on about how evil Wal-Mart is, how much it sucks, etc. etc. etc. Yet, every time I go there, it's packed with customers, and there's almost always a wait at the check-outs. You think they're that evil and sucky, yet you keep going there, and so does most of the rest of the country. Do you not realize that this is a capitalist society, and that you could easily shut the place down by simply buying your stuff somewhere else? If you do, it's not showing, because no matter how evil or sucky it is, you keep going there, and you keep lining up for it.

    I can't tell you how many times I wanted to say this to SCs during my tenure there. They'd come up to me all grouchy and grumbly, telling me how much we sucked because we never had anything they wanted, we were out of this, we didn't have enough registers open, our employees didn't smile enough, the lights weren't bright enough, yadda yadda yadda. Yet, there they were, shopping there, buying all kinds of crap. And they'd be in there again a few days later, buying even more crap, even though they insisted we sucked. Granted, this was in a small town, and people often said that "Wal-Mart is the only store in town," but that wasn't true. We had a Kroger, a Dollar General, a Big Lots, a CVS Pharmacy, several convenience stores, and I think a few other small stores that I can't remember. I don't know why people called us a "one store town."

    Bottom line: Wal-Mart might suck, but they still manage to get you in there to buy stuff, so they must be doing something right.

  • #2
    Bottom line: Most people only give lip service to their convictions. When it hits their pocketbooks, principles often go out the window. However, in line with that, is that for a lot of people, there isn't a feasible choice other than Walmart. Whether it be because they just can't afford to shop elsewhere or because there is no elsewhere at which to shop.

    As for what they're doing right, it includes having the highest percentage of workers without benefits of any corporation in America coupled with the lowest average wage for non-salaried workers for any corporation in America, using child labor, forcing people to work off the clock, and running the competition out of business by undercutting them until they're gone then raising prices.

    Until a lot of that changes, you're going to continue to hear a lot of hate directed at Walmart. Plus, there's a lot of resentment that four of the twenty richest people in the world made their money from the company.

    ^-.-^
    Last edited by Andara Bledin; 01-17-2011, 09:07 PM.
    Faith is about what you do. It's about aspiring to be better and nobler and kinder than you are. It's about making sacrifices for the good of others. - Dresden

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    • #3
      I've never had a problem with wal-mart. Most people who bitch either don't get it or they just make stuff up.

      Many people seem to think that wal-mart just appeared out of the blue. Everything was hunky dory and then ten thousand wal-marts just opened up and out went the local businesses. Well did you know that Wal-mart used to be just a local business? If I recall the history, Sam Walton opened up a little 5&10 store, and then he did well and opened up 2 stores, and then a third, etc....he started small and made it big.

      So if your business failed, it's your own fucking fault. Don't cry about wal-mart. Sam Walton had to deal with competition too and you know what he did? He COMPETED RIGHT BACK. He made smart business deals and now his company is like the hugest thing in the world. If you can't compete, get the fuck out of the business.

      Then there's the flat out lies about wal-mart. Like "They don't pay a decent wage." Compared to what? Heart surgeons? No shit. I worked at wal-mart back in 2000, and ya know what? They paid me 9 an hour when most businesses just paid 7-8 to cover minimum wage.

      "Wal-mart doesn't offer any benefits to employees". WTF Is that? Again, when I worked there, after 90 days I would've had access to health benefits and vacation time. Also not the norm for many places.

      So first - Wal-mart got to where it is by doing good business. I'm sure everyone has one or two horror stories, but how's the old saying go? "the exception proves the rule" or something like that? I dunno, but you see where I'm going right? Just because they're not 110% perfect doesn't mean they're 110% evil.

      Second - I'm sick of seeing people like "Hey, I'm not shopping at wal-mart, I'm MAKING A STAND!" Yeah you go right on doing that and see how it gets you NOWHERE! Just because Libby McLiberal doesn't shop at Wal-mart, the other 300 million in the country still do and it's utterly pointless. I hate exercises in futility. Methinks I should've started a new thread for that...ah well.

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      • #4
        Originally posted by Andara Bledin View Post
        Until a lot of that changes, you're going to continue to hear a lot of hate directed at Walmart. Plus, there's a lot of resentment that four of the twenty richest people in the world made their money from the company.
        Well, one did directly, the rest did through inheritance.

        I've often heard people tell me that "Oh, Arkansas must be doing so well because of Walmart." Only NW Arkansas does well because of Wal-Mart (and Tyson, but Walmart doesn't clog the rivers with chicken shit). The rest of the state is in the black because we have a smart governor. No, alllll that Walmart wealth stays put in that part of the state, believe me.

        I generally don't shop there because I don't like their policies, and I can afford* to go to Target, Dillon's (Kroger), Hyvee, etc. Fiance made me go with him one weekend so he could get some khakis and I was reminded of the other reason I don't like shopping there. It was *full* of rude, white trash shoppers, and it seemed like everybody had a screaming kid with them. I'm a claustrophobe when it comes to crowds, and I was on the verge of having a full-on panic attack before we could get out of there.

        *If you shop carefully and don't buy a lot of junk, grocery stores usually aren't much more than Walmart and the quality is better, IMO. However, in places like rural Arkansas, Walmart is frequently the only option.

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        • #5
          My dad wrote inventory-tracking software back when it was still a fairly new thing, and he was once contracted by WM. This software required some fairly specialized training to use correctly; even the client's trainers had to be trained and tested before they were allowed to train employees. WM wanted all the source code and notes so someone there could take the credit, didn't think anyone needed training, and thought they could dictate the pricing. All in all, arrogant and condescending (they didn't get anything).

          My primary beef with WM is how they treat employees, vendors and suppliers in general.
          Originally posted by AdminAssistant View Post
          It was *full* of rude, white trash shoppers, and it seemed like everybody had a screaming kid with them.
          This. I've noticed that if I go to a packed WM and a packed Target, the Target somehow doesn't seem as crowded. I find the layouts of Walmart confusing (at least the stores I've been in always looks dirty and disorganized), and the general clientele doesn't seem to help matters. I also have noticed a difference in quality especially for some durable goods (I'm not sure if "Walmart gets the items that fail QC for other stores" is an urban legend but sometimes it seems true).
          Last edited by Dreamstalker; 01-19-2011, 04:38 AM.
          "Any state, any entity, any ideology which fails to recognize the worth, the dignity, the rights of Man...that state is obsolete."

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          • #6
            Originally posted by DrFaroohk View Post
            Like "They don't pay a decent wage." Compared to what?
            Not what I said. I said that they pay the lowest average wage to non-salaried workers in their sector. That's against the likes of Target and K-Mart. You can look up public records and find this same information.

            Originally posted by DrFaroohk View Post
            "Wal-mart doesn't offer any benefits to employees". WTF Is that?
            Again, not what I said. They have the lowest percentage of benefits-eligible non-salaried employees in their sector. Again, when put up against the likes of Target and K-Mart, the average Joe is more likely to do better working for the competition.

            And those are both averages. There will be outliers in both directions for all companies involved.

            Originally posted by DrFaroohk View Post
            I dunno, but you see where I'm going right? Just because they're not 110% perfect doesn't mean they're 110% evil.
            First, the whole "110%" thing is irritating. There's only 100% of them.

            Second, I don't say they're evil. But I'm not sure there's much that they do that's good, either.

            Originally posted by DrFaroohk View Post
            Second - I'm sick of seeing people like "Hey, I'm not shopping at wal-mart, I'm MAKING A STAND!".
            Originally posted by DrFaroohk View Post
            I hate exercises in futility. Methinks I should've started a new thread for that...ah well.
            What's wrong with taking a stand? As for what I'm doing, I'm not putting my money in their coffers. I don't care if they miss it. I did it for me. I put my money where my mouth was.

            Now, if more people were willing to do more than just give their convictions lip service, something might change. But I'm not going to hold my breath.

            As for why people like to hate Walmart, here's an example or two:

            July 6, 2010 article from the new York Times
            Walmart has spent over $1,000,000.00 to fight the $7,000.00 fine that OSHA slapped them with for the trampling death of an employee on Black Friday on the grounds that it wasn't reasonable to suspect that the crowd would behave like that.

            A January 15, 2011 article giving reasons to keep Walmart out at Change.org
            This one has some interesting allegations, some of which include citations.

            Does Walmart really have a real estate clause to keep other retailers from making use of their former locations?

            ^-.-^
            Faith is about what you do. It's about aspiring to be better and nobler and kinder than you are. It's about making sacrifices for the good of others. - Dresden

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            • #7
              I know for a fact the thing about the real estate clause is bogus, because I've seen other retailers, often competitors of wal-mart, move into their old locations.

              As for the other stuff...I wasn't arguing that YOU said that, but going with the general flow of the thread as many other people DO say the things I argued against.

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              • #8
                Gee.. this is one of my biggest piss off points... Wal-mart doesnt pay a living wage, no insurance, yada yada... Well Let me tell you all a little secret.. They pay a damn good wage I should know it is what puts food on our table, we also have damn good health care, and when our son died they gave us a 1k grant to help with bills that were getting shut off. We have better rights then my friend that works at mejiers which is a union shop.

                Dont get me wrong there is no Corp on the planet who's shit dont stink... but Wal-mart is not the big Satan that our society tries to scapegoat it as. There are shitty jobs everywhere.. and I have not met one corp that doesnt have some stupid ass rules and management.

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                • #9
                  I like to bitch and complain about Wal-Mart, but trust me, I'm not one of those "walmart is destroying America" wack jobs.
                  I don't like the long lines, disorganized stores, overworked employees who are legitimately incapable of providing good service (not that they don't try, but there just aren't enough of them to go around), and prices that are quite honestly not that competitive. For about the same price I can go across the street to K-Mart, where there is okay, not the best layout, but almost no crowds, much shorter lines, employees who are actually available to help, and prices that can actually be lower than Wal Mart's... why would I in my right mind go to WalMart?
                  "I'm Gar and I'm proud" -slytovhand

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                  • #10
                    Wal-Mart has the lowest prices here, hands down. Grocery stores can only compete when they have big sales.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Andara Bledin View Post
                      As for what they're doing right, it includes having the highest percentage of workers without benefits of any corporation in America coupled with the lowest average wage for non-salaried workers for any corporation in America, using child labor, forcing people to work off the clock
                      nope that would be target-

                      Originally posted by corpwatch
                      A survey by the UFCW found that starting wages are similar in Targets and Wal-Marts -- possibly higher overall at Wal-Marts – and that Target benefits packages are often harder to qualify for and less comprehensive.
                      Penn and Teller did an episode of bullshit on walmart hate a while back, I think it's available on amazon still/again.
                      Registered rider scenic shore 150 charity ride

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by AdminAssistant View Post
                        It was *full* of rude, white trash shoppers, and it seemed like everybody had a screaming kid with them. I'm a claustrophobe when it comes to crowds, and I was on the verge of having a full-on panic attack before we could get out of there.
                        I have the same issue, and that's the reason why I avoid Wal-Mart unless it's absolultely necessary, and even then I try to go late at night when it's not so bad. I once made the mistake of doing my Christmas shopping there. I won't do that again. By the time I left, several people came dangerously close to needed cart-ectomies.

                        Originally posted by Dreamstalker View Post
                        I also have noticed a difference in quality especially for some durable goods
                        That's been my experience as well. They're OK for simple things like DVDs or jeans, but I've had bad luck with appliances or anything electronic. They always seem to die on me a month or two later.
                        --- I want the republicans out of my bedroom, the democrats out of my wallet, and both out of my first and second amendment rights. Whether you are part of the anal-retentive overly politically-correct left, or the bible-thumping bellowing right, get out of the thought control business --- Alan Nathan

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                        • #13
                          Back more on topic, I can get behind hating the Walmart complainers who only complain about Walmart because it's popular to complain about Walmart. There are a lot of those out there.

                          Back OT: My closest Walmart feels icky inside. Made my skin crawl. Plus, it was nearly empty, and the employees wandered around like mindless zombies. Creeeeeepy.

                          ^-.-^
                          Faith is about what you do. It's about aspiring to be better and nobler and kinder than you are. It's about making sacrifices for the good of others. - Dresden

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Unless I desire driving about 50 miles, Wal-Mart is the main electronic store. Yes there is a Staples, and a Gamestop...but for anything that they don't have it is Wal-Mart.

                            I worked for Wal-Mart. True a very understaffed Wal-Mart (trying to run a supercenter with less staff then the old 'normal' wal-mart had), but a Wal-Mart nonetheless. I absolutely dread if I have to go there. I grocery shop at K-mart or Aldi's. Even gladly pay more if needed to do so. The few times I go there for my gadget fix..it is always a mess. Switching to mostly online for my gadget fix, and now only go there when requested to help my elderly parents shop. Despite my requests for them to shop elsewhere. They can pinch a penny till it screams for mercy though.

                            There are a few SC's and EW's at the other places, but maybe it is just I notice it more (as I am more on edge) when I go into a Wal-Mart. *shrugs*. All I know is, it is a horrible experience every time I am there.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by DrFaroohk View Post
                              Many people seem to think that wal-mart just appeared out of the blue. Everything was hunky dory and then ten thousand wal-marts just opened up and out went the local businesses. Well did you know that Wal-mart used to be just a local business? If I recall the history, Sam Walton opened up a little 5&10 store, and then he did well and opened up 2 stores, and then a third, etc....he started small and made it big.
                              this may have been true AT ONE TIME. Wal-Marts business stragegy in the early years was to establish locations that others did not seem to want to serve ie. the more rural locations. the problem with that was it slowly destroyed, what is now commonly called, small town Main St. The small mom and pop stores could NOT compete price wise, selection wise, etc.

                              So if your business failed, it's your own fucking fault. Don't cry about wal-mart. Sam Walton had to deal with competition too and you know what he did? He COMPETED RIGHT BACK. He made smart business deals and now his company is like the hugest thing in the world. If you can't compete, get the fuck out of the business.
                              No I do not think that you business failing is your own fault IF a 2000 pound gorillia comes in with low prices, a very large selection of goods, affordable (read cheap) stuff (esp after 1990 when Wal-Mart quietly killed off their Made In America kick and went out of country suppliers)

                              in the beginning Walton did not have 300 or 400 other big box type chains to compete with. just a country in the aftermath of a major war with prosperity on its mind.
                              I'm lost without a paddle and I'm headed up sh*t creek.

                              I got one foot on a banana peel and the other in the Twilight Zone.
                              The Fools - Life Sucks Then You Die

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