Shopping at Walmart

[Ima saver]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

I do like to christmas shop at wal marts When i went last week, I noticed the store was much nicer, wider isles and all new bathrooms.

[cschin4]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

Frankly, I think all the "hype" about Walmart is a bunch of bunk. They treat their employees as well or better than anyone else. And, isn't having a job better than not having one? How hard is it to work a few OT hours at Walmart? The political machine can't stand to see anything successful so it tries to create bad press to shut it down. Viva la Walmart! Because of all the press, I go out of my way to shop there.

[Dixiechick]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

My sister worked at WalMart for 3 years in FL. She never had any problems about any overtime. She liked it OK as the type of job it was. But it wasn't something she planned on retiring from.

When I have to work overtime, I don't get double or even straight time. I get about 80-85% of my regular hourly pay. It's with the government, but I don't see anyone (even me) complaining about that or boycotting anything. If I have to work over, I try and get comp time. It's worth more to me that way...

Dixie

[lrjohnson]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

I have never shopped at a Wal-Mart. I have yet to see Wal-Mart: the High Cost of Low Price, and look forward to seeing it. I read a great story in a Harper's a long time back but didn't save it. I belive that Wal-Mart is possibly doing long term harm to the world economy, not just local economies, but am notwhere near educated enough on the subject; I could be wrong, obviously. I prefer shopping local in general. Thrift stores are cheaper than regular. The couple of things My Guy bought at Wal-Mart fell apart right away; pure crud.

[shengmei]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

Believe it or not, I have now officially trained myself and my husband to ONLY look at clearance racks, which are actually cheaper than Wal-Mart.

Since Wal-Mart usually doesn't have anything "on sale", it would be cheaper for us to shop elsewhere. Besides, I hate crowds and my husband does also.

[Dixiechick]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

Thrift stores are cheaper than regular. The couple of things My Guy bought at Wal-Mart fell apart right away; pure crud.

Yes, thrift stores are more cost effective. I bought a pair of Express kahki pants for $1.00 - still had the tags on even!

But I've also bought Levi's jeans "on sale" at WalMart for $15/pair (if I could find these at my local thrift store, I'd be in heaven). So, WalMart does occasionally have sales (most are the ones you just happen to stumble across - like finding Suave shower gel for $1.00/bottle unadvertised), but nothing I've found that I can really "plan" on. I don't even know if I get the WalMart advertiser on a regular basis or not. I also don't buy off-brand items at WalMart either (except some Sam's brand foil or baggies, etc). That really reduces the chance of the thing falling apart or being of less quality. I don't typically buy electronics from WalMart either unless it's a brand name and it's the model I want after studying it at Consumer Reports and their prices beat other competitors. It just pays to shop, investigate and know the market prices. There are good deals to be had there just as there are good deals to be had at other places. I also love to work the drug store rebates on items I need/want - but that's an entirely different thread.

Dixie

[cicy33]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

I love wal-mart! I am not a rich person so, I have to shop where I can afford it. Our walmart has like 8 self serve checkers. That is so nice! But not when you have coupons. We are getting ready to have a super wal mart open in about 3 weeks. I am very happy, Kroger is eating my budget to the sky! They do double to .50 but usually wal mart is cheaper after the .50 coupon without the doubling! I don't believe that they make people work overtime and don't pay them. In this sue happy society!? please. Perhaps what it is that some companies offer comp time instead of overtime pay. But I do believe that if they were doing that someone would quit and sue them. Our new one is employing over 100 new people including their original staff. And since we just got notice one of our major companies is closing in december and laying off 1000 people at least it helps. the 1000 people come from a radius of about 50 miles around so hopefully they will be able to find work closer to their home now. I think that the people determine who is open and gets their business not the businesses.

[contrary1]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

The closest I've been is in the Wal Mart parking lot. It's a great place to meet someone to carpool with! But, me..........inside a WalMart? Not a chance.

I don't need anything bad enough to go inside one, super or not.

[cicy33]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

The closest I've been is in the Wal Mart parking lot. It's a great place to meet someone to carpool with! But, me..........inside a WalMart? Not a chance.

I don't need anything bad enough to go inside one, super or not.

I'm kinda curious what is the "issue" with walmart? not just you but all the people that say: walmart is so evil. Come on, it is just a store, like target, venture, kmart, etc. What is so different about walmart?

[lrjohnson]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

What is so different about walmart?

A page on the Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price website is a starting point as to why many folks don't shop there. There is also a list of 44 lawsuits in 31 states that are about unpiad overtime.

I'm posting a link; I haven't done my research yet. However, in my case, my research would have to show me a good reason to start shopping at Wal-Mart, because I'm not currently a customer.

[sarah]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

Everything I have read about Wal Mart confirms the unpaid overtime. They are also extremely hostile not only to unions but also to paying health care for employees. One state even passed a law requiring that employers pay a certain of income in health care costs. The law was aimed at Walmart because it was the only corporation that didn't already meet these standards.

The other side of the argument is this. Lower prices actually help poverty stricken invidivuals. Walmart helps more than it hurts. Thisis especiallly true when WalMart is located in low income neighborhoods. Local -- small stores-- in these neighborhoods tend to be owned by non community members- often living in wealthier subdividsions. These stores sell stale bread and substandard food products at inflated prices to impoversihed family who because of transportation issues have no choice but to buy there.

This seems to be a classic catch 22 situation. WalMart says that it cannot increase wages and health care without increasing prices. This would certainly hurt its more impoverished clientele. On the other hand WalMart appears to be exploiting one imporversihed group to hlep another. I certainly do not have the answers. I am very confused about this issue.

[asmom]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

I don't believe that they make people work overtime and don't pay them. In this sue happy society!? please. Perhaps what it is that some companies offer comp time instead of overtime pay. But I do believe that if they were doing that someone would quit and sue them.

They did. There have been over 70 lawsuits all over the country by employees ranging from cashiers to pharmacists alleging that they force employees to work without pay. They've been sued by tens of thousands of their former employees and have either lost or have had to settle for millions. They're not all lying.

Our new one is employing over 100 new people including their original staff. And since we just got notice one of our major companies is closing in december and laying off 1000 people at least it helps. the 1000 people come from a radius of about 50 miles around so hopefully they will be able to find work closer to their home now. I think that the people determine who is open and gets their business not the businesses.

That's a funny little irony.

[cicy33]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

I have spent some time reading over this info. First to address the Public Assistance Issue: In reference to the number of people on public aid, it is said that most everyone that works at walmart is on some form of assistance. Well, first of all, so are pretty much everyone that works at McDonalds, Hardees, etc. I think that earning around $13-17k a year is fairly standard for a person and every family makes the decision on how many kids to have. Personally I wanted 6, but oh well, take what I get! lol seriously, though, they said that is the poverty line for a family of 4. What if you only had one. would that still be poverty line? now, I used to earn somewhere around $12 - 13 k per year when I was younger, if I were married and my spouse did the same, then our family would be earning approx $24k per year. still low but actually fairly average. According to their report this is an average.
To address the lawsuits. While I find them disturbing, I as a person would not work for free. HELLO!! If I lost my job what would be the difference??? I could find another one paying roughly the same and actually get paid if I did work overtime. I just find it odd that anyone would even agree to work off the clock. the one where the manager removed large blocks of time from employee records needs to be fired. that is terrible. But since it isn't showing that it was happening in every walmart across the country I don't see that as evidence that walmart corp said to do it. Perhaps he was supposed to stay under a specific budget and failed and decided to do that. but that is horrible for him to do.

The Illegal aliens: this was actually rather funny. I live in southern illinois and here a bit back they were talking about how the aliens were going on strike to make the government do what they wanted. apparently we have quite a few restaurants that use illegal aliens. that was an eye opener. and most amusing cuz why would anyone who is not allowd to be here, openly say here I am! Duh. So again, while I don't approve, walmart is not the only problem out there.

The raciasim (sp) I feel that this is a long time problem that is so wrong it is not funny. I also don't believe that walmart is the only culprit. I think that whether you are black, white, red, blue or green you should be hired on merit and experience, not because you fill a certain quota or because for whatever reason some idiot thinks whites are better. That actually goes more than one direction! Of course sometimes people are hired cuz they know someone who works at a place. I don't like that either.

My point to the is, if you are going to follow your reasoning for every reason not to shop at walmart, you better stop going a lot of places! While I agree walmart apparently does have their problems I can actually think in my head right now about 10 places in my area that are guilty of at least one of the areas above if not more. Wal mart got a bad rap cuz they are huge and they do offer cheap prices that people will pay. which comes from low income. which comes from EVERYWHERE. not just walmart. I wonder if kmart has any dirty little secrets? Personally I was delighted when kmart closed in a town close to me cuz it was dirty and badly stocked and horrible customer service.

[asmom]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

To address the lawsuits. While I find them disturbing, I as a person would not work for free. HELLO!! If I lost my job what would be the difference??? I could find another one paying roughly the same and actually get paid if I did work overtime. I just find it odd that anyone would even agree to work off the clock. the one where the manager removed large blocks of time from employee records needs to be fired. that is terrible. But since it isn't showing that it was happening in every walmart across the country I don't see that as evidence that walmart corp said to do it. Perhaps he was supposed to stay under a specific budget and failed and decided to do that. but that is horrible for him to do.

You yourself posted earlier that a plant closed in your area and thank goodness the Walmart is opening because there will be some jobs to take up the slack. Believe it or not, there are a lot of places in this country where you cannot just leave a job and get another one lickety-split. That is what makes their intimidation so effective.

[cicy33]

Re: Shopping at Walmart

Please keep in mind the plant closing had nothing to do with Walmart. it is a place that makes washing machines and they have been threatening to close for several years. Like a lot of companies they are moving their product creation to a cheaper area. It is for Maytag washers. I really can't think of who would be much lower than our area but apparently there is. Some people that work there travel a fair distance to work there. So while I am aware that people cannot always find work quick my point to that was it is not 1000 people in a small town it is 1000 people from a wide area. It is horrible. But it has nothing to do with walmart. I personally am looking for a job. so I do know that it is not easy to find a good job. But according to all reports people at walmart make either at or just above min wage. you can go to mcdonalds and make min wage. you can go most anywhere and get min wage. I personally have a limited luxury (funny to say that) in that I am trying desperately to hold out for a job with some benefits. my dh needs med insurance. We are struggling, but I am trying to go that route. Did you know that (my estimate only) approx 80% of jobs do not offer any med insurance at all, much less holiday pay or vacation pay? Very, very few jobs do. A car dealer ship that I applied to, they told me that the med insurance is available after you have been employed for ONE YEAR. not 3 months or 6 months, a full year. and we don't qualify for public assistance. my dh's ex has custody of their kids and while we pay $500 per month child support we don't get any help either. my point to all that was not everywhere has any benefits.

I did read where the former employees did file a lawsuit. By no means did I say that they were lying, but I do again state that I feel this is most likely a bad manager, or managers. Not necessarily something walmart corp would approve of. There are always going to be bad people. I really think that we hear more of it cuz it is walmart and they are so huge. I am pleased to see that they were taking action!

The union issue is such a touchy one that I hate to touch on it but feel to a degree I must. I was working for a paint contractor. We didn't have benefits, or paid holidays. The owners wanted to do more so they considered union, there was no way to be union and stay in business. We would have had to raise the painters rates for some of them over $10 per hour from their current status. And they were already paid fairly well. My lowest painter made $9 and the highest was at $15. Union base rate, without benefits figured in was almost $24. now, if they already charged $35 per hour to paint, think how much they would have had to charge to stay in business. So, as an alternative they chose not to go the union way and got benefits for their employees. Next example of problems with unions. My uncle in law works for a college. He is an electrician. He has two problems. He is not allowed to work for anyone else except union contractors or he will be fired and booted out of the union. First problem what happens if he is laid off and has no income? Now the worst problem that has actually happened. The college he works at has had a little thing I call money slashing. They have a problem with the budget or something. So, they have decided to retro back to day one of all current employees and remove 100% of their company matched retirement. Yep, you read it right. they have somehow removed it. This is a fact by the way. He is so beyond pissed it is not funny. Guess what the union is doing?..... NOTHING. They can't. apparently he is working for a state college and government trumps union. Now, I ask you, what is the point to being in the union if your contract can be broken with no penalty to the ones that break it. I just don't believe that a union can say you must hire union contractors. My dh is a contractor and we are not union and we have no plans to become union. ever. I thought that when you have a business you decide how to run it not the local unions? Now, please do not get me wrong, unions have their place and I have no problem with them. I just don't like it when they act like they can control businesses. That would be like me going in and saying you are going to let everyone wear jeans here and that is final! you just can't do that. and if they try coming to my business and telling me how to run it they will find themselves out the door in a hurry! last time I checked I am an American.