My wife and I make a Shopping list with a goal of trying not make 5 trips to walmart a week. It doesnt work, we even try to eat the venison and wild turkey in the freezer but there is always some reason we need to go to walmart. How many times do you go to wm in a week? Oh ya it may because we have 2 boys, eating machines.
Shopping at WalMart
- Thread starter Fatcord
- Start date
Tr33Climb3r
Participating member
- Location
- Wisconsin
I try to avoid it as much as possible...walmart is not a good thing for "little america"
cerviarborist
Very stable member
- Location
- Florida, USA
I try to hit the big box no more than once a month. People in my community work there too, but I believe in voting with my dollars. I try not to post too many ballots for a company that seems to systematically limit employment options and the diversity of consumer products in my own hometown.
rfwoodvt
New member
- Location
- This side of eternity.
Its funny you mention the limited diversity in products at walmart. Here, in tiny Vermont, we had no diversity of product until they showed up. Warn't that long ago if you wanted something in particular, you just couldn't get it unless you went out of state.
Still that way with tools, equipment and especially arborist stuff.
Of course now with WallyWorld here we certainly have a diversity of culture too! Woodchucks and Huckabucks abound seein' as they have a place they can actually afford to shop at!
My biggest complaint is most everything they sell at Wally World somehow comes via China. And I am not overly happy with that particular country these days.
Then again, even our little stores seem to sell nothing but stuff from China.
Still that way with tools, equipment and especially arborist stuff.
Of course now with WallyWorld here we certainly have a diversity of culture too! Woodchucks and Huckabucks abound seein' as they have a place they can actually afford to shop at!
My biggest complaint is most everything they sell at Wally World somehow comes via China. And I am not overly happy with that particular country these days.
Then again, even our little stores seem to sell nothing but stuff from China.
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
IIRC, back in the day of Sam Walton being alive, everything was made in America, or supposed to be. Now it seems like its hard to find anything made in America at Walmart.
Sometimes its inevitable to shop at big boxville, but I try not to do it as much as possibe. In my old college town, its the best selection and cheapest prices which matches the needs of the town where Walmart closed down so many small businesses, and drew business toward the mall, away from the main part of town.
I hope that Walmart doesn't continue on with their global domination expansion plan, which in the end will include treework, I'm afraid. A while back, maybe ten years ago, they were supposed to be on phase 2 of something like 13 phases of expansion.
Its tough when you have to pinch pennies, especially with two kids to feed, so I apologize if it sounds preachy. Its tough to watch corporate America do its thing with our dollars, which go right out of the community, rather than being cycled again and again to local businesses and families. A lot of us small-fry operations need people to believe in, and support, local businesses.
Sometimes its inevitable to shop at big boxville, but I try not to do it as much as possibe. In my old college town, its the best selection and cheapest prices which matches the needs of the town where Walmart closed down so many small businesses, and drew business toward the mall, away from the main part of town.
I hope that Walmart doesn't continue on with their global domination expansion plan, which in the end will include treework, I'm afraid. A while back, maybe ten years ago, they were supposed to be on phase 2 of something like 13 phases of expansion.
Its tough when you have to pinch pennies, especially with two kids to feed, so I apologize if it sounds preachy. Its tough to watch corporate America do its thing with our dollars, which go right out of the community, rather than being cycled again and again to local businesses and families. A lot of us small-fry operations need people to believe in, and support, local businesses.
cerviarborist
Very stable member
- Location
- Florida, USA
Walmart is also exerting considerable muscle on the variety that manufacturers produce. Walmart is now the largest wholesale purchaser of many brands of consumer goods.
Although in a small community that previously may not have had a large multi department store, it may seem like a huge influx of goods...if you take the time to look at each individual line of....let say condiments...you'll find a reduction in variety.. If a product doesn't move in mass quantities at Walmart, it's not stocked or ordered from the manufacturer. If a manufacturer loses orders for a particular line from their largest purchaser, the tend to stop making the product.
Overall, there's a homogenizing of flavors and products because of this. Personally, I like variety.
Although in a small community that previously may not have had a large multi department store, it may seem like a huge influx of goods...if you take the time to look at each individual line of....let say condiments...you'll find a reduction in variety.. If a product doesn't move in mass quantities at Walmart, it's not stocked or ordered from the manufacturer. If a manufacturer loses orders for a particular line from their largest purchaser, the tend to stop making the product.
Overall, there's a homogenizing of flavors and products because of this. Personally, I like variety.
- Location
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
I shop at walmart a total of 0 times per year. I have two reasons for this:
1. Walmart destoys small businesses and sells craploads of crap.
2. www.peopleofwalmart.com
v
1. Walmart destoys small businesses and sells craploads of crap.
2. www.peopleofwalmart.com
v
rfwoodvt
New member
- Location
- This side of eternity.
[ QUOTE ]
Overall, there's a homogenizing of flavors and products because of this. Personally, I like variety.
[/ QUOTE ]
Agreed.
Although the presence of Walmart does bring about expressions of small business personality.
Our locally produced goods and retailers have finally learned about meeting a market need and going after it.
Before wally-world they all knew they had a captive audience and far too often abused that position.
There are many small businesses that have come and gone in our area since wally-world came on the scene but in truth, they were never strong, never overly concerned about their clients or the market they served.
Seems a common thread among all of them was an attitude of "You don't like our products go somewhere else...Oh wait! There is no place else!" Well now there is.
The businesses that remain are kicking some serious entrepreneurial butt. Case in point is a full service garden center called four seasons.
They are locally owned, right in the midst of big-box hell. They have wally-world on the one side and Homely People on the other both of which sell cheap gardening supplies and plants.
You may have heard of Four Season's online business, Gardener's Supply.
Despite bigbox hell Four-Seasons is exploding with business. Why? The id'd their market and instead of fighting the big-box went after what the big-box can't.
It's not that small business can't compete. At best it is because they think they can't. At worse, they won't.
If it ain't growin', it be dyin'!
Overall, there's a homogenizing of flavors and products because of this. Personally, I like variety.
[/ QUOTE ]
Agreed.
Although the presence of Walmart does bring about expressions of small business personality.
Our locally produced goods and retailers have finally learned about meeting a market need and going after it.
Before wally-world they all knew they had a captive audience and far too often abused that position.
There are many small businesses that have come and gone in our area since wally-world came on the scene but in truth, they were never strong, never overly concerned about their clients or the market they served.
Seems a common thread among all of them was an attitude of "You don't like our products go somewhere else...Oh wait! There is no place else!" Well now there is.
The businesses that remain are kicking some serious entrepreneurial butt. Case in point is a full service garden center called four seasons.
They are locally owned, right in the midst of big-box hell. They have wally-world on the one side and Homely People on the other both of which sell cheap gardening supplies and plants.
You may have heard of Four Season's online business, Gardener's Supply.
Despite bigbox hell Four-Seasons is exploding with business. Why? The id'd their market and instead of fighting the big-box went after what the big-box can't.
It's not that small business can't compete. At best it is because they think they can't. At worse, they won't.
If it ain't growin', it be dyin'!
- Location
- Longmont, CO
[ QUOTE ]
1. Walmart destoys small businesses and sells craploads of crap.
[/ QUOTE ]
For the most part that seems to be correct. However, their electronic department seems to sell quality stuff mixed with crap. Like any other place, you need to do some research before you buy any product.
At our super Walmart we can get organic foods and there are some gluten free options too. We mostly shop at a local Natural Grocer, but when we can check prices, we'll get the same produt cheaper.
I frequently buy rakes and non-winter grade bar oil from Walmart.
I have done some oil changes there.
And finding good deals on Dickies pants & other clothing, isn't so bad as well.
I'd say we go there about once per week.
1. Walmart destoys small businesses and sells craploads of crap.
[/ QUOTE ]
For the most part that seems to be correct. However, their electronic department seems to sell quality stuff mixed with crap. Like any other place, you need to do some research before you buy any product.
At our super Walmart we can get organic foods and there are some gluten free options too. We mostly shop at a local Natural Grocer, but when we can check prices, we'll get the same produt cheaper.
I frequently buy rakes and non-winter grade bar oil from Walmart.
I have done some oil changes there.
And finding good deals on Dickies pants & other clothing, isn't so bad as well.
I'd say we go there about once per week.
- Location
- Longmont, CO
Walmart isn't the only corporation who has sold out to China. I'd be willing to bet that a huge majority of our favorite products, that seem "American", are not manufactured in the U.S.
Unfortunately, manufactured products made in China is what we sort of have to deal with. I'm upset with the idea, but I also don't want to cast judgment on someone choosing to shop somewhere. It's not a moral issue and some make it out to be...
Okay, I'll digress
Unfortunately, manufactured products made in China is what we sort of have to deal with. I'm upset with the idea, but I also don't want to cast judgment on someone choosing to shop somewhere. It's not a moral issue and some make it out to be...
Okay, I'll digress
marlinspiker
Participating member
- Location
- Pennsyltucky
Organic doesnt mean much to me when its mass produced to sell an idea. Overall "big organic" might be a good thing. its reducing pesticide run off for one. but the idea of organic and the product sold as organic are two totally different things. many so called organic brands are just as much a factory farm as the non organics. they still make it hard for the american small farmer to compete. i like to make my own food or know the farmers that make it.
tomthetreeman
Participating member
- Location
- Rhode Island
[ QUOTE ]
many so called organic brands are just as much a factory farm as the non organics. they still make it hard for the american small farmer to compete. i like to make my own food or know the farmers that make it.
[/ QUOTE ]
SWELL! (Shop Work Eat Live Local!)
many so called organic brands are just as much a factory farm as the non organics. they still make it hard for the american small farmer to compete. i like to make my own food or know the farmers that make it.
[/ QUOTE ]
SWELL! (Shop Work Eat Live Local!)
Frax
Participating member
We have a Wal-Mart literally right next door. It's a bit of a walk through the parking area, but other than that, there it is. So, we call it the "Annex". ("Are we out of TP? No it's at the Annex"). It's like having all our household necessities on hand all the time - like a giant garage.
I think we get "correctness points" because we can get almost all our basic household stuff without driving.
However my parents live in a small town and they also walk everywhere and shop local. Everyone in that little town knows everyone and its a really nice experience to actually visit the shops there.
(I like stuff as much as the next person but I hate shopping for it).
So I also wouldn't presume to judge someone based on their shopping habits. Everyone's location and circumstance is different.
I think we get "correctness points" because we can get almost all our basic household stuff without driving.
However my parents live in a small town and they also walk everywhere and shop local. Everyone in that little town knows everyone and its a really nice experience to actually visit the shops there.
(I like stuff as much as the next person but I hate shopping for it).
So I also wouldn't presume to judge someone based on their shopping habits. Everyone's location and circumstance is different.
- Location
- Pukalani, Hawaii
hahah wallmart always has some interestingly dressed people. it seems to be a common thing around the world. we get alot of fat people wearing tight clothing or fat chicks wearing daisey dukes. i once saw a guy that looked like he belonged to the lord of the rings movie set.he had a cape, tights, wore boots and even had a lorian leaf necklace.
Frax
Participating member
The people in some of your US Wal-Marts are scary! I've seen my share of the Wal-Mart people slide shows. It's probably worse in places that are warm and people don't have to wear as many clothes. (shudder...)
At least most of the people in ours look normal. At least I hope so since I am often one of them!
At least most of the people in ours look normal. At least I hope so since I am often one of them!
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