NationStates Jolt Archive

http://vancouver.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=bc_walmart20050705

Wal-Mart..... everybody thinks ur evil. Don't ever dare come to Prince Rupert.

Wal-Mart is big because it sells stuff that people want for cheap. Is it their fault that people buy their stuff? No.

If the people of a community don't want a Wal-Mart then they can just not shop there, simple as that.

Wal-Mart's already in BC I believe so you can start removing "beautiful" from your licence plates.

One is 5 miles from me. There shouldn't be another for at least 15 to 20 minutes drive time on an interstate. But.. they will probably build another right up the street from me soon. That will make them about 5 miles apart. I will move.

Wal-Mart's already in BC.

ya, there's one 140km (or about 1.5hrs) away from where I live.

I want Wal*Marts over here. They bought ASDA awhile back, but they haven't changed the name or anything. ASDA boast about being Britain's lowest-priced supermarket, but seriously, if they had America Wal*Mart prices and range of stock, they'd demolish their rivals in one month.

Wal-Mart is big because it sells stuff that people want for cheap. Is it their fault that people buy their stuff? No.

If the people of a community don't want a Wal-Mart then they can just not shop there, simple as that.

I think you're failing to see the big picture. Wal-Mart runs small businesses into the ground, simply because they can't compete with their outrageously-low prices. Then, with all the profits they make, they still don't pay their employees worthy wages, nor do they give them benefits.

Wal-Mart is big because it sells stuff that people want for cheap. Is it their fault that people buy their stuff? No.

If the people of a community don't want a Wal-Mart then they can just not shop there, simple as that.
how do they get that stuff cheap to begin with? Is it Wal-Mart's fault they exploid the desparity of third world countries and continuously circumvent paying their employees overtime? Don't say that "well, without Wal Mart these people wouldn't have a job," I'm not going to have a job because of Wal Mart! They go in, close down all the small businessess and hardly pay their workers for working full time.

And a few people not shopping at Wal Mart isn't going to make a difference. I don't shop there and they're still going as good as ever. We must boycott Gandhi style!

i voted no, since there are already several in the Nashville area.

Look, the reason wal-mart is so expansive/successful is due primarily to the fact that they offer excellent value to the consumer, and that is a good thing.

By value I mean that their quality/price ratio is high (or price/quality ratio is low...).

That is their great strength: value.

Also, it is a convenient place to shop, once you've spent the required 10 minutes to find a parking spot... they carry just a plethora of stuff. Sporting goods, toys, food, clothing, shoes, appliances, electronics stuff, etc. The place is full of things that people want to buy. And, like I said, their prices are generally fairly low.

There is nothing wrong with this, per se... as consumers, we reap the benefits. I know i've gotten good deals at Wal-Mart.

Con:
Their business practices are questionable -- they really use strong-arm tactics with suppliers.

Because Wal-Mart's prices are so low, many small businesses are forced to keep up with the low prices or close up shop, unless they have loyal customers who don't mind paying a bit extra. Probably many sole proprietors have had to jump ship due largely to Wal-Mart (or, to be fair, Wal-Mart's competitors, like K-Mart and Target -- you know, the huge store that sells tons of stuff at low prices.. it's not just Wal-Mart.)
-----------------------

That's competition, though -- competition is great for consumers because it tends to keep quality high and price low (as stated above, maximizing value)... but it's not always so great for those who cannot keep up in the price war.

Campbell River (on Vancouver Island) also rejected a Wal-Mart this week.

At least the one in Victoria had to fit itself into an existing location in Town and Country Mall, and not go the big box route. Not that I shop there anyway. If I have to shop at a department store, I do Zellers, since it and the Bay are Canadian owned. Mind you, I'm sure their overseas practices are just as bad as Wal-Mart's.

Here in Rupert, local businesses are once again growing partly due to the new cruise ship industry in town and the container port that is going to be built on the existing superport.

If Wal-Mart is here, it will wipe out most local businesses like a hurricane.

Why do we need Wal-Mart if we got Zellers in town?

wal mart= evil!

Wal-Mart? No thanks, I'm neither suicidal nor a traitor.

well considering i live in the boondocks....it be'd the largest thing for about 20 miles in any direction. Plus it could bring more business to my area.

My biggest problem with Wal-Mart is how they get local governments to use eminent domain to rip people from their homes, demolish their houses and sell the land to Wal-Mart on the cheap.

http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&hs=2hC&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=walmart+eminent+domain&spell=1

Here in Rupert, local businesses are once again growing partly due to the new cruise ship industry in town and the container port that is going to be built on the existing superport.

If Wal-Mart is here, it will wipe out most local businesses like a hurricane.

Why do we need Wal-Mart if we got Zellers in town?


I've been to Prince Rupert 2 years ago. Was a charming little town, can't say there were very many shopping opportunities. The mall was a bit depressing, but I had dinner at a place called Smile's and the seafood was great. We stayed at the Pillsbury Guest House, and the service was very good. We came for the salmon fishing and were not disappointed.

How close is Wal-Mart to becoming a monopoly? Would all the Targets (and all the type of stores like that etc) have to be knocked out of business along with the little man.. before they were claimed as a monopoly? The little man is always the first to go out. :(

The small business comment is logically flawed but everybody spits it out, in fact a Wal Mart actually increases small business growth in the surrounding area, because it brings in traffic...the currency of capitalism. Wal Marts are usually surrounded by thriving other businesses that leech off the traffic they bring in.

The reason for Wal Marts low prices isnt from slave labor or they undercut anything, it is from their highly efficent supply chain, they own the trucks, they own the distribution centers, their transport network is more efficent then even the US military, getting goods from place A to place B is actually where most of the cost of an item comes from minus the actual manufactering of the item. THAT is the real reason why their prices are low.


Their lack of labor unions is a vaild concern though. But other then that anything else said about them has just been total slander, no doubt propagated by labor unions and anti capitalist socialist people.

And since you people are sheep, you eat it up and shit it out the other end totally the same way it came in because you cant think or look up the true facts yourself. You people disgust me sometimes.

Wal-Mart sells stuff cheap, which is good. But it does so using questionable practices, plus it has gotten so much control of the access to the market that it's distorting prices and undermining the free markets.

Gulf Republics is right. I drove a truck for 6 months and I've been to a few Wal-mart distribution centers. These bastards know what they're doing. As you get bigger you encounter more and more problems of scale. Wal-mart has managed to deal with these problems quite well. Going into these places gives you a good picture of their overall business model. These distrubition centers are absolutely massive and they could not sell so much for so little without them. If it weren't for major initial investment in these places there couldn't be nearly as many stores operating.

I have a love/hate relationship with Wal-mart. The way they keep prices down and keep the shelves stocked with a wide range of items, I think, is the key to their success. Whenever I have 3 things I need to buy, there's a good chance I can get 2, if not all 3 of them, at Wal-mart. This is why I love Wal-mart. Their strategy of going cheap on in-store labor seems to have worked well. As a customer you get what you pay for, and you're not paying for customer service. Consumers are largely willing to go that route, but sometimes they are not. If you have any questions about what you intend to buy, you should probably go somewhere else. This is why I hate Wal-mart.

I do not approve of subsidies or favors for Wal-mart or any other retailer, and I absolutely abhore the use of eminent domain.

There are 2 Wal-mart supercenters within 2 or 3 miles of my house and I don't want them to go away, so I answered that I do want one in my neighboorhood.

I am an employee and customer of the wal and it's really not that bad. I get a good competitive wage and am treated very well. I did get a kick of the "we're not anti-union, we're pro-associate" video I got to watch after being hired.

My only complaint other than the smell at some of the stores is that there are 2 super walmarts, 2 neighborhood markets(grocery stores), and one regular walmart(soon to be replaced by a super walmart) in my town of about 70k people. Going from one to the other at most takes 15 minutes. I think it's ridiculous there are so many stores in such a small area.

We had a super Wal-Mart move into out fast growing community. No "small" business has gone out of business. In fact a lot of stores and restaurants have been started in the area of Wal-Mart. Lowes and Home Depot have both built big stores and a super Target is going up now. They have been good for out community.

Im very happy there are no Walmarts (or other superstores) in Sweden (yet).

Of course we have big foodstores outside the cities but they aren't very popular, you dont save that much money compared from your local store + the times it takes to drive.

And we got a big tradition of very strong unions here and some high empolyer taxes so maybe Walmart dont think its worth establishing here.

The small business comment is logically flawed but everybody spits it out, in fact a Wal Mart actually increases small business growth in the surrounding area, because it brings in traffic...the currency of capitalism. Wal Marts are usually surrounded by thriving other businesses that leech off the traffic they bring in.

The reason for Wal Marts low prices isnt from slave labor or they undercut anything, it is from their highly efficent supply chain, they own the trucks, they own the distribution centers, their transport network is more efficent then even the US military, getting goods from place A to place B is actually where most of the cost of an item comes from minus the actual manufactering of the item. THAT is the real reason why their prices are low.

That's not at all true. Of course some small businessess will benefit; those that don't sell the stuff Wal Mart does, but why would anyone buy a shirt from my store for $30 when they could get a similar shirt for $10 at Wal Mart? Their efficient supply line definately plays a role in their low costs (you've been watching too much TV :) ) but it's the 10 cents an hour they pay Bangladeshis to sew the pants together, it's the 14 hour work days they are forced to endure, but worst of all, it's Wal Mart not forcing these sweatshops to raise their workers' wages...all to save you money.

http://www.pbs.org/itvs/storewars/stores3.html

of course they wouldn't have the same story on an unbiased source like foxnews.com.

I dont have a problem with Wal-mart. So what if they wipe out mom and pop shops that employ a grand total of 4 or 5 people each. Wal Mart employs a lot more and contrary to what people have said here, Wal Mart does offer employee benefits including a 401(k) and profit sharing plan with matching contributions up to 4%, and an affordable medical plan. They employ many people who no one else wants to employ (people who are too old or have disabilities for example). To top it off, they contribute a substantial amount of money to the community through their charities program.

Sure, there are the down sides to having Wal Mart. Buying prepackaged meat isnt as good as buying meat from a butcher. Buying wal-mart bread and pastries isnt as good as buying them from a baker. But most of the time the convenience of finding everything in one place is worth it.

why would anyone buy a shirt from my store for $30 when they could get a similar shirt for $10 at Wal Mart?
Because Wal Mart sells cheap things, not fashionable things.


Their efficient supply line definately plays a role in their low costs (you've been watching too much TV :) ) but it's the 10 cents an hour they pay Bangladeshis to sew the pants together, it's the 14 hour work days they are forced to endure, but worst of all, it's Wal Mart not forcing these sweatshops to raise their workers' wages...all to save you money.
Thats true of all stores. The textile industry in developed nations is very small. Every store you go to will have a large amount of its stock composed of items created in such sweat shops.

[QUOTE=Achtung 45]That's not at all true. Of course some small businessess will benefit; those that don't sell the stuff Wal Mart does, but why would anyone buy a shirt from my store for $30 when they could get a similar shirt for $10 at Wal Mart? Their efficient supply line definately plays a role in their low costs (you've been watching too much TV :) ) but it's the 10 cents an hour they pay Bangladeshis to sew the pants together, it's the 14 hour work days they are forced to endure, but worst of all, it's Wal Mart not forcing these sweatshops to raise their workers' wages...all to save you money.[QUOTE]
They'd buy that $30 shirt to protect local business, if they really cared. The marketplace is the ultimate democracy. If the locals truly didn't want Wal-Mart in their town, they wouldn't shop there even for the lower prices. The success of Wal-Mart is only due to the fact people prefer lower prices to local stores.
$.10/hour for 14 hours comes to $1.40/day. Most unskilled manufacturers in Bangladesh make less than $1/day. Wal-Mart sweatshop workers go home with a 50% higher paycheck than their neighbors. Sounds fine to me.

Wal-Mart has one of the most effecient supply chains on the planet, finetuned enough that a surplus or shortage is very rare in one of their stores.
Thus, they are cheap, and, thus, I want one in my town.
The problem, though, is that, because it is cheap, all the lesser folk that don't have respect for property go there and seem to intenionally dirty up the store.

I've noticed that many of the anti-walmart concepts on here come from places that either don't have walmarts or have never shopped there.

I'm not a huge fan of them, but they are simply the next logical step in efficiency. Eventually something else will come along and we'll all be crying foul when the walmarts and targets are driven out along with their outdated business plan.

I did get a kick of the "we're not anti-union, we're pro-associate" video I got to watch after being hired.

"We're not anti-union"? That contradicts what happened in Quebec when Wal-Mart closes its Jonquiere store six months after the employees won union certification.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2005/02/09/walmart-050209.html

I think Wal(nut)*Mart and its ilk are the single biggest contributor to pollution on this continent. They sell garbage. Face it, the reason they can sell all that crap for so little is becuase it IS crap. People buy chairs, furniture, appliances etc, from Wal8Mart for cheap, only to have it fall apart within a year, so they have to go out and buy MORE cheap crap, along with all the pointless over-packaging that goes with them. Wal*Mart must be responsible for at least 50% of the landfill in garbage dumps in the US and Canada.

I've noticed that many of the anti-walmart concepts on here come from places that either don't have walmarts or have never shopped there.


There is a Wal-Mart in my city. I deliberately choose not to shop there. That's my choice, isn't it? To support stores that put more money into my community, that are better community partners, that have employee-friendly business practices (etc)?

I am happy to pay a slightly higher price for products from businesses with a conscience. I feel it is worth it. Just as I'm willing to pay more and purchase local produce/goods or organic products -- in support of local businesses and good business practices. I strongly believe that it is the ethical thing to do. To me, the dollar is not the bottom line, a strong, prosperous local community is.

And I also donate to a number of NGOs, such as the Red Cross and World Vision, so don't accuse me of not taking an interest in improving the quality of life for people outside of my immediate community.

There have been two businesses where I live that have went out of bussiness after Wal*Mart came. One was a resturant with horrible food, and the other was this crappy store where you could sell the guy something, walk out, walk right back in, and he'd try to sell it to you for 3x what you sold it to him for. So it's helped the local economy, and I don't have to travel an hour away to go clothes or video game shopping.

Nah, I like Target better anyways.

They'd buy that $30 shirt to protect local business, if they really cared. The marketplace is the ultimate democracy. If the locals truly didn't want Wal-Mart in their town, they wouldn't shop there even for the lower prices. The success of Wal-Mart is only due to the fact people prefer lower prices to local stores.
$.10/hour for 14 hours comes to $1.40/day. Most unskilled manufacturers in Bangladesh make less than $1/day. Wal-Mart sweatshop workers go home with a 50% higher paycheck than their neighbors. Sounds fine to me.
Sounds fine, huh? you're not living solely on rice and vegitables, you can afford meat. If we were just a little less greedy, maybe some people could actually live somewhat more comfortably. Don't try and say "well they wouldn't have a job at all if it weren't for Wal :) Mart," we could at least pay a little more for our clothes and those workers may live a little better.

Could you live off of $1.40/day?
I doubt it...no American could.

Sounds fine, huh? you're not living solely on rice and vegitables, you can afford meat. If we were just a little less greedy, maybe some people could actually live somewhat more comfortably. Don't try and say "well they wouldn't have a job at all if it weren't for Wal :) Mart," we could at least pay a little more for our clothes and those workers may live a little better.

Could you live off of $1.40/day?
I doubt it...no American could.

Quite easily, one could if you were buying things IN BANGLADESH at BANGLADESHI prices.

I hate retards who make that kind of argument. The Bangladeshi economy is not the same as the American economy. Paying people 'fair' wages usually results in them being mugged and robbed on a daily basis, thereby leading to fewer jobs as nobody wants to take that risk. Far better to pay an amount that is admittedly low, but is still way beyond the average wage.

I think Wal(nut)*Mart and its ilk are the single biggest contributor to pollution on this continent. They sell garbage. Face it, the reason they can sell all that crap for so little is becuase it IS crap. People buy chairs, furniture, appliances etc, from Wal8Mart for cheap, only to have it fall apart within a year, so they have to go out and buy MORE cheap crap, along with all the pointless over-packaging that goes with them. Wal*Mart must be responsible for at least 50% of the landfill in garbage dumps in the US and Canada.

Damn. I must have shopped at the wrong Wal-Mart. The computer desk and bookcases I bought 14 years ago are still in my living room and I haven't had to use duct tape on them yet. :eek:

There is a Wal-Mart in my city. I deliberately choose not to shop there. That's my choice, isn't it? To support stores that put more money into my community, that are better community partners, that have employee-friendly business practices (etc)?

That is your choice and your right. :fluffle:

Could you live off of $1.40/day?
I doubt it...no American could.

I couldn't in the US. I could in Bangladesh.

Quite easily, one could if you were buying things IN BANGLADESH at BANGLADESHI prices.

I hate retards who make that kind of argument. The Bangladeshi economy is not the same as the American economy. Paying people 'fair' wages usually results in them being mugged and robbed on a daily basis, thereby leading to fewer jobs as nobody wants to take that risk. Far better to pay an amount that is admittedly low, but is still way beyond the average wage.
does it matter if the economies are different? It's still incredibly low standards of living compared to the profusely rich we see here in America. Perhaps I should rephrase my rhetorical question because you seem so intent on ranting on about something totally irrelevent rather than answering my point...
could you live solely on rice, live with 10 other people in a single room, with half a roof and is almost always flooded and stay sane? how about your entire life. Be honest now :D

does it matter if the economies are different? It's still incredibly low standards of living compared to the profusely rich we see here in America. Perhaps I should rephrase my rhetorical question because you seem so intent on ranting on about something totally irrelevent rather than answering my point...
could you live solely on rice, live with 10 other people in a single room, with half a roof and is almost always flooded and stay sane? how about your entire life. Be honest now :D

Weeeeeeellll, here's the point you are missing. If I and the other ten people were all being paid that much more than other people, we'd be able to buy more products, repair the house ('Cause there's not a house in the region which isn't fucked up! Damn those architecturally incompetent foreigners!), and if we worked at it start our own businesses.

does it matter if the economies are different?

Yes it plainly DOES matter, and you have this lovely fairytale notion that throwing money at things fixes things. In a way I wish I shared that idea, because it'd mean I could be all happy and 'Laaaa~', but on the other hand I'm glad I'm not, because I can accept that climbing out of poverty is a long and hard task. Unless you're socialist of course, in which case we can give the whole world everything they want. For three years. Then we run out of produce, run out of motivation, and Europe, Japan, the US, and Australia are all in dire poverty as well! Huzzah for blind and thoughtless 'compassion'!

Quite easily, one could if you were buying things IN BANGLADESH at BANGLADESHI prices.

I hate retards who make that kind of argument. The Bangladeshi economy is not the same as the American economy. Paying people 'fair' wages usually results in them being mugged and robbed on a daily basis, thereby leading to fewer jobs as nobody wants to take that risk. Far better to pay an amount that is admittedly low, but is still way beyond the average wage.

That is just about the most nonsensical arguement I have ever seen. If this was true, no one in the states would want high paying jobs, as it increases their chances of being mugged, burglarized, carjacked, murdered etc, for their money.

i voted no, since there are already several in the Nashville area.
At least fo which are in Donelson alone.

<snip>
and conservatives have the idea that blowing shit up automatically fixes everything.
how many times on NS General have you actually seen someone go "OOH, now I totally agree with you! :fluffle: "? It's never worked in the past and it'll never work here. You have your economic theory that says it could be worse off for them and I have mine that says we have the power make poverty history and nothing we say is going to change that.

does it matter if the economies are different? It's still incredibly low standards of living compared to the profusely rich we see here in America.

Yea, it does matter if the economies are different. In the mid 1960’s, the average wage in Thailand was 50 cents a day. By the early 1970’s, it was about the same. With 50 cents a day, a family could provide the necessities of food, clothing, and shelter. Very few luxuries such as a radio or TV. Those making more than the 50 cents a day could afford more luxuries and would be the middle class.

Now, as an American GI, I was making a lot more than 50 cents a day and would be considered very rich by Thai standards, but as a low ranking GI, I was barely making it by American standards.

One thing you must remember is that Thai standards and American standards are not the same. So rich Thais (by their standards) were poor (by American standards) but lived very well by their standards. They were as happy and contented as rich Americans were.

By the way, I love Thailand and the Thai people and would like to go back for a visit some day.

I think you're failing to see the big picture. Wal-Mart runs small businesses into the ground, simply because they can't compete with their outrageously-low prices. Then, with all the profits they make, they still don't pay their employees worthy wages, nor do they give them benefits.

I'm going to have to argue with you about the wages and benefits. I worked for Wal-Mart a few years back. I had benefits in the first 30 days and I made more working for them than I did working at any other job up until the current one.

That is just about the most nonsensical arguement I have ever seen. If this was true, no one in the states would want high paying jobs, as it increases their chances of being mugged, burglarized, carjacked, murdered etc, for their money.

And neither would anyone else in any other country. :)

I'm going to have to argue with you about the wages and benefits. I worked for Wal-Mart a few years back. I had benefits in the first 30 days and I made more working for them than I did working at any other job up until the current one.

Good for you. Through hard work and dedication, you are working your way up the pay scale. You will be a success.

how do they get that stuff cheap to begin with? Is it Wal-Mart's fault they exploid the desparity of third world countries and continuously circumvent paying their employees overtime?

Another thing. I always got paid for my overtime. And I never had to fight to get my 40 hours a week. Now, the Wal-Mart I worked at may have just been the exception to the rule, but I don't think so. I know several people that work at different Wal-Marts that don't have any problems with them whatsoever. Yes, they are the face of big business. If you don't like it, open your own store and sell cheaper.

Good for you. Through hard work and dedication, you are working your way up the pay scale. You will be a success.

Eh, I wouldn't go as far as to say I did well through working hard. I work in market research, now. And that's the easiest job in the world, so long as you aren't a total idiot.

Another thing. I always got paid for my overtime. And I never had to fight to get my 40 hours a week. Now, the Wal-Mart I worked at may have just been the exception to the rule, but I don't think so. I know several people that work at different Wal-Marts that don't have any problems with them whatsoever. Yes, they are the face of big business. If you don't like it, open your own store and sell cheaper.
too bad that's impossible. Well it looks like you're in the lucky minority!

http://www.lieffcabraser.com/wal-mart.htm

congratulations :D

I am an employee and customer of the wal and it's really not that bad. I get a good competitive wage and am treated very well. I did get a kick of the "we're not anti-union, we're pro-associate" video I got to watch after being hired.

I loved that video. The way I always described Wal-Mart's policy in there is "We're not anti-union...but if you even think of joining one we will fire your ass in a heartbeat.
That kind of bugs me, personally. I don't like that they're anti-union. But, I've found no union places will hire me due to my long hair. So, them being against unions worked out for me.

That's not at all true. Of course some small businessess will benefit; those that don't sell the stuff Wal Mart does, but why would anyone buy a shirt from my store for $30 when they could get a similar shirt for $10 at Wal Mart? Their efficient supply line definately plays a role in their low costs (you've been watching too much TV :) ) but it's the 10 cents an hour they pay Bangladeshis to sew the pants together, it's the 14 hour work days they are forced to endure, but worst of all, it's Wal Mart not forcing these sweatshops to raise their workers' wages...all to save you money.

I don't remember Wal-Mart even having their own clothing brand. So, all those sweat shops...blame them on Levi, Wrangler, or whoever the company that produces them.

I don't remember Wal-Mart even having their own clothing brand. So, all those sweat shops...blame them on Levi, Wrangler, or whoever the company that produces them.
yes....and Wal :) Mart is supposed to inspect the factories and make sure there are no human rights violations, and when frontline or nightline or dateline or whatever the ---line shows went in with undercover cameras they found violations by the score.

and that's not even my point...
it's Wal :) Mart that forces these companies to provide incredibly low prices wholesale, and those companies must turn to cheap labor and fail to pay them adequate wages.

"We're not anti-union"? That contradicts what happened in Quebec when Wal-Mart closes its Jonquiere store six months after the employees won union certification.

Yeah, I remember hearing about that. Hey, means you don't have to have a Wal-Mart in your town, doesn't it? I remember one of the assistant managers at the one I was at joined the union and started soliciting employees about it. He was not only fired, but he was banned from the store.

Nah, I like Target better anyways.

I dunno. I worked at Target, too. I saw a lot more questionable practices when it came to employees. Everyone I know that's worked at Target saw the same thing as me. Every three months, they hire almost an entirely new staff. At the end of that staff's three months, about 9 out of 10 are fired. This way, they don't have to offer benefits or raises. They also paid just the bare minimum wage. Generally uncool.

Point blank: Wal-Mart's merchandise is made by people who subsist on slave wages and live in abject poverty. Every week, a funeral takes place in China's Pearl River valley because yet another teenage or younger worker had died from unsafe industrial conditions or from the simple ravages of a life of brutally hard work supported by nothing more than poverty level resources. The children who are forced into making these cheap, worthless products do not go to school. Even if they survive to adulthood, what kind of opportunites really await them?

If you shop at Wal-Mart and other so called big box stores, you are contributing to one of the worst offenders in slave labor goods trafficking. If that thought gives you no crisis of conscience whatsoever, I think you need to re-examine exactly what kind of person you are.

Eh, I wouldn't go as far as to say I did well through working hard. I work in market research, now. And that's the easiest job in the world, so long as you aren't a total idiot.

Do not sell yourself short. My job is easy most of the time but I have 44 years experience in the subject area. It can be very challenging at times because of the blitzkrieg march of technology in my field. (Avionics = Aviation Electronics)

Keep up the hard work and positive attitude and you will do well.

Point blank: Wal-Mart's merchandise is made by people who subsist on slave wages and live in abject poverty. Every week, a funeral takes place in China's Pearl River valley because yet another teenage or younger worker had died from unsafe industrial conditions or from the simple ravages of a life of brutally hard work supported by nothing more than poverty level resources. The children who are forced into making these cheap, worthless products do not go to school. Even if they survive to adulthood, what kind of opportunites really await them?

If you shop at Wal-Mart and other so called big box stores, you are contributing to one of the worst offenders in slave labor goods trafficking. If that thought gives you no crisis of conscience whatsoever, I think you need to re-examine exactly what kind of person you are.

I've never heard of you before, GB&F, but this post definitely receives Dobbsworld's highest accolades. Thank you for laying it on the line.

too bad that's impossible. Well it looks like you're in the lucky minority!

http://www.lieffcabraser.com/wal-mart.htm

congratulations :D

Ahem! Excuse me! "Wal-Mart's Alleged Misconduct"
Does the word "Alleged" have any meaning?

<snip>
well, i haven't heard from you in a while :) nice to see you back!

THE NAZZ!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! explain yourself...how could you vote "yes"? Maybe you could give me a more rational argument than the ones I've been given, just because you're liberal. (i thought!!! :eek: )

yes....and Wal :) Mart is supposed to inspect the factories and make sure there are no human rights violations, and when frontline or nightline or dateline or whatever the ---line shows went in with undercover cameras they found violations by the score.

and that's not even my point...
it's Wal :) Mart that forces these companies to provide incredibly low prices wholesale, and those companies must turn to cheap labor and fail to pay them adequate wages.

The sweatshops know when Wal*Mart will be coming, so they try to hide everything. They didn't know about the HIDDEN cameras.

And a few people not shopping at Wal Mart isn't going to make a difference. I don't shop there and they're still going as good as ever. We must boycott Gandhi style!


Ghandi style? I think a tea party would be more appropriate because of the similar circumstances. Although actions like the Boston Tea Party would not be tolerated today..... sad.

Ahem! Excuse me! "Wal-Mart's Alleged Misconduct"
Does the word "Alleged" have any meaning?
no

The sweatshops know when Wal*Mart will be coming, so they try to hide everything. They didn't know about the HIDDEN cameras.
GENIUS!!! ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!

Yeah, I remember hearing about that. Hey, means you don't have to have a Wal-Mart in your town, doesn't it? I remember one of the assistant managers at the one I was at joined the union and started soliciting employees about it. He was not only fired, but he was banned from the store.

He could not have "joined the union" for two reasons. There was no union in place and he was in management. Now, if he was a member of management and he became a union organizer he deserved to be fired. I'll bet the union thought it was hilarious too because management cannot be a union member but they were damn happy he tried to organize the union. If he were not a member of management and was fired for union activities it would have been illegal to fire him and the union would have fought to reinstate him.

Ghandi style? I think a tea party would be more appropriate because of the similar circumstances. Although actions like the Boston Tea Party would not be tolerated today..... sad.

I'm sorry to tell you, but the Boston Tea Party wasn't as great as the history books make it out to be. A bunch of drunk white guys took their shirts off, painted their faces WITH TAR, put loincloths over their pants and tried to throw tea overboard. A lot of them collapsed on the ship from drunkeness, which really blew their cover. And anyone seeing them would've been able to tell it wasn't Indians. "Pitch black face, pasty white body, and expensive pants. It must be an Indian!"

He could not have "joined the union" for two reasons. There was no union in place and he was in management. Now, if he was a member of management and he became a union organizer he deserved to be fired. I'll bet the union thought it was hilarious too because management cannot be a union member but they were damn happy he tried to organize the union. If he were not a member of management and was fired for union activities it would have been illegal to fire him and the union would have fought to reinstate him.

That's what I'd meant to say. He was trying to get employees to join the union, which he knew was in violation to his terms of employment. My mistake.

That is just about the most nonsensical arguement I have ever seen. If this was true, no one in the states would want high paying jobs, as it increases their chances of being mugged, burglarized, carjacked, murdered etc, for their money.

So you're telling me that a man who gets paid $15 an hour, and who's place of work is known, is not more of a tempting target to a mugger than a man who makes $10 an hour? Or a Porsche is the same kind of 'prize' for a carjacker as your average Ford? Ok, it's true that in that case the Porsche would be easier to find, but that ties in with my next point. The difference is that America has laws and semi-effective policing. The kind of places we're talking about are lucky if they have a policeman TO bribe.

Point blank: Wal-Mart's merchandise is made by people who subsist on slave wages and live in abject poverty. Every week, a funeral takes place in China's Pearl River valley because yet another teenage or younger worker had died from unsafe industrial conditions or from the simple ravages of a life of brutally hard work supported by nothing more than poverty level resources. The children who are forced into making these cheap, worthless products do not go to school. Even if they survive to adulthood, what kind of opportunites really await them?

If you shop at Wal-Mart and other so called big box stores, you are contributing to one of the worst offenders in slave labor goods trafficking. If that thought gives you no crisis of conscience whatsoever, I think you need to re-examine exactly what kind of person you are.

So, you blame Wal-Mart for this and not the government of China? Slave wages by whose standards?

I'm sorry to tell you, but the Boston Tea Party wasn't as great as the history books make it out to be. A bunch of drunk white guys took their shirts off, painted their faces WITH TAR, put loincloths over their pants and tried to throw tea overboard. A lot of them collapsed on the ship from drunkeness, which really blew their cover. And anyone seeing them would've been able to tell it wasn't Indians. "Pitch black face, pasty white body, and expensive pants. It must be an Indian!"

Tried to thow tea off? It succeeded seems to me.

If such an act were to be the subject of a copycat, the act would be organized so that it wouldn't be a bunch of drunks. It would take only the strong points of the tea party while leaving the tar alchohol crap behind. It would probably be organized even to avoid athorities when the task is complete. If anyone IS captured I would assume he/she would have an international outcry of support, although I believe I overestimate how strongly the world actually dislikes walmart.


And remember.... history is myth agreed upon.

Walmart is awesome! We have two in our town...well its 20 mins away from me but we are growing and its better for us. We are now getting a target, khols, olive garden, and a few other things. Its really good for growing towns to have them. It brings more people into to see the towns/cities, which in other words, could mean more jobs for the people in those places. Lower unemployment rates...that is good! Walmart is good for those people who can't afford the bigger stores. Sometimes it can be good for stores like this to come in....plus its great to look for walmarts on vacations!!! :confused:

Hey, means you don't have to have a Wal-Mart in your town, doesn't it?

We don't need a Wal-Mart store in Prince Rupert.

Why do we need a Wal-Mart store when we got Zellers in town? :rolleyes:

The sweatshops know when Wal*Mart will be coming, so they try to hide everything. They didn't know about the HIDDEN cameras.

Everyone wants to blame the retailer, Wal-Mart, Target, Bloomingdales, etc. First off, the retailer does not own the factory. If the factory is on the moon, Mars, or China it is probably owned and operated by some local company. The retailer has no control over the local company.

Next, there is the exporter, again a company owned or controlled by someone in the country where the goods are manufactured. Again, the retailer has no control over the exporter.

After that comes the importer. This is probably a company that is owned by someone in the country that is importing the goods. Again, the retailer has no control over the importer.

Next comes the wholesaler who sells to more than one retailer. Again, the retailer has no control over the wholesaler.

Finally comes the retailer who places the goods in the store for sale. Now a customer comes along. The customer either purchases the goods or doesn't. If enough customers don't purchase the goods, the retailer goes out of business and the wholesaler sells them to someone else.

Point #1. Everyone including the person at the bottom of the chain makes money.

Point #2. If Wal-Mart doesn't sell it or goes out of business, someone else will sell it.

Point #3. If no one buys it, everyone goes out of business and the worker who made it and his/her family starve.

So, why are you blaming Wal-Mart or any other retailer anywhere else in the world?

I'm sorry to tell you, but the Boston Tea Party wasn't as great as the history books make it out to be. A bunch of drunk white guys took their shirts off, painted their faces WITH TAR, put loincloths over their pants and tried to throw tea overboard. A lot of them collapsed on the ship from drunkeness, which really blew their cover. And anyone seeing them would've been able to tell it wasn't Indians. "Pitch black face, pasty white body, and expensive pants. It must be an Indian!"

And you found this information in .....?

The difference is that America has laws and semi-effective policing. The kind of places we're talking about are lucky if they have a policeman TO bribe.

And you have lived in or visited how many countries? Do you know what happens to someone who steals in Saudi Arabia? Do you know how the Thai police deal with muggers? Do you know what it is like in a Spanish jail? Please don't make statements when you have no knowledge of the subject.

We don't need a Wal-Mart store in Prince Rupert.

Why do we need a Wal-Mart store when we got Zellers in town? :rolleyes:

If you guys don't want it, don't let it in and nobody should criticize you or applaud you for your decision. You are doing what you think is best for your community and that is what democracy is all about. :fluffle:

We don't need a Wal-Mart store in Prince Rupert.

Why do we need a Wal-Mart store when we got Zellers in town? :rolleyes:

I wouldn't know. Is Zellers comparable to Wal-Mart?

And we got a big tradition of very strong unions here and some high empolyer taxes so maybe Walmart dont think its worth establishing here.
Also, like my country Sweden probably has legal limits on how large a foodstore can be.

Ah, Wal-Mart.

I'm glad it exists. It get rids of those selfish, whiny, crooks also known as "Mom and Pops" stores.

I worked at a small business that was competiting against Wal-mart. We have a Wal-mart in Mississauga (Ontario Canada) in Square One that is close by.

Anywho, story is, I worked at a small toy store that was in this same mall. Their prices were 3x the markup price and couldn't even compete against Wal-mart prices.

Instead of business owner trying to figure something on his own, he decided to pin blame on his employees for his lack of sales (including yours truly). He even shouted at a woman who complained about the barbie prices because she was comparing them to Wal-mart.

Fortunately I left before the place turned down. Small businesses can only exist with Wal-mart around is they sell something that they don't sale. If you can't adapt to the market, you shouldn't be running a business at all.

I'm glad Wal-mart exists. I get my stuff cheap, it pisses greedy small businesses owners off, and it's close by.

http://i.timeinc.net/time/cartoons/20050701/4.jpg

Don't buy Chinese. Not only are you exporting your own nation's jobs, you're increasing global polution (China has 16 of the top 20 polluted cities on Earth and is NOT bound by the Kyoto Treaty), as well as raising the cost to fill your tank.

Canada City']Ah, Wal-Mart.

I'm glad it exists. It get rids of those selfish, whiny, crooks also known as "Mom and Pops" stores.

I worked at a small business that was competiting against Wal-mart. We have a Wal-mart in Mississauga (Ontario Canada) in Square One that is close by.

Anywho, story is, I worked at a small toy store that was in this same mall. Their prices were 3x the markup price and couldn't even compete against Wal-mart prices.

Instead of business owner trying to figure something on his own, he decided to pin blame on his employees for his lack of sales (including yours truly). He even shouted at a woman who complained about the barbie prices because she was comparing them to Wal-mart.

Fortunately I left before the place turned down. Small businesses can only exist with Wal-mart around is they sell something that they don't sale. If you can't adapt to the market, you shouldn't be running a business at all.

I'm glad Wal-mart exists. I get my stuff cheap, it pisses greedy small businesses owners off, and it's close by.

Greed? Try survival: Wal Mart buys in 1000x volumes as compared your store... they can afford to undercut everyone for that reason. :rolleyes:

They got denied in Edmonton and Campbell River as well.

Greed? Try survival: Wal Mart buys in 1000x volumes as compared your store... they can afford to undercut everyone for that reason. :rolleyes:

No shit.

But you think small businesses are freaking messiahs for cities?

They overcharge people, sell at high prices, and couldn't really care less about the customer. And when they do start failing, they blame their own customers, the goverment, and corporations.

We also had a bookstore in Toronto, few years back, that had a sign listing the troubles the store had. I guess he forgot to mention that selling *used* books for like 10 or 20 dollars was probably one of the reasons why Chapters (big book store) owned him.

If I could run a business, it would near Wal-mart. All I have to do is sell something that Wal-mart doesn't sell and have a good price.

Canada City']No shit.

But you think small businesses are freaking messiahs for cities?

Messiahs? Heck no. But they can't leverage their size to ruin other businesses in most cases. For example, Coliseum Books of Manhattan's never put anybody out of business...

Canada City']They overcharge people, sell at high prices, and couldn't really care less about the customer. And when they do start failing, they blame their own customers, the goverment, and corporations.

Really? You looked at what they pay for rent, insurance, utilities, etc? I worked for the same small business for 4 years during college. We sold luggage, wallets, attaches and such at 3 locations. Our prices were generally the same as the bigger chains (JCPenny, whatever), give or take.

Canada City']We also had a bookstore in Toronto, few years back, that had a sign listing the troubles the store had. I guess he forgot to mention that selling *used* books for like 10 or 20 dollars was probably one of the reasons why Chapters (big book store) owned him.

I won't deny that there are unscrupulous people out there. But in general, they don't survive for long in business. That doesn't make what WalMart does good by comparison.

Canada City']If I could run a business, it would near Wal-mart. All I have to do is sell something that Wal-mart doesn't sell and have a good price.

You'll be out of business in a year. WalMart will sell anything, and will import it for almost nothing from China while they're at it. As long as they are uncheck, American retail is screwed.

Canada City']I'm glad Wal-mart exists. I get my stuff cheap, it pisses greedy small businesses owners off, and it's close by.
So where do you work now?

There is a Wal-Mart in my city. I deliberately choose not to shop there. That's my choice, isn't it? To support stores that put more money into my community, that are better community partners, that have employee-friendly business practices (etc)?

*...snip

And I also donate to a number of NGOs, such as the Red Cross and World Vision, so don't accuse me of not taking an interest in improving the quality of life for people outside of my immediate community.

Did you even read what you responded to? Sure, it's your choice not to shop at Wal-mart. But don't criticize those who do, and don't even begin to pretend you are morally superior to anyone who does. And I'm not sure who accused you of not taking an interest in people outside your immediate community.

In case you've forgotten...

Losing jobs due to increases in efficiency is a GOOD thing, not a bad one. It merely means that more jobs are created in other sectors due to a freer flow of money and less deadweight loss.

A kneejerk fear of losing jobs is one reason why the European economy sucks so badly right now.

In case you've forgotten...

Losing jobs due to increases in efficiency is a GOOD thing, not a bad one. It merely means that more jobs are created in other sectors due to a freer flow of money and less deadweight loss.

A kneejerk fear of losing jobs is one reason why the European economy sucks so badly right now.

That's true if it's an efficiency loss. In the case of Wal Mart, it's not efficency, it's substitution for sweatshops that are government subsidized...

You'll be out of business in a year. WalMart will sell anything, and will import it for almost nothing from China while they're at it. As long as they are uncheck, American retail is screwed.


Pool Tables? Darts? Sports merchandise? Novelty adult gifts? Computer repair store? Sex shop?

Hell, I could probably run an arcade there. Wal-mart does attract the family audience, and what better way for lazy parents to do their thing in wal-mart then to send their kids to an arcade?