I Love Walmart!
FYI Walmart still dose this. 50% of the cashiers take your word for it, on food and small items, as long as you don't claim over 40% again half of them will take your word for it. Some cashiers, usually the older ones will crack out current adds to keep you honest. If you have an add then u can get things for 90% off.Quote: konceptumSome WalMart's still allow this, but in a limited fashion. One employee that I spoke with told me that the higher level cashiers are informed that if the match amount the customer mentions "seems" legitimate, to go ahead and do it. I really couldn't get much more out of him on the subject. Would love to talk to a manager to see what the official policies are. I'm not a shopper at WalMart, other than once a year to use up a gift card I receive regularly at Christmas. However, at Target, I have seen cashiers approve a matched price based upon a customer's say so.
My GF is good at this, she gets all the adds and coupons and remembers everything. She still makes a list writes it all down and brings all the adds to make it go smooth and fast.
Sometimes you get a cashier that checks everything on your adds, this time the cashier did. People behind you in line cant stand this. Some 50 year old guy actually called the cops out because he was getting impatient. He started making snarky comments. she said nothing, until he pushed her her cart forward. She then said, "don't touch my cart and mind our own fing business."
I was in the front re bagging(she is picky, cold with cold only, Nothing better be smashed) and putting things in a second cart. I walked back and asked her, what's the problem? he promptly called 911.
Cops came, they talked to management and the cashier. I hear the cop tell him, "that's not what 911 is for." the asshat then said, "she threatened me." Cop told him that was not the story he was getting from everyone.
management gave us a a $25 gift card.
Quote: EvenBobI started this thread a year and a half ago and
I still love Walmart. They dropped the amount
you have to buy from $50 to $35 to get free
shipping. Ordered all my pet supplies for the
month on Monday and they were on my deck this
afternoon. Brings tears to my eyes.
The nice thing about spending $40 on pet food is,
I can order a bunch of other stuff, like canned
goods and bulk paper towels, anything, and it's
shipped free with the pet food. I even ordered
a CO2 pistol for my brother for Xmas.
Did you throw in the laser site?
Is it for pest control?
I gave mine away.
Quote: petroglyph
Is it for pest control?
I gave mine away.
Squirrels. They get into the attic and run around and
make noise in the winter. He has a dozen hand guns,
and an air rifle. It's too big, he needs a fast shooting
pellet hand gun.
Quote: AxelWolfSome 50 year old guy actually called the cops out because he was getting impatient. He started making snarky comments. she said nothing, until he pushed her her cart forward. She then said, "don't touch my cart and mind our own fing business." ... he promptly called 911...Cops came, they talked to management and the cashier. I hear the cop tell him, "that's not what 911 is for." the asshat then said, "she threatened me." Cop told him that was not the story he was getting from everyone.
I love stories about assholes being put in their place.
Bravo!
FWIW, I have been known to "put someone in their place" when the situation arises.
Fun stuff, so long as I don't get shot or stabbed.
Quote: EvenBobSquirrels. They get into the attic and run around and
make noise in the winter. He has a dozen hand guns,
and an air rifle. It's too big, he needs a fast shooting
pellet hand gun.
I bought a pretty nice one, don't remember the brand. They advertise about 6-7 hundred fps. That may be true for the first 10 or 15 rounds fired than the velocity drops off rapidly along with accuracy. You aren't supposed to store them with the co2 cartridge in them so it's always a PITA and sometimes they leak. I like the single shot longer barrel one pump pellet guns better, the pests don't stick around for a second shot anyway.
I think it must be a safety feature or something but the trigger pull was probably around 10 pounds, just couldn't keep in on a target 20 feet away, you just about had to aim a foot to the left shooting right handed.
We had those little red squirrels. Glorified rats is all they are. I think you can use rat traps on them pretty well or just poison them out with decon.
Did you know those little bastards eat birds? My wife was sticking up for the squirrels until an article in the paper and also witnessing their meat eating habits.
Quote: EvenBobSquirrels. They get into the attic and run around and
make noise in the winter. He has a dozen hand guns,
and an air rifle. It's too big, he needs a fast shooting
pellet hand gun.
Best thing to do is patch up the holes they are getting in. I had the problem when I lived in Maryland. Figured out how they were getting in. Took a broom handle to the ceiling scaring them out then patched up the hole with metal wire mesh. Gotta keep them out because they knaw on everything. Their teeth are constantly growing so they have to knaw. They will eventually totally trash an attic due to the constant knawing.
where they get in. The house is built completely
of oak, the 2 by 6's and 2 by 4's are oak, the
floors are oak, all the lumber is oak. This is W
MI, we were the oak center of the world, it
was dirt cheap in the 1880's and there was a
sawmill 1 mile from here. The oak is now like iron,
if you try and drive a nail in it, you can't. No
squirrel is going to gnaw it. There are all oak
buildings in London built in the 1600's that are
still there and fine structurally. Who knows how
long they'll last, a thousand years maybe.
Quote: MrVI love stories about assholes being put in their place.
Bravo!
FWIW, I have been known to "put someone in their place" when the situation arises.
Fun stuff, so long as I don't get shot or stabbed.
The shot or stabbed thing is the problem.
My wife likes to let people know how she feels and I figure we will be shot one day. We were at a movie theater in a not so good part of town and people were on the phone and being loud. She says something to them and I thought we were going to be shot.
Speaking of guns and WalMart..Quote: petroglyph
Did you throw in the laser site?
Is it for pest control?
I gave mine away.
A responsible gun owner was in a WalMart in Iowa a couple of weeks ago and accidentally let a slug of freedom fly. No one was hurt except a can of beans but you'd think that would be worthy of a report to the local constabulary by the freedom loving American. After all, we know that guns are safe and any unthinkably rare accidental discharge event like this would be worth telling someone about.
Anyway, I bought a $150 vacuum cleaner from Wal-Mart, took it home, got it out of the box...and discovered that it's not only an entirely different (and much cheaper) brand, but almost certainly it is a used one. I get it back into the box, take it back to the Wal-Mart, explain why am I returning it...and they take it back (and cancel the credit card charge), no questions asked. That's "no questions" such as, "Did you really think you could get away with the old 'return your old vacuum cleaner so you would get a new one for free' con?"
Quote: s2dbakerSpeaking of guns and WalMart..Quote: petroglyph
Did you throw in the laser site?
Is it for pest control?
I gave mine away.
A responsible gun owner was in a WalMart in Iowa a couple of weeks ago and accidentally let a slug of freedom fly. No one was hurt except a can of beans but you'd think that would be worthy of a report to the local constabulary by the freedom loving American. After all, we know that guns are safe and any unthinkably rare accidental discharge event like this would be worth telling someone about.
I'm not really sure what your point is? I'm not an expert myself, but I read your link and some typical question come to mind. You have mentioned responsible gun owners in the past.
My thoughts right away are you can't fix stupid. I'm a revolver man myself, first two rounds are birdshot. My intentions would be to diffuse a threatening situation and not to apply deadly force if at all possible. You can take a hammer to the hammer on my 38 and it won't accidently fire a round and usually the one up top is empty anyway.
If you want to carry a gun in your pants and not a holster I think .45's are physically too large and I hate to see lint get caught in the slide or trigger of the autos. Personal preference. I also decided a long time ago it wasn't worth shooting someone for material possessions, another personal choice. I've even taken to using pepper spray in some defense applications.
In case that doesn't do the job, my 8 round assault 12 gauge is pretty bad ass. But even with a pistol grip it's a little big for Walmart but who knows?
Quote: ThatDonGuyI have a Wal-Mart story of my own, but I'm not sure if it's a "gee, look how nice they are" story or a "they can be taken advantage of by the wrong people" story...
Anyway, I bought a $150 vacuum cleaner from Wal-Mart, took it home, got it out of the box...and discovered that it's not only an entirely different (and much cheaper) brand, but almost certainly it is a used one. I get it back into the box, take it back to the Wal-Mart, explain why am I returning it...and they take it back (and cancel the credit card charge), no questions asked. That's "no questions" such as, "Did you really think you could get away with the old 'return your old vacuum cleaner so you would get a new one for free' con?"
A lot of these stores (and most likely Walmart) keep track of how many returns are done by the same person to stop possible abuse. And the clerks are suppose to check returned merchandise for a switch like that. (putting a cheaper or used item in the box and returning it)
But I've never had a problem with a return there. But I return something maybe once a year.
Quote: ThatDonGuyI have a Wal-Mart story of my own, but I'm not sure if it's a "gee, look how nice they are" story or a "they can be taken advantage of by the wrong people" story...
Anyway, I bought a $150 vacuum cleaner from Wal-Mart, took it home, got it out of the box...and discovered that it's not only an entirely different (and much cheaper) brand, but almost certainly it is a used one. I get it back into the box, take it back to the Wal-Mart, explain why am I returning it...and they take it back (and cancel the credit card charge), no questions asked. That's "no questions" such as, "Did you really think you could get away with the old 'return your old vacuum cleaner so you would get a new one for free' con?"
Once, I bought a Dyson at Walmart. When I took it out, all of the accessories and the canister were brand new, but the vacuum itself was used and when I checked the filter to figure out why it wasn't working, there was about half an inch of pet hair that decompressed. When I took it back, they accused me of switching out the vacuum. They only had a floor model left, and they refused to exchange mine, stating that the other one was missing accessories. I tried to tell them that I had all brand new accessories and that I only needed to switch out the main unit. After about 45 minutes of arguing, they refunded my money. I was so pissed that I went to Target and bought a Bissell.
There are people who buy a bathig suit for the summer, wear it, then return it in sept...saying its defective.
Same for clothes for their children.
Same for dresses to be used once for a wedding or graduation
We all pay for it of course as we do for shoplifting
its all included in the prices we pay for items.
No one said a word when supermarkets started having their own deli's. own fresh bakery, own pharmacy, own seafood dept, selling greeting cards and mptor oil.
where are the old butcher shops, the old vegtable and fruit stands, the odl corner drugstore, the old bakery. We voted with our feet and let them all go outof business. We love the convenience and prices....and all those businesses went away.
Now walmart does the same thing and all of a sudden they are evil to some folks.
Now on the news, they are evil for opening early on thanksgiving. Hell people want gas stations to be open....they dont complain about the poor gas station attendants. Cant everyone just friggen stay home for the day and help out those gas station people?
This is a joke, right? I get it! You say that it's nice to see a thread where no one mentions all the crappy stuff that WalMart does and then you itemize all the crappy stuff that WalMart does by preemptively defending it.Quote: LarrySAlso, its nice to see a thread that doesnt bash walmart as the evil killer of local business..
I couldn't have done it better myself. Well played LarryS, well played.
Quote: s2dbakerThis is a joke, right? I get it! You say that it's nice to see a thread where no one mentions all the crappy stuff that WalMart does and then you itemize all the crappy stuff that WalMart does by preemptively defending it.
I couldn't have done it better myself. Well played LarryS, well played.
I wasn't sure if it was sarcasm or not?
For a while there he was posting tips for advantage plays at WM with the return after using suggestions so when the second post came out I thought he might go into how the Walton family [5] members has more wealth than the bottom 40% of Americans combined.
Then I was afraid that he might say something about the two garment factories in Bangladesh burning to death over 1400 worker's with the fire doors locked and kids chained to their work stations. I'm sure glad he didn't go there, and instead brought up the low prices for crappy products.
He almost said something about 85% of WM workers on federal aid because of the low prices that put the neighborhood stores out of business who were paying decent wages and workers having to pay their own way.
I bet he didn't know that WM workers in other countries are unionized though? That would irritate some I'm sure. I like the part where he says no one complained when all the local store owners went out of business when chain stores started carrying similar products. I think it may have occurred that many were complaining but really no one was listening. Similar to that old argument about "I didn't complain when they came for the trade unionists" thing.
So I wasn't really sure if he was being facetious or not? But if he really was glad someone didn't bash WM, I don't particularly like them and avoid them like the plague. It's just part of the wealth extraction model going on as my country devolves into a third world status, but at least there are cheap clothes at Walmart.
FYI, You must show ID when you return things at Walmart with no sales slip, unless its under $10 max is $100, it gets logged in the computer and you get flagged. You can only return 3 times in 9 months with no sales slip. If its over $10 You wont get cash back you only get a gift card (some are slightly different).Quote: LarrySthere are people who scam the system. They buy an appliance, use it for 2 years, then buy a new one, very carefully open the box, exchange the unit, and professionally seal/table/glue the box together and return for a refund. It all looks good. WHen they return it..no one is going to rip open the box...that would hurt the resale possibility.
There are people who buy a bathig suit for the summer, wear it, then return it in sept...saying its defective.
Same for clothes for their children.
Same for dresses to be used once for a wedding or graduation
We all pay for it of course as we do for shoplifting
it's all included in the prices we pay for items.
Quote: petroglyphI wasn't sure if it was sarcasm or not?
For a while there he was posting tips for advantage plays at WM with the return after using suggestions so when the second post came out I thought he might go into how the Walton family [5] members has more wealth than the bottom 40% of Americans combined.
Then I was afraid that he might say something about the two garment factories in Bangladesh burning to death over 1400 worker's with the fire doors locked and kids chained to their work stations. I'm sure glad he didn't go there, and instead brought up the low prices for crappy products.
He almost said something about 85% of WM workers on federal aid because of the low prices that put the neighborhood stores out of business who were paying decent wages and workers having to pay their own way.
I bet he didn't know that WM workers in other countries are unionized though? That would irritate some I'm sure. I like the part where he says no one complained when all the local store owners went out of business when chain stores started carrying similar products. I think it may have occurred that many were complaining but really no one was listening. Similar to that old argument about "I didn't complain when they came for the trade unionists" thing.
So I wasn't really sure if he was being facetious or not? But if he really was glad someone didn't bash WM, I don't particularly like them and avoid them like the plague. It's just part of the wealth extraction model going on as my country devolves into a third world status, but at least there are cheap clothes at Walmart.
Perfect, petro. Thanks for putting this out there. It doesn't stop with competing with store owners, though. As mickeycrimm noted, they are famous for subsidizing the price of things in a new store by charging more in established stores and leveraging the price through volume until everyone else is bankrupted out, and then raising the prices back up.
They are also famous for driving great manufacturers out of business; long story there, but they make a volume commitment, have the manufacturer turn down any other sales in order to fill their orders, then refuse to pay the price they negotiated. They're full of ugly tricks on the supply side, just quieter about it.
Sam was all about Buy American, bring great products to the rural areas with volume discounts. It has become so corrupted from his concept, with them driving American manufacturing overseas or out of business, he must be spinning in his grave.
and Thinking dam why didn't I think of thatQuote: beachbumbabshe must be spinning in his grave.
Quote: beachbumbabs
They are also famous for driving great manufacturers out of business
A concept they certainly didn't invent. John Rockefeller became
the richest man in the world by putting his competition out of
business, god rest his soul. I love Walmart, though I don't love
the stores. I love shopping online, I love their prices, I love
their policies.
I read a book a couple years ago, It was called "Deer hunting with Jesus" By Joe Bageant it was an enjoyable read.
One of the chapters was about what WM did to Rubbermaid, who manufactured from down around your country. The book wasn't about hunting at all it was more about labor.
Family's around Virginia [I know that's not Florida] had worked for the Rubbermaid factory [for generations] and although not big wages they were middle class worker's until like you said demands from WM pushed manufacturing overseas.
Does anyone remember how good Rubbermaid products used to be? They were great, replaced with plastic crap, which is now about the same price.
Quote: petroglyphThanks Babs,
I read a book a couple years ago, It was called "Deer hunting with Jesus" By Joe Bageant it was an enjoyable read.
One of the chapters was about what WM did to Rubbermaid, who manufactured from down around your country. The book wasn't about hunting at all it was more about labor.
Family's around Virginia [I know that's not Florida] had worked for the Rubbermaid factory [for generations] and although not big wages they were middle class worker's until like you said demands from WM pushed manufacturing overseas.
Does anyone remember how good Rubbermaid products used to be? They were great, replaced with plastic crap, which is now about the same price.
The Rubbermaid story was one specific example I was referring to. They ruined that company, as you said. Then took the name with the quality reputation and glued it onto cheap plastic crap that cost 1/50th to make and lasted 1/50th as long. I still have Rubbermaid kitchen items from 40 years ago that work just as well as ever.
Quote: AxelWolfFYI, You must show ID when you return things at Walmart with no sales slip, unless its under $10 max is $100, it gets logged in the computer and you get flagged. You can only return 3 times in 9 months with no sales slip. If its over $10 You wont get cash back you only get a gift card (some are slightly different).
believe me, the people who use items and then return them have receipts.
and there is no way to trace a perfectly sealed appliance box to figure out who returned it when someone buys it and finds a used item in it.
different family members can return appliances...different dresses...
yes they have some sort of controls in place....but still it doesnt deter the people who know how to use the system
and we all pay for it
Since when dose Walmart have a 2 year return policy?Quote: LarrySbelieve me, the people who use items and then return them have receipts.
and there is no way to trace a perfectly sealed appliance box to figure out who returned it when someone buys it and finds a used item in it.
different family members can return appliances...different dresses...
yes they have some sort of controls in place....but still it doesnt deter the people who know how to use the system
and we all pay for it
Quote: s2dbakerThis is a joke, right? I get it! You say that it's nice to see a thread where no one mentions all the crappy stuff that WalMart does and then you itemize all the crappy stuff that WalMart does by preemptively defending it.
Ivvvvvoid
Quote: s2dbakerThis is a joke, right? I get it! You say that it's nice to see a thread where no one mentions all the crappy stuff that WalMart does and then you itemize all the crappy stuff that WalMart does by preemptively defending it.
I couldn't have done it better myself. Well played LarryS, well played.
didnt mention any "crappy stuff"
Before supermarkers there were grocery stores. Ony had groceries mostly canned goods, some mass produced bread and cakes, the deli was some oscar meyer prepackaged cold cuts.
If you wanted fresh baked goods you went to a bakers, you wanted freshly ground beef you went to a butcher, slice deli..at the deli...and vegies and fruit at the fruit stands(although the grocery stored had some limited amounts of fruits and veggies)
When supermarkets provided all those items under one roof at a good price...those individualstores went out of business.
They went out of business not because of the supermarkets...it was because WE THE CONSUMER decided to walk away and forgoe the individual attention we got at the butcher and bakery....in exchange for convenience and better price. We were even willing to sacrifice some quality in favor of convenience and better pricing.
If the consumers cared about the buther and the baker they would have stayed with them thru thick and thin. But they didnt. So these same people cannot complain when walmart does the exact same thing.
Now the supermarkets are in the same position as the old butcher and baker. They are the hunted instead of the hunter
And the consumer is again voting with their purse. They are forgoing the smaller supermarkets, for the impersonal warehouse big box stores and impersonal internet shopping.....again for convnience and price
In the end people in the old days knew their butcher by name, new the family, trusted the guy...but when presented with conveneince and better pricing..they waived goodbye. Even if they didnt get the exact same great cuts of meat elsewhere....convenience and pricing rule as long as the quality is good enough for them.
So really walmart has only done what supermarkets did in the 70's and 80'....except walmart is doing it better. And for this they get slammed.
The consumer majority has spoken with their wallets..... Walmart like the supermarkets just offered the products and the convenience...and the public decides the rest.
Quote: beachbumbabs
The Rubbermaid story was one specific example I was referring to. They ruined that company, .
BooHoo, it's called capitalism, works everywhere it's been
tried. If they could have stayed in business, they would
have. Times change, things change. Cars put the buggy
whip companies out of business. Radio and movies ruined
Vaudeville. Electric lights put kerosene lamps under. Pop
top beer cans sunk the church key business, and Walmart
bought Rubbermaid. The world moves on.
How about this. I drank Strohs Beer forever and then it
changed. It was 'fire brewed' and had a distinctive flavor.
They changed the process because of the cost involved.
It was decades ago, I have yet to get over it. Shit happens.
Quote: AxelWolfSince when dose Walmart have a 2 year return policy?
who discussed a 2 year return policy?
mommy buys a upright vacuum today and uses the hell out of it for 2 years. Its getting worn out so she goes to buy a new one. She carefully opens the box, makes a switch, seals the box very professionaly with glue so its a tight closure.....and then brings it back for a refund"unopened". She bought it brand new yesterday and realized she didnt need it...oops. She gets her money back and the use of the appliance for another 2 years.
Buy a bathing suit in july, wear the hell out of it for 2 months..then bring it back as damaged "i washed it once and look what happened to it"
I have seen people do this with childrens clothes...a kid gets into a fight at school, shreds the knees on his pants..and its brought back "look at the poor quaity" for money back or an exchange
Infants cloths that they outgrow in a few months...very populat return item..after it is worn for a couple months
A woman needs a dress for her 3rd cousins wedding. She doesnt like theperson and doesnt want to go, but has to go due tofamily pressures...she buys a dress, wears it once..returns it with some damage or "it doesnt fit right".
none of these examples involve 2 year return policy
How do you think the people here found used appliances in their boxes? Its because people cheat the system.
And like I said..this along with the cost of shop lifting and internal theft...is included in the price of the items we buy.
Quote: LarrySdidnt mention any "crappy stuff"
Before supermarkers there were grocery stores. Ony had groceries mostly canned goods, some mass produced bread and cakes, the deli was some oscar meyer prepackaged cold cuts.
If you wanted fresh baked goods you went to a bakers, you wanted freshly ground beef you went to a butcher, slice deli..at the deli...and vegies and fruit at the fruit stands(although the grocery stored had some limited amounts of fruits and veggies)
When supermarkets provided all those items under one roof at a good price...those individualstores went out of business.
They went out of business not because of the supermarkets...it was because WE THE CONSUMER decided to walk away and forgoe the individual attention we got at the butcher and bakery....in exchange for convenience and better price. We were even willing to sacrifice some quality in favor of convenience and better pricing.
If the consumers cared about the buther and the baker they would have stayed with them thru thick and thin. But they didnt. So these same people cannot complain when walmart does the exact same thing.
Now the supermarkets are in the same position as the old butcher and baker. They are the hunted instead of the hunter
And the consumer is again voting with their purse. They are forgoing the smaller supermarkets, for the impersonal warehouse big box stores and impersonal internet shopping.....again for convnience and price
In the end people in the old days knew their butcher by name, new the family, trusted the guy...but when presented with conveneince and better pricing..they waived goodbye. Even if they didnt get the exact same great cuts of meat elsewhere....convenience and pricing rule as long as the quality is good enough for them.
So really walmart has only done what supermarkets did in the 70's and 80'....except walmart is doing it better. And for this they get slammed.
The consumer majority has spoken with their wallets..... Walmart like the supermarkets just offered the products and the convenience...and the public decides the rest.
Sorry, not buying this theory. Walmart doesn't do it better. They only do it cheaper. They have no customer service, pay the least they can, get rid of people with too much time in the job rather than pay raises, so none of their clerks knows anything about their products. They have no interest in supporting their manufacturers or their communities, worrying about quality products, or building any long-term investments in this country's well-being. And everything else that just got said so I'm not going to reiterate. But there's nothing "better" about Walmart at all.
..says the guy who started this thread over at DT without a shred if self-awareness.Quote: EvenBobThe world moves on
Quote: EvenBobBooHoo, it's called capitalism, works everywhere it's been
tried. If they could have stayed in business, they would
have. Times change, things change. Cars put the buggy
whip companies out of business. Radio and movies ruined
Vaudeville. Electric lights put kerosene lamps under. Pop
top beer cans sunk the church key business, and Walmart
bought Rubbermaid. The world moves on.
How about this. I drank Strohs Beer forever and then it
changed. It was 'fire brewed' and had a distinctive flavor.
They changed the process because of the cost involved.
It was decades ago, I have yet to get over it. Shit happens.
Yes part of capitalism is allowing failure, actually a big part of it. What is happening now isn't capitalism, lots of other words for it. In your description of capitalism where does the government paying medical and other benefits to WM employees fit in? Where does the offshoring of billions of dollars in tax havens fit in along with enormous campaign contributions?
You go off the rails when someone wants to offer you less than 100% for some old furniture you are trying to sell, which would to me look like capitalism, but when a megacorp destroys community after community with subsidized workers and sells inferior products you think that is progress? Have you noticed many Walmart workers looking to buy antiques from you at 100% lately? You seem so willing to cut any ones throat to save you a dime and when it comes to your money you are upset, don't you see the dichotomy.
Quote: beachbumbabsBut there's nothing "better" about Walmart at all.
Sure there is. I can get the stuff I want at rock
bottom prices, and it's delivered to my door
free of charge. As a savvy customer, that's all
I'm concerned with. That's what commerce is
all about, good products at lower prices. So a
few toes get stepped on in the process, so what.
The concept of Walmart is brilliant. It's a jewel
in the crown of capitalism.
Quote: beachbumbabsSorry, not buying this theory. Walmart doesn't do it better. They only do it cheaper. They have no customer service, pay the least they can, get rid of people with too much time in the job rather than pay raises, so none of their clerks knows anything about their products. They have no interest in supporting their manufacturers or their communities, worrying about quality products, or building any long-term investments in this country's well-being. And everything else that just got said so I'm not going to reiterate. But there's nothing "better" about Walmart at all.
so what if walmart doesnt give customer service. The consumers know this. The consumer has voted with their wallets that they dont care if people gives them a phoney smile, says have a nice day, or knows them by name. They dont want to go to the butcher who asked about your trip to Italy, they dont want to go to the bakery that had the greatest strawbery shortcake ever thursday. They dont care about that stuff. They voted that they want price and convenience.
With the internet they dont need anyones "expertise".....they can research things themselves and then go buy it cheaper at the impersonal big box stores or the even more impersonal internet.
It used to be I would go to my closer local 7-11 and just get milk or bread if needed during the week...and go to the supermarket for a bigger shopping.
Now I go to my supermarket 1 mile from my house once or twice a week for incidentals and save my bigger shopping for walmart.
..five miles away once a week
Quote: petroglyph
You go off the rails when someone wants to offer you less than 100% for some old furniture you are trying to sell
Absolutely untrue. I said I'm offended if they offer
HALF what the price is. I also said I consider offers
in the 10% to 15% off range. Please don't make up
things I never said. And if Walmart offends you,
DON'T SHOP THERE! It's still a kinda sorta free
country, except we're now forced to buy health
insurance even if we don't want or need it.
You can thank the conservative Heritage Foundation for coming up with that idea.Quote: EvenBobIt's still a kinda sorta free
country, except we're now forced to buy health
insurance even if we don't want or need it.
Quote: LarryS
Now I go to my supermarket 1 mile from my house once or twice a week for incidentals and save my bigger shopping for walmart.
..five miles away once a week
Well said. 30 years ago shopping sucked. Now we
have so many alternatives, with companies like
Walmart and so much online. Looking at buying
something? Look it up on Amazon first, I bet
they sell it and have 300 reviews of it. What a
resource. Don't like something you ordered online
from Walmart? Take it to your local store and
get an instant refund. Shopping is now fun and
productive.
Quote: EvenBobWell said. 30 years ago shopping sucked. Now we
have so many alternatives, with companies like
Walmart and so much online. Looking at buying
something? Look it up on Amazon first, I bet
they sell it and have 300 reviews of it. What a
resource. Don't like something you ordered online
from Walmart? Take it to your local store and
get an instant refund. Shopping is now fun and
productive.
True, with the internet now you yourself can figure out which is the best washing machine, toaster, flat screen for your needs. We no longer need the "expertise" of the mom and pop stores. So if I go to a big box store and look to buy a flat screen tv...I dont care if the person knows anything about it. I know the make and model, I know the price it should be, I know i dont want the extended waranty...just ring it up...I will bring it to my car..i dont need help.
You dont have to say "have a nice day". I have already check consumer reports, did my due diligence...and off I go.
For me "customer service" is just ringing it up correctly. I reaaly dont need to be the cashiers friend.
I am not that needy.
I totally agree...in the 60's and 70's and 80's.....customer service was much better than today. But I dont really care.
Yes there are longer lines than the 60's and 70's.....but there is also self check out too...which I love. In and out very fast.
Yes in the 60;s and 70's more retail people knew my name... wellwho cares...its a phoney friendliness that i could do without. No one really cares if i have a nice day....they never did back then, and I suppose they still dont now.
the consu,er has spoken. Walmart just opens their doors. THEY dont drive the competition out of business....WE do when we leave the smaller stores and shop at walmart. We have the power. We make the decision to walk away.
People have to stop saying that walmart comes into communities and drives local business away. They do no such thing. The just open their doors..and the consumer makes the choice to abandon the local business.
As for the rest of the thread, LarryS nailed it pretty well.
Personally I am a Wal-Mart hypocrite. I hate their practices/quality, but I love their prices usually.
Quote: djatcI like the fact some Walmarts are open 24 hours. Recently I haven't gone grocery shopping but I used to live next to a super Walmart which was open 24 hours and had a huge grocery section so I can stock up on food at 2 am.
Until I lived in Atlanta, I always expected "Super Centers" to stay open 24 hours. Once I lived there, I realized customers' safety was more important. In the "nicer" parts of the area, they were 24 hours.
Quote: EvenBobAbsolutely untrue. I said I'm offended if they offer
HALF what the price is. I also said I consider offers
in the 10% to 15% off range. Please don't make up
things I never said. And if Walmart offends you,
DON'T SHOP THERE! It's still a kinda sorta free
country, except we're now forced to buy health
insurance even if we don't want or need it.
You are correct Bob, I went back and looked it was the half price offer that drove you off the rails. My apology's.
I still was fairly close on you going off though, it's always more personal when it hit's close to home.
I shop online on the WM website and very occasionally I go to their store, so I'm guilty.
I don't like the outsourcing to slave wage country's capitalism or not.
Even Ross Perot when he ran in the early nineties stated, " the taxes for the expenses of this country aren't payed by minimum wage earners" [paraphrased]
It still isn't capitalism with the crony government doing favors for the elite, but I don't delude myself to think it's ever been or will be different for any length of time. In your example of Rockefeller [Standard Oil] if the Sherman act hadn't broke them up they would probably own the entire country by now. Not much room left for the hard working enterprising citizen that the country is suppose to protect.
Walmart actually does some things [price/return policy] I approve of. I was still happier with the corner meat market. Walmart killed "swinging" beef in this country. They do plenty I don't like, but I know it won't be going my way any time soon.
Well that's just a lazy employee not doing his job. I have returned many un-opened items to WM in several different states, 99% of the time they open it and look carefully, I'm always annoyed that they wast my time doing this. People who steal cost you money as well.Quote: LarrySwho discussed a 2 year return policy?
mommy buys a upright vacuum today and uses the hell out of it for 2 years. Its getting worn out so she goes to buy a new one. She carefully opens the box, makes a switch, seals the box very professionaly with glue so its a tight closure.....and then brings it back for a refund"unopened". She bought it brand new yesterday and realized she didnt need it...oops. She gets her money back and the use of the appliance for another 2 years.
Buy a bathing suit in july, wear the hell out of it for 2 months..then bring it back as damaged "i washed it once and look what happened to it"
I have seen people do this with childrens clothes...a kid gets into a fight at school, shreds the knees on his pants..and its brought back "look at the poor quaity" for money back or an exchange
Infants cloths that they outgrow in a few months...very populat return item..after it is worn for a couple months
A woman needs a dress for her 3rd cousins wedding. She doesnt like theperson and doesnt want to go, but has to go due tofamily pressures...she buys a dress, wears it once..returns it with some damage or "it doesnt fit right".
none of these examples involve 2 year return policy
How do you think the people here found used appliances in their boxes? Its because people cheat the system.
And like I said..this along with the cost of shop lifting and internal theft...is included in the price of the items we buy.
Quote: AxelWolfWell that's just a lazy employee not doing his job. I have returned many un-opened items to WM in several different states, 99% of the time they open it and look carefully, I'm always annoyed that they wast my time doing this. People who steal cost you money as well.
iF THERE IS A SEALED BOX.....and it looks clean...they are not going to riip it open and then tape it shut. It ruins the chance of reselling it.
They are happy when you return a clean sealed box. Alot of people return a box totally ripped open,..they will have a had time tapeing it up and reselling.
again...its going on because 2 people on this thread already talked about receiving a used small appliance.
its a well known and often used scam
along with the return of clothing I mentioned
people use the system
and as you incorrectly stated..it has nothing to do with a 2 year return policy.
it has nothing to do with lazy workers.
now if u are talking about a 800 dollar flat screen tv totally sealed..i would be surprised if they took a peek inside. But for a 50 dollar toaster in a clean sealed box..it wont happpen, for a 120 dollar vacuum in a perfectly nice clean sealed box...they are not ripping it open.
you obviously have never spent a day working in retail if you think every sealed package is opened.
Heck in pharmacy chains there are people who buy expensive vitamins, empty it out,(replace cheap aspirin tabs inside with cotton) seal it nicely, return a pristine box...with a current receipt...it gets returned to the shelf. You think anyone is ripping the box open to check. No the worker isnt lazy...its just that it cant be sold ripped open.
Quote: petroglyphWalmart actually does some things [price/return policy] I approve of. I was still happier with the corner meat market. Walmart killed "swinging" beef in this country. They do plenty I don't like, but I know it won't be going my way any time soon.
Megacorps are generally why I don't believe in unregulated capitalism. A company like Walmart could undercut virtually any small store by simply selling products at a loss until the small company goes out of business.
That has no advantage to a consumer at all. There is no improved product and no actual lower price in the long run. Just a competitor removed from the consumer.
Quote: rxwineQuote: petroglyphWalmart actually does some things [price/return policy] I approve of. I was still happier with the corner meat market. Walmart killed "swinging" beef in this country. They do plenty I don't like, but I know it won't be going my way any time soon.
Megacorps are generally why I don't believe in unregulated capitalism. A company like Walmart could undercut virtually any small store by simply selling products at a loss until the small company goes out of business.
That has no advantage to a consumer at all. There is no improved product and no actual lower price in the long run. Just a competitor removed from the consumer.
Someone who doesn't understand what "unregulated capitalism" is may grasp some day the damage done. Currently there is somewhere between 700 trillion and one quadrillion of unregulated financial derivatives floating around on the mega banks books. They aren't cross cancelled out. That is why occasionally the term too big to fail TBTF gets tossed around. That's the reason since '08 for the bailouts in the trillions of dollars backed by the full faith and credit of the American people has forever changed the status of the global reserve currency.
Anyway, an example. Locally there were two wonderful mom and pop Mexican food joints. Delicious food, took two hands to hold a burrito. So Taco Bell sets up next to them. They lost just enough customers they couldn't pay the rent and closed. TB sells cheap food, not sure what's in it, but I eat there sometimes.
The point is, the other wonderful food isn't available anywhere at any price. But people can use their ebt cards at Taco Bell. So who wins in this little story?
Not me, not the locals unless getting a taco for a buck is the sole metric of what's important.
Often they undercut the competition for a period of time to get people to patronize their establishment.
So walmat does it...big deal.
From the beginning of time, when a new business moved into town they wanted to get as many customers as possible away from the competition
so walmart does grand opening sales better than anyone else, they have the money to advertise, they have the money to allow big sales
and even when they dont have big sales....consumer go there in droves, for the convenience and regular low prices
If people were willing to stand by their principals they would say "I am staying with the butcher that cut my meat for the last 30 years no matter what"
yet they dont
yet THEY(the consumer) are the reason the butcher went out of business. THEY could have stayed on principal. No one is holding a gun to their head to shop at walmart.
the consumer can at any time reject cheaper prices, reject poorer customer service, reject poorer quality.....but they dont
walmart and others provide people what the consumer wants...prices and conveniece...no frills, no expertise for you to partake.
Quote: petroglyphQuote: rxwineQuote: petroglyphWalmart actually does some things [price/return policy] I approve of. I was still happier with the corner meat market. Walmart killed "swinging" beef in this country. They do plenty I don't like, but I know it won't be going my way any time soon.
Megacorps are generally why I don't believe in unregulated capitalism. A company like Walmart could undercut virtually any small store by simply selling products at a loss until the small company goes out of business.
That has no advantage to a consumer at all. There is no improved product and no actual lower price in the long run. Just a competitor removed from the consumer.
Someone who doesn't understand what "unregulated capitalism" is may grasp some day the damage done. Currently there is somewhere between 700 trillion and one quadrillion of unregulated financial derivatives floating around on the mega banks books. They aren't cross cancelled out. That is why occasionally the term too big to fail TBTF gets tossed around. That's the reason since '08 for the bailouts in the trillions of dollars backed by the full faith and credit of the American people has forever changed the status of the global reserve currency.
Anyway, an example. Locally there were two wonderful mom and pop Mexican food joints. Delicious food, took two hands to hold a burrito. So Taco Bell sets up next to them. They lost just enough customers they couldn't pay the rent and closed. TB sells cheap food, not sure what's in it, but I eat there sometimes.
The point is, the other wonderful food isn't available anywhere at any price. But people can use their ebt cards at Taco Bell. So who wins in this little story?
Not me, not the locals unless getting a taco for a buck is the sole metric of what's important.
Again, in the end the consumer decided. Enough of them decided they wanted lesser quality in exchange for convenience and price.
The same has gone on with mom and pop furniture stores via IKEA.
iKEA is like the walmart of furniture. They offer lower quality, for cheap. People are happy with that exchange...getting something cheaper but lower in quality.
The same thing with pizza. Mom and pops put out of business by the product of pizza hut and round table that tastes like carboard to me.
Pizza has been dumbed down, mexican food has been dumbed down, customer service has been dumbed down.....but the general public has voted that this is what they want and are willing to tolerate a lesser product in exchange for price and convenience.
