BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: M.Ted
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 12:00 AM

I still haven't figured out why someone who is as well off as you claim to be is so fond of the distinctly proletarian WalMart--It isn't exactly a hangout for the Republican Corporate set--

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Amos
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 11:20 AM

Brucie, that is obscene!!! I doubt it costs them $5000 to produce such a report. Awful.


A

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 11:14 AM

I would agree with Dave - Asda and Walmart are very different.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 11:09 AM

I shop at Asda (WalMart in the UK) all the time. Good quality produce. Very good value. Exceptionaly good on 'no quibble' guarantees with 3 years free on TVs and 1 year on other electrical equipment.

I have also known a few people that work there and they unanimously agree it is the best place they have worked at, with flexible hours good pay and prospects and a good management structure. The only thing I have reservations about, but this applies to all large chains and not just Asda, is the damage they do to small suppliers who's profits are forced down and down until they can no longer trade.

I went to a couple of WalMarts in the States and they are as different to Asda as the UK is to the US!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Once Famous
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 11:08 AM

Congratulations to Mudcatters who have the nerve to say they shop at Wal-Mart and not care what some of the Marxist snobs of Mudcat think.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: ejsant
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 06:57 AM

"...and I owe my soul to the company store"

We really haven't gotten to far after all, have we?

Peace,
Ed

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: LilyFestre
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 06:56 AM

I do shop at Walmart. Walmart is the closest store to my home (11 miles). I do shop the sales at the other "nearby" stores when their prices are better.

Do I *like* Walmart? No, not particularly but they do save us money. We haven't had any trouble with "crap" falling apart at all. Even if we did, Walmart will take just about anything back and you can get your money back. They have a store brand food that has an unconditional guarantee....I have used it and was given my money back promptly without a hassle. Most of the store brand stuff has been good (some even better than the name brand), so the occassional return doesn't bother me one bit.

I shop a variety of stores and go quite out of the way to shop them, but when Walmart has better prices, that is where I go and will continue to go.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: GUEST,ragdall
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 06:23 AM

Ragdoll - Union's create jobs in America. When jobs are shipped overseas, the labour force at home suffers.

dianavan,
I agree that is the real concern of the unions.

The literature they were handing out expressed a humanitarian concern about ending the plight of underpaid, and often underaged, workers overseas, by refusing to buy their products.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: dianavan
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 03:22 AM

Ragdoll - Union's create jobs in America. When jobs are shipped overseas, the labour force at home suffers. You must also take into account the cost to the environment in transporting large quantities of goods.

WalMart doesn't care about its workers in the States, why would they care anymore about workers in China? WalMart only cares about profit. They are working very hard to improve their image but you can bet that its only skin deep.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Boab
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 01:32 AM

Been in this small town fifteen years, been in Macdonald's once [with foreign visitors] and never once in Walmart.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: GUEST,ragdall
Date: 11 Apr 05 - 01:23 AM

It isn't easy for two people to live on one old age pension. I shop at any store that has low prices, including Wal*mart. They sell the same brands as other stores, but the prices are lower.

One concept I'm having difficulty understanding is the belief that if we refuse to buy items produced by "slave workers" in an Asian country, it will improve the lives of those workers. If they lose the market for their goods, who will step in and pay the higher wages to those people and how?

North American trade unions are leading the campaign to urge consumers to boycott those goods and buy union made products. Would this not provide, or secure, more jobs for their union members, while denying the "slave laborers" the only livelihood that they have?

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: robomatic
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 11:17 PM

What we need to do is fund overseas union organizers using our profits from Walmart stock.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Peace
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 11:08 PM

For $10,000 you can know what Walmart knows.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: robomatic
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 11:05 PM

I have yet to see a dirty Wal-Mart.

Tonight's latest presentation of the Simpsons contained reference to Homer getting a job at the "Sprawl-Mart" which had a sign out front that said: "If you worked here, you'd be poor now."

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: M.Ted
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 10:26 PM

I hate Walmarts--they tend to be dirty and unpleasant, and the folks who work there tend not to be very motivated to help you out. The prices are competitive, but the savings are often on the line of
WalMart-- $2.97 and the place across the way--$2.99--

The business about WalMart driving out Mom and Pop businesses is dubious--the genius of WalMart was to build an empire by putting stores in all those cookie cuttersprawl areas where there there were 5,000 new housing units built a year with nowhere to shop--

The older, established stores that have been "driven out" have tended to serve older, shrinking, communities, and generally were pretty shaky before WalMart came along--

Like it or not, the simple truth is that the folks who move into the sprawl communities want the stuff that Walmart/Target/Circuit City/Red Lobster/Chilli's have, not the stuff that the merchants in the older strip malls have.

Marketing and merchandising follow the Tao, just like everything else, and if you don't change to accomodate the market, you lose--


Even still, I hate WalMart--and remember, if you don't shop at WalMart, you reduce your risk of running in to Martin Gibson--

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Don Firth
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 09:58 PM

I shopped once at a Wal-Mart in a small, mid-western town. Wal-Mart was the only place in the area I could get what I needed, because all the other stores that sold the item had been driven out of business by The Big Box. It was good that the item was cheap, because it fell apart within three days. I had to hold it together with duct tape until I could get to a bigger city with civilized stores and get a decent one.

Piece of crap. I'd rather pay a bit more and get something that will last for more than three days.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: kendall
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 09:04 PM

Racism? Me? surely you jest, Guest. If you know anything about Muslims, you know that Muslim women do as they are told by their husbands. That is all I said, so stop reading in something that is not there. I am not a racist.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Bearheart
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 08:35 PM

Then there's this:
If you want to spend at the cheap places you still have some options. If you want to support a progressive agenda, check out the companies who supported the Dems in the last election. And the ones who donated to the other side:


> * Price Club/Costco donated $225K, of which 99% went


> to democrats;


> * Rite Aid, $517K, 60% to democrats;


> * Magla Products (Stanley tools, Mr. Clean), $22K,


> 100% to democrats;


> * Warnaco (undergarments), $55K, 73% to democrats;


> * Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, $153K, 99% to


> democrats;


> * Estee Lauder, $448K, 95% to democrats;


> * Guess ? Inc., $145K, 98% to democrats;


> * Calvin Klein, $78K, 100% to democrats;


> * Liz Claiborne, Inc., $34K, 97% to democrats;


> * Levi Straus, $26K, 97% to democrats;


> * Olan Mills, $175K, 99% to democrats.


> * Gallo Winery, $337K, 95% to democrats;


> * Southern Wine & Spirits, $213K, 73% to democrats;


> * Joseph E. Seagrams & Sons (includes beverage


> business, plus considerable media interests), $2M+,


> 67% democrats.


> * Sonic Corporation, $83K, 98% democrat;


> * Triarc Companies (Arby's, T.J. Cinnamon's, Pasta Connections),


> $112K, 96% Democrats;


> * Hyatt Corporation, $187K, 80% to democrats;


>

> AGAINST US:


> WalMart, $467K, 97% to republicans;


> K-Mart, $524K, 86% to republicans;


> Home Depot, $298K, 89% to republicans;


> Target, $226K, 70% to republicans;


> Circuit City Stores, $261K, 95% to republicans;


> 3M Co., $281K, 87% to republicans;


> Hallmark Cards, $319K, 92% to republicans;


> Amway, $391K, 100% republican;


> Kohler Co. (plumbing fixtures), $283K, 100%


> republicans;


> B.F. Goodrich (tires), $215K, 97% to republicans;


> Proctor & Gamble, $243K, 79% to republicans;


> Coors, $174K, 92% to republicans; (also Budweiser -


> sd)


> Brown-Forman Corp. (Southern Comfort, Jack Daniels, Bushmills, Korbel


> wines - as well as Lennox China, Dansk, Gorham Silver), $644, 80% to


> republicans; Pilgrim's Pride Corp. (chicken), $366K, 100%


> republican;


> Outback Steakhouse, $641K, 95% republican;


> Tricon Global Restaurants (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell),


> $133K, 87% republican;


> Brinker International (Maggiano's, Brinker Cafe,


> Chili's, On the


> Border, Macaroni Grill, Crazymel's, Corner Baker,


> EatZis), $242K, 83% republican;


> Waffle House, $279K, 100% republican;


> McDonald's Corp., $197K, 86% republican;


> Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Smokey


> Bones, Bahama Breeze), $121K, 89% republican;


> Mariott International, $323K, 81% to republicans;


> Holiday Inns, $38K, 71% to republican

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Peace
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 07:58 PM

No kidding. Doh!

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 07:51 PM

Wal-Mart is NOT an oil company...

d'uh

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Peace
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 07:50 PM

Bearheart: "then you'll be paying whatever they decide to charge you."
CH: "Unfounded paranoia...."

Tell that one to the oil companies.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 07:38 PM

"Wal-Mart sells the same brand names as everyone else for less."
F#ckin 'Zactly!!!   As a matter of fact, I find most Wal-Marts have MORE options and brands than ANY 'mom & pop' store I've ever been in...

"saw your neighbors' businesses going under"
That's nature for you... the strong survive and the weak die...

"then you'll be paying whatever they decide to charge you."
Unfounded paranoia....

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Bearheart
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 06:13 PM

If you lived in a small town like I do, and saw your neighbors' businesses going under, and them losing their livlihoods, you'd know why I don't shop there. I thought this little university town would never attract a Wal-Mart, but I was wrong. A lot of people fought it, but we couldn't keep it out. Several locally owned grocery stores, and other businesses, have gone under. Many others are hanging on by the skin of their teeth. And that only because a higher proportion than average of the townspeople have decided not to shop at Wal-Mart.

The reason you probably don't see this dynamic in larger towns is that other chains drove out the little people long ago-- or the product they sell is so unusual that there isn't a cheap alternative.

I don't have a huge income and I'm self-employed-- but I prefer to go to the farmer's market and the local health food store and other local venders. I just don't want it on my conscience that my neighbors can't make a living in their hometown. Like someone else said, quality is better than quantity-- I don't need a lot of cheap stuff cluttering my house-- what I do need is a healthy community and a healthy lifestyle, and that includes being able to live with myself.

As to better prices and a greater selection-- that will last until Wal-Mart drives the competition out of business-- which is their only aim-- then you'll be paying whatever they decide to charge you. One of the Wal-Mart strategies is to come into a smaller community, drive everyone else out of business, then leave, and you then have to go to the next town over, where there is still a Wal-Mart, to get your goods. By that time it's too late to shop somewhere else, you have no options.
Bekki

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: GUEST,wayne monroe
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 06:01 PM

I shop at WalMart on a regular basis although I don't necessarily enjoy the experience. Noise, difficulty in moving around the store, waiting in the checkout line, etc.
Wal Mart is an irresistible target for politicians and others but they are, after all, an employer of last resort for many people.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Peace
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 05:50 PM

Wot's wrong with him sayin' he ain't a redneck?

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Once Famous
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 05:48 PM

Or on your face, either.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 05:47 PM

Guest, Jacqui is my wife. She is not an employee or a slave. If I told her where to go, she would return the suggestion, and that's as it should be unless you are a redneck, a control freak or a Muslim.

Good to see that your racism is free of sexism. I hope CarolC doesn't get on your case.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: bbc
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 05:43 PM

You're not likely to get as many folks admitting to shopping at Walmart as those putting it down, since the general opinion on Mudcat is well-known. Why target oneself? I find the selection & prices at Walmart to be good & shop there regularly.

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Once Famous
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 05:30 PM

Wal-Mart sells the same brand names as everyone else for less.

They sell CDs for less

They sell brand name sundries and drug store items for less.

They sell brand name food products for less.

They sell brand name automotive supplies for less.

They sell brand name hardware items for less.

If you want to spend more for the same thing elsewhere that's your business. But it's none of yours where I spend mine and how I save money that I work for.

The Wal-Mart I was in last week was doing just fine with out the few old hippies and anti-capitalists here who's money doesn't go as far based on mostly a lot of blowhard principal.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: kendall
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 05:12 PM

Guest, Jacqui is my wife. She is not an employee or a slave. If I told her where to go, she would return the suggestion, and that's as it should be unless you are a redneck, a control freak or a Muslim.
I try to set a good example, but she is a free agent and she's entitled to make her own mistakes.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: DougR
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 05:10 PM

Sometimes. There are other stores closer by, so I guess you could call me an infrequent shopper at Wal-Mart. I have no objection to shopping there though.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Peace
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 04:53 PM

That's nice.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 04:42 PM

I shop at WalMart whenever I have ANY shopping to do...   If not there, then Costco...

Ya don't like it? Call someone who cares....

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: robomatic
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 04:15 PM

If you're going to rip off third world workers, the least you could do is pass the savings on to the consumer. I prefer to pay less to the middlemen.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Alba
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 04:09 PM

They have Asda in the UK. Part of the Walmart corporation I think?

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 03:56 PM

I was just in Puerto Vallarta Mexico, and there was one there.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: jaze
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 03:53 PM

Do you have Wal-Marts in the UK?

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: maire-aine
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 03:16 PM

In answer to the original question, I went into one Walmart once, looked around a while and left without buying anything. That was 6 years ago or more. Haven't gone back since, and I can't imagine any circumstance that would take me back into one. Fortunately I have plenty of alternatives.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Alba
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 03:13 PM

Yes RichM. put your clothes back on..lol

I checked my Labels too and Ive put my Clothes back on now youlle be glad to know...:>)

Jeans: UK ( Marks and Sparks bought in Oxfam last November when I was back in the UK can't see where they were made?)
Tee shirt: China (also bought in same UK Oxfam)
Slippers: Mexico
Undergarmets...blush..: Hong Kong
The Slippers and Undergarments I bought here in the US.
I'm off to read some more labels....yes I have that much time on my hands today...sad in it:>)

Jude

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Peace
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 03:07 PM

. . . and these people will help keep you in line.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 03:06 PM

jacquic--honest, I wasn't trying to be holier than thou, or diss either of you. I was just pointing out how difficult it is to be absolutist and judgmental about these things.

It's much easier to just share ideas rather than make statements (however ironic or humorous) like wal mart = anti christ, no?

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Peace
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 03:06 PM

With good ol' Paul Wolfowitz at the helm of the World Bank, we are a giant step closer to 'globalization'. There is really going to be only ONE store within the next 20 years. Ya gotta choice: stop it now or it ain't gonna stop.

The problem then will be, IMO, that of all people working for the global economy, the global machine. There will be two classes: rulers and the rest of us. Suck it up or deal with it. There is no third option.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 03:01 PM

Guest 02.01

Kendall allows me the courtesy of making my own decisions on these matters.

He may not agree with my decisions but, as I am unable to drive in the USA at the moment, he will take me to the places that I want to go to. Otherwise I would go on my own and not involve him in the trips.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Padre
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 03:00 PM

I shop at WalMart every week - I like the choices that I find there.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Mudlark
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 02:44 PM

I rarely shop at Walmart, largely because I hate being in the store, surrounded by towering shelves of junk food, plastics, cheap toys, all displayed under mind-numbing, glaring flourescent lights, aisles croweded with people who look as braindead as I feel. Like cattle, we shuffle along, pushing a cart...argghhh. I go once a year to buy cheap, nonbrand vacuum bags. That's it. Their Iam's dogfood is $1/bag cheaper...even with 3 corgis, I don't care. I feel one trip to Walmart takes hours, days even, maybe, off my life.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 02:40 PM

But ethical consumers, especially American ones, can really start spreading the wealth around and do it responsibly.

So, in that case is it so bad to be concerned about the effect we have upon the planet. I don't shop any differently than I camp, which is to say I try and leave each campsite in better shape than I found it, and tread as lightly upon the environment as I can while I'm there. I find the same philosophy works just as well at home.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: RichM
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 02:37 PM

Alba, your posting made me curious... so I checked labels!

Had to drop my pants and remove my shirt and tshirt...

But here it is:

jeans: Canada
Tshirt: Canada
Underwear: Made in Mexico!
shirt: Germany!
socks : I dunno
shoes(Rockports): China!
Car: Japan
Guitars: Canada, Canada, USA!, China! Korea! Spain!


Not bad for a Canadian, eh? 4 out of 12 made at home?
Can I put my clothes back on now?


Honestly, I have trouble understanding why USAians get in a knot about these things. OK, so you only own 50% of the world, down from 80% or so...

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 02:21 PM

BTW, the internet is a wonderful resource for learning how to be an ethical consumer. Try here and here and here and here for starters.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 02:12 PM

I don't shop at Walmart. No particular virtue there- we don't have one. I have a sister in Oregon on a limited income, however, who says she doesn't know what she would do without it. We're in a bad bind here, folks.

I do shop at Costco, by the way.

Subject: RE: BS: How many Mudcatters shop at Wal Mart?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 02:01 PM

Yet, your wife has admitted in this very thread to shopping there, kendall. So, does waiting in the car absolve you from buying from the anti-christ, then?

I find natural food coops and farmers markets where I can buy from sustainable ag farmers are the best alternatives to Wal Mart and Albertsons. So that is where I choose to shop for my food and gardening stuff.

I too shop second hand, vintage, flea markets, and garage sales (way fun!) when I have the time. I also shop on the internet now. I do still use a handful of stores that have local chains--here in the Midwest I shop at a local chain called Herbergers, which is owned by Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises. They are not a perfect corporation, but they have responded positively to pressure from some quarters (like a boycott to get them to stop sourcing from the worst, most abominable sweatshop cartels, that sort of thing.

I try not to be holier than thou about it all. I just try and let people know it really isn't that hard to be an activist consumer and advocate for the small and sustainable these days, especially if you break the addiction of shopping for disposable consumer crap.

Which includes new cars, hybrid or not.