I don't care a lot for them myself, but that's more on a basis Mick would address. Problem is folks, we be broke! So when we went to buy new bikes for our kids, they were by far the best price and brand. We couldn't have afforded a specialty shop........So let me ask you this........

Ever buy from Elderly or another on-line source for things that could be had locally?

Have you had your oil changed as a Fas-Lube joint instead of a private garage?

And if you need a part for your car, do you go to NAPA or a locally owned private store.....or do you go to Autoworks or Autozone?

Do you buy your gas from a full service station owned by a local dealer (yeah, they still exist) or do you buy price?

Did you get your new plumbing/electrical/flooring/etc. from locally owned stores or did you go to Lowes or Home Depot?

The list could go on and on. Wal-Mart was a different place when Sam was alive, but that's another debate entirely. But as to products being fake or whatever........If you believe that many things don't come from exactly the same factories, you probably still believe in the Easter Bunny. See all that windshield washer solvent at lots of different prices? Do you know how many companies actually make the stuff? Don't guess higher than four.

I buy a lot from Mom&Pop ops when I can, buy all my gas at the local station with local ownership.......We try to support local businesses, but within 10 miles of the closest Wal-Mart you can find Target, K-Mart, Meier, and many others including the big hardware joints. If you can afford not to patronize them, don't. We just can't afford not to..........

Spaw