Tyrod
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Sam Walton, the founder, started the "buy American" campaign. He died, the policy went out the window.
Is Walmart Bad For America?
- Thread starter Kanewpadle
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I agree with what was said previously about online shopping. Walmart had better get good at "e Commerce" (whatever that is) - and they had better do it quick!
vonn
US Veteran
The business model they use is good for them but not the rest of us. Study them and you will understand why. The heirs are the richest family in the country and the employees among the poorest.
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Watchdog
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You can start a Walmart bashing thread on the internet and normally hundreds will join in quickly to bash them but the thing I like about Walmart is that the entire store philosophy evolves around keeping costs down. In the old days executives had huge, plush offices with multiple secretaries and private wash rooms but Walmart big shots have a cubicle or small simple office. I wish our country was ran like Walmart we wouldn't have 20 trillion in debt. Walmart also has a great return policy, remember the days when you had to have a receipt and the box and only a few days to return a defective product or it's yours. I just a bought a new Stihl chainsaw from a mom and pop store and I used it once and it broke and took it back and the store owner said I misused the saw by running it with the brake on. I said I've owned lots of chainsaws over 30 years and never ran one with the brake on but he charged me $125 to fix it and it was a week old. You never have that kind of problem at Walmart, I once bought a car battery there and was loading it in my truck and dropped it in the parking lot and cracked it and fluid started leaking out. I took it back in and told the manager at the counter and said it was my fault and he just gave me a new battery.
Most of us are old enough to remember what "Main Street" use to mean...... small family owned specialty shops (with the Owners, wives and kids working 10-12 hours a day 6 days a week/ to achieve middle-class status)............over my 6 decades fewer and fewer shopped on Main Street ....... the action moved to the edge of most small towns........
Over the decades....................
GC Murphy"s 5 & 10s were done in by K-Mart...... which in turn has been pretty much done in by Walmart....... and what happened to Sears and JC Penney's????????
Look out folks........ here comes Amazon............ the 21st century's electronic Sears Catalog. At one time you could buy everything you needed even a "house Kit" from the Sears Catalog....... today we look to Amazon Prime and 2 day delivery!!!
The world changes.....the world moves on and everyone must adapt........business models need to change.
Anyone know where I can find a good "buggy whip"?
Over the decades....................
GC Murphy"s 5 & 10s were done in by K-Mart...... which in turn has been pretty much done in by Walmart....... and what happened to Sears and JC Penney's????????
Look out folks........ here comes Amazon............ the 21st century's electronic Sears Catalog. At one time you could buy everything you needed even a "house Kit" from the Sears Catalog....... today we look to Amazon Prime and 2 day delivery!!!
The world changes.....the world moves on and everyone must adapt........business models need to change.
Anyone know where I can find a good "buggy whip"?
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I try very hard to buy Made in USA whenever possible. Sometimes this entails NOT buying the lowest-priced item, and often fewer items overall.
This also, unfortunately, precludes me from doing much shopping at Wal-mart
This also, unfortunately, precludes me from doing much shopping at Wal-mart
This is the only thing that bothers me about WalMart. 97.94% of what they sell comes from China. Many people and companies to blame for that. WalMart is only one of them.
Still I shop there. I buy at least half of my ammo there. I certainly don't "hate" WalMart except when I can't find an Associate who speaks English. Plus their competition as at least as bad these days.
Huskerguy
Member
I am almost not certain where to start on this thread.
Walmart is NOT a monopoly. There is tons of competition. But Americans love low prices and that was always Sam Walton's goal.
Yes Sam wanted to buy American but nothing is made in America anymore. Is this Sam's fault? I would advise anyone to go to Bentonville and see the store that Sam started. It was just a simple 5 and 10 store of its day.
My daughter worked in WM headquarters in Bentonville for several years. Her job was beauty and health. She met with the largest companies in the world and she said she had to tell them all what the customer wanted, not what the elite company wanted to sell and and that each company's products would be displayed equally. She was there during the economic crisis and in some very high level meetings. She called and said all they talked about was the customer and how they knew the customer was going to have a difficult year with buying for their families. They didn't talk about profits but how they could help the customer. Of course, profits are important, they don't work for free.
They don't make 80% on everything. Some things they lose money on, that is a fact. They require companies that sell to them to have an office in Bentonville. The execs do not live high on the hog. Their buildings are simple and basic, I have been there.
They are a very simple business model. They are competing nationally and internationally trying to bring the best value they can to people. Spend some time seeing all of the schools and public service things WM has done, it is pretty amazing. I don't live in Arkansas but by daughter still does and it is amazing what they have put back into America.
My father who will turn 87 soon works 40 hours a week at WM. He absolutely loves it and thinks it is a great place. They struggle at times with managers but don't judge all managers on one manager's faults like we don't judge all gun owners when one does something stupid. My father gets paid well, he is very satisfied, has a 401 (K) and he has more PTO time than he can use up. They hire people that a lot of places won't hire including elderly, handicapped, etc. Yes, they aren't paying $15 an hour but these are not highly skilled jobs either. He doesn't use the insurance but others tell him the insurance is very good and affordable.
So I don't get the angst towards WM. Yes they have had some bad practices in their past with selling below costs to undercut the competition. I understand that. Sam had a model he built the company on and to see how it started not that many years ago to where it is now is amazing and didn't happen by accident. I do think they value their people and it isn't just words. Feel free to go spend more money somewhere else if you want - that is the American way and your right. The problem is you won't find any more American made products there as well.
So while I don't agree with everything WM does, I do see the other side of things. Look around at how many businesses are no longer around: Montgomery Wards, Sears just shut down our mall store, JC Penny, Kohls is in trouble, etc, etc, etc. And people complain because WM has low prices and a good value for their hard earned dollar? huh?
Walmart is NOT a monopoly. There is tons of competition. But Americans love low prices and that was always Sam Walton's goal.
Yes Sam wanted to buy American but nothing is made in America anymore. Is this Sam's fault? I would advise anyone to go to Bentonville and see the store that Sam started. It was just a simple 5 and 10 store of its day.
My daughter worked in WM headquarters in Bentonville for several years. Her job was beauty and health. She met with the largest companies in the world and she said she had to tell them all what the customer wanted, not what the elite company wanted to sell and and that each company's products would be displayed equally. She was there during the economic crisis and in some very high level meetings. She called and said all they talked about was the customer and how they knew the customer was going to have a difficult year with buying for their families. They didn't talk about profits but how they could help the customer. Of course, profits are important, they don't work for free.
They don't make 80% on everything. Some things they lose money on, that is a fact. They require companies that sell to them to have an office in Bentonville. The execs do not live high on the hog. Their buildings are simple and basic, I have been there.
They are a very simple business model. They are competing nationally and internationally trying to bring the best value they can to people. Spend some time seeing all of the schools and public service things WM has done, it is pretty amazing. I don't live in Arkansas but by daughter still does and it is amazing what they have put back into America.
My father who will turn 87 soon works 40 hours a week at WM. He absolutely loves it and thinks it is a great place. They struggle at times with managers but don't judge all managers on one manager's faults like we don't judge all gun owners when one does something stupid. My father gets paid well, he is very satisfied, has a 401 (K) and he has more PTO time than he can use up. They hire people that a lot of places won't hire including elderly, handicapped, etc. Yes, they aren't paying $15 an hour but these are not highly skilled jobs either. He doesn't use the insurance but others tell him the insurance is very good and affordable.
So I don't get the angst towards WM. Yes they have had some bad practices in their past with selling below costs to undercut the competition. I understand that. Sam had a model he built the company on and to see how it started not that many years ago to where it is now is amazing and didn't happen by accident. I do think they value their people and it isn't just words. Feel free to go spend more money somewhere else if you want - that is the American way and your right. The problem is you won't find any more American made products there as well.
So while I don't agree with everything WM does, I do see the other side of things. Look around at how many businesses are no longer around: Montgomery Wards, Sears just shut down our mall store, JC Penny, Kohls is in trouble, etc, etc, etc. And people complain because WM has low prices and a good value for their hard earned dollar? huh?
ChattanoogaPhil
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Well... taking advantage of cheap labor abroad is exploited by manufactures and then passed along to retailers across the country, from small to large retail operations.. not just Walmart.
What I think you're really asking... Are the benefits from economies of scale in the retail industry outweighed by the downslide, perceived or otherwise?
You mentioned wages. Mom and Pop operating a 500sqf storefront have little bargaining power with manufactures, so they'll pay what the manufactures dictate, period. Having a small store, on par they'll pay a higher price per sqf as well as other building related expenses compared to larger operations. They'll enjoy no efficiencies with economies of scale on the purchase, operating or selling side of the business. So with no purchasing power, inflated operating costs and no economies of scale, where is all the extra money going to come from to pay their employee higher wages, better benefits and more opportunity for advancement in a Mom and Pop shop?
What I think you're really asking... Are the benefits from economies of scale in the retail industry outweighed by the downslide, perceived or otherwise?
You mentioned wages. Mom and Pop operating a 500sqf storefront have little bargaining power with manufactures, so they'll pay what the manufactures dictate, period. Having a small store, on par they'll pay a higher price per sqf as well as other building related expenses compared to larger operations. They'll enjoy no efficiencies with economies of scale on the purchase, operating or selling side of the business. So with no purchasing power, inflated operating costs and no economies of scale, where is all the extra money going to come from to pay their employee higher wages, better benefits and more opportunity for advancement in a Mom and Pop shop?
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I grew up with Walmart. I wish I had kept the silver dollars Mr. Sam gave me. Walmart was a mom and pop store starting out and they grew to what they are today. I have 2 nephews that worked part time at Walmart and Walmart paid for their college. 90% of my shopping is at Walmart, I own a little Walmart stock, and hope they can continue to keep going.
Alpo
Member
dougb1946
Member
There have been actual studies about the effect of WM on business and people. Surprisingly, WM tends to raise prevailing wages and can increase total retail business in a town or city. Other businesses tend to spring up around big boxes because of traffic flow. WM employees are there because any job is better than none (which frequently is the option) and once you get past entry level, they pay pretty well.
wingriderz
Member
Wal-Mart is great. Where would all the newbies to conceal carry go if it weren't for Wal-Mart.
Billy, we discussed this last time we spoke, do you have any reason/thoughts what these folks are doing wrong? It really distresses me to see folks like this. They work hard and really try, but never seem to get a handle on things. I'm dealing with two of them now, and it breaks my heart. You keep throwing money at them, but something else always comes up.
Aside from what some people may think, Walmart is good. Sure, they may not pay much to their employees but these people choose to work there and may not be able to get work elsewhere. I give them all credit for working and not going on welfare. The things Walmart sells are generally less expensive than other retailers and that saves us all money. To the naysayers, if you owned a retail company wouldn't you be doing it to make a profit?
onebadvet
US Veteran
I use to be vender for Walmart for many years, I will say they do hire veterans and there price are reasonable, some stores sell rifles at fair prices and stock wide variety of ammo with great prices.
Some stores are now Super stores, and you do all your shopping at one time, and plus is when inventory is over and there is profit employee's benefit with cash in there pocket.
You might say what you want, but all stores use overseas sweat shops.
Some stores are now Super stores, and you do all your shopping at one time, and plus is when inventory is over and there is profit employee's benefit with cash in there pocket.
You might say what you want, but all stores use overseas sweat shops.
Alk8944
US Veteran
MONOPOLY???? Do you even know the meaning of the word? Wal-Mart is nothing more than a department store. There are thousands of department stores in the U.S, some chains, some not. Check the wages they pay, often very similar to Wal-Mart!
And talking about foreign made products! Have you checked the labels of many "American Made" products lately? Levis Dockers and other brands from India, Bangladesh, China, Mexico, etc, etc, etc. Go to the fabric stores, Joann, Hancock and many others, check the labels on their fabrics. I often wonder if there is any clothing industry still active in the U.S.
The problem isn't our businesses, it is US, you and me and Charlie next door that shops price, not source! If we all, all 300 million or so of us, would simply stop buying foreign products (Right!
Like that's going to happen!) we could re-vitalize American Industry. Are you going to be the first? Let me know how that works out when you can't buy clothes (that you can afford), tools (that you can afford) small appliances (that you can afford), etc, etc, etc........
WE are the problem, the U.S. consumers that want everything cheap, not the retailers, importers and entire distribution system that makes "Affordable" products available to us.
For the record I worked for Wal-Mart for several months in 1997 when between real jobs, only because I like eating regularly and living indoors! Relatively low wages, but far better than un-employment and poverty! I have absolutely no stake in Wal-Mart, or any other retailer for that matter, than as a customer.
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What-about-ism is not an argument, nor is it at all factual.
When I operated a retail/service business, I had complete control over my supply chain. I also had to choose from short-term profits and long-term brand building.
My customers were happy to pay more for higher-priced, domestically produced products, as there were FAR fewer issues and returns.
This was, admittedly, a very narrow and specialized retail sector, and likely not translatable to everyday-use items and grocery purchasing.
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