Given everything we know about Wal*Mart and their labor practices do you still shop there?

Question

I have seen the WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price Documentary about 10 times. It is unbelieveable to me. I haven't shopped there in about 5 years because of another documentary I saw in Grad school regarding Wal*Mart taking over small towns.

I was just wondering if other people stopped shopping there due to these films or doesn't it make difference to you.

Answer 1

I try not to shop there. There has only been an occasion or two in the past year that I felt it was the only alternative to what I needed. Generally I don't shop there because of what they have done to US manufacturing more than their labor practices.

It's a terrible merry-go-round the Walton's have created. They enter in to contracts with those filling their shelves. The contract requires X% reduction year over year. Many have been forced to take manufacturing outside the US to keep bringing those cost reductions to the table. We then have more out of work and those out of work have limited money so they spend it at Wal-Mart where they can get more for their money. Wal-Mart then has the power to continually require the cost reductions and the cycle begins again.

I once read an article about how Wal-Mart just about put Vlasic out of business. Wish I still had it. But, it was a great example of how Wal-Mart keeps their prices low.

I'm all for making money. But there is a line somewhere between making a profit and hurting the very community you exist in.

Answer 2

I don't shop at the walmart, it is a social consciousness issue for me. They do engage in unfair labor tactics. They have contributed to the trade issue the great nation of the United States of America will be forced into resolving with China. They have abandoned the buy America first promise that they built their clientele upon. What have you saved when your taxes are going to bail out this mess? Capitalism is based upon the assumed freedom of choice, not monopolistic privilege gained through unethical practice. The children that will one day take our place shouldn't be thralls to serve at this alter to make Sam's heirs even wealthier than they all ready are. Unless unbridled greed at the expense of all others is acceptable in exchange for penny discounts on shaving cream then more of the good folk must become aware of what's at stake. Governance comes from the people, it should never come from a soulless corporation. No matter how much you think your saving your going to pay, one way or the other. There now, I've answered all your posted questions. If you have any other questions.... I'm around... well at least I will be for you.. let me know when they're up.

Answer 3

i have never seen this documentary nor do i wish to see it. For me Wal-Mart is great!!!!!!!! Great prices cutesy stuff and in the South they are really big and open 24hours I am in heaven! At 2am I decided to go there and buy materials so I can fabricate my own pillow. I got all the necessary supplies and milk and eggs and bread I needed. For me Wal-mart is not a simple store it is a city within a city it is the risen Atlantis in Wal-Mart one feels as if they've entered another dimension and everything you've wished for is at hand. Want a haircut,eye exam, lunch or maybe you need your tires rotated. Need a living room set or a set of dumbells or how bout pantyhose and fruits and meat and cheese oh my!!

Answer 4

What is it about their labor practices that would stop me from shopping there? I WANT them to keep their costs as low as possible so my cost is as low as possible. Not my job to boycott Wal*Mart just because they're good at what they do and because their employees don't have other skills.

Answer 5

Nope. I haven't shopped there since 1993. Good riddance I say. I have a relative who works as a clerk for a retail store that has a union. She's a single mom who owns her own home. She'd have had a much harder life if she'd have worked for WalMart.

For me, saving $2 on toilet paper by shopping at WalMart isn't worth the damage to my soul.

Answer 6

I still shop there for some things. It's least expensive and we are on a smaller budget now with gas prices and the high cost of everything else!!

Answer 7

I'm not quite sure what you're criticising about the labor practices of Wal-Mart...

I've worked there for about 3 years or so and have had no problems with them - perhaps if you were more specific about what "labor practices" you're referring to, I could better answer your question.

I, of course, do shop there.

Answer 8

I hardly ever go to walmart ever but when i needed it . Maybe if i needed a whole lot of supplies or something. Still, i think its sad that they do this to their workers and other issues like that so i hardly go. Id only go for major reasons like getting a clean cd that originally was explicit, because they are the only ones that sell those

Answer 9

well I live in a small town and it's really the only place to buy the things I need so yes I shop there all the time

Answer 10

I only shopped there twice in my life.

It was enough.

The model of stylish type stores is going away, and these big box stores are replacing them.

You don't find class at a Wal-Mart store.