I am so sad

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Erin

Like, say they stopped carrying an entire line like Proctor and Gamble or Nestle or one of the big companies. Take a look at how many different products they make. WalMart probably accounts for a HUGE percentage of their sales. Yes they should be diversified, but that's just how it is. If WalMart suddenly wanted them to lower their prices and they said no and WalMart dropped them, what would the consequences be?

The consequences would be that then the market for smaller chains (which was a previous complaint?) would open back up as their would be a product, with a demand, that Wal-Mart does not have an exclusive market on. That plus, online sales of the product would increase. (Point-in-case...dog food. How long to you think a PetSmart would last if Wal-Mart sold the same products for less?)

Very interesting conversation by the way! I think that everyone has brought up some very interesting points!

And $600 for a b'day party! You've got to be kidding me! Well, she wouldn't be having one there anyway. Heck, I play Jonus Brothers really loudly and throw some glitter on some kids for a heck of a lot less than that!

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by Darlin Beauxs

Tell your husband it doesn't matter if Wal-mart is American owned or not, they still import from overseas--remember when Wal-Mart had "made in the USA" stickers everywhere? Wal-mart has actually hurt American owned small businesses!

My husband and I watched a documentary about Wal-Mart and their mentality--I think it was on TLC-last month. There were big-wigs actually saying that wal-mart justifies paying its employees lower wages, by saying the lower income will allow them to qualify for government assistance. They then posted the amount of wal-mart employees who received Medicaid or foodstamps-by state--it was staggering.

More food for thought...wal-mart has a foundation set up for its employees to provide assistance to other employees...and they do. The Walton family donated only 4k to charities last year. Target is far more involved in the community.

I'm not surprised. They are one of the companies with the worst ethics ever! Not to mention how sexist they are with their employees. I'm not even going to comment on what you said about the lower-wages...yeah, build more stores, hire more people at low wages causing more people to get aid from the gov., we all know how this ends up! I wish more people knew how unethical this chain is, if everyone did, and cared more about ethics than the all mighty $, they definitly wouldn't survive!

[chachi]

[QUOTE=Erin;2318351

As far as club Libby Lu - the article I read yesterday said that birthday parties can cost as much as $600?? I'm sure that had something to do with it. Parents are going to have to go back to cake and ice cream I think I had most of my birthday parties growing up at the local roller rink![/QUOTE]

I didnt realize their parties could get that high. I think thats a party with all the bells and whistles a basic party doesnt cost that much because I know someone who had one and I dont think she would pay that. Their merchandise is on the high side on pricing though so I can see why they had trouble in these difficult times

[Erin]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

The consequences would be that then the market for smaller chains (which was a previous complaint?) would open back up as their would be a product, with a demand, that Wal-Mart does not have an exclusive market on. That plus, online sales of the product would increase. (Point-in-case...dog food. How long to you think a PetSmart would last if Wal-Mart sold the same products for less?)

Very interesting conversation by the way! I think that everyone has brought up some very interesting points!

And $600 for a b'day party! You've got to be kidding me! Well, she wouldn't be having one there anyway. Heck, I play Jonus Brothers really loudly and throw some glitter on some kids for a heck of a lot less than that!

Well the argument (in the articles I've read) is that people who do 100% of their shopping at WalMart or for people who only HAVE a WalMart in their community will simply switch brands and no longer be a customer. The typical shopper would not drive across town for Tide when WalMart brand will do. But you have a good point that I think a lot of smaller stores would love for WalMart to drop some products. A lot of independent dog boutiques try to carry products that WalMart does *not* carry. However when you have a large company like P&G relying on WalMart for so much of their business there is no alternative. Even if every 7/11 picked up their product it wouldn't make up the difference. I guess that's the point.

Personally, I shop at Trader Joes and Woodmans and Target There are good alternatives for WalMart out there, but they require effort. A lot of people won't go to three stores. And brand loyalty is a whole other discussion

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Darlin Beauxs

Yes, a family who made millions on the backs of Americans, by paying them small wages, and who ran off other businesses who could have provided better employment opportunities, does have a responsibility to "give back".

We all have a responsibility to do what we can, when we can.

I am not one of those families that make over 250k, but Husband and I are faring far better than our parents have. I still remember what it was like to live from paycheck to paycheck though, and I haven't forgotten.

So in short, a business that operated just like any other, but that just happened to be the most successful should bear the burden. Hmm...
I suppose I just don't understand that line of thinking. I don't make over 250K a year either, but I don't think what I make should automatically qualify me for a handout from someone who does. Why should someone have a responsibility to work hard to support those who don't?!
Yes, you are correct, we all have a "responsibility" as it is something the government decides for us...we don't exactly have a choice.
I guess this is something we will just have to agree to disagree on though.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Erin

Well the argument (in the articles I've read) is that people who do 100% of their shopping at WalMart or for people who only HAVE a WalMart in their community will simply switch brands and no longer be a customer. The typical shopper would not drive across town for Tide when WalMart brand will do. But you have a good point that I think a lot of smaller stores would love for WalMart to drop some products. A lot of independent dog boutiques try to carry products that WalMart does *not* carry. However when you have a large company like P&G relying on WalMart for so much of their business there is no alternative. Even if every 7/11 picked up their product it wouldn't make up the difference. I guess that's the point.

If the situation is as it is claimed to be--lower wages TO ALLOW employees to collect govt assistance--then the governement should step in and take action. If they don't, then it is just as much their fault...why should Wal-Mart take all the blame?
Point understood. I guess another thing I always have to wonder is how much of what is reported to us is just what the media (or competitors) want us to hear. Maybe Wal-Mart gets more bad press because they are the biggest competition. (Good sports analogy--the opponent with the most success is the one that gets the most criticism.) If Wal-Mart really DID control the market in the way it is being portrayed, which would make it a monopoly, the government would have to step in and take action. (Not that the government always does what they should, but in this one area, they do tend to stay pretty active, like with Microsoft not to long ago.)

Hmmm...just food for thought.

[bchgirl]

Target is not and never has been a foreigned owned company. It began in Minnesota under the name Dayton's dry goods in the early 1900's. It is a publically traded company and has some foreign investors. This does not make it foreign owned.

I do know how Walmart operates. As a distributor...our vendors are contracted through Walmart and in turn that comes down to my company as their distributor. We sell automotive service equipment. Walmart tells these companies what they will pay for an item...the incentive....every Walmart auto center will have this product....sometimes multiples in one location. Walmart also dictates the price they will pay for service calls and repair parts. Our company is dispatched from a vendor...we bill the vendor at Walmart's dictated pricing. Walmart is large enough and powerful enough to do these things.

An fyi ~ do not take your vehicle to Walmart for auto repairs. Trust me on this.

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Target is not and never has been a foreigned owned company. It began in Minnesota

Have you ever been to Minnesota?

(LOL...just kidding, I haven't been there myself!)

[Darlin Beauxs]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

So in short, a business that operated just like any other, but that just happened to be the most successful should bear the burden. Hmm...
I suppose I just don't understand that line of thinking. I don't make over 250K a year either, but I don't think what I make should automatically qualify me for a handout from someone who does. Why should someone have a responsibility to work hard to support those who don't?!
Yes, you are correct, we all have a "responsibility" as it is something the government decides for us...we don't exactly have a choice.
I guess this is something we will just have to agree to disagree on though.

We are not talking about hand-outs. We are talking about the businesses and people that have the most money, should pay the most taxes. Especially since they are getting by with paying low wages, not offering benefits, or making them too expensive for their workers too afford, which puts more of a burden on American tax payers.

It isn't just wal-mart. Large companies who made a reputation on American Quality work--like Maytag, shut down and move to Mexico, to make a buck. My father, who was 55 at the time, was retained in the Illinios factory, along with a few others, for a time period. Why? To repair the shoddy workmanship coming from Mexico. These companies should have import fees sooooo high that it would not be feasible to leave.

About the poster who mentioned sweatshops, it's true. The documentary stated this is why Wal-mart has not fared well in foreign countries. In China, there was a major toy manufacturer, whose major client is--guess who? Their workers are paid pennies per hour, and the cost of meals and a dorm room is deducted from their checks WHETHER they live there, or not. So married couples must pay rent 3x in order to live together. Costs have to be cut, in order to manufacture a product for wal-mart, and still make a profit.

My husband says he cannot step foot in a Wal-mart without thinking about this.

[Darlin Beauxs]

here you go:


http://http://www.ufcw.org/press_roo...weat_shops.cfm

[Darlin Beauxs]

and here:

Wake-Up Wal-Mart: The Real Wal-Mart Facts

[PANAMA69]

Originally Posted by chachi

I found out they are going to close the girls store Libby LU, About a month ago one of my favorite restaurants went out also. It just seems we are losing good businesses and My Husband says its probably just gonna get worse.

So sorry, is hard when you find a good place that you love and then they close

[PANAMA69]

Originally Posted by yorkiegirl83

My dad had to close the doors of his restaurant - it's very tough right now for small businesses .

So sorry to hear about your dad business

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by Darlin Beauxs

We are not talking about hand-outs. We are talking about the businesses and people that have the most money, should pay the most taxes.

No...we were talking about how the Walton family only donated $4K to charity. Charity and taxes are two completely different things altogether. I believe that was the original complaint? That the Walton family didn't "donate" enough, not that they didn't pay their fair share of taxes--something people are not required to do, but something they do in addition. If the issue is that they didn't pay their fair share of taxes, then how is that their fault--that's is something decided and enforced by the government.

[twalla]

I love Libby Lu! I love to get my hair and make up done there too!!!! Its so much fun.

I am big Walmart shopper and always will be as long as I can buy 100% Turkey Ballpark Franks for 2.37 and they are 4.39 at Kroger.