Walmart

[swiggidy]

I avoid shopping there. Almost everything I hear about their business practice's is bad. For Example:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20056614...eek/from/RS.5/

[bode]

i saw this in the news earlier in the week. Its def bad business practice, but it is Mexico after all.

[euphoricism]

Is walmart roaming through the streets, picking up all the 15 year olds, chaining them together, and forcing them to work as slaves?

The kids have a choice. And they're 15. I couldn't even GET a job at 15, no one would hire me. Couldn't work days, couldn't work nights. Could only work weekends, and there were tons of older people who could, and wanted to, do both.

I would have been fine bagging groceries at $1/person. Fuck, at walmart you could probably do 10-15 people an hour without breaking into a sweat. These baggers don't even walk the peoples purchases to their car.

(our local supermarket, publix, pays about $7 an hour and makes the baggers walk people to their cars unless the customer tells them not to. And they don't accept tips [well, they do, but signs all over the store say "please dont tip"])

Granted, I dont know what the culturally accepted tip size is in mexico. I guess it kind of hinges on that, and the article didn't mention that.

Further, if they did pay baggers, Walmart isnt just going to eat that cost. It gets passed on through higher prices. Economically speaking, the customers notice no economic difference.

[euphoricism]

Wiki states:

In medium and large retail stores such as Wal-Mart there are uniformed helpers, usually kids or old people, who bag the products just after the clerk has charged them. This role is called cerillo (Spanish for "match"). These people usually don't have a base salary so all the money they earn is the tips the people gives to them. Most customers give from 2 to 5 Mexican pesos depending on the quantity of products. Cerillos also put the bags in the cart and if the load is large they can even help bringing it to the car and unloading the bags; in these cases they normally receive more than 15 pesos.

Anywhere from 2-5 so lets call is 5/2 = 2.5 pesos per trip. Its about $0.25 a person, though the tip jumps up to 15+ pesos ($1.50ish) if they take it to the car.

That is, indeed, on the low side. And I retract my previous statement and state that they should pay a wage.

However, its hardly walmarts fault that they don't. Remember that this is a culturally accepted practice.

[givememyleg]

walmart was one of the best things to happen to the us

[swiggidy]

So 4000 kids @ $5 a day, 5 days a week is $100k. That's $1.2 mill/qtr, which is quite a bit. But Walmart grossed $280 million last quarter so it represents 0.5% of their profit.

Sure it's a locally culturally accepted practice, but does that make it ok for an international company? Especially when it would be easy to benefit their works, which would benefit the area?

walmart was one of the best things to happen to the us

explain please

[givememyleg]

capitalism at its finest

[givememyleg]

i actually didn't read the link you posted, have to run right now, but will later!

[boost]

capitalism at its finest

orly?

[mcatdog]

When people tell me that they hate Wal-Mart I usually ask them if they do all their shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue. For low income people Wal-Mart is great. Stuff is way cheaper and they hire a lot of people that wouldn't be employable anywhere else. I used to go there all the time when I was a broke college student, I don't go there anymore but I'm not a hater.

[swiggidy]

When people tell me that they hate Wal-Mart I usually ask them if they do all their shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue. For low income people Wal-Mart is great. Stuff is way cheaper and they hire a lot of people that wouldn't be employable anywhere else. I used to go there all the time when I was a broke college student, I don't go there anymore but I'm not a hater.

I don't think that's a fair comparison. You could take your business to Aldi, Target, Meijer, Kmart, etc.

Why would you stop shopping at walmart just because you make more money? Savings are savings, right?

[mcatdog]

I don't think that's a fair comparison. You could take your busines]s to Aldi, Target, Meijer, Kmart, etc.

The point is that Wal-Mart haters are usually well enough off that they don't need to shop at any of those places. I think Wal-Mart is the cheapest one of those especially if you're a Sam's Club member, but I've never been to Meijer or Aldi.

Why would you stop shopping at walmart just because you make more money? Savings are savings, right?

Because the quality of their merchandise is shit, which is fine if you're broke but I like having nicer things now that I can afford them.

[boost]

aldi's is way cheaper.

when do you stop supporting a business? Before the invention of mechanized harvesters cotton was relatively cheap thanks to slave labor, Im still a plantation owner hater though.

[gabe]

$$$$

[DaNutsInYoEye]

No shit... I mean how dare a business try to maximize their profits in a completely legal manner. With the way they operate you might think Walmart was some kind of corporation, not a charity. . .

I love how people single out Walmart when the story clearly states that their competititors are using thousands of teenagers to do the same thing. Let's ignore the much more important and larger social issues and instead just point a finger at Walmart.

[mcatdog]

when do you stop supporting a business? Before the invention of mechanized harvesters cotton was relatively cheap thanks to slave labor, Im still a plantation owner hater though.

I guess it comes down to, I don't think any of the stuff they do is that bad, and I think the majority of the Wal-Mart hate is upper-middle-class snobbery from people who think they're too good to shop there (not saying that's your motivation).

I do avoid some stores when I have a real problem with the way they're run. Citgo for example.

[dsaxton]

Target is a lot cooler.

[boost]

tell me about citgo?

I do agree with you guys though, its kinda like "save the whales" its just some stupid slogan that a whole buncha "socially conscious" people latched onto.

On the other hand I do dislike "big business" as I thorougly appreciate the uniqueness and fun nuances of small businesses. Starbucks systematically squeezes out locally owned cafes. Do I think this is morally wrong? Not really, they are just operating a business and trying to corner the market. Do I hate that all these cool interesting businesses are forced to close and in their place is a starbucks on every corner? Yes.

[Galapogos]

I used to work at The Real Canadian Superstore, which is the grocery giant of the west coast of Canada. It's funny because all we ever talked about at our meetings was how to prepare for Wal-Mart's entrance to the grocery business. They would talk about Wal-Mart in how evil and unfair it's practices are. Like the way they move into towns and squeeze out the smaller businesses, or how badly they treat their employees, or what their newest lawsuit they are fighting is.

Meanwhile, these are all things our company was guilty of. Their stores destroyed all grocery competition. They are unionized stores but I still have not seen a place that treats their employees so badly for such a weak wage. And we were always in lawsuits or disputes with other companies for a variety of reason.

Wal-Mart just gets noticed because it's an international giant but basically all large companies work the same way. And like someone said, it's not illegal. But that really doesn't make it right at all. Unfortuantely it's up to the masses to change this if they want to by taking their business elsewhere. Problem is, as much as people like to talk about how they don't like these stores, that's not going to stop them from going there to save an extra $20 a shopping trip.

[euphoricism]

tell me about citgo?

Its owned by the Venezuelan government. Whose president made some very disparaging remarks against Americans. While we supply the bulk of their GDP. Fuckheads.

[swiggidy]

Honestly I never really looked into it. Just see the occasional bad (really bad IMO) headline.

No shit... I mean how dare a business try to maximize their profits in a completely legal manner. With the way they operate you might think Walmart was some kind of corporation, not a charity. . .

Sure, it's their right to. Bill Gates was chastised for the same thing, having shitloads of money and not helping anyone around him.

""[I don't believe in giving] any undeserving stranger a free ride. ... We feel very strongly that Wal-Mart really is not, and should not be, in the charity business. Money that Wal-Mart donated to charity, would only come out of the pockets of "either our shareholders or our customers."
- Sam Walton, 1992

I'm sure statements like this didn't help either. Since he died in '92 things have changed, now walmart is the largest corporate donor. Some people still complain about how they divvy money, but whatever.

I love how people single out Walmart when the story clearly states that their competititors are using thousands of teenagers to do the same thing. Let's ignore the much more important and larger social issues and instead just point a finger at Walmart.

From the article, Walmart employs 4300, their nearest competitors employ 715 and 427. That's not quite thousands. Walmart could use their position and pay a relatively menial wage. Which would help with the social change.

[a500lbgorilla]

http://allsp.com/l.php?id=e120 <-- South Park Walmart Episode. (Humor may be a little NSFW)

[boost]

tell me about citgo?

Its owned by the Venezuelan government. Whose president made some very disparaging remarks against Americans. While we supply the bulk of their GDP. Fuckheads.

hah I kinda like citgo now... I forget all the facts on the issue but I remember sympathizing with venezuela and I thought bush was being the fuckhead.

[DaNutsInYoEye]

tell me about citgo?

Its owned by the Venezuelan government. Whose president made some very disparaging remarks against Americans. While we supply the bulk of their GDP. Fuckheads.

hah I kinda like citgo now... I forget all the facts on the issue but I remember sympathizing with venezuela and I thought bush was being the fuckhead.

Anti-Bush rhetoric is one thing but Chavez has repeatedly crossed the line with outright personal attacks against him. I also can't swallow the idea of economic socialism and his censorship of the media.

[gabe]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americ....un/index.html

"The devil came here yesterday," Chavez said, referring to Bush, who addressed the world body during its annual meeting Tuesday. "And it smells of sulfur still today."

[euphoricism]

tell me about citgo?

Its owned by the Venezuelan government. Whose president made some very disparaging remarks against Americans. While we supply the bulk of their GDP. Fuckheads.

hah I kinda like citgo now... I forget all the facts on the issue but I remember sympathizing with venezuela and I thought bush was being the fuckhead.

Rofl. Chavez is another jew hating dipshit, what exactly do you sympathize with him about? Thinking the state of israel should be blown off the map, thinking bush is trying to assasinate him, stating that the american empire should fall for the good of all mankind, or are you just anti bush cuz its cool yo?

[mcatdog]

Makes no difference what Chavez says about Bush, but I do care that he's rigged elections, thrown independent journalists in jail, and that he uses the oil money to support terrorists and Communist revolutions in other countries in South America. Just because he doesn't like Bush, doesn't make him a good guy.

[boost]

Makes no difference what Chavez says about Bush, but I do care that he's rigged elections, thrown independent journalists in jail, and that he uses the oil money to support terrorists and Communist revolutions in other countries in South America. Just because he doesn't like Bush, doesn't make him a good guy.

yah true that, I stated before that I am not knowledgeable on the subject, you seem to be making good points though.

[boost]

tell me about citgo?

Its owned by the Venezuelan government. Whose president made some very disparaging remarks against Americans. While we supply the bulk of their GDP. Fuckheads.

hah I kinda like citgo now... I forget all the facts on the issue but I remember sympathizing with venezuela and I thought bush was being the fuckhead.

Rofl. Chavez is another jew hating dipshit, what exactly do you sympathize with him about? Thinking the state of israel should be blown off the map, thinking bush is trying to assasinate him, stating that the american Empire should fall for the good of all mankind, or are you just anti bush cuz its cool yo?

meh youre stupid, I wont argue with you.

[euphoricism]

0wned.

[Silly String]

I despise Wal-Mart, so you know what I do? I take my shopping dollars elsewhere. The best thing you can do is to not shop there and try to convice others not spend any money there.

Bottomline, they really do hurt the micro-economies of small towns. Speaking from personal experience.

[Harry]

Walmart has a duty to its shareholders to squeeze every penny of profits they can.

[flomo]

bill gates is the mastermind behind walmart

we used to hate microsoft, now he has made something we hate more

walmart
those fu@?ers

~v~e~r~m~o~n~t~ is very anti walmart
but NH/NY locations of walmart are along their border and are very profitable


i got that wrong, extremely profitable

those who vote walmart to damnation and those whom buy there are 2 different peoples

target, kmart, meijer, and all the rest are no better


i buy my shit at goodwill
\
and i think those badtards are trying to screw me

[flomo]

i'm drunk

gabe nailed this earlier

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Fnord]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AloHq0ih4mw

[flomo]

anything with tard or nard behind it is funny


ty fnard
:P

[Harry]

I own stock in SHLD so shop at Kmart.

[boost]

Harry I have a members only jacket too. Im not ballin/brave enough to wear it though. It was my granddads, my grandma gave it to me.

[givememyleg]

damn you drunks making the thread all wide and stuff

[givememyleg]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AloHq0ih4mw

damn youtube, they cut this clip out right at the best part (well besides the "fuck you in the fucking neck" quote) because all the girls show their boobs.

man i love p&t bullshit, such a great show.

[kevster]

Makes no difference what Chavez says about Bush, but I do care that he's rigged elections, thrown independent journalists in jail, and that he uses the oil money to support terrorists and Communist revolutions in other countries in South America. Just because he doesn't like Bush, doesn't make him a good guy.

Oil money to support terrorists? Any proof?

You're right, disliking Bush doesn't necessarily make him a good guy and he probably isn't - he's a politician right?

It never fails to make me chuckle that (somewhat understandably) all US citizens think Communism = bad. It's an imperfect model but Cuba (for example) has a lot going for it whilst also having several negative points.

These countries are chiefly disliked because of political history dating back to the cold war. Cuba is just a tourist trap these days and I find the idea of the US administration being afraid of them laughable.

Chavez is strong in his rhetoric, wants to undermine US influence in South America and there's perhaps a little more concern here. However, the bottom line is that Venezuela and other countries don't deal with the US because of US sanctions and that's their main issue.

If the US wasn't so busy in the middle east I wouldn't be surprised to see it setting it's sights firmly on Venezeula (taking out Cuba at the same time because of the oil situation).

What I'm getting at is that just as much (if not more) of the aggression comes from America and as a result, ultimately these other countries are just sticking together because they have to - wouldn't you?

[flomo]

damn you drunks making the thread all wide and stuff

fixed
sorry gmml

[givememyleg]

damn you drunks making the thread all wide and stuff

fixed
sorry gmml

[boost]

Makes no difference what Chavez says about Bush, but I do care that he's rigged elections, thrown independent journalists in jail, and that he uses the oil money to support terrorists and Communist revolutions in other countries in South America. Just because he doesn't like Bush, doesn't make him a good guy.

Oil money to support terrorists? Any proof?

You're right, disliking Bush doesn't necessarily make him a good guy and he probably isn't - he's a politician right?

It never fails to make me chuckle that (somewhat understandably) all US citizens think Communism = bad. It's an imperfect model but Cuba (for example) has a lot going for it whilst also having several negative points.

These countries are chiefly disliked because of political history dating back to the cold war. Cuba is just a tourist trap these days and I find the idea of the US administration being afraid of them laughable.

Chavez is strong in his rhetoric, wants to undermine US influence in South America and there's perhaps a little more concern here. However, the bottom line is that Venezuela and other countries don't deal with the US because of US sanctions and that's their main issue.

If the US wasn't so busy in the middle east I wouldn't be surprised to see it setting it's sights firmly on Venezeula (taking out Cuba at the same time because of the oil situation).

What I'm getting at is that just as much (if not more) of the aggression comes from America and as a result, ultimately these other countries are just sticking together because they have to - wouldn't you?

well put.

[bigspenda73]

I just visited walmart for groceries.

It certainly is the scum of the earf walking around there; however, you can get everything you need at one store, prices are lower, and it makes me feel better seeing people who's lives must be worse than my own.

I especially enjoyed the mother with her 7 kids walking around and the 2 college kids whose cart was filled with crates of Ramen.