Walmart: Evil or no?

[MsTinkerbelly]

My daughter's Father works at Wally World, and has since 1992. He is full-time, has Medical (for my daughter as well), dental and profit sharing. Since he had his pace maker (he is 49 years old) implanted, he has been unable to return to the heavier lifting and assembly type work he did for them. So, they CREATED another greeter position for him and he is able to be employed at the same hours and pay he received before.

He and his 10% discount have saved his and my family major money over the years. Walmart out to make a profit yep....Walmart evil? Well, I guess it depends on who is telling the story.

My totally biased 2 cents

[Linus]

Originally Posted by Blushingfemme

My daughter's Father works at Wally World, and has since 1992. He is full-time, has Medical (for my daughter as well), dental and profit sharing. Since he had his pace maker (he is 49 years old) implanted, he has been unable to return to the heavier lifting and assembly type work he did for them. So, they CREATED another greeter position for him and he is able to be employed at the same hours and pay he received before.

He and his 10% discount have saved his and my family major money over the years. Walmart out to make a profit yep....Walmart evil? Well, I guess it depends on who is telling the story.

My totally biased 2 cents

It's rare that I hear of this kind of scenario but good for him. I'm surprised he's not in a manager's position however given how long he's been with them.

I have no problem with a company making a profit (I do work for one that does so and does so well but 95% of my company's workforce gets paid well with full benefits and profit sharing). But I wonder, given how long he's been with the company, if he's the exception rather than the rule (from an employees point of view). Additionally, the forcing of other companies to reduce their price down to well below cost (WalMart has done this) has a side effect with other companies and forcing them to move jobs out of the US, etc.

[Rufusboi]

I would say not evil and for a lot of reasons. Perfect, no? Good jobs, possibly not, but it depends. I know they have a reputation for not promoting women to upper management. But so do a lot of businesses. This isn't limited to Wally World....its about entrenched sex discrimination in this country. I worked briefly for wal mart a few years ago. I also heard they had a reputation for not hiring or keeping gay people. Well, hell, that Wal mart was full of us. And I'm butch as hell and no one cared.

What I noticed that people who worked were rewarded. They were desperate for people to work. Far too many employees hide and try to get out of working. The worker turn over is huge. Stores are so big that employees are often on the honor system. And many take advantage and hide or take extra long breaks. I worked with a guy stocking who could not read. He was a hell of a worker. He will have a job for life at that store. He stocked by matching colors and pictures.

So yes, I hear all the good and bad. But I think you have to keep all the pros and cons in mind when talking about Wal mart. It isn't all evil and it isn't all perfect. Do I shop at Wal-Mart, yes I do. Is it full of cheap plastic junk from China, yes it is. You have to pick and choose what you buy. Are other stores full of cheap junk from China. Yes they are! I think Wal mart gets the most criticism because it is so big and so visible, but I think all these other box stores are doing the exact same thing as Wal mart but don't get the criticism. Don't tell me that Target and K Mart are doing anything different because I don't think they are.

Rufus`

[NJFemmie]

Evil, would be a matter of opinion I guess... but affordable? yes.

We shop there for some items - but we also shop various places to get the most out of our money. The times unfortunately call for it, and we're just frugal that way. Sure they sell cheap crap, but so do other stores.

I certainly don't agree with their employment policies, but then again, people ARE working there. The benefit issue isn't limited to Walmart - most retail stores purposely schedule their employees for less hours - or they increase the 'minimum' hours - so they don't have to pay for their insurance (usually management positions get the insurance). Inconceivable to think when you know they are multi-million or billion dollar stores - but it's widespread. Grocery stores do the same thing - they make it difficult for their workers to obtain insurance unless you work a ridiculous amount of hours every week.

Maybe the whole retail system is evil. I certainly know it isn't fair.

[Blaze]

Walmart serves a purpose to those that work there and those that shop there. Don't like their policies? Easy to see what you should do...don't save money, and get an education. Simplistic?

You have a point there. It does benefit many that would not have the opportunity to work, But...
I don't like there policies! And it is easy for me to see what I should do...
I save money, I use coupons, in fact I am married to the coupon queen.
So there fore, I do save money, and I avoid spending my money at a place that I do not like there policies.
I am educated, and at the moment am still getting a higher education for job purposes.
sim·plis·ti·cal·ly It will be a very long argument topic, to which I am looking forward too.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by Linus

It's rare that I hear of this kind of scenario but good for him. I'm surprised he's not in a manager's position however given how long he's been with them.

I have no problem with a company making a profit (I do work for one that does so and does so well but 95% of my company's workforce gets paid well with full benefits and profit sharing). But I wonder, given how long he's been with the company, if he's the exception rather than the rule (from an employees point of view). Additionally, the forcing of other companies to reduce their price down to well below cost (WalMart has done this) has a side effect with other companies and forcing them to move jobs out of the US, etc.

No, just a regular ol' grunt. He has some disabilities...oh yeah, Wal-mart hires the disabled...let's hold that against them too. After all, if they didn't hire the older, disabled, teens, etc...that have a hard time getting ANY kind of job, then the fully capable adults that have gone to school to make something better of themselves would have a job that paid well and had huge benefits. Ummm not. Oh and his wife (who is an idiot but not disabled..LOL) also works for Wal-mart, and has the same benefits. Between the two of them they make less per year than I do...that is very sad, but all they are capable of earning.

Walmart serves a purpose to those that work there and those that shop there. Don't like their policies? Easy to see what you should do...don't save money, and get an education. Simplistic?

[T D]

I suggest that you watch the documentary on Walmart. I think it's called The High Price of Low Cost, something like that. Walmart for the most part does NOT treat their employees well, and most definitely does NOT in their over seas manufacturing plants. This documentary will definitely enlighten you. For instance they provide really poor housing for their workers, but if a worker chooses not to live there they're still docked for costs associated with living in Walmarts piss poor housing.

I think the thing that makes me vote EVIL, is that they (the family) has more money than they could possibly EVER spend or need, yet they have had to be pressured into providing some basic things, such as providing parking lot security, etc. Of course not until people have been maimed, raped, even killed.

They also kill small business in many, many towns, and have been run out of some towns or denied access to building/opening in them. I know in my town Walmart was not allowed to build one of their super stores, you know the ones with a grocery store as well.

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by T D

I suggest that you watch the documentary on Walmart. I think it's called The High Price of Low Cost, something like that. Walmart for the most part does NOT treat their employees well, and most definitely does NOT in their over seas manufacturing plants. This documentary will definitely enlighten you. For instance they provide really poor housing for their workers, but if a worker chooses not to live there they're still docked for costs associated with living in Walmarts piss poor housing.

I think the thing that makes me vote EVIL, is that they (the family) has more money than they could possibly EVER spend or need, yet they have had to be pressured into providing some basic things, such as providing parking lot security, etc. Of course not until people have been maimed, raped, even killed.

They also kill small business in many, many towns, and have been run out of some towns or denied access to building/opening in them. I know in my town Walmart was not allowed to build one of their super stores, you know the ones with a grocery store as well.

Can you find the name or a link to share with us? Maybe we all need a reality check.

[Ashlea?]

Originally Posted by Sachita

Can you find the name or a link to share with us? Maybe we all need a reality check.

http://walmartwatch.com/img/blog/glbt_policy.pdf

That's just for starters. People get fired all the time for being "suspicious". It's disgusting.

*Edit*
Little old, but it is still red listed. I shop by the BuyersGuide and have had a lower bill than when I "thought" I was saving by going to walmart.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...art-gays_N.htm

[Selenay]

Originally Posted by Sachita

Can you find the name or a link to share with us? Maybe we all need a reality check.

I actually watched this yesterday in a course I'm taking on social organizations. . .

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6AgKG-f4Tw&feature=related"]YouTube- Wal-Mart - High Cost of Low Price part 1 of 10[/ame]

[Rufusboi]

Originally Posted by T D

I suggest that you watch the documentary on Walmart. I think it's called The High Price of Low Cost, something like that. Walmart for the most part does NOT treat their employees well, and most definitely does NOT in their over seas manufacturing plants. This documentary will definitely enlighten you. For instance they provide really poor housing for their workers, but if a worker chooses not to live there they're still docked for costs associated with living in Walmarts piss poor housing.

I think the thing that makes me vote EVIL, is that they (the family) has more money than they could possibly EVER spend or need, yet they have had to be pressured into providing some basic things, such as providing parking lot security, etc. Of course not until people have been maimed, raped, even killed.

They also kill small business in many, many towns, and have been run out of some towns or denied access to building/opening in them. I know in my town Walmart was not allowed to build one of their super stores, you know the ones with a grocery store as well.

Why do we blame wal mart for killing small businesses? Why don't we blame shoppers for abandoning small businesses in favor of wal mart. No one makes anyone shop at wal-mart.

Rufus

[Linus]

Originally Posted by Rufusboi

Why do we blame wal mart for killing small businesses? Why don't we blame shoppers for abandoning small businesses in favor of wal mart. No one makes anyone shop at wal-mart.

Rufus

It's a good question. Consumers are getting both needs and wants met. They get a product at a price they can afford. And WalMart continual tries to lower the price. Fine. The reality is that lower cost has to come out of somewhere.

My understanding is (and based on the article I referenced in the OP) it has to do with what WalMart is doing to manufacturers of products. Basically, they are forcing them to create them and sell them at below cost if they want to reach the audience that WalMart has built. Yes, they are aggressively competitive but at what cost in the long run?

Source: Harper's 2006

Yet since 2004, Kraft has announced plans to shut thirty-nine plants, to let go 13,500 workers, and to eliminate a quarter of its products. Most reports blame soaring prices of energy and raw materials, but in a truly free market Kraft could have pushed at least some of these higher costs on to the consumer. This, however, is no longer possible. Even as costs rise, Wal-Mart and other discounters continue to demand that Kraft lower its prices further. Kraft has found itself with no other choice than to swallow the costs, and hence to tear itself to pieces.

This kind of behaviour has, IMO, a ripple effect that is felt. The 13,500 workers likely lost decent jobs and if they work at WalMart they are at a far lower pay scale than before. We are creating an environment where, to get lower costs, we are going to abuse workers and pay them at a substandard level.

Part of it, certainly, is due to the over-drive consumerism that exists here. But part of it is because of the nature of WalMart. And yes, others do it -- after seeing what WalMart was doing and seeing that no one stopped them (attempts by various gov'ts ended up being settled out of court with a few tossed). This study, done in 2004, details some of the hidden costs of WalMart. I suspect that we're paying more for WalMart than we realize.

Now, do I recognize that some good can come from them? Yes. There is always the possibility. I also don't think they are the only ones. Many people hire those with various disabilities and various age ranges. To be honest, and perhaps it's a sign of the difference between Can and the US, I don't see how WalMart is viewed as better at this than other organizations. I also wonder how much of the hiring choice (as in who and what type of person is hired) is more of a regional effect rather than a corporate wide policy or attitude.

Source: Harper article referenced above.

But the issue before us is not how Wal-Mart grew to scale but how Wal-Mart uses its power today and will use it tomorrow. The problem is that Wal-Mart, like other monopsonists, does not participate in the market so much as use its power to micromanage the market, carefully coordinating the actions of thousands of firms from a position above the market.

Walmart, to me, is the Microsoft of goods and services.

[T D]

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price(2005) NR

Filmmaker Robert Greenwald takes aim at the corporate giant that's come to symbolize big business in America -- Wal-Mart -- blasting the box-store Goliath for allegedly paying substandard wages, skimping on employee benefits and gutting communities. This hard-hitting, emotional documentary profiles the struggle of everyday folks from around the country who've committed themselves to fighting the mega-retailer.

Genre:
Social & Cultural Documentaries, Indie Documentaries

This movie is:
Inspiring, Dark, Controversial, Cerebral

Format:
DVD and streaming

For whomever it was that asked, I blame Walmart for killing small business because when a Walmart comes to town the small businesses simply cannot compete with Walmart's super cheap prices. The documentary also explains why so many of their products are so inexpensive as well. That happens when you basically employ the poor for practically nothing, and resell for a profit. If I'm buying a t-shirt from Walmart for $4.50, imagine what it cost them to make and import this t-shirt and still most likely make a huge profit on it!! There's NO WAY that small business can compete, thusly many, many small town America down towns are dying or are gone. The same thing happens to grocery stores when the super Walmarts move in. In addition many towns helped subsidize Walmart (as if they need(ed) financial assistance) to move into their towns, only to realize that it practically kills the town. Watch the documentary and decide for yourself.

[dixie]

Due to the total lack of jobs in my area, after being out of work for over 18 months, I went back to work in the photolab at WalMart. (I had worked for the company in my early 20s.) Yeah, their pay sucks but hey, it's a job.

When I worked for the company years ago, I worked in a store that was absolutely horrible. No women in mgmt, very sexist and just generally a horrible work environment. When I got the job offer this time, I was so dreading it because I expected the same thing eventhough it was a different location. So far I have been pleasantly surprised this go round. This new store I work at is almost a polar opposite to the first. At this one, our store manager is an openly gay female, as with a couple of our assistant managers. All but two of our Customer Service managers are openly gay males, and there are many many associates who are openly gay, including myself. I was almost shocked to see how gay friendly this store is with its employees, so very different from the last store which always seemed to fire the employees for one reason or another when it was "discovered" that the employee was gay.

The store is very geared for community involvement, inside its doors and out. We have lots of charity programs in the community and also for the employees. We hold benefit dinners inhouse for employees in need. I particularly like this program because the store donates most of the food (employees can donate dishes as well) and it is set up all day in the breakroom and charges $5 per plate for any employee who wants to participate. ALL of the money goes directly to the employee in need (who is kept anonymous). I've seen it help folks a great deal.

Unfortunately though, there are still some issues at this store. For example, two teenage girls working different departments. One girl is a total slacker who not only does NOT do her job but has over 40 unexcused absences. She has not even received a warning. The other girl works her ass off, is always there and always ready to help out wherever she is needed. Two days ago she started having chest pains and her arms went numb. She went into the breakroom to sit down and calm down because the situation was scaring her. She sat there for about 45 minutes. However, she did not tell a member of management what was going on until the end of that time period. Management fired her on the spot for "stealing company money" because she was on the clock when this occurred. WTF? I understand that she should have let someone know what was going on before leaving the floor (not just for her job's sake but for health's sake as well) but I feel that management should have been more understanding and lenient with her due to the circumstances and her previously impeccible work ethic. But that's just my view I guess.

As for most of the issues people have with WalMart for the way they treat their employees, I understand the frustration and anger (after all, I know firsthand). But after working for many different companies in many different places, I also realize that it's not just WalMart. There are MANY MANY companies out there who are just as bad if not worse. We just normally don't get to hear about those companies as often, because they aren't as publicly known as WalMart.

We could hope that at some point in time, ALL employers could be more fair and just with their employees, but I guess in the world of big business the $$$ are always going to be priority number one...

[Sachita]

This is a sensitive topic for me because they are getting ready to close Harris Teeter, a local chain and the only store that carries a lot of organic and specialty foods. If I am not growing I have to drive an hour to purchase organic foods.

Two years ago another store closed. Now Sam's Club pops up (owned by walmart) and slowly but surely everything else begins to close.

For years we have watched Walmart penetrate local markets and extinguish small businesses which BTW hurts the local economy YOU LIVE IN. It affects farming, the growth of organic and local production. Most of the products are produced from foods grown overseas. Not in the US because it would be impossible to offer those prices and availability if it wasn't.

Organic food has come down in price, however years ago if I had the option of buying something organic over non-organic I would spend the extra money not only because its more healthy but to support the market. Many people felt this way and as you can see supply and demand begins to even out. If you keep track of agriculture and the struggles with organic farming right now you'll see large pharmaceutical companies, many that own other large companies including Kraft, etc. are somehow affecting the regulatory processes of organic farming. Ultimately making it more difficult to get certified which means more market for the larger companies that purchase from overseas. It might say organic but do you really know what these overseas farms are doing?

damn getting on a rant... lol- the bottom line is that YES it is evil in every sense of the word. I am guilty for buying Sam's Club but I also grow a lot of my own food and make a point to support local stores and businesses. I wish the hell I didnt have to go to Sam's to buy organic spinach because my local store doesnt have it BUT IF people began support these local businesses the demand would make sure they had it. In my area I might be fighting a losing battle mainly because the consciousness just isn't here and this happens in some areas. The first of the month when everyone gets their government checks you'll see Walmart's lot packed full and carts full of processed foods, junk food and walmart house brands.

Obviously the problem is much more diversified and the cure of many problems won't happen over night.

You can change so many things buy supporting local farms. www.localharvest.org - if money is tight consider buying less. God knows some of us could be more frugal and purchase a little less. Simply by supporting local agricultural you will create such change that it will literally affect so many things in our country. If you must buy from Walmart at least support organic's and buy what you can organic and local- USA. Encourage others to do as well.

It is grassroots efforts that make the most impact. Instead of accepting the situation be even a small part of the change.

lol- sorryI could go on and on but bad sinus here and trying to work.

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by Blushingfemme

My daughter's Father works at Wally World, and has since 1992. He is full-time, has Medical (for my daughter as well), dental and profit sharing. Since he had his pace maker (he is 49 years old) implanted, he has been unable to return to the heavier lifting and assembly type work he did for them. So, they CREATED another greeter position for him and he is able to be employed at the same hours and pay he received before.

He and his 10% discount have saved his and my family major money over the years. Walmart out to make a profit yep....Walmart evil? Well, I guess it depends on who is telling the story.

My totally biased 2 cents

Yes obviously they can afford to take on the liabilities, pay for the insurances, etc. They have huge buying power.

Part of me wonders if the world is moving more towards this monopoly concepts and if so its really sad because so many deeper levels are effected.

I'm not sure I can get into all that today. Maybe this weekend tho. Just let me leave you with this little thought...

You're children scream for fast food, you give it to them because they enjoy it. They become adults and a whole host of healthy problems arise. They have never been to a farm or seen how food is grown or processed. They become depressed human beings because of the additives and chemicals in the food they eat and no connection with the earth.

Now when Walmart has a its shelves filled with recycled products, organic and local foods, recycle area, and offers all of this at a low price? well thats a whole other story.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by Sachita

You're children scream for fast food, you give it to them because they enjoy it. They become adults and a whole host of healthy problems arise. They have never been to a farm or seen how food is grown or processed. They become depressed human beings because of the additives and chemicals in the food they eat and no connection with the earth.

Now when Walmart has a its shelves filled with recycled products, organic and local foods, recycle area, and offers all of this at a low price? well thats a whole other story.

While I know you mean the "You" in this senario in the general way, I do not shop for most of my things at Walmart. I use Fresh and Easy for my food shopping (cheap and mostly organic lovely foods) because they do not have a union for their employees (don't get me started on the evils of unions), and the 99 cent store for household items sold cheaply, and the regular grocery for things my invalid Mother will not compromise on the quality for saving a buck. We have Whole foods markets (I won't shop there because the CEO is an asshat and the cost is too high) Trader Joe's, Bristol Farms,,, Tom's farms which is, suprise a farm.

My grocery bill with an invalid Mother, teenaged daughter, picky spouse, a cat blah blah blah runs nearly $2,000 a month. If I didn't have Wal-mart for medications, adult diapers blah blah blah....I would be living in my car. Oh, and I cook those lovely organic healthy foods...a three way bipass helps to change your attitude about food just a little. We eat "fast food" maybe 2x a month on the run after Kidney dialysis, doctor's appointments etc...

Okay, done...off the soap box...stuff to do

[Andrew, Jr.]

Wal-Mart could change how drug stores do business in the US if they really stuck with their program of the $5 and $10 co-pays of all drugs and not just the generics. For example, my diabetic drug, Actos, there is no generic for. So, I have to pay full cost or change what I take. I change what I took.

To me it would make more sense to keep a customer happy and stay with my store by saying ok, we will make it a $10 fee and eat the rest of the cost (we make it up anyway with our profit).

I spend $700 a month on my prescriptions alone. And that is with the generics as well as 1 reg. brand of anti-seizure med. that there is no generic for. That alone is $240 a month with a prescription plan. I can't live without it. It is what it is.

We have a long way to go with our healthcare system in the US. Too many are falling thru the cracks. I know for myself, I have skipped taking blood draws on some days because of the cost of the strips. I also skip taking full doses of xyz drug because I want to stretch it out due to my budget constrants. When folks have to choose between food and med. I know how they feel. It isn't just the old that get caught in this catagory.

[Selenay]

Walmart costs taxpayers each year over 1 Billion (that's with a B) dollars in state money. How, you may ask?

Federal aid, food stamps, WIC, state health care and welfare subsidies for fulltime and part time walmart employees.

For more scintillating information you can read Nickle and Dimed, or The Wal-Mart Effect

[apretty]

Originally Posted by Selenay

Walmart costs taxpayers each year over 1 Billion (that's with a B) dollars in state money. How, you may ask?

Federal aid, food stamps, WIC, state health care and welfare subsidies for fulltime and part time walmart employees.

For more scintillating information you can read Nickle and Dimed, or The Wal-Mart Effect

incase any of us lose sight of the real *cost* of shopping at wal-mart.