Walmart: Evil or no?

Rufusboi · 02-19-2010, 10:19 AM

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 · 02-19-2010, 10:40 AM

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 · 02-19-2010, 10:51 AM

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.

02-19-2010, 10:40 AM	#2
NJFemmie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: The original lime-twisted femme Preferred Pronoun?: I answer to most things, especially lesbian. Relationship Status: Still loving my Mare ;) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,683 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,343 Thanked 11,419 Times in 2,976 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	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. __________________

02-19-2010, 10:19 AM	#1
Rufusboi Member How Do You Identify?: Trans Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Partnered Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SouthTexas - On the Gulf Posts: 694 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 210 Thanked 429 Times in 162 Posts Rep Power: 505008	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`

02-19-2010, 10:51 AM	#3
Blaze Senior Member How Do You Identify?: With my drivers Lic. Preferred Pronoun?: Gentleman.. Depends on the Situation. Relationship Status: Last Rodeo, what a ride, many sunrises & sunsets to be had... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: where a realtor had me sign the dotted line Posts: 1,901 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,466 Thanked 5,456 Times in 1,450 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	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.