The Wal-Mart Addiction

[cbankhead07]

I've been anti-WalMart since the year 2008 began.  I refuse to spend my money there because I know how they rake in the money, but barely pay their employees and they offer scarce to no benefits.  I worked there for a short stint when I was a young mother and my check was never enough to make ends meet. 
     Around the end of last year when I quit shopping walmart, I began to notice that WalMart was somewhat of an addiction to black people in my area.  I dare to compare it to the crack epidemic, because it seems like black people are constantly pouring their paychecks into Sam Walton et. al.'s pockets.   With the boom of Walmart Supercenter's abounding, people seemed to more and more count on Wal-Mart for their One-stop shopping.  As the madness continued, they added a finance/business  center where you could cash your paycheck (for a fee) and a pre-loaded Walmart Visa you could put your money on... they started selling gas at Sam's club, and to top it all off, the completely abolished lay-away... 
     Since I stopped shopping at WalMart,   I've noticed a few things that have led me to the conclusion that WalMart is an addiction:
1.  It took me a long time to remember how to shop
   Before WalMart, people used to shop.   If you wanted shoes, you went to a shoe store.  For groceries, there's the grocery store.  Electronics have a store, and Toys have a store, etc..
2.  Whenever I wanted to buy something, the first thought that came to mind was Walmart

It's very hard when gas prices are so high, to shop around, so I've found that comparison shopping on the internet is optimal most of the time before I choose which shop to drive too.  Public transportation is new to my area, so the stops are few and far between.  (Two walmart supercenters on the route, though) After Over 3 months of WalMart free living, I've found out a few things about shopping for stuff.

1. You can get better quality clothing, shoes, housewares, etc.  at Namebrand stores for as less or cheaper than WalMart if you know when and where to shop.

2.  Most major retail stores price match so if you want a Wal-Mart price with a non-walmart quality, you can bring a sales paper in to most places and get the same price if they carry the item.  (For some reason, walmart carries inferior quality merchandise, even if it's the same brand and model).

3.  The best deals are online...why? because most poor people don't have computers or internet...I know that sounds harsh, but it's not my judgement, just my observation...that's how the world keeps the poorman poor...he pays the most money for the lowest quality...

4.  It's hard to pull black folks away from their Wal-Mart mentality...I get this a lot.  I will say to my friends or sister, let's go window shopping, and the first place they want to go is Walmart...I say "I don't do Walmart" and they always give me funny looks, or say something smart like "Oh yeah, I forgot you're funny like that."

I just felt like sharing this with you guys.  Tell me what you think...

[sheenalee]

Mar. 26, 2008 at 12:27 PM Unfortunatley I had to vote the first choice. We live in a very small community and Walmart is basically the only place to shop now since they have caused just about everything else to close down. thiere is another grocery store but it cost's double to shop there, and with two young kids that's hard to balance. If I want to shop somewhere else I would have to drive about an hour to get there, and now whit gas prices the way they are it's cheaper to shop at freakin wal mart. I hate that place! Even their online service is crap. we had ordered a desk because of the price, as soon as we opened the box we could see that it was broken. Finally after three weeks and numerous phone calls they finally came and picked up the desk. We will never order from there again. And as soon as I can afford another route, we will never shop there again.

[AdiansMom23]

Mar. 26, 2008 at 12:30 PM i love walmart and will ALWAYS shop there i live in a very small town less than 10,000 people when our univeristy ENMU is out of session...Walmart is our only option so thats where i choose to shop... unless driving 20 miles for the other stores and that cost more gas than its worth...so yup i love walmart!!

[mlcopl2]

Mar. 26, 2008 at 12:41 PM I don't do Walmart because of their practices and how they treat their part time help. Most people don't look any father past their adds and like it was mentioned  you can find deals else  where. It 's a thing about the sale ads once you get into the store you just pick a little of this up and a little of that, because it's there to find out it was much cheaper at the cvs or best buy or where ever. It is also a marketing ploy. just like  the can of tuna  at  2 oz. at the cashriesr on sell,  if you looked on the shelf for the larger can per once it was cheaper. If we don't pay attention they will be the only store around to shop at and then they can up their prices and we won't have a choice.The clothing does wear out faster and then your right back buying again. The poor people have a choice they just don't know it, they just think poor. They assume some clothing stores are more, when they aren't ,,,,,,,,,look for sales.... Have a good day...............:)

[missie1217]

Mar. 26, 2008 at 12:43 PM

While I love to shop, it is just so much easier to go to Walmart and buy everything you need at once!  Of course i still love to go to malls or outlets, and shop online- but for the majority of things it's a one stop place so I don't have to drag my kids around!  I guess my opinion would change if I ever had problems with their merchandise.

[FaeryDreamer]

Mar. 26, 2008 at 12:49 PM With the price of gas, one stop shopping is ideal.  That's why I choose to shop wal-mart.

[mommytoadam]

Mar. 26, 2008 at 1:45 PM I love Walmart.  I go once per month and that's all I allow myself to go.  I make a  list and then shop for the month.  Where else can you get groceries, birthday presents, tires changed and your nails done in one spot?!?!  And with two toddlers 6 months apart, going to 10 different stores dragging them out each and every time isn't an option. 

[p2of9]

Mar. 26, 2008 at 2:29 PM

We shop at WalMart mostly for convenience and price.  I don't buy groceries there, because the grocery store is cheaper.  I don't buy gas there, because the station by our house is WAY cheaper.  But I do go there for pretty much everything else.  Pet supplies cost a small fortune at a pet store, even during a sale.  Electronics at, say, Radio Shack also cost a ton.  WalMart's prices are just cheaper.

As for the low-paid-employee thing?  I have no guilt because they CHOOSE to work there.  I refuse to use the self check-out lanes though, because I think those could cause someone to lose their job eventually.

 

[unique_puzzle]

Mar. 26, 2008 at 2:42 PM I'm glad you posted this.  I really agree with you.  I avoid shopping at Walmart if at all possible.  My reasons also stem from the fact that many of Walmarts products come from China.  There have been too many recalls of Chinese prodcuts for me to feel safe using them for my family.  I also try to buy products that are as "natural" as possible.  Aside from the token organic products,   Walmart does not sell many natural or organic items.  I suppose another reason I am against Walmart is because I would rather support the small family business than the big corporations.  I really enjoyed shopping in Japan where there were many neighborhood shops that were run from the family home.  Unfortunately this is becoming less common in Japan now too. 

[Luckybear05]

Mar. 26, 2008 at 3:18 PM i shop online. and if i need something bad enough i go there. but since dillons has bought out all the "cheap" grocers in my area i have no choice but to buy my groceries at walmart. I go about midnight or 1am so that i dont have to deal with stupid people. And i can go by myself.

[my5lilmonkeys]

Mar. 26, 2008 at 3:59 PM

I shop at Wal-Mart all the time but in my town its about our only option. I do have to disagree with your thought on their pay and benefits though.......while the pay COULD be better, it isnt horrible, better than somewhere like McDonald....and the benefits are actualyl REALLY good and cheap too. How do I know? I work for Wal-Mart, IM a customer service manager for them. as far as the benefits go, yes they do have certain guidelines for them but what company doesnt? and for the people that arent quit eligible for insurance yet they ahve a subsidary insurance yo can get to cover you until you are eligible for insurance and benefits. But honestly though the benefits I ahve through Wal-Mart ae just as good if not better than the benefts my husband has and mine are cheaper per month than his are too. Its really easy to criticize somewhere like Wal-Mart thats a huge corporation but until youve worked for them and know the inner workings you shouldnt remark on things you have ansolutely NO idea about!