Do You feel guilty for shopping at Walmart?

I have a lot of friends who refuse to shop there, mainly because they are a big corporation that ends up putting a lot of the little guys out of business by always having the lowest price. Others don't like the way they pay so little to their workers. Personally, I shop there because I can literally save about 35% on my grocery bills by choosing them over the local grocers. Inflation has not kept up with the standards of living, and by shopping there, I get excellent value for my HARD EARNED money -- and I feel that if the workers there don't like getting paid low wages, they should look elsewhere for a job. It is still a free country, so if you object, go try getting a job somewhere else that pays better, don't blame Walmart for your lack of education or marketability. Just my opinion, I am not considered a "liberal" person, but it ticks me off to hear people low rating those who shop there. Some of us shop there because we can't AFFORD to shop at the other places!!!!

Do You feel guilty for shopping at Walmart?
It's your money, you can shop wherever you like.





I just hope that you're happy to cough up the extra money in the end, because as soon as they manage to put their competition out of business in your area, they'll jack up their prices to make the old competition look generous by comparison.





That's the part they don't tell you while you're jumping on the "screw the competition" bandwagon. They are ARTIFICIALLY lowering the prices in a given store, based on the local competition (subsidized by the regular prices in 90% of their other stores), with the express purpose of putting their competition out of business. Once they do, there will no longer be a reason to subsidize that store and you'll start seeing prices rise.





Frankly, I'm surprised that the government hasn't come after them for price-fixing.





But hey, that's not YOUR problem, right?
Reply:Well, it's your money and your right to spend it where you want, but it's not only small stores that are going under because of them, it's also U.S. manufacturers, so don't come back and whine when your job and your "hard earned money" goes over seas. Report It

Reply:Up until a few years ago I didn't shop the cut rate places but then I started shopping K-mart and when they closed I began at Walmart. I think Walmart is great. I see the same clothes in there that are in the catalogs (except if I shop Walmart I don't have to pay shipping and handling). I usually use a credit card when I shop at Walmart but I figure that some day the prices will go up and I won't be able to get all I need then, and I'm willing to pay interest just to get it now. I don't wear out my clothes so I figure I'll make out. If I can buy material there and sew something for myself I still make out. I haven't purchased food there yet, but, thanks for the tip.
Reply:i could give a rats azz about them putting the little guy out of business, the little guy needs to adapt to the needs of consumers or face the end. I do feel a little bad for the way walmarts employees get shorted on healthcare, but like you said its their choice to work there or not. I have found myself going to target a lot more recently though, i find it a much nicer store and they treat their employees very well.
Reply:yes, i do feel guilty about shopping there, for all the reasons you've listed... however, Costco often times matches or beats the walmart prices (for example: my iPod video costed less at Costco) and they do so much for the community (at least, where i live)





..... i also recieved an email a while ago discussing the cost of medication in pharmicies.... it said that there were many large companies that raised the prices so much that the made over 3,000% (three thousand) profit...... but at the end of the email it said that Costco sells them for much less (i don't remember the exact numbers, but i think it was only like 5-10% profit or something like that?)





anyway, i do shop at walmart, but, like i said before, Costco can often beat them in prices, and almost always (90+% of the time) beats them in quality.
Reply:Great businesses--those that save you significant time, money or energy and/or offer a very valuable product/service--always put other companies out of business. That's capitalism. It's that competition that drives people (companies) to constantly innovate, evolve, and create/demand better products and services. And as a society we're much better off for it.





And as far as pay goes, Wal Mart is like McDonald's and dozens of other companies just like them--you're not supposed to make a career out of working there (unless you're in upper management or an exec). They provide solid jobs and good experience for young, inexperienced workers. They expect to have high turnover and re-hire a whole new workforce every few years. No one expects you to be able to work as a cashier at Wal Mart and live rich. Just like no one expects you to work at any other minimum wage job and live rich--but you don't here anyone bashing any other companies with a large low-paid workforce (and there are thousands--think of every grocery store, pharmacy, restaurant, factory, etc). The big successful companies are always the targets though. Like you deserve a $80,000 salary and benefits just for showing up and being a greeter/cashier at WalMart. Sorry, but that just isn't realistic.





Plus Wal Mart does good things too. Them promoting halogen light bulbs for one year is causing the equivalent of taking 1,000,000 cars off the road forever. Them switching to solar power and hybrid trucks can single-handedly change the environment for the better--overnight. It's an incredible amount of power, but they're being held accountable by the public and using it for good more and more.





If they were really a horrible employer, no one would work there. If they had terrible service/products, no one would shop there.
Reply:I don't shop there because I don't like a lot of their corporate decisions. I am all for a free market, but they manipulate their suppliers, then cause companies to close or go overseas because Wal-Mart insists on paying less for the same products. What really bothers me is the same people who shop at Wal Mart complaining when their jobs are shipped overseas. There is a cause and effect in the economy that people are overlooking, and it's sad.
Reply:HeII no I don't feel guilty. It is called free enterprise. Only an idiot pays more for something than they have to. Or, as my brother would say, your friends have more dollars than sense.





Ref: Salary. 74 or 76 Percent of all management jobs come right off the floor at Walmart. They promote from within. Entry level jobs are just that, entry level. If you plan to be a greeter for the rest of your life, that is your problem, not the problem of your employer.





You are not a liberal on this issue. I don't know about others but on this one you are a full blooded conservative.





Sam Walton saw a way to make money by providing a service. Where is the fvcking crime??? No they aren't unionized, I have never been a member of a union and since I am retired, I guess I never will be. Poor me!!!





Tell your friends to go ahead and spend their money as they see fit, it is their money just as your money is yours to spend as you like. I have never owned a Japanese Automobile and never plan to but that is my choice, my money and I don't do it for my reasons.





Gee, do you think you may have hit a nerve??? OK, let's call it a hot button and let it go at that.





Have a great evening...
Reply:all I know is that walmart is evil, they throw their weight around and they won't stop until all the honest family owned small businesses go under. You are all brainwashed if you don't see something that is right in front of your eyes. Until you're effected personally it means nothing to you. My parent's store is currently endangered by a $uper walmart opening in the next town.
Reply:Unfortunately, there is a growing problem in America, that they are "owed" something. Through Walmart's success, they have put MORE PEOPLE TO WORK IN AMERICA THAN ANY OTHER RETAILER! Your right, the employee has a choice. Most likely they would complain about anything.


I am not liberal either, nor am I a liberal basher either. However, some of their Politicians and "Entitlement" polices, have made a growing number folks the impression that business is evil and that business owes them something. I myself am self employed and new at that, as I didn't like the corporate world anymore after over 20 years. But I don't bash Walmart or Corporate America, I just decided to go it on my own, to see if I could make a better life and better living. I get no benefits, except what I work and pay for, and my paycheck is the amount of business I work hard enough to get. Walmart or any other corporation is not their mommy, no matter what some would have you believe.


Unless I misunderstood, the Constitution says the "Right" to pursue happiness. I don't remember it saying we have the "Entitlement".
Reply:I love the WALLY MART!!!!! I shop there because the prices are lower and it saves my time because I'm not driving all over the place. Even in when we vacation in Acapulco , Mexico I shop at the local Wal Mart where you can even buy all your liquor and sightseeing tour tickets. I don’t feel bad at all for shopping at Wal Mart but every one has a cause and for some it’s stopping Wal Mart.


I really do understand why people want to stop the Wal Mart bulldozer but until I am offered a viable alternative I will keep shopping there. It’s the same as telling me that I should walk to work because my car is causing pollution. I know my car is causing pollution but I work 20 miles away and public transportation is not a viable alternative.
Reply:I don't feel guilty at all! It's my money, my earnings. You are right-they are extrememly underpaid!
Reply:Competition always works and keeps prices lower for everyone. Your friends who won't shop there are basically socialists, while you are a capitalist. Walmart employs thousands of people all over the country providing decent wages for the level of work done.
Reply:No I don't feel guilty at all for paying LESS by shopping at Wal-Mart. That's what I call wisdom.





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