Posted on 11/18/2004 5:45:24 PM PST by WuzaDem
Our hero uncovered even more "scorched earth" practices such as *GASP* featuring "loss-leaders" - now for as long as I can remember companies have been advertising a few cheap products so that they can get you into their place of business, in the hopes that you will buy something else as well (or a more expensive version of said product). The way it was presented here (by the bitter union rep/ex-WalMart manager), you practically HAVE TO buy the $89.00 microwave, as opposed to the $35.00 microwave you came in to look at. I'm not sure if they threated you physically, hypnotized you or what, but evidently you have no choice once you are inside the store.
Then there was the tragic Rubbermaid story. Rubbermaid was doing very well - until they started doing business with WalMart - then they started doing INCREDIBLY well. They sold more product then they ever had in the history of the company, the stock went up and everyone was happy. Until there was an increase in one of the raw materials they used. WalMart would not accept a price increase, and Frontline made it look this was responsible for the collapse of the company - they showed one of the plants being shut down and the equipment being auctioned off. They sort of skimmed over the fact that the company was bought out by another firm (in which case I'm sure the execs didn't do badly, but PBS gave them a pass since they were using them to make WM look bad), not to mention the fact that THEY WEREN'T DOING BUSINESS WITH WALMART AT ONE POINT IN THEIR HISTORY ANY WAY. It seems WalMart has some responsibility to keep their suppliers in business.
End rant.
Maybe Wal-Mart would do better if they had a huge federal subsidy -- like PBS.
EVERYBODY. SUPPORT WALMART!
Only middle class and poor people shop at Wal Mart. Those conservatives and their SUV's go there. They're disgusting. :) HA!
Just kidding.
How DARE Wal-Mart shop around for the cheapest vendors!
Too many morons in this country (and around here) think the purpose of a company is to provide jobs to the local populace.
HELLO...the purpose of a company is to maximize profits for its shareholders! NOTHING MORE!
Progressive leftists don't understand that everybody's income is somebody else's cost.
Walmart has the best prices for books and CD's.
As for me I will keep buying stock in this successful business as I have for almost 25 years now,
Interview with Alan Tonelson (Is Wal-Mart Good for America?)
Wasn't Sam Walton a Clinton supporter?
CNBC had a better report on Wal-Mart a few days ago. Who needs PBS, anyway (You know YOU pay for it!)?
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical."
Thomas Jefferson, Statute of Religious Freedom, 1779.
if econ were required of all students in high school and college, the democrat party would go evaporate.
Maybe; it was more than likely a matter of the usual politician's protection-racket game, which Sam had to play along with "or else," especially knowing the politician involved. Whatever, Sam's HEIRS are definitely Republicans.
Been in one Wal-Mart. Not particularly pleasant. Felt like a rat in a maze and the sales people were uninformed. I'm willing to pay a hire price for better service, at least on items that cost over $20.00
Wow! I have seen "Southern Living" exactly once and that's the one I saw.
Scary
Not it if they use anything like Paul Samuelson's textbooks (exposed HERE) instead of some of THESE!
Wait, Bartlett is whining? What about the crap the you post in the forums every stinkin'...that's not whining? Willie, you're a "Charlie-Delta", big time! What's worse is that you don't even see yourself for what you are...big government, central planning loving, suck-pump.
There, it has been said...now ping the moderator.
Yes I saw this show as well and it was obviously anti-Walmart. Most of the people they interviewed seemed to be former employees who might have an ax the grind. The only semi-valid point they made is that because Walmart uses cheap labor overseas that forces other store like Target or Kmart to also use cheap labor which may effect manufacturers in the US. They gave an example of an Ohio town (Circleville Ohio-home of the pumpkin festival BTW) that had to close some manufacturing places and many people were out of work. Thats too bad but thats the way things can go for a one industry town where most everyone does the same thing or work for one industry. If certain things happen you may have to find something else to do. Most people are usually going to buy what they want or need for the cheapest they can get it. Walmart seems OK with me!
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