Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

PBS Hit Piece on WalMart
Human Events Online ^ | 11/18/04 | Bruce Bartlett

Posted on 11/18/2004 5:45:24 PM PST by WuzaDem

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-149 next last
I watched this piece of crap. At times the "correspondent" seemed aghast that WM was actually trying to *bargain* with their vendors to get the lowest prices - "So we're talking about just pennies here?". I don't think he could get a job as a procurement specialist at a reputable company any time soon if he can't understand that a few pennies times hundreds of thousands (or even millions) actually adds up to a fairly significant amount of money.

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.

1 posted on 11/18/2004 5:45:24 PM PST by WuzaDem
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: WuzaDem

Maybe Wal-Mart would do better if they had a huge federal subsidy -- like PBS.


2 posted on 11/18/2004 5:47:23 PM PST by AmishDude
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WuzaDem

EVERYBODY. SUPPORT WALMART!


3 posted on 11/18/2004 5:48:03 PM PST by uncitizen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WuzaDem

Only middle class and poor people shop at Wal Mart. Those conservatives and their SUV's go there. They're disgusting. :) HA!

Just kidding.


4 posted on 11/18/2004 5:49:00 PM PST by writer33 (The U.S. Constitution defines a conservative)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WuzaDem

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!


5 posted on 11/18/2004 5:49:23 PM PST by Guillermo (Michael Moore is fat)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WuzaDem

Progressive leftists don't understand that everybody's income is somebody else's cost.


6 posted on 11/18/2004 5:49:44 PM PST by Maceman (Too nuanced for a bumper sticker)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: uncitizen

Walmart has the best prices for books and CD's.


7 posted on 11/18/2004 5:50:45 PM PST by Ciexyz (I use the term Blue Cities, not Blue States. PA is red except for Philly, Pgh & Erie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: WuzaDem
Thanks for the post. The usual gang of Wal-Mart bashers will be along shortly.

As for me I will keep buying stock in this successful business as I have for almost 25 years now,

8 posted on 11/18/2004 5:50:56 PM PST by Graybeard58 (Coulter/Ingraham - '08.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WuzaDem
It's good to see Bartlett whining like a stuck pig.
Alan Tonelson has a much more substantive perspective.

Interview with Alan Tonelson (Is Wal-Mart Good for America?)

9 posted on 11/18/2004 5:51:39 PM PST by Willie Green
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Maceman

Wasn't Sam Walton a Clinton supporter?


10 posted on 11/18/2004 5:51:59 PM PST by gov_bean_ counter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: WuzaDem

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.


11 posted on 11/18/2004 5:52:34 PM PST by FreeKeys ("The power to tax involves the power to destroy." – Cf Justice John Marshall, McCulloch v. Md, 1819)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WuzaDem

if econ were required of all students in high school and college, the democrat party would go evaporate.


12 posted on 11/18/2004 5:54:07 PM PST by ken21 (against the democrat plantation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WuzaDem
Subject Done to Death Here.
13 posted on 11/18/2004 5:55:01 PM PST by Barlowmaker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gov_bean_ counter
"Wasn't Sam Walton a Clinton supporter?

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.

14 posted on 11/18/2004 5:56:35 PM PST by FreeKeys ("The power to tax involves the power to destroy." – Cf Justice John Marshall, McCulloch v. Md, 1819)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Graybeard58
Had a friend who owned a pharmacy in Foley, Alabama when Wal-Mart moved to town. Instead of folding up shop, he installed a soda fountain / malt shop and went retro. His wife was the pharmacist. They give personal attention, know their customers, offer something a little different and are still in business. One month several years ago they were featured in Southern Living.
15 posted on 11/18/2004 5:57:36 PM PST by gov_bean_ counter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: uncitizen

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


16 posted on 11/18/2004 6:00:09 PM PST by durasell (Friends are so alarming, My lover's never charming...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: gov_bean_ counter

Wow! I have seen "Southern Living" exactly once and that's the one I saw.

Scary


17 posted on 11/18/2004 6:01:08 PM PST by WuzaDem (Reformed Democrat, "sober" for nearly ten years now.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: ken21
"if econ were required of all students in high school and college, the democrat party would go evaporate."

Not it if they use anything like Paul Samuelson's textbooks (exposed HERE) instead of some of THESE!

18 posted on 11/18/2004 6:01:34 PM PST by FreeKeys ("The power to tax involves the power to destroy." – Cf Justice John Marshall, McCulloch v. Md, 1819)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Willie Green
It's good to see Bartlett whining like a stuck pig.

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.

19 posted on 11/18/2004 6:02:22 PM PST by LowCountryJoe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: WuzaDem

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!


20 posted on 11/18/2004 6:03:46 PM PST by buckeyesrule
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-149 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson