Bob StefkoBob StefkoThe liberals should be happy that the executives are sitting on lawn chairs. It's a bit much. MSNBC aired a good documentary on Walmart recently. The rooms where vendors pitch Walmart buyers look like modern prison cells.
He was a complete idiot, all he had to do was say they weren't going to lower the price anymore and then let walmart decide whether they were going to continue carrying the snapper line.
The independant dealers will be gone in 10 years, and then where will snapper be?
There is a place for both. I can't buy a snapper or any high end mower cost effectively because I often mow over hidden rocks, hidden stumps, etc., and those items tear up ANY mower. Sometimes they last 4-5 years, sometimes less than a mowing season. (march-nov) Not all of us live in a cute city with a cute yard.
"The Wal-Mart vice president responded with strategy and argument. Snapper is the sort of high-quality nameplate, like Levi Strauss, that Wal-Mart hopes can ultimately make it more Target-like. He suggested that Snapper find a lower-cost contract manufacturer. He suggested producing a separate, lesser-quality line with the Snapper nameplate just for Wal-Mart. Just like Levi did."
Home Depot does exactly the same thing. Moen,American Standard, Kohler, among others were forced to introduce special Home Depot lines 0f cheaper made versions or lose Home Depot as a dealer.
The whole reason I have a Snapper mower is because I don't plan on ever getting a new one. I expect it will last another 20 years *at least*, by which time I'll be ready to give up yard work. I live in the country and have a large yard, and part of my therapy ... er, ah, exercise routine is to work on my yard and garden and orchard and pasture.
My Snapper is built rugged and simple. The parts have not changed for many many years, and are available everywhere. It's easy to service and was a good value.
I understand that it's good politics here at FR to stand behind Wal-Mart no matter what, but I get the impression that that's only because the Democrats are against Wal-Mart because of their hiring practices. People here love Wal-Mart simply because the Dems hate Wal-Mart, but that's not good enough for me. While I'm not anti-Wal-Mart, neither am I pro-Wal-Mart simply becaue the Dems don't like them. I think Wal-Mart is free do do business how they choose, and hire who they choose, and pay their employees whatever their employees are willing to work for. That's business. That's life. You are worth exactly what you're willing to work for. Period. And, in fact, I know people who work for Wal-Mart and have never heard a complaint from any of them.
But, the fact is that much of what Wal-Mart sells is cheap Chinese made crap! So when I want cheap crap I go to Wal-Mart. That's what they're there for. Their aisles are narrow and crowded, but their stuff is cheap. That's the deal, and I wish the Dems could deal with it better.
But I must defend Snapper here. They make a GREAT lawn mower. Made in the USA. Expensive. But a good deal if you intend to care for it. I got my Snapper from a local "small engine" shop, and will defend that decision. My money stayed in the USA and supported my neighbors. And if you look at the picture of the Snapper mower above you can see that it's designed to be serviced. It's essentially made inside-out, where everything can be gotten to. One of the best investments I've ever made. Not just in my lawn mower, but in my neighbors. I say buy USA when it makes sense!
In other words, I won't sell to Wal-mart, because that will put me out of business, but I will sell out to another company and no longer have my business.
Go figure.
The only reason this guy got press is because, in their mind, he's a hero for saying no to the horrible, evil borg Wal-mart.
This guy looked at the 10 year financial graph without regard to the quick buck. Rare.
My best deal on a mower was the used one that I bought for $15 at the flea market in Grand Prairie from an old man who refurbished them.
It was still running after 6 years but I left it behind for the man who bought my house. The worst thing to happen to it was the muffler rusted out and every neighbor within 4 blocks complained about the loud noise and the blue smoke.
The office furnishings are no accident. They are a message that Walmart will sell at rock bottom prices and pay at rock bottom prices. The Snapper guy was right. In time his company would be destroyed dealing with Walmart.
About as far as this story is believable.
Eliott Ettenberg writes in The Next Economy what Brand Management is.
Like it or not Branding works. You don't buy a Porsche because you need a car to go to work. You buy a Porsche because it is like no other car.
Personally, I'm a brand name shopper. If you establish a proper maintenance schedule and stick to it, you'll actually save money over the long run.
Snappers belong at Walmart. The man may think he has a fine product but it is like buying an old Sears Kenmore washer. Nobody sells parts but the dealer like the high priced belts, parts were always much higer and harder to replace. Buy a Murray instead. Cheaper parts, last just as long, and easier to work on.
How to beat Walmart....Sell Quality.
Tools are a great example, I refuse to buy disposible power tools. Only the rich can afford cheap tools. I have a Dewalt 746 and a Skill HD 77. I will never buy another table saw or circular saw in my life. Buy once, it cost the same, and you get better stuff.
Interesting read. I'll come back later and try to absorb it all (it's dinner time here...).
WalMart is just part of the disease that kills America.
That mower costs as much as a car and I don't expect to find it at Walmart.
BUMP
Vlasic pickles said yes and got killed. Once people could get a gallon jar for two bucks at WM no one wanted to pay four bucks in the grocery store.
Gourmet lawn mowers?
Forget it....
This is the article I was talking about. New Walmart CEO and new not so great corporate policies for manufactures, consumers, or our nation in general.