“...one can rightfully assume a HUGE % of the “horror” stories regarding WM stores are pure fiction supplied by Unions frantic to organize their employees and being beaten back (legally) at every turn.”
Really? So the WM pigsty’s that I’ve been to with at least 4-5 items on my shopping list out of stock, 20-30 minute check out lines, lousy quality products, surly staff, and prices that aren’t all that exceptional are a fiction? Wow, I must be getting more delusional than I thought.
“What keeps me going back is the lower prices..”
Fair enough. I’m not willing to step foot in their stores to save maybe 5% over what I could get it for elsewhere. I value my time and sanity more than that. And Aldi in my experience is cheaper. Unfortunately, there aren’t any in my area.
I never heard of Aldi so I suppose we don’t live near each other (I’m in NJ).
With the desity of population we “enjoy” there are many WM and Super Walmarts to choose from and most within 7-10 miles of one another. As to price, were the difference 5% I probably wouldn’t travel even the 5 miles unless it were a big ticket item where the 5% matters. However in this are the difference between say a KMART or Sears, Target, etc is many times 15% or in some cases more. It is also true WM is higher on some items. Serious shoppers need to check prices on each item and decide overall which store to travel to on shopping day.
In my area at least the stores are always stocked and clean and the help, in my experience has been fine. The possible long waits if they occur are due to shopper volume and time of day. As I shop very, very early in the day, usually about 6-6:30 AM there is never a line. On the occasion I have had to go on a weekend during the day the registers are all manned so the wait can be blamed on shopper volume as I said before.
If all or even some of the horror stories about WM were true they would be out of business in short order because given an alternative to poor business practices as you describe, the public will take their business to the easily available competition.