Will Wal-Mart Steal Christmas?

Time ^ | 12/08/03 | DAREN FONDA

[Tacis]

Sorry, I NEVER read ANYTHING written by or attributed to a person named "Fonda."

[graycamel]

The "R" in Toys "R" us should be backwards. Can't they find a font that takes care of that problem?

[eno_]

"The Geoffrey stores are flat-out fun — and it's not clear if going to Wal-Mart or Target is fun." So far, the concept seems to be working.

That sounds desperate. If Legos or a GBA game costs a buck less at Wal Mart, guess where I will buy it.

There will be nothing between Wal Mart and boutique shops that sell high end toys like Rokenbok.

[Trust but Verify]

People should not shop at WalMart, period. Once they drive out all competition, look out. Now we see that not only are they impacting food stores, hardware stores, now we see they are trying to drive toys R Us out of business.

What's funniest about this article, however, is the decription of Fond du lac as a 'lakeside resort town'. NOT.

[MozartLover]

Lakeside resort town.......LOL.........

[freedumb2003]

If Legos or a GBA game costs a buck less at Wal Mart, guess where I will buy it.

That's the bottom line. Buying toys has NEVER been "fun." The only fun buying is in hardware stores, auto parts shops and electronics places (when not crowded).

[Trust but Verify]

The writer probably contacted the Chamber of Commerce or looked at the website to see how they describe their community! It's painfully obvious they've never been there.

[TaMoDee]

When did you step off the real world bus?

[July 4th]

Yeah, there are hundreds of "lakeside resort towns" in Wisconsin. (Lake Geneva, Land O' Lakes, etc.) But Fond du Lac is definitely not one of them.

[shuckmaster]

The best Wal-Mart's competitors can hope for this season is that they'll get some of the spillover from Wally World's over packed parking lots...

[Howie66]

Neither Walmart nor Target get a dime of income from me. Not now, not ever.

[ReformedBeckite]

If toys R us and other stores like it is to stay in business they will have to forget about maintaining profit margins through high prices. They got to start thinking of maintaining profit margins by moving large volumes of stuff not by a price ratio. My guess will be toy R us will be history soon. Gimmicks just won't cut it. Just Low prices, not discount cards. double coupon days etc. Low prices is what will keep you in business.

[upchuck]

You linked to the printer friendly version of the article. We DSL/cablemodem impaired FReepers say, "Thank You!!"

[Scenic Sounds]

Did you ever figure out how much Wal-Mart stole from you in that fraudulent "gift card" scheme they were perpetrating on the public?

[Amelia]

Did you ever figure out how much Wal-Mart stole from you in that fraudulent "gift card" scheme they were perpetrating on the public?

At least $65. I still don't see how they can advertise that the cards "never expire" - mine surely did!

[Aquinasfan]

and it's not clear if going to Wal-Mart or Target is fun.

No, it's not. And stuff isn't always in stock.

Every Sunday I take my two little girls to the McDonald's play-land and buy a cup of coffee and two juices. That's $4/week more than I usually spend at McDonald's, so maybe this can work.

[Scenic Sounds]

I still don't see how they can advertise that the cards "never expire" - mine surely did!

Well, it's just another one of the frauds that they perpetrate on unwitting customers. So long as the amount that they take from each victim is relatively small, they gamble that they can slide under the radar and avoid prosecution.

[Howie66]

I also refuse to stop at Mickey-Ds'.......have you ever noticed how much Ronald McDonald resembles Der Schlickmeister?

[Amelia]

So long as the amount that they take from each victim is relatively small, they gamble that they can slide under the radar and avoid prosecution.

I'm no longer shopping there, and you can be sure that this year my 16 nieces and nephews will NOT receive the Walmart gift cards I usually give them. I think gift cards from a bookstore will probably be better for them anyway.

Several friends have told me that Walmart will never notice my boycott, which I'm sure is true...but it makes me feel better.