Most people that know me know I am not a fan of spending money. In many cases I'll go without instead of paying a couple dollars. I am the one that will shop around for the best price and I'm not a fan of full price. I blame it on growing up in my family. (Except I don't think my brother and sister ended up quite like me..eh I grew up much later than them) So you'd think I'd always shop at the cheapest place for what I need.
That my friends is definitely not the truth. I avoid Wal-Mart if possible. I recently read The Wal-Mart Effect and I have a renewed determination to avoid the original big box store. Wal-Mart is undoubtedly the cheapest place to buy everyday items as the store forces its suppliers to sell products to them cheapest in exchange for pushing the products in thousands of stores. Sure that sounds all great. Because of the size Wal-Mart has gotten the retailer has been able to bring prices down in many stores, it has even caused businesses to streamline their processes. The book begins with a stores about how Wal-Mart forced deodorant manufactures to get rid of useless packaging; lowering prices, creating more space on the shelves, and helping the environment.
I'm sure you've also heard all the nasty things people say about Wal-Mart as well. "Wal-Mart moves jobs overseas" "Wal-Mart forces mom and pop stores out of business" "Wal-Mart forces people to work in horrible conditions". It's for these reasons and more that I avoid the big box I come to every mile or two. Back when Sam Walton started the store it was no frills, good quality, good price. COmpletely something I stand for. Now the store forces manufactures to lower the prices on goods every couple years. Everyone must realize this simply isnt possible without something hurting. This causes manufactures to go bankrupt, move manufacturing out of the country, or lower the quality of product or a combination. When Sam Walton was around he encouraged employees to go to competitors and see what they were doing better than Wal-Mart. Now Wal-Mart will not give information about itself to anyone. How is any company expected to compete if Wal-Mart doesn't even share information. Fed Ex was given an award by Wal-Mart, the only thing they were allowed to say in response was a small blurb about how proud they were ect ect. I understand not sharing company secrets but the company just goes too far. In my opinion.
End rant, time for me to go on being cheap.
5 comments:
There are two sides to every coin. Don't forget to research things from the walmart side as well.
2006 Annual Report
http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/11/112761/2006_annual_report.pdf
2006 Proxy
http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/11/112761/2006Proxy.PDF
http://www.walmartfacts.com/
trying clickable links
2006 Annual Report
2006 Proxy
walmartfacts
Do you really trust Wal-Mart to paint the whole picture about Wal-Mart? /Any/ company can run a feel-good website that makes itself look good. I agree that it's important to see all sides of every story, but you should get those POVs from sources that aren't handcuffed, bound, and gagged by conflicts of interest.
Ha! Thanks Ben :) Actually the book mentions these sources many times. While an author can make quotes seem whatever way they want, the facts as Wal-Mart gives them are avaliable. But the thing is these are the only places they disclose information. Their vendors and their providors arent allowed to comment on any details of dealing with Wal-Mart. The only way to get information about the company from the inside is talking to someone that no longer has ties.
I feel the same way. I HATE paying full price, but I am not a walmart fan at all. Sometimes you get what you pay for I guess :)
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