Just a little while ago there was a brief story on the 10 o' clock news that Wal-Mart, unlike almost ALL other retailers in the country, actually saw its sales increase by 3% this past Christmas season.
Wal-Mart happily mid-wifed the birth of our crappy economy by forcing American manufacturers to close American factories and ship those jobs to China. And for this they get repaid by being the only place Americans can now afford to shop.
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24 comments:
I'll gladly do my part and not shop there.
I started my Walmart boycott six years ago. Walmart is the DEVIL.
If Sam Walton was still alive he'd be turning in his grave over what his nitwit heirs are doing. When he was in charge, he was all about American products. He even used to use it in his advertising.
It's ingenious, really.
I'm totally with you. I haven't shopped there in years, and I won't shop there again, unless their way of doing business radically changes (and I don't see it happening)
Another retailer saw a bump: Amazon.com.
As for buying Chinese crap, try to go a week without doing it.
Grumpy. This makes me very grumpy.
I got into a bit of a thing. At the church I go to (versus the one I work at) they give out gift cards to help folks in need. That is a good thing.
The bad thing is that they give out cards to the two local supermarket chains and also to Walmart.
I complained and said we should not use Walmart cards but others disagree.
Grumpy.
At work we just give out supermarket cards, no Walmart!
...And to think that at one time Walmart only carried American products.
I try to avoid Walmart at all costs. Alas, the closest retailer to my office and home is Walmart and I have to admit at times I do dash in out of necessity.
But I do not enjoy it and I take pains to be nice to all the slaves who work there.
But Zipdrive, what about all the slaves they have producing all that plastic crap overseas?
My workplace always used to give out Walmart cards; I complained loudly and refused to take a card until they offered other options. One person can make a difference!
Matty's right--it's difficult to go even a day without buying something made in China (Jess knows this first-hand). But buying used/old stuff is often a solution; you can find things like kitchen utensils, etc. (the usual plastic crap) at antique and thrift stores, and a lot of this stuff isn't made overseas.
I hate Wal-Mart with a passion. My neighborhood association banded together to keep them from coming to our town - and succeeded.
Hope everyone has a happy New Year!
You said a mouthful. I gave up Wal-Mart years ago and push anti Wal-Mart news items on my blog. Whoever said "Chinese crap" hit the nail on the head. Along with them making used condoms into rubber bands and spreading germs, forgetaboutit!
I'm with you on this. I've purchased items at Wal-Mart twice in my life: once about 15 years ago when I hadn't yet come to the conclusion that Wal-Mart was evil, and once, about nine years ago, when I desperately needed a flashlight while out of town and Wal-Mart was the only store nearby.
I guess the way I approach the issue is buy less, shop locally whenever you can, even if it's more expensive and less convenient, and don't lose sleep over it when you can't.
Wishing you and family a great 2009!
It took a long time and a lot of hard work, but they finally did it!
Huzzah!
Don't forget McDonald's whose sales were also up this year. 2008 was a great year for crap.
i am SO glad the fine citizens of the NYC have basically barred walmart from entering any of the 5 boros - the nearest Walmart being in Valley Stream, Long Island - you know the one that trampled the guy
Wait- I only go into Walmart about twice a year and that's out of dire necessity- not to browse.
Like with Ed's flashlight story, I mean.
Besides, in order to opine about the enemy it helps to know a tiny bit about them, right?
Whew.
PS I like the new Blog skin. Easy on the eyes.
I want to comment on what Matty Boy said re: Amazon.
I consider Amazon to be the WalMart of book stores. I don't understand why so many people buy from Amazon when there are book-buying options, both locally and on the web. And I don't understand why so many left-leaning authors and bloggers who link book titles to Amazon and only to Amazon.
That's my rant and I'm sticking to it.
By the way, I was admonished for my anti-WalMart elitism by one of my really good friends a couple of weeks ago. It dismayed me. I understand that when one is financially strapped it is downright difficult, but that's when I wish that people would ask, "Do I really need this?"
I agree with Suzy about Amazon, though this holiday season a family member got me a gift certificate, so I bought some stuff through them. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area, which means I have a great selection of new and used books stores, and I have a few special shops at which I do most of my book purchases. I know I'm sacrificing lowest price for personal service when buying new, but for me, it's worth it.
Jess, where are ya?
I think she got eaten by Cheney.
Jess, please come back! We miss you!
jess,
If you really want manufacturing to return to the US, then the US must take two steps:
First, end the minimum wage. Second, create a Guest-Worker Program.
You also need to understand the concept of Comparative Advantage. When get that one, a lot of corporate decisions will make sense to you.
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