Solid Snake Hates: Walmart

[cpayne5]

I don't see WalMart as a bad thing. Head on down to Warrenton to check out a nice WalMart. Warrenton's small mom-and-pop stores are thriving alongside it. It's not one of those super WalMarts, but just one of the small, normal(?) sized ones. It's never super crowded (I hate crowds) and it doesn't feel like some sort of industrial monstrosity like some of the bigger ones do. I can honestly say that the Warrenton WalMart has not brought any trash or filth to the town. It's been there for probably 10 years now.

If WalMart wants to come to Stephens City, it probably will. My advice would be to try and find a middle ground with the corporation. See if they will build a small store. Propose that they construct the building so that it will fit in architecturally.

[saden1]

Wal-Mart blows...wouldn't want that piece of shit store in my neighborhood not that they could anyways. Good look fighting those parasitic SOBs.

[itvnetop]

SolidSnake, I actually spent half my youth in your area (went to Aylor for Jr. High, then Sherando for HS). I thought there was already a 24-hr Walmart in the area? I remember having to spend weekend nights there, as the teen center was ridiculously lame (as well as barn parties). I hear they're bringing a Best Buy to Winchester, also.

[SolidSnake84]

Lol Guys, sorry i didn't point out that the walmart isn't coming to Stephens Shitty.

It's actually supposed to go to Atmore, Alabama. They have one 25 miles away in Flomaton.

And Best Buy is coming to Winchester. They also have an HHGREGG that took the place of Circuit City.

Hope that clears things up. God I would hate for Stephens City to get one. Seeing as how Winchester is supposed to get a 3rd Walmart by the end of 2011, that would make 5 walmarts within 15 minutes of our house. (3 in winchester, 1 in Front Royal, 1 in Stephens City if they get one lol).

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

Lol Guys, sorry i didn't point out that the walmart isn't coming to Stephens Shitty.

It's actually supposed to go to Atmore, Alabama. They have one 25 miles away in Flomaton.

And Best Buy is coming to Winchester. They also have an HHGREGG that took the place of Circuit City.

Hope that clears things up. God I would hate for Stephens City to get one. Seeing as how Winchester is supposed to get a 3rd Walmart by the end of 2011, that would make 5 walmarts within 15 minutes of our house. (3 in winchester, 1 in Front Royal, 1 in Stephens City if they get one lol).

I thought it was strange for Stephens City to get one as that town isn't very big. Thought maybe it had to do with it being right off 81 or something.

[tryfuhl]

looks like the type of people that are always there

[djnemo65]

After spending the last four years living in a Wal-Mart-less country, in which you have to go to like five stores just to do normal shopping, I have come to appreciate Wal-Mart a lot more than I used to.

[Daseal]

Cpayne -- Just to clarify, you'd be fine if Wal-Mart bought the E-Cow (plus some, but in that area) lot and put up a Wal-Mart?

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Cpayne -- Just to clarify, you'd be fine if Wal-Mart bought the E-Cow (plus some, but in that area) lot and put up a Wal-Mart?

Sure, why not? It's not my land, so I have no say in it.

[hooskins]

The intangible effect Walmart has is the one that really bothers me.

Cities and towns lose their culture and feel when a corporate store takes over the local market. The small mom and pop places go out of business, taking away years of tradition from the place.

Its sad IMO to lose that. I love mom and pop places, so for that reason I really dont like Walmart. Thats why I dont feel bad spending the extra buck going to independently owned stores.

I dont buy the whole jobs argument though. Financially speaking they have the right to do whatever they want. Plus their services are convenient for all. As long as there isnt some sort of hike in Walmart prices after small businesses are run out of town. Predatory pricing is effed up.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by hooskins

The intangible effect Walmart has is the one that really bothers me.

Cities and towns lose their culture and feel when a corporate store takes over the local market. The small mom and pop places go out of business, taking away years of tradition from the place.

Its sad IMO to lose that. I love mom and pop places, so for that reason I really dont like Walmart. Thats why I dont feel bad spending the extra buck going to independently owned stores.

I dont buy the whole jobs argument though. Financially speaking they have the right to do whatever they want. Plus their services are convenient for all. As long as there isnt some sort of hike in Walmart prices after small businesses are run out of town. Predatory pricing is effed up.

Great post. I feel the exact same way. I hate Walmart on so many levels.

[Schneed10]

You guys are too emotional to cut it in the business world. Fearing change. Getting attached to communities, cultures, mom & pop stores, blah blah blah.

It's business. A lower price fills a big consumer need. Walmart does things a lot more efficiently. That simple.

They can treat their employees like dirt because their employees are cashiers, stockroom workers and greeters, they're easily replaced. You don't exactly need a Harvard degree to get a job at Wal-Mart. They give people jobs, they give people lower prices, and they don't focus on service.

Who the hell needs good customer service when shopping for a T-shirt or a frozen pizza, anyway?

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

You guys are too emotional to cut it in the business world. Fearing change. Getting attached to communities, cultures, mom & pop stores, blah blah blah.

It's business. A lower price fills a big consumer need. Walmart does things a lot more efficiently. That simple.

They can treat their employees like dirt because their employees are cashiers, stockroom workers and greeters, they're easily replaced. You don't exactly need a Harvard degree to get a job at Wal-Mart. They give people jobs, they give people lower prices, and they don't focus on service.

Who the hell needs good customer service when shopping for a T-shirt or a frozen pizza, anyway?

Exactly I don't for those items but in other departments it is nice to have a friendly knowledgeable person to help you. Like in camping, electroincis, auto, home improvement, the garden shop, etc...

Maybe I worked in the hotel industry to long but I value good service above a cheap price. Good service/ advise can actually save you money. I love to have someone who is honestly steering me towards a good product that I won't have to replace in a couple years because I went with the weaker product cause I knew no better.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by mredskins

Exactly I don't for those items but in other departments it is nice to have a friendly knowledgeable person to help you. Like in camping, electroincis, auto, home improvement, the garden shop, etc...

Maybe I worked in the hotel industry to long but I value good service above a cheap price. Good service/ advise can actually save you money. I love to have someone who is honestly steering me towards a good product that I won't have to replace in a couple years because I went with the weaker product cause I knew no better.

Heck that's what you get here from all your friendly neighborhood WP'ers!

[SolidSnake84]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Heck that's what you get here from all your friendly neighborhood WP'ers!

I like Schneed and i generally agree with him, but i feel like if WM treated the workers better they would attract better workers.

But he is right, you dont need people skills or anything to work there. And he's right about the business world too. But in a sense, that is wrong, because many people like myself take pride in tradition and family businesses and the like, are part of our lives.

Case in point, Walmart is selling cars in Texas. True story. My family, as some of you know, have operated a car dealership for close to 30 years. It's gave us everything we have. If Walmart started selling cars here, we would be out of business in no time...