View Full Version : Found something kind of handy at Walmart
glacier48
06-11-2008, 13:42
I just went to Walmart and in their camping section I found a Bottle Holder with Carabiner. It is a simple piece of metal that fits around the neck of a soda/water bottle then a 2 inch piece of webbing with a carabiner attatched. I know some people like to carry a soda bottle instead of a Nalgene bottle because of the weight. This would allow the bottle to be attatched to the backpack at almost area. It only cost .98 cents and would be great if only on a short day hike. Excuse me if everyone already knows about this, I don't get out much.
:sun
Glacier
Lone Wolf
06-11-2008, 13:43
walmart has great stuff!
walmart has great stuff!
As an employee of Walmart, I am required to agree!:D
angewrite
06-11-2008, 14:41
walmart has great stuff!
I'm assuming by great stuff you mean cheap ****. But nonetheless, if you're looking for something cheap to use and abuse and you don't expect much from it... Walmart is the place.
:-? The bottle holder could be handy for people who don't use the pockets on their packs. Interesting find.
How handy is that $1.00 bottle when it cracks and all your water is gone?
Fill it with water and toss it into the air and let it land on rocks or concrete a few times. If it breaks, it’s not such a great item.
I'm assuming by great stuff you mean cheap ****.
Whatever happened to Walmart's slogan, "Made in America"?:(
Lone Wolf
06-11-2008, 14:53
I'm assuming by great stuff you mean cheap ****. But nonetheless, if you're looking for something cheap to use and abuse and you don't expect much from it... Walmart is the place.
oh for christs sake :rolleyes: wally world has lotsa name brand quality stuff.
Nearly Normal
06-11-2008, 14:58
I think wal-mart should get rid of the greeters.
Instead they could put up a statue of old Sam dressed in a superman stlye costume with a big red WALLEY on his chest.
It would work better if it was like those chessey plastic Santas that shift sideways back and forth.
Instead of HO HO HO and he should say something in chinese with bad audio.
What I really like about wal-mart in the deep south, is the fishing lure section. You can buy 99 different lures specific to catch northern walleye pike. If I ever decide to go fishing up north I'll be set.
bigmac_in
06-11-2008, 15:14
How handy is that $1.00 bottle when it cracks and all your water is gone?
Fill it with water and toss it into the air and let it land on rocks or concrete a few times. If it breaks, it’s not such a great item.
For a buck, I can get another one - filled with sweet Coca-cola .......
Nalgene's suck.
double d
06-11-2008, 15:26
Wal-Mart, the company China made famous and who gave us semi-greeters (ever notice how they don't really look at you when say "hello" to you????). Give me some eye contact like Jack did during the bathroom door scene in the Shining!!!
StarLyte
06-11-2008, 15:49
I think wal-mart should get rid of the greeters.
Instead they could put up a statue of old Sam dressed in a superman stlye costume with a big red WALLEY on his chest.
It would work better if it was like those chessey plastic Santas that shift sideways back and forth.
Instead of HO HO HO and he should say something in chinese with bad audio.
What I really like about wal-mart in the deep south, is the fishing lure section. You can buy 99 different lures specific to catch northern walleye pike. If I ever decide to go fishing up north I'll be set.
HA HA
I agree with you totally!
Walmart has a decent fishing lure section up here on Lake Erie as well, especially for walleye (not that I've ever caught one :mad:)
envirodiver
06-11-2008, 15:52
Nalgene's suck.
Seems like it would be hard to get the top off if there's a vacuum in them. :rolleyes:
leeki pole
06-11-2008, 16:06
HA HA
I agree with you totally!
Walmart has a decent fishing lure section up here on Lake Erie as well, especially for walleye (not that I've ever caught one :mad:)
OMG, you'd eat a fish caught in Lake Erie?:eek: Hopefully just catch and release.;)
StarLyte
06-11-2008, 16:13
OMG, you'd eat a fish caught in Lake Erie?:eek: Hopefully just catch and release.;)
ha ha...I get that every so often---I drink the water too :eek:
It is suggested that one only eat 2 fish per week out of Lake Erie. No kidding.
And BTW...it's torture and release...not catch and release. :D
vonfrick
06-11-2008, 16:13
I just went to Walmart and in their camping section I found a Bottle Holder with Carabiner. It is a simple piece of metal that fits around the neck of a soda/water bottle then a 2 inch piece of webbing with a carabiner attatched. I know some people like to carry a soda bottle instead of a Nalgene bottle because of the weight. This would allow the bottle to be attatched to the backpack at almost area. It only cost .98 cents and would be great if only on a short day hike. Excuse me if everyone already knows about this, I don't get out much.
:sun
Glacier
i had one last year and it broke fairly fast :(
glacier48
06-11-2008, 16:24
thanks VonFrick, nice to know. I won't stray to far from home when using it.
Glacier:sun
mkmangold
06-11-2008, 16:32
Wal-Mart, the company China made famous and who gave us semi-greeters (ever notice how they don't really look at you when say "hello" to you????). Give me some eye contact like Jack did during the bathroom door scene in the Shining!!!
I like to treat the greeters like they are real people. It must really suck (and not in the vacuum sense) to be 60+ years old and making minimum wage pushing carts at people.
sheepdog
06-11-2008, 16:36
I like to treat the greeters like they are real people. It must really suck (and not in the vacuum sense) to be 60+ years old and making minimum wage pushing carts at people.
Perhaps they like their jobs and a chance to get out and see people. I now some greeters that do.
drastic_quench
06-11-2008, 16:43
For a buck, I can get another one - filled with sweet Coca-cola .......
Nalgene's suck.
Everybody has their "gram weenie" line. Mine's at chopped down toothbrushes and Nalgenes - meaning I gladly carry both a regular toothbrush and Nalgene bottle. The plastic in soda/Gatorade bottles is not designed for multiple/longterm use. Even changing it out at every trail town seems too long for me. Plus the plastic caps crack extremely easily. Your mileage may well vary.
deeddawg
06-11-2008, 16:47
I like to treat the greeters like they are real people. It must really suck (and not in the vacuum sense) to be 60+ years old and making minimum wage pushing carts at people.
My father in law did the WalMart greeter job for a few years.
Like sheepdog mentions, he did it for the opportunity to get out of the house and meet folks. He's retired on full pension; while not swimming in cash, he definitely was doing it for reasons other than the money.
Footslogger
06-11-2008, 16:48
I like to treat the greeters like they are real people. It must really suck (and not in the vacuum sense) to be 60+ years old and making minimum wage pushing carts at people.
======================
I dunno ...there are some days at this job that make those "greeter" positions look pretty attractive. But I'm too young and not on oxygen yet.
'Slogger
How handy is that $1.00 bottle when it cracks and all your water is gone?
I've been using disposable bottles for water bottles in daily use for more than thirty years now. Problems have been rare. They are typically limited to denting or loose caps.
I found them today and bought one before I even read this thread. I use gatorade bottles and they're too big to fit (Only 1 inch tops work) but it would be nice to hold a bottle of soda or water from a store. At 98cents it seems worth trying.
trailmomma4
06-11-2008, 18:28
I just got mine last night. They seem pretty sturdy, but I may go back and pick up a spare before I leave for my section.:>
I've been using disposable bottles for water bottles in daily use for more than thirty years now. Problems have been rare. They are typically limited to denting or loose caps.
I was talking about the $1.00 bottle from Wally World, not drink bottles. Drink bottles are much tougher then you would at first think. A 2 liter Pepsi bottle is built like a tank. It’s only weak point is the cap.
For a buck, I can get another one - filled with sweet Coca-cola .......
Nalgene's suck.
What if it breaks on the trail? If you don’t have a backup, you are out of luck till you hit a town. Inexpensive to replace doesn’t mean it easy to replace if you are far away from a store you are going to do without it.
Kerosene
06-11-2008, 20:53
What if it breaks on the trail? If you don’t have a backup, you are out of luck till you hit a town. Inexpensive to replace doesn’t mean it easy to replace if you are far away from a store you are going to do without it. This is true of a lot of your equipment. Frankly, on the AT you can get by with a single liter bottle of water, but I choose to carry more. However, I've split open a few Nalgene Cantenes (the flexible plastic ones) and done just fine until the next road crossing. You'll cross a road every day or two on the AT.
Blissful
06-11-2008, 20:55
Got my food sacks at Wal mart. Held up good.
Bulldawg
06-11-2008, 22:08
A 2 liter Pepsi bottle is built like a tank. It’s only weak point is the cap.
We replaced one of our rabbit waterer bottles with a 2 liter bottle that has been hanging on the side of the cage for 3 years!
Wise Old Owl
06-11-2008, 22:52
How handy is that $1.00 bottle when it cracks and all your water is gone?
Fill it with water and toss it into the air and let it land on rocks or concrete a few times. If it breaks, it’s not such a great item.
who cares. great stuff for a buck get real.
Lots of stuff caves on the trail, it is just annoying..
thank god or the folks of resupply
Tennessee Viking
06-12-2008, 00:33
As an employee of Walmart, I am required to agree!:D
Then as a Target Team Member, I have to disagree...lol Just had to say that.
Its a good item for just day hikes with water bottles. But I don't like my water swinging free while I walk. Especially if its on the belt. I have one but I have my IPod shuffle strapped to it.
I am more of a bladder fan, you store it and throw the hose over the shoulder and you got water. But yes bladders tend to leak.
Jason of the Woods
06-12-2008, 07:47
I wouldn't shop at Walmart if things were free.
Lone Wolf
06-12-2008, 07:47
I wouldn't shop at Walmart if things were free.
why? tell us
Jason of the Woods
06-12-2008, 07:52
Really, do I need to go into it? For starters the way they treat women is unbelievable.
Lone Wolf
06-12-2008, 07:53
Really, do I need to go into it? For starters the way they treat women is unbelievable.
you're FOS
Jason of the Woods
06-12-2008, 07:57
Come on man. OK another example: Four years ago we had a horrible storm here and lost power for a week. Walmart's power was back on in two days. The power company put them ahead of thousands of residents causing many people us included to lose all of our food and make things very difficult. They managed to take care of Walmart right away so they could make money from the citizens. Now that is BS my friend.;)
Not BS just a better customer!
Lone Wolf
06-12-2008, 07:59
Come on man. OK another example: Four years ago we had a horrible storm here and lost power for a week. Walmart's power was back on in two days. The power company put them ahead of thousands of residents causing many people us included to lose all of our food and make things very difficult. They managed to take care of Walmart right away so they could make money from the citizens. Now that is BS my friend.;)
more unsubstantiated BS
Jason of the Woods
06-12-2008, 08:01
Are you trying to upset me?;) They didn't donate so much as a cup of coffee to people who had nothing after the storm. F@#k Walmart. I would be interested to hear some positive things about them???
Lone Wolf
06-12-2008, 08:07
Are you trying to upset me?;) They didn't donate so much as a cup of coffee to people who had nothing after the storm. F@#k Walmart. I would be interested to hear some positive things about them???
you're just jumping on the "i hate walmart" bandwagon cuz it's cool. don't be a hypocrite
NICKTHEGREEK
06-12-2008, 08:09
walmart has great stuff!
Yeh what will those Chinese think of next?
Jason of the Woods
06-12-2008, 08:11
Ha, yep! Target sells the same stuff and is a much better company.
Yeh what will those Chinese think of next?
Jason of the Woods
06-12-2008, 08:11
Not me my friend. I haven't shopped at Walmart since about 1990.
you're just jumping on the "i hate walmart" bandwagon cuz it's cool. don't be a hypocrite
NICKTHEGREEK
06-12-2008, 08:13
Come on man. OK another example: Four years ago we had a horrible storm here and lost power for a week. Walmart's power was back on in two days. The power company put them ahead of thousands of residents causing many people us included to lose all of our food and make things very difficult. They managed to take care of Walmart right away so they could make money from the citizens. Now that is BS my friend.;)
Possibly, just remotely, there were some folks without flashlights, batteries, bottled water,etc that they needed to buy. Stores should be the first to get power, gas stations are a close second.
Yep wal mart sucks but i still go there. That check out that says 11 items or less fast check out bull. A cart full in front of me i ask the guy why he did not say something he said we don't enforce the rule then why do you have the sign dumb dumb
Lone Wolf
06-12-2008, 08:22
Yeh what will those Chinese think of next?
obviously you're ignorant and don't shop there. they have tons of American made products
NICKTHEGREEK
06-12-2008, 08:38
obviously you're ignorant and don't shop there. they have tons of American made products
Nope I don't there aren't any in my zip code, so I'm uninformed. But where was the item under discussion made, the USA or China?
TN_Hiker
06-12-2008, 08:45
back on topic.......instead of buying a inexpensive bottle holder, use a piece of 520 cord and tie a jug knot. Much more durable and can use on it any size bottle.
back on topic.......instead of buying a inexpensive bottle holder, use a piece of 520 cord and tie a jug knot. Much more durable and can use on it any size bottle.
What is a jug knot? I've looked on several knot websites and don't see anything listed as that. Is there another name for it?
Nearly Normal
06-12-2008, 09:39
Yeh what will those Chinese think of next?
Wal-mart Cars.
Some assembly necessary/$5.000
50mpg
I hear the name of this new car is the P O S.
Nearly Normal
06-12-2008, 09:42
What is a jug knot?
Your new trail name.
Bulldawg
06-12-2008, 09:50
I bought my daughter a bladder at WalMart Saturday when her Nalgene branded one sprouted a leak just prior to the trip. It is not made out of the same stuff as the Nalgene and seems really sturdily built. Plus I loved the price $9.96 for a 2 liter. I saw the clip thing he is talking about, but I didn't need it.
WalMart also sells a 3 pack of stuff sacks for 10.96. Three different sizes in one package. And them when I got them home to open them, they are identical to the sea to summit stuff sack I gave 9.99 for one! They have held up for me for quite some time.
I bought a family car camping tent at WalMart years ago. Great tent that has served use well. Let's see, what else....... 2 blow up queen mattresses that have lasted a long long time. Countless other good quality items.
saimyoji
06-12-2008, 09:51
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottle_sling
glacier48
06-12-2008, 11:01
I believe that the water bottle holder was made in China. I personally prefer not to shop at Walmart because of their ability to undercut locally own shops, keeping employees just below full time because of benefit packages and the low percentage of woman promotions. I shop there because I don't have much money and saving a dollar or two on items really adds up. I would prefer shopping locally or only buying american made but I can't afford to.
Glacier
Are you trying to upset me?;) They didn't donate so much as a cup of coffee to people who had nothing after the storm. F@#k Walmart. I would be interested to hear some positive things about them???
What did you donate?:-?
Tennessee Viking
06-12-2008, 12:17
I wouldn't shop at Walmart if things were free.
Target is not all that great either. I can tell you that from personal experience. They say its company policy to promote from within...total lie. They rather hire from the outside and pay new people starting wages than give someone a raise.
I can go into it but Target Sucks or Target Forums is no longer around. Plus this is White Blaze.
ChinMusic
06-12-2008, 12:20
How handy is that $1.00 bottle when it cracks and all your water is gone?
Fill it with water and toss it into the air and let it land on rocks or concrete a few times. If it breaks, it’s not such a great item.
You certainly are rough on your gear. I suggest you buy titanium.
I found a nalgene canteen with neck pouch 20 oz. at a thrift store still had the tag on it cost me a whole 50 cent sell on line for 10.49 at rei.
Really, do I need to go into it? For starters the way they treat women is unbelievable.
what in the hell are you talking about? they treat me with amazed respect every time i go in there to buy bullets.
Lone Wolf
06-12-2008, 13:18
what in the hell are you talking about? they treat me with amazed respect every time i go in there to buy bullets.
that's funny right there :D
faarside
06-12-2008, 13:46
For a buck, I can get another one - filled with sweet Coca-cola .......
Nalgene's suck.
Agreed. Cold but FLAT Coca-Cola... my fav.
Nalgene RIGID bottles definately suck; however, have you ever tried the Nalgene SOFT bottles? I carry two 1qt soft Nalgenes' and have for years, and they're great.
NICKTHEGREEK
06-12-2008, 13:55
I hear the name of this new car is the P O S.
Ford will sue for brandname infringement
River Runner
06-12-2008, 14:22
Ford will sue for brandname infringement
Now THAT's funny right there. :D
Ford will sue for brandname infringement
I owned two Fords in the 90s. An Escort wagon that got me over 250K miles, and a Taurus that had over 230K. I gave both vehicles away (one to a daughter and one to a friend), and the both were driven for another year or two. And mind you, all I did was change the oil, and gas & go. But back then, they were made in America.
If you wanted to select one company that was largely responsible for moving manufacturing to China, that'd be easy. It's your beloved Wal Mart. Rainman was wrong. K Mart doesn't suck. Wal Mart does. :banana
River Runner
06-12-2008, 14:30
Are you trying to upset me?;) They didn't donate so much as a cup of coffee to people who had nothing after the storm. F@#k Walmart. I would be interested to hear some positive things about them???
Our local Walmart has donated several hundred dollars per year in matching funds to our local Girl Scout troops who they allow to sell cookies there, for over 10 years. They also donate to other community organizations.
Our local Walmart employs hundreds of people, and provides decent benefits. The local grocery, local pharmacy, etc. employ far less people, and provide no benefits or very limited benefits to most of their employees.
Our community now has more businesses to serve the needs of the community since Walmart came to the area.
Walmart pays a tremendous amount of taxes to the county and town, which benefits the community with better services and schools.
So there you are - a few positives about Walmart.
Lone Wolf
06-12-2008, 14:31
I owned two Fords in the 90s. An Escort wagon that got me over 250K miles, and a Taurus that had over 230K. I gave both vehicles away (one to a daughter and one to a friend), and the both were driven for another year or two. And mind you, all I did was change the oil, and gas & go. But back then, they were made in America.
If you wanted to select one company that was largely responsible for moving manufacturing to China, that'd be easy. It's your beloved Wal Mart. Rainman was wrong. K Mart doesn't suck. Wal Mart does. :banana
wal mart is great
River Runner
06-12-2008, 14:36
Rainman was wrong. K Mart doesn't suck. Wal Mart does. :banana
Really? All K Mart's stuff is made in the U.S.? :rolleyes:
Here's a challenge - go to Walmarts rival chains & see if they have a bigger percentage of U.S. made goods. Then go to the independent local grocery, pharmacy, clothing store, etc. and see if they have a bigger percentage of stuff made in the U.S. I don't think you'll find a difference.
Shutterbug
06-12-2008, 14:57
What I really like about wal-mart in the deep south, is the fishing lure section. You can buy 99 different lures specific to catch northern walleye pike. If I ever decide to go fishing up north I'll be set.
WalMart, and other sporting goods stores, don't stock the lures that catch fish. They stock the lures that catch fishermen.
Many years ago I worked in a sproting goods store in West Monroe, LA. A lot of people came in the store seeking to buy the lures they used "back home." Many of them were inappropriate for Louisiana, but they wanted to buy what was familiar to them.
I can assure you that WalMart doesn't continue to stock items that are not selling. If WalMart stocks them, it is because someone is buying them.
NICKTHEGREEK
06-12-2008, 15:19
I owned two Fords in the 90s. An Escort wagon that got me over 250K miles, and a Taurus that had over 230K. I gave both vehicles away (one to a daughter and one to a friend), and the both were driven for another year or two. And mind you, all I did was change the oil, and gas & go. But back then, they were made in America.
If you wanted to select one company that was largely responsible for moving manufacturing to China, that'd be easy. It's your beloved Wal Mart. Rainman was wrong. K Mart doesn't suck. Wal Mart does. :banana
Sure and I have a 99 Exploder, 114k miles. 2 transfer cases, 3 waterpumps, 2 belt tensioners, the hood won't stay open, had to be towed about 5 times, 4 recalls. It has a quarter tank of gas so it's more valuable ever day
Bulldawg
06-12-2008, 15:24
that's funny right there :D
I don't care who ya are!
ChinMusic
06-12-2008, 15:38
Sure and I have a 99 Exploder, 114k miles. 2 transfer cases, 3 waterpumps, 2 belt tensioners, the hood won't stay open, had to be towed about 5 times, 4 recalls. It has a quarter tank of gas so it's more valuable ever day
I have, well my son has, a '99 Explorer with well over 100K miles. It has given us almost no trouble. It is dang near worthless now so I'm having him drive it til it craps out, then shoot it.
Bulldawg
06-12-2008, 16:26
I used to drive a 94 Ranger for my company truck. I have never been a Ford man, but this truck would take everything you could throw at it. I drove the wheels off it, and it never gave one minute's trouble!! Too bad that teenager hit me in the door and totaled the darn thing back in March.
Funny story about the Ranger. I pay taxes on the personal mileage on my company issued vehicle every year. These taxes are somehow figured off the value of the vehicle. So the CPA asked me to get a value for the Ranger back in 2007. I call this guy who sells cars and I know has a black book. By the time we figured everything up, subtracted for mileage, subtracted fro no cassette player, subtracted for manual transmission, etc; the guy tells me "The damn thing is worth minus $400 dollars, they should be paying you to drive it the way I figure it."
Here's a challenge - go to Walmarts rival chains & see if they have a bigger percentage of U.S. made goods. Then go to the independent local grocery, pharmacy, clothing store, etc. and see if they have a bigger percentage of stuff made in the U.S. I don't think you'll find a difference.
The difference is... the local independents aren't giving the manufacturers ultimatums on price points that are driving manufacturing overseas. And that's not really up for debate. It's simply a fact.
Listen, if you think that you get good value at Wal Mart, have at it! To me, there are costs that are transparent at the Wal Mart cash register. But that doesn't mean that the costs aren't there.
River Runner
06-12-2008, 17:21
The difference is... the local independents aren't giving the manufacturers ultimatums on price points that are driving manufacturing overseas. And that's not really up for debate. It's simply a fact.
Listen, if you think that you get good value at Wal Mart, have at it! To me, there are costs that are transparent at the Wal Mart cash register. But that doesn't mean that the costs aren't there.
Okay, and who's fault is it that Walmart seeks the lowest price points? Let's face it, most people want to buy things at the lowest possible price, whether it's a pair of underwear at Walmart or a vehicle at the local car dealer. It's simply a fact of life - the vast majority of people shop by price.
Maybe we should just blame all those people in China or Taiwan, or all the other places where workers are willing to be paid less. But then again, they have families to feed too, so I can't blame them for wanting to work.
I'm just tired of hearing people blame Walmart for ruining the economy. If people didn't like shopping there, they would not be in business. What exactly makes them so different than Target or KMart in some peoples minds anyway?
Appalachian Tater
06-12-2008, 17:39
The prices at Wal-Mart are not consistently lower. Sometimes they are a great deal higher, especially if you shop for sales. I also have found that the selection is broad but not deep, they carry a lot of different things but not so many different types of the same thing.
The prices at Wal-Mart are not consistently lower. Sometimes they are a great deal higher, especially if you shop for sales. I also have found that the selection is broad but not deep, they carry a lot of different things but not so many different types of the same thing.
GOOD POINT.R.R.LOVES PRICE,and then pay with a charge card.:-?
Jason of the Woods
06-12-2008, 20:09
I hate to say it but Made in America doesn't mean what it used to. Take a car for instance. Even if it is an American make I guarantee you that you will find a lot of components on it that sure aren't made here. I won't even mention the quality. Too many factory workers go to work high on meth.;)
River Runner
06-12-2008, 20:29
GOOD POINT.R.R.LOVES PRICE,and then pay with a charge card.:-?
If by .R.R. you mean River Runner, then I will agree I do like lower prices if it is the same quality item. And you got me, I pay by credit card. Then again, I pay my credit card off each month and carry no balance.
I hate to say it but Made in America doesn't mean what it used to. Take a car for instance. Even if it is an American make I guarantee you that you will find a lot of components on it that sure aren't made here. I won't even mention the quality. Too many factory workers go to work high on meth.;)
TRUE, H.D. HOGS are more jap then a Honda,and it's been that way since the 80's.But dont tell the HOG OWNERS THAT.
saimyoji
06-12-2008, 20:43
Watch this PBS special on Walmart.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/view/
Watch this PBS special on Walmart.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/view/
Old story with rubber.No matter who are,you need to be 5% cheaper next year.
SunnyWalker
06-12-2008, 21:16
It would be easier to greet people entering Wal-Mart if the people/customers had a minimal level of courtesy. I worked a second job as a cashier for about two years at a local Wal-Mart. Loved it for a part time job. But the few times I had to break a door greeter were days I did not like. People are rude and unfriendly. So those you just say "thanks for coming to Walmart" and they go on by. I think some greetings get burned after awhile. When I enter a Wal-mart and they greet me I greet them back, say hello, etc. a little friendliness goes a long way. Makes a pleasant day for you and others.
Lone Wolf
06-12-2008, 21:18
Watch this PBS special on Walmart.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/view/
saw that. total lopsided BS :D you libs fall for everything
River Runner
06-12-2008, 21:18
Watch this PBS special on Walmart.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/view/
Nothing new really. We know we have been losing manufacturing jobs overseas for a long time. And Walmart isn't the only one turning to imports.
But this brings up an interesting idea. If Walmart is so good at pressuring for lower prices maybe we need to sic them on the gas/oil industry! :-?
Darwin again
06-12-2008, 21:33
saw that. total lopsided BS :D you libs fall for everything
Another ray of positivity and light from the Glock Girl.
(Get a haircut and shave, ragbag!)
Nothing new really. We know we have been losing manufacturing jobs overseas for a long time. And Walmart isn't the only one turning to imports.
But this brings up an interesting idea. If Walmart is so good at pressuring for lower prices maybe we need to sic them on the gas/oil industry! :-?
Why do you talk ...when you buy from them.You have no reason to.
Lone Wolf
06-12-2008, 21:39
Another ray of positivity and light from the Glock Girl.
(Get a haircut and shave, ragbag!)
that the best you can do, sweets. :D loser :banana
River Runner
06-12-2008, 21:46
Why do you talk ...when you buy from them.You have no reason to.
To address your first comment, I'm not talking I'm typing.
To address your second, I have no reason not to. Last I knew there was no special rule that you can't post on Whiteblaze if you buy things at Walmart. :rolleyes:
Gorp-Gobbler
06-12-2008, 21:47
I've been section hiking since '73 (when ever I could) but want to make the plunge for a Thru-Hike.
Is there anyone out there planning a hike for that year that would like to share plans and ideas with me?
:welcome
Bulldawg
06-12-2008, 21:47
I'm with LW, I love WalMart. When I die, I'm getting buried there, so I am sure my wife will visit my grave!
saimyoji
06-12-2008, 21:48
saw that. total lopsided BS :D you libs fall for everything
Yeah, I'm a lib. :rolleyes: Like to know where you get that.
Buy all my important stuff at Wallyworld: beer, condoms, bullets, most recently mace.
Don't need a Manzier, though I'm sure you could recommend something they carry. :D
saimyoji
06-12-2008, 21:50
Yeah, I'm a lib. :rolleyes: Like to know where you get that.
Buy all my important stuff at Wallyworld: beer, condoms, bullets, most recently mace.
Don't need a Manzier, though I'm sure you could recommend something they carry. :D
Forgot how they hooked me up with a bung load of silnylon I've yet to use.
River Runner
06-12-2008, 21:50
I'm with LW, I love WalMart. When I die, I'm getting buried there, so I am sure my wife will visit my grave!
Now that's one stop shopping. Go to Walmart, buy flowers, put on hubby's grave before leaving store. :D
Odd Thomas
06-12-2008, 21:51
To address your first comment, I'm not talking I'm typing.
To address your second, I have no reason not to. Last I knew there was no special rule that you can't post on Whiteblaze if you buy things at Walmart. :rolleyes:
it's in the fine print. :D
Lone Wolf
06-12-2008, 21:52
Is there anyone out there planning a hike for that year that would like to share plans and ideas with me?
:welcome
i'm planning a hike. these are my ideas.
stay the frig away from shelters. they suck you know. leave you dog home. don't use those lame ass leki poles. don't filter or treat water. don't use mail drops. every 5 days take 2 days off. sleep with your food at all times. NEVER share food.... more later :)
saimyoji
06-12-2008, 21:55
Now that's one stop shopping. Go to Walmart, buy flowers, spit/dance on hubby's grave before leaving store. :D
More like it. ;)
Bulldawg
06-12-2008, 21:55
i'm planning a hike. these are my ideas.
stay the frig away from shelters. they suck you know. leave you dog home. don't use those lame ass leki poles. don't filter or treat water. don't use mail drops. every 5 days take 2 days off. sleep with your food at all times. NEVER share food.... more later :)
Will you be doing a trail journal we can read online to see how all that is working out for ya? I might try that approach if it works well for you.:cool::banana
bloodmountainman
06-12-2008, 22:00
i'm planning a hike. these are my ideas.
stay the frig away from shelters. they suck you know. leave you dog home. don't use those lame ass leki poles. don't filter or treat water. don't use mail drops. every 5 days take 2 days off. sleep with your food at all times. NEVER share food.... more later :)
Great advice..... that's how it's done boys and girls!
Cut me a little slack on the lame ass poles though.... bad knees.
saimyoji
06-12-2008, 22:02
i'm planning a hike. these are my ideas.
stay the frig away from shelters. they suck you know. leave you dog home. don't use those lame ass leki poles. don't filter or treat water. don't use mail drops. every 5 days take 2 days off. sleep with your food at all times. NEVER share food.... more later :)
You wouldn't know it from the responses you get, but many of us hike this way.....more later. :cool:
bigmac_in
06-12-2008, 22:15
i'm planning a hike. these are my ideas.
stay the frig away from shelters. they suck you know. leave you dog home. don't use those lame ass leki poles. don't filter or treat water. don't use mail drops. every 5 days take 2 days off. sleep with your food at all times. NEVER share food.... more later :)
:-? When did you form these opinions? Who would have guessed? :D
Can you post that on Trailplace too? :p
To address your first comment, I'm not talking I'm typing.
To address your second, I have no reason not to. Last I knew there was no special rule that you can't post on Whiteblaze if you buy things at Walmart. :rolleyes:
And You are proud of ?
Wise Old Owl
06-12-2008, 22:59
======================
I dunno ...there are some days at this job that make those "greeter" positions look pretty attractive. But I'm too young and not on oxygen yet.
'Slogger
Shame this isn't the humor section thread....
Oxycontin works for young people.
River Runner
06-12-2008, 23:24
And You are proud of ?
The fact I can write a grammatical, complete sentence?
River Runner
06-12-2008, 23:30
And You are proud of ?
Oh wait. Maybe it was the fact that I wasn't naive enough to believe the Wild Cowboy could hike the whole AT unsupported in 30 days. :D
River Runner
06-12-2008, 23:35
Originally Posted by slow http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/wb_style/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=643549#post643549)
And You are proud of ?
The fact I can write a grammatical, complete sentence?
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/wb_style/misc/progress.gif
Oh wait. Maybe it was the fact that I wasn't naive enough to believe the Wild Cowboy could hike the whole AT unsupported in 30 days. :D
Well, either way we all know it's not this:
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/signs043.gif
:D
Personally I like Wal-Mart, I buy lots of things there. But a $1.00 water bottle may not be good enough to hold up to being dropped. If it breaks, you are out whatever you had in the bottle. In the past I have bought Nalgene like sport bottles at a local dollar store, one night while taking a walk through the neighborhood I dropped in on the street. It cracked; this was a 3-foot drop. Since then I have tested all water containers to make sure they will hold up to at least some abuse. Nalgene passes the test fine, as do Pepsi bottles.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/wb_style/misc/progress.gif
Well, either way we all know it's not this:
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/signs043.gif
:D
W.M. is just great.
Save ALL the cards and pay them off.:eek:
River Runner
06-13-2008, 00:05
W.M. is just great.
Save ALL the cards and pay them off.:eek:
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/signs102.gif
Oh well.
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/signs062.gif
mkmangold
06-13-2008, 00:15
Watch this PBS special on Walmart.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/view/
For a nice balance, watch Penn and Teller's "BS" about Walmart. Here's the nice thing about this country: if you don't like it, don't buy it! Personal and collective boycotts are part and parcel of the American system. Or, you can just be nice to the greeters anyways.
Bare Bear
06-13-2008, 00:37
I use Gatorade bottles because they are one half the weight of a Nalgene and free. They last just fine in my opinion and I replace them when I want a cold Gatorade in town.
As for Walmart............HYOH. I don't recall being forced into any.
Nothing new really. We know we have been losing manufacturing jobs overseas for a long time. And Walmart isn't the only one turning to imports.
Here's my issue. And it's simple really. Wal Mart is not "turning to imports" as the above poster would have you simplistically believe. They are driving imports. In other words, in many cases, they are the root cause. That is a big difference.
Actually it's not a water bottle, it's a water bottle holder... Someone even bought a few and is selling them on ebay. They may not work out to be great, but it is a good idea to attach your bottle to your pack. I'll keep a small bottle in it, but the majority of my water will be in my side pockets in gatorade bottles.
OregonHiker
06-13-2008, 20:29
I have, well my son has, a '99 Explorer with well over 100K miles. It has given us almost no trouble. It is dang near worthless now so I'm having him drive it til it craps out, then shoot it.
96 explorer, 225K before heading to the great beyond
River Runner
06-14-2008, 02:23
They are driving imports.
So are a lot of folks these days with gas at over $4/gallon. :rolleyes:
BTW Mowgli, can you tell us how Walmart got started. Wasn't it originally one of those little local family owned stores?
StarLyte
06-14-2008, 08:06
I've been section hiking since '73 (when ever I could) but want to make the plunge for a Thru-Hike.
Is there anyone out there planning a hike for that year that would like to share plans and ideas with me?
:welcome
The best plans and ideas for a thru hike come from sectioners like us.
My idea on thru-hiking is a flip-flop. That's the only way I'd make it in one year. I have asthma, some days are good, some days are hit-my-inhaler and get your butt up that mountain day.
I completely relate to the sobo'er, especially Marta's hike.
I think I would love to arrive at Springer in the late fall, early winter.
atraildreamer
06-14-2008, 11:25
I think wal-mart should get rid of the greeters.
Have some fun...:D Go up to the greeter and greet them before they can say a word to you! :welcome This (usually) totally screws them up and throws them into total confusion! :confused: Grab a few carriages and pass them on to other customers and they will really get ticked off! :mad: :banana
(I picked up 8 of the bottle holders on close out @ 50 cents each. Use the Sam's Club 1/2 or 1 liter soda bottles. They are made of a heavier duty plastic than the regular water bottles.)
TIDE-HSV
06-14-2008, 12:43
Walmart has a decent fishing lure section up here on Lake Erie as well, especially for walleye (not that I've ever caught one :mad:)
You haven't missed that much. It's sort of like snagging a log, or, at least, that's been my experience...
Odd Thomas
06-14-2008, 16:41
Our local Walmart has donated several hundred dollars per year in matching funds to our local Girl Scout troops who they allow to sell cookies there, for over 10 years. They also donate to other community organizations.
Our local Walmart employs hundreds of people, and provides decent benefits. The local grocery, local pharmacy, etc. employ far less people, and provide no benefits or very limited benefits to most of their employees.
Our community now has more businesses to serve the needs of the community since Walmart came to the area.
Walmart pays a tremendous amount of taxes to the county and town, which benefits the community with better services and schools.
So there you are - a few positives about Walmart.
Too bad you dont have Wegmans in the area then, much better jobs.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2008/snapshots/3.html
Rockhound
06-14-2008, 18:45
ha ha...I get that every so often---I drink the water too :eek:
It is suggested that one only eat 2 fish per week out of Lake Erie. No kidding.
And BTW...it's torture and release...not catch and release. :D
children under 6 and nursing/pregnant women should avoid seafood. especially shellfish. If you must, then I would suggest farm raised salmon. Same great taste without all that mercury
Rockhound
06-14-2008, 19:10
If you have an issue with Wal-mart you have an issue with capitalism. Many of their practices may seem unethical but certainly not illegal. Besides, they are trying to make improvements. I hear they will soon be coming out with lead free toothpaste & toys as well as pet food that won't kill your pet.
Odd Thomas
06-14-2008, 19:51
If you have an issue with Wal-mart you have an issue with capitalism.
Capitalism wouldn't work well for WalMart, as their average employee earns below the poverty level and WalMart counts on the community to make up the difference through taxpayer funded social programs. True Capitalism doesn't subsidize corporate labor and profits in this way.
Many of their practices may seem unethical but certainly not illegal.Ethics aside, many other of their practices are illegal.
Wal-Mart Stores escaped criminal charges when it agreed to pay $11 million, a record fine in a civil immigration case, to end a federal probe into its use of illegal immigrants as janitors.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,150846,00.html
WalMart's aggressive efforts to keep out labor unions often violated federal law and infringed on its workers’ rights
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/01/business/01labor.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Wal-Mart Buying Illegal Russian Wood to Make Products for US Market Report Alleges
http://www.sustainableisgood.com/blog/2008/01/wal-mart-buying.html
Wal-Mart has paid $250,000 to settle air quality violations stemming from the chain's sale of illegal portable gas cans throughout the states. This is the fourth time in recent years that Wal-Mart was found to be distributing illegal gas cans.
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-26-092.asp
Wal-Mart agreed to pay a $45,000 fine to settle allegations by the Agriculture Department that it illegally shipped Mexican avocados. The USDA's complaint against the company had 156 counts, each carrying a potential fine of $1,000
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_19_38/ai_56229583
Besides, they are trying to make improvements. I hear they will soon be coming out with lead free toothpaste & toys as well as pet food that won't kill your pet.:p
Here's my issue. And it's simple really. Wal Mart is not "turning to imports" as the above poster would have you simplistically believe. They are driving imports. In other words, in many cases, they are the root cause. That is a big difference.
YES ,YES,
SO They can put more MONEY IN WAL-MART.
This anti Wal-Mart thread is funny. All the time we see post here about cheep items, where to buy them, how to get something for the lowest price. The grease pot is a good example of this, yea it’s light, but as many posters rave about it’s low price as do its weight.
Wal-Mart trekking poles are well liked because they are only $10.00
There are numerous other post about low prices on item at Wal-Mart & K-Mart.
As much as a lot of you like to bash Wal-Mart, you keep going there to buy based on nothing other then a low price. The problem is not Wal-Mart, it’s you (all of us that put a low trice before quality, and most Americans do this.) you want it for next to free. All Wal-Mart is doing is giving you what you are asking for with your wallet.
Going back to the original post:
"Found something handy at Walmart"
I have found silnylon there for $1 a square yard.
The store near me also just started carrying a camping pillow. It is inflateable, super lite and has memory foam on top. The price was only $5 or $6. I won't backpack with out it any more. Very handy.
I also bought a LED headlamp for about 1/3 of what REI was trying to charge. Their fuel, mylar space blankets, emergency ponchos, mini first aid kits, Potable Agua Plus and Light My Fire Sporks are all 20 to 50 percent less than my local outfitter. It is true that Walmart has some low quality stuff, but they also have some high quality stuff for a good price.
Also, my local outfitter pays wages as low as Walmart's. The only difference is the high mark-up goes in the outfitter's owner's pocket, not the employee's.
Odd Thomas
06-14-2008, 22:11
This anti Wal-Mart thread is funny. All the time we see post here about cheep items, where to buy them, how to get something for the lowest price. The grease pot is a good example of this, yea it’s light, but as many posters rave about it’s low price as do its weight.
The KMart one is better. :D
As much as a lot of you like to bash Wal-Mart, you keep going there to buy based on nothing other then a low price. The problem is not Wal-Mart, it’s you (all of us that put a low trice before quality, and most Americans do this.) you want it for next to free. All Wal-Mart is doing is giving you what you are asking for with your wallet. That would be perfectly true and valid if WalMart wern't breaking any laws and violating people's rights in order to provide cheap prices. It's not capitalist competition if they play by different rules than their competitors.
It’s real simple; if you don’t like the store, don’t give them any money.
But people put low price as a first priority. So Wal-Mart sells you cheep things, items that have had almost all the profit sucked out of them from the guy making it all the way to the people working in the store selling it to you.
You can’t have super low prices and have everyone in the loop making a lot of money. It’s amazing that this doesn’t sink in. Or it does sink in and people don’t care because the prices are low.
Keep complaining so you can look good here to everyone, while you keep going to Wal-Mart to buy low price things, and supporting the low prices and their evil control of their employees. Who by the way don’t have to work for Wal-Mart.
Personally I’m not bothered by this as I understand no one has a gun to their head and is being forced to work there. I for the most part only buy name brand items and food from Wal-Mart. I once bought a set of shorts from them a few years ago when they first came to this area. The zipper broke the second time I put them on. I don’t buy any clothes from Wal-Mart, I know they are garbage. But at the same time I don’t keep ranting about it and think they are the bane of the world. I just shop other places for clothes, I learned from the experience and don’t base my buying on just the lowest price.
personally i see probably 200 employees at our local walmart who are most likely unable to run their own businesses. jobs are a good thing
if someone tries to sell me somethign for $2 and another guy tries to sell me the same thing for $1 i'll buy from the 2nd guy 99% of the time. that's called the way the world works
Odd Thomas
06-14-2008, 23:46
Personally I’m not bothered by this as I understand no one has a gun to their head and is being forced to work there.
But the people who's land was taken under Eminent Domain in violation of their property rights so that WalMart could build there, were served their papers by men with guns.
Federal Law strictly prohibits Eminent Domain being used "for the purpose of advancing the economic interest of private parties to be given ownership or use of the property taken."
Property Rights are one of the most fundamental rights of a free people, and WalMart behaves more like Organized Crime than like a Corporation. Just not buying there doesn't necessarily work if the organization is being subsidised by government, and doesn't play on an even field. Organized Crime actually thrives when the blame is placed on the sinners supporting them.
The World isn’t fair, are you just figuring this out?
I don’t worry about things I can’t change as it’s no point to do so.
Again, don’t give them money if you don’t like their way of doing things. But if you are going to hold the high moral ground, apply it to all companies and people. I think that if you did act on your high morals, you would have to stop buying about everything you have ever purchased.
But if you are bothered by their business practices and still shop at Wal-Mart, I would suggest you are not on as high of a moral ground as you pretend to be.
I’m going on a week camping trip starting tomorrow afternoon so I will let you have the last word on this and hopefully it will be a dead thread a week from now. (May check in, in the early afternoon before I leave, I’m tracking some new gear I just ordered and will be on for a min to see when I have to tell a friend to look for it.)
Odd Thomas
06-15-2008, 01:10
The World isn’t fair, are you just figuring this out?
I don’t worry about things I can’t change as it’s no point to do so.
Why can't they be changed just by enforcing existing laws we already have, and by not subsidizing badly behaved Corporations at the government level? When you subsidize anything, you get more of it.
But if you are bothered by their business practices and still shop at Wal-Mart, I would suggest you are not on as high of a moral ground as you pretend to be.
It's not high moral ground to expect the Constitution to have more weight than WalMart, I think it's just moderately reasonable. ;)
http://www.reclaimdemocracy.org/independent_business/walmart_eminent_domain.html
Odd Thomas
06-15-2008, 01:38
personally i see probably 200 employees at our local walmart who are most likely unable to run their own businesses. jobs are a good thing
if someone tries to sell me somethign for $2 and another guy tries to sell me the same thing for $1 i'll buy from the 2nd guy 99% of the time. that's called the way the world works
That's why "just not buying there" campaigns don't work and criminal activity is best handled by those who's job it is to enforce the law and defend the citizens according to the rights laid out in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. One of these days I hope we have a government like that ;)
WalMarts and other Corporations are even persisting in the face of a direct Executive Order from the President June 23, 2006 reiterating that land is absolutely and under no circumstances to be taken by Eminent Domain and given to private businesses and corporations even if it's good for the local economy, and in the face of a direct Executive Order, not only are they completely ignoring it, they're still collecting the subsidies. Strange times.
River Runner
06-15-2008, 03:24
Capitalism wouldn't work well for WalMart, as their average employee earns below the poverty level and WalMart counts on the community to make up the difference through taxpayer funded social programs. True Capitalism doesn't subsidize corporate labor and profits in this way.
Ethics aside, many other of their practices are illegal.
Wal-Mart Stores escaped criminal charges when it agreed to pay $11 million, a record fine in a civil immigration case, to end a federal probe into its use of illegal immigrants as janitors.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,150846,00.html
WalMart's aggressive efforts to keep out labor unions often violated federal law and infringed on its workers’ rights
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/01/business/01labor.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Wal-Mart Buying Illegal Russian Wood to Make Products for US Market Report Alleges
http://www.sustainableisgood.com/blog/2008/01/wal-mart-buying.html
Wal-Mart has paid $250,000 to settle air quality violations stemming from the chain's sale of illegal portable gas cans throughout the states. This is the fourth time in recent years that Wal-Mart was found to be distributing illegal gas cans.
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-26-092.asp
Wal-Mart agreed to pay a $45,000 fine to settle allegations by the Agriculture Department that it illegally shipped Mexican avocados. The USDA's complaint against the company had 156 counts, each carrying a potential fine of $1,000
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_19_38/ai_56229583
:p
I think you will find that most retail workers can qualify for food stamps. Working in a store isn't exactly a lucrative job anywhere. And it isn't unusual for store workers not to want to unionize, since that just means one more thing coming out of their pay check.
Reading your links, it seems that the gas cans and avocados were legal in some states, but not in others. I think it's a little difficult to say whether Walmart knew the wood in question from Russia was illegal or not - sort of a he said/she said situation isn't it?
Odd Thomas
06-15-2008, 04:24
I think you will find that most retail workers can qualify for food stamps. Working in a store isn't exactly a lucrative job anywhere.
That's true, but then we shouldn't be subsidizing businesses under the guise of economic development when the jobs they provide are less supporting than the average. More than half of all WalMart employees are on public assistance, and that's to be rewarded with subsidies to WalMart? How is a business supposed to compete with WalMart when WalMart is rewarded with subsidies that a competing business isn't getting, a competing business that, on average, has employees that aren't also needing public assistance at these levels? Even if they manage to somehow still compete, WalMart might decide to use Eminent Domain, take their land and build on top of them. Subsidies should be given (if any should be given at all) to businesses who have a reputation for taking care of it's employees, such as Wegmans who pay decent wages, or Aldi's whom I hear pays $15/hr to cashiers in some places.
And it isn't unusual for store workers not to want to unionize, since that just means one more thing coming out of their pay check.I wouldn't join one either, but that doesn't mean I'd put up with my employer illegally preventing me from doing so.
Reading your links, it seems that the gas cans and avocados were legal in some states, but not in others. I think it's a little difficult to say whether Walmart knew the wood in question from Russia was illegal or not - sort of a he said/she said situation isn't it?Maybe, but saying you didn't know about it only works before you're told about it. Their continued trade is with people they now know deal in bribes and criminal activity.
It's difficult to claim not knowing about illegally imported avocados, since they go through customs and are inspected by both governments, not to mention that if they weren't coming from Mexico they'd be coming from California or Florida usually, and a clue that they aren't would be it's trip through customs. To top it off this law has been in place for the better part of a century.
I'm hoping Kmart, Sears, and Wegmans kick the crap out of them, but it's not likely given the government keeps subsidizing the wrong businesses, even in the face of a direct Executive Order from the President. At least Kmart has the better grease pot going for them. :p
Jason of the Woods
06-15-2008, 08:00
Why worry aout anything? Let's leave this world much worse off for our children and grandchilden. You're silly, man!:eek:
The World isn’t fair, are you just figuring this out?
I don’t worry about things I can’t change as it’s no point to do so.
Again, don’t give them money if you don’t like their way of doing things. But if you are going to hold the high moral ground, apply it to all companies and people. I think that if you did act on your high morals, you would have to stop buying about everything you have ever purchased.
But if you are bothered by their business practices and still shop at Wal-Mart, I would suggest you are not on as high of a moral ground as you pretend to be.
I’m going on a week camping trip starting tomorrow afternoon so I will let you have the last word on this and hopefully it will be a dead thread a week from now. (May check in, in the early afternoon before I leave, I’m tracking some new gear I just ordered and will be on for a min to see when I have to tell a friend to look for it.)
Jason of the Woods
06-15-2008, 08:04
It is true. I was a manager for Aldis and made over 20 an hour.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-15-2008, 08:15
Aldi's is a German-owned food chain and they do indeed pay their US workers similar wages to what they pay in Europe.
The WalMart mentality - pay employees as little as possible and don't offer any sort of decent benefit package because the government will pick up the slack - is one of the reasons we are now faced with the need for things like universal health care. The recent first-in-a-decade increase in the minimum wage was made necessary by companies like WalMart. True capitalism does not operate like WalMart - that sort of economic system is why other free-market economies around the world have things like universal health care. True capitalism pays its own way by providing loyal workers with a decent wage and benefit package and instead of expecting the government to subsidize the work force. The 'trickle down' economics have been a huge failure.
Dances with Mice
06-15-2008, 08:25
Are you happy now, Mr. Wolf?
Lone Wolf
06-15-2008, 09:17
Are you happy now, Mr. Wolf?
about what?
just b/c YOU think the job blows and the people are underpaid doesn't mean that everyone thinks that - least of all the employees. the people at walmart are earning no less than the people at every grocery store in the area as well. their wages are a reflection of the skills necessary to complete the job as well as job difficulty itself.
River Runner
06-15-2008, 11:36
How is a business supposed to compete with WalMart when WalMart is rewarded with subsidies that a competing business isn't getting, a competing business that, on average, has employees that aren't also needing public assistance at these levels? Even if they manage to somehow still compete, WalMart might decide to use Eminent Domain, take their land and build on top of them. Subsidies should be given (if any should be given at all) to businesses who have a reputation for taking care of it's employees, such as Wegmans who pay decent wages, or Aldi's whom I hear pays $15/hr to cashiers in some places.
It is not uncommon for local municipalities or even states to give breaks on taxes (what I assume you are calling subsidies) to entice businesses to areas, although that is usually manufacturers from my understanding. I guess it's entirely possible a depressed area might try to entice Walmart to their town instead of another. If so, the local businesses should complain to their elected officials.
I dont' know anything about Wegmans or Aldi's, which are not located in this area, but I do know that no other retail stores in this area have a better pay scale than Walmart, so the employees of these 'competitors' would be just as likely as those of Walmart to be on public assistance of some form (food stamps, WIC, CHIP, etc.)
As far as eminent domain, again, complaints should be made to the local officials who would allow such a thing to take place. Walmart can't do it on their own. The elected officials are the ones doing the approval.
Walmart sucks. Only fools shop there.
Walmart sucks.
Agreed
Only fools shop there.
Dumb statement.
It was, in part, satire, MOWGLI. I just changed "Shelters" to "Walmart."
It was, in part, satire, MOWGLI. I just changed "Shelters" to "Walmart."
Gotcha.
River Runner
06-15-2008, 11:55
It is true. I was a manager for Aldis and made over 20 an hour.
So how much were the non-management personnel being paid?
Odd Thomas
06-15-2008, 12:08
just b/c YOU think the job blows and the people are underpaid doesn't mean that everyone thinks that - least of all the employees. the people at walmart are earning no less than the people at every grocery store in the area as well. their wages are a reflection of the skills necessary to complete the job as well as job difficulty itself.
That's what they all say.:p
i swear. some people take life so f'in seriously they must never have any fun
atraildreamer
06-16-2008, 10:39
The prices at Wal-Mart are not consistently lower. Sometimes they are a great deal higher, especially if you shop for sales. I also have found that the selection is broad but not deep, they carry a lot of different things but not so many different types of the same thing.
I have found that PriceRite (here in the northeast) has better prices on a lot of items, both food and non-food, than Wal-Mart.
mkmangold
06-20-2008, 01:01
It was, in part, satire, MOWGLI. I just changed "Shelters" to "Walmart."
What if Walmart opens a shelter?
Tennessee Viking
06-20-2008, 01:44
Wall Mart
Quote:
Originally Posted by _terrapin_ http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/wb_style/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=644789#post644789)
It was, in part, satire, MOWGLI. I just changed "Shelters" to "Walmart."
What if Walmart opens a shelter?
They are already having denist and quickcare facilities in a number of their stores.
For those anti-establishmentists, what are you going to do when big box stores, like Target and Walmart, are now becoming the only retail merchandisers in a lot of areas. I hate them because their merchandise is trash, screw you with strict return policies, the most hateful employers, and lie to your face when they say its Customer First or Customer is always right. But its cheap and about the only place around, and some other food selections area pretty hiker friendly. Though I learned my lesson on buying gear, I will shop MRO, Mahonneys, and other outfitters first. Killed my back with a heavy Coleman 20degree fleece sleeping bag.
Sometimes I wish I just lived in Vermont where they are banned.
Oh they not banned got one here in rutland vermout
I strongly suspect that most folks who burn on Walmart have never been poor.
Poor folks (i. e. the way I grew up) aren't "foolish" enough to waste their money on over-priced stores that offer 1/10th the selection of Walmart.
Granted, I dislike the crowded parking lots, aisles, and check-out lines, but for the non-elites of the country, Walmart can be a real blessing, especially when it's back to school, Christmas, your birthday, or time to get more camping gear for scouts. I wound up with plenty of Walmart as a kid, and it was fine for me.
Now that I can afford to shop at high-end outfitters, that doesn't mean I never save money on simpler items at Walmart.
Lone Wolf
06-20-2008, 03:46
What if Walmart opens a shelter?
Sometimes I wish I just lived in Vermont where they are banned.
huh? a shelter?
vermont has 4 wally worlds
double d
06-20-2008, 04:20
Bearpaw, I certainly agree with you on the fact that many folks in this country feel elitist towards wal-mart (but of course buy their shoes from Nike), but I grew up in a working class family (father worked on a GM assembly line after he got out of the military, my mother is still a waitress and she's 64 years young), but many folks in my area (Chicagoland) don't shop at wal-mart because they are 100% anti-union (the city of Chicago does not allow wal-mart's). Just my opinion Bearpaw and besides, I always find your posts well thought out and interesting, just disagree with why some folks don't shop at wal-mart.
if only our whole country went non-union we'd stop losing jobs overseas
Odd Thomas
06-20-2008, 09:46
if only our whole country went non-union we'd stop losing jobs overseas
That's a small scapegoat for such a big problem. Anyways the union is probably the least powerful now than it's ever been. The coorelation would appear to work the other way, if it were a factor at all.
http://www.willisms.com/archives/uniondecline.gif
i guess i am speaking from experience of what's happening at our factories here :D
Odd Thomas
06-20-2008, 23:21
i guess i am speaking from experience of what's happening at our factories here :D
Jobs leaving PA to go someplace non-union? Where? China loves Unions.
http://english.people.com.cn/200607/29/eng20060729_288028.html
Even WalMart loves Unions in China.
Odd Thomas
06-20-2008, 23:25
Jobs leaving PA to go someplace non-union? Where? China loves Unions.
http://english.people.com.cn/200607/29/eng20060729_288028.html
Even WalMart loves Unions in China.
In fact, in China any company with 25 employees by law has to form a Union. Must be why they're losing all their jobs. ;)
i was speaking of hershey factory jobs to mexico >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
thank you
guess all the cool kids post links:
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20070215/hershey-manufacturing.htm
Odd Thomas
06-21-2008, 01:10
i was speaking of hershey factory jobs to mexico >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
thank you
Sorry, my bad guess. PA's been hit by so many things from so many angles... I remember when PA was "Silicon Valley" when Commodore/CBM/MOS was there, to this day even after all these years no computer model has sold more units than the Commodore 64, built in PA.
Hershey doesn't seem to be blaming labor costs, they're blaming energy prices and ingredient costs for their losses, as well as losing touch with it's core business, and poor sales.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/marketsNewsUS/idUKN1732688620080617
I remember when PA was "Silicon Valley" when Commodore/CBM/MOS was there, to this day even after all these years no computer model has sold more units than the Commodore 64, built in PA.
Hmm. Sounds like a classic Rochester boast, like Letchworth Park being "the Grand Canyon of the East."
I've been involved in the semiconductor industry more or less non-stop since the mid-1970s and I don't quite remember that part -- but yeah, my first "pc" was a Commodore Vic-20 (poor man's C-64.) I traded it for a knock-off Sunfish sailboat a year or two later.
Rumor has it my current company is now part of another company spun off from the Hughes/Rockwell corporate empire. Strange goings-on.
So how many C-64s are buried in Chinese landfills by now, by your estimation? ;) :rolleyes: :D
Odd Thomas
06-21-2008, 17:49
Hmm. Sounds like a classic Rochester boast, like Letchworth Park being "the Grand Canyon of the East."
I've been involved in the semiconductor industry more or less non-stop since the mid-1970s and I don't quite remember that part -- but yeah, my first "pc" was a Commodore Vic-20 (poor man's C-64.) I traded it for a knock-off Sunfish sailboat a year or two later.
Rumor has it my current company is now part of another company spun off from the Hughes/Rockwell corporate empire. Strange goings-on.
So how many C-64s are buried in Chinese landfills by now, by your estimation? ;) :rolleyes: :D
http://www.amazon.com/Edge-Spectacular-Rise-Fall-Commodore/dp/0973864907
On The Edge: the spectacular rise and fall of Commodore is an awesome book for anyone who was/is a Commodore or Amiga fan, or anyone who wants the part of the story that today's documentaries leave out completely (like "Pirates of Silicon Valley")
30 Million Commodore 64's were manufactured in PA, and all Apple computers (excepting the MAC) and all the Atari's (pre-680x0), used parts manufactured in PA by MOS/Commodore. If you used a CPU in the 65xx family, your parts were manufactured in PA.
/nostalgia :(
Tennessee Viking
06-21-2008, 18:45
huh? a shelter?
vermont has 4 wally worldswhat state is it then that doesn't have big box stores?
i remember reading one state that walmart and target are still trying to lobby to get into. or did that not last?
30 Million Commodore 64's were manufactured in PA, and all Apple computers (excepting the MAC) and all the Atari's (pre-680x0), used parts manufactured in PA by MOS/Commodore. If you used a CPU in the 65xx family, your parts were manufactured in PA.
/nostalgia :(
30 million is an impressive number, for sure. Thanks for the info. I was aware that the old Apples and the Commodore/Vics used the 6502; in my mind it had always been the Rockwell 6502. You are correct -- the 6502 actually originated with MOS Technology out of Norristown PA. That was news to me. But more important: I'd always assumed that Commodore was a cheap Apple clone; it turns out that Apple was a Commodore clone! Waddya know?
P.C . is a wal-mart.
MAC, needs none...but P.C. NEEDS MAC,AND WAL-MART NEEDS CHINA.
P.C . is a wal-mart.
MAC, needs none...but P.C. NEEDS MAC,AND WAL-MART NEEDS CHINA.
it's all made in China... mac/pc wars are so passé.
Odd Thomas
06-22-2008, 03:09
P.C . is a wal-mart.
MAC, needs none...but P.C. NEEDS MAC,AND WAL-MART NEEDS CHINA.
Pppthpth! Macs are just proprietary PC's these days :)