AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 11:59:07 GMT -5
Posts: 31,709
Favorite Drink: Sweetwater 420
|
Post by AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP on Mar 8, 2011 20:27:13 GMT -5
Wal Mart is the consumer's union. They represent the interests of consumers with manufacturers, distributors, and other service providers. They use their enormous purchasing power to pressure suppliers to sell their goods and service for less, and they pass the savings along to us.
They're tactics have been exposed in several schlockumentaries that have been put together by unions that use the opposite tacticts to drive prices UP.
I never understood that.
Wal-Mart is probably the most effective anti-poverty program on earth.
|
|
chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 38,508
|
Post by chiver78 on Mar 8, 2011 20:30:41 GMT -5
Wal-Mart is probably the most effective anti-poverty program on earth. too bad they don't feel the same generosity where their employees are concerned.
|
|
Opti
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 10:45:38 GMT -5
Posts: 39,694
Location: New Jersey
Mini-Profile Name Color: c28523
Mini-Profile Text Color: 990033
|
Post by Opti on Mar 8, 2011 20:41:33 GMT -5
"Wal-Mart is probably the most effective anti-poverty program on earth. "
I doubt it. Without doing some studies its hard to know whether in the balance they've created or prevented poverty. In many small towns and businesses in the US were driven out of business and their higher wages too with workers going to work at Walmart for reduced wages in addition to often reduced hours. Walmart employees are one of the biggest if not the biggest users of government programs like EITC, etc. and Walmart backed the Insurance bill that passed once they made a deal to insure they themselves didn't have to cover most of their employees for insurance.
I think the founder's intentions were good but his successors not so much.
|
|
Mad Dawg Wiccan
Administrator
Rest in Peace
Only Bites Whiners
Joined: Jan 12, 2011 20:40:24 GMT -5
Posts: 9,693
|
Post by Mad Dawg Wiccan on Mar 8, 2011 20:59:28 GMT -5
Wal-Mart is probably the most effective anti-poverty program on earth. too bad they don't feel the same generosity where their employees are concerned. There seems to be no shortage of people willing to work for them. When I was in high school back in the 70s, the ONLY places that would hire teens was fast food. They would fire anybody at the drop of a hat, because there were always 30 other kids in line looking for a job. It got so bad that teens simply stopped applying there. I remember in the 80s recession going into McDonald's and the paper tray liners were job application forms, and when Wendy's was advertising on the radio a free meal if you filled out a job application.
|
|
Mad Dawg Wiccan
Administrator
Rest in Peace
Only Bites Whiners
Joined: Jan 12, 2011 20:40:24 GMT -5
Posts: 9,693
|
Post by Mad Dawg Wiccan on Mar 8, 2011 21:01:40 GMT -5
PS - "Wal-Mart Is My Union" would make a great t-shirt!
|
|
fairlycrazy23
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 27, 2010 23:55:19 GMT -5
Posts: 3,306
|
Post by fairlycrazy23 on Mar 8, 2011 21:45:57 GMT -5
means of escape in the event of fire They don't have emergency fire exits in walmart?
|
|
mmhmm
Administrator
It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
Posts: 31,770
Today's Mood: Saddened by Events
Location: Memory Lane
Favorite Drink: Water
|
Post by mmhmm on Mar 8, 2011 21:49:29 GMT -5
I wouldn't enter a WalMart if they paid me to do so.
|
|
fairlycrazy23
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 27, 2010 23:55:19 GMT -5
Posts: 3,306
|
Post by fairlycrazy23 on Mar 8, 2011 21:51:00 GMT -5
I think many companies lock overnight employees in, but there has to be an emergency fire exit.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Apr 25, 2024 12:54:27 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2011 21:55:17 GMT -5
too bad they don't feel the same generosity where their employees are concerned. I think WalMart is a good company. Sadly people want to compare it to other types of businesses. They employ people with few skills, the handicapped, & even people well up in age that would be considered unemployable for most if not all other companies. Added to that they give stock options & a chance for advancement. They tend to be a target for the liberals (who don't shop there) because they are the biggest employer & don't pay $40 per hour for unskilled labor. Oh well. What they do & do well is to allow the poorer segment of our country to afford things that they couldn't normally afford. Also by lowering costs they actually raise the standard of living for those people & because of their low prices they actually lower inflation for the whole country. I will continue to shop there even if their prices go up for the simple reason that a full WalMart parking lot seems to drive liberals crazy.
|
|
deziloooooo
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 16:22:04 GMT -5
Posts: 10,723
|
Post by deziloooooo on Mar 8, 2011 21:57:10 GMT -5
I wouldn't enter a WalMart if they paid me to do so. In a way I understand and can go on about them, however, in my town, area, they are very complete, have just gone through extensive remodeling, very well done, I am experieiced with big box retailers as a retired manager, they did a very good job here, very much like the target stores. There are few independent stores here that carry what they do. O don't shop alot there, willing to pay a bit more at the local "Publics" but when it comes to canned goods for example, In try to stay away from a lot of that but still, a few things I remember stand out. Le seur Peas, small can, publics $1.09. wal Mart .95/ Goldstein canned Red Salmon Publick is 2.99, Wal Mart is 2.59...those are big differences and on and on. I don't go there often but at times... .
|
|
|
Post by marjar on Mar 8, 2011 21:59:31 GMT -5
What happened to buy American? Doesn't Wal-Mart get much of their merchandise from China?
|
|
fairlycrazy23
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 27, 2010 23:55:19 GMT -5
Posts: 3,306
|
Post by fairlycrazy23 on Mar 8, 2011 22:13:40 GMT -5
What happened to buy American? Doesn't Wal-Mart get much of their merchandise from China? Consumers don't want to pay the premium, it seems people like to say they want to buy american but when it comes right down to it, they want to buy the cheapest.
|
|
deziloooooo
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 16:22:04 GMT -5
Posts: 10,723
|
Post by deziloooooo on Mar 8, 2011 22:25:18 GMT -5
I am poor as hell and would not be caught dead patronizing that company. They are known to annihiliate small, family-owned businesses and there are many fully unionized companies such as Costco that offer prices as good or better while treating employees better. The one thing I will say in their favor is that they did a damn good job where Hurricane Katrina was involved and the government better take notes when a private company beats them. I salute you and honestly say I don't use them much. The same with the big box hardware places, use the mall chin , in m, out 1/2/3..prices about the same, plenty of help, don't have to walk a 1/4 mile to find a screw. Biggest problem is , no small places left really..independents, Mom, Pops, ..and "American Made" just not available at least in my area and very built up, South Florida.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Apr 25, 2024 12:54:27 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2011 22:33:19 GMT -5
Walmart depends on government, which gives its workers medicaid and earned income tax credits so they can manage to subsist on their meager pay...
|
|
deziloooooo
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 16:22:04 GMT -5
Posts: 10,723
|
Post by deziloooooo on Mar 8, 2011 22:38:06 GMT -5
We still have a few and I tend to use them. I still remember how the small business were the ones who bought my girl scout cookies, my fund-raising tchotchkes for the Catholic School I attended and so forth. The easiest way to "save" money is not to spend it. I take good care of what I own, buy little and fix what is broken. I am not an upgrader either. If it works, I use it. Now that I have a 46" Hi Def , a newish computer, i'm good,
|
|
chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 38,508
|
Post by chiver78 on Mar 8, 2011 23:51:48 GMT -5
It is illegal to lock employees in as Walmart discovered when they tried it. And it is certainly unreasonable to cut off means of egress as the so-called "emergency" exit may be unused while panicked employees are trapped against doors that will not open by the others behind them. Many commonly die when they run to the nearest door only to be unable to turn and leave due to the press of the crowd. This was the primary cause of death in the famous "Cocanut Grove" nightclub fire. www.celebrateboston.com/disasters/cocoanut-grove-fire.htmIn this instance, over 400 people died. Should you be asked to lock people in, be sure to acquaint yourself with local firecodes as you will be charged criminally and sued if you do so illegally and harm results. another good reference for this is The Station nightclub fire in RI secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/The_Station_nightclub_firegranted, this fire was exacerbated by the also-illegal flammable soundproofing material near the stage, where fireworks were set off.....but a couple exterior doors were also locked. most of the victims were within feet of the front doors, like Cocoanut Grove. unlike Cocoanut Grove though, the Station had normal doors pushing out (I've been there) where Cocoanut Grove's front door was actually a rotary one that was being pushed in both directions. unblocked doors pushing outward was a fire code regulation put into place specifically because of Cocoanut Grove.
|
|
mmhmm
Administrator
It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
Posts: 31,770
Today's Mood: Saddened by Events
Location: Memory Lane
Favorite Drink: Water
|
Post by mmhmm on Mar 9, 2011 6:50:29 GMT -5
I find I can shop our locally-owned stores and do pretty well most of the time. I might spend a dollar, or two more, but it's worth it to me. If there's something I want and can't find, or am in a hurry for, I'd rather go to Walgreens for it than WalMart. I simply won't support that organization.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Apr 25, 2024 12:54:27 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2011 7:40:33 GMT -5
:)Not only no emergency exits, but locked windows and doors. Workers who were illegally locked-in were expected to call management to let them out. They were cited and paid large civil and criminal penalties due to this. It was just the grace of God that there was no fire and no murder charges. I remember the big deal about this. I kind of found it funny. Maybe if there had been a fire "some" people would have died. Not all people though, because some of them would have figured out that all WalMarts have glass doors & they could have gotten out very easy. Locking the doors of a business after hours used to be (when I was working) the norm. I never gave it a thought because all of them had glass doors. This sounded to me to be a little over the top (reaction wise). Now of course someone will have an example where someone could (or would) have died because of those locked doors. So on the other hand had they been unlocked & a garbage truck put one of those big skiff's in front of it people would have died too.
|
|
mmhmm
Administrator
It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
Posts: 31,770
Today's Mood: Saddened by Events
Location: Memory Lane
Favorite Drink: Water
|
Post by mmhmm on Mar 9, 2011 7:47:02 GMT -5
You do realize, oldtex, that glass is not the same glass you might use to drink from. It's more like windshield glass. It's very difficult to break.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Apr 25, 2024 12:54:27 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2011 7:54:11 GMT -5
Sure it's a little different but it is still very breakable. To me this was a non issue (locking people in, that is).
|
|
mmhmm
Administrator
It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
Posts: 31,770
Today's Mood: Saddened by Events
Location: Memory Lane
Favorite Drink: Water
|
Post by mmhmm on Mar 9, 2011 7:56:49 GMT -5
No, it's not "very breakable". That's why it's used for the doors to businesses like convenience stores and WalMart. You might, the next time you're out and about, ask the manager of your local supermarket about the doors on his establishment. He might not know, but should. They're extremely resistant to breakage. That's why people drive their cars through them in order to rob convenience stores instead of simply swinging a shoe and breaking the door.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Apr 25, 2024 12:54:27 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2011 8:00:07 GMT -5
As far as stuff made in China.....sounds good but I doubt that WalMart has more than 5% more items from China than Target (if that). The real issue is that they are a target because they are the biggest.
Oh & I love the buy American idea. It just doesn't work. The problem is that America can't produce cheaply anymore (we used to be the world production leaders). Added to that we don't always produce quality goods that will compete in the world market. I believe in tough love. If you can't make what I want then I will go somewhere else. If on the other hand you make the best product then I will pay more for it. To bad the car companes didn't get their heads out long before they were forced to (except GM, I'm still thinking that GM management structure is one of their main problems).
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Apr 25, 2024 12:54:27 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2011 8:02:41 GMT -5
I've got a feeling that I could get out a locked Walmart door in less than 2 minutes. I don't want to pay for the damage to put it to a test but that's what I think. Even if the glass was steal I'm betting that the lock on the door would just barely slow me down (the one in the aluminum frame).
|
|
ChiTownVenture
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 10:39:06 GMT -5
Posts: 648
|
Post by ChiTownVenture on Mar 9, 2011 8:19:10 GMT -5
I've got a feeling that I could get out a locked Walmart door in less than 2 minutes. I don't want to pay for the damage to put it to a test but that's what I think. Even if the glass was steal I'm betting that the lock on the door would just barely slow me down (the one in the aluminum frame). You maybe, but can these people;
|
|
mmhmm
Administrator
It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
Posts: 31,770
Today's Mood: Saddened by Events
Location: Memory Lane
Favorite Drink: Water
|
Post by mmhmm on Mar 9, 2011 8:20:32 GMT -5
I've got a feeling that I could get out a locked Walmart door in less than 2 minutes. I don't want to pay for the damage to put it to a test but that's what I think. Even if the glass was steal I'm betting that the lock on the door would just barely slow me down (the one in the aluminum frame). It's not difficult to make a bet on something you don't intend to try, oldtex. I'd be willing to take your wager, but it's academic, don't you think?
|
|
mmhmm
Administrator
It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
Posts: 31,770
Today's Mood: Saddened by Events
Location: Memory Lane
Favorite Drink: Water
|
Post by mmhmm on Mar 9, 2011 8:22:00 GMT -5
Good point, ChiTown. What the store did was reprehensible in the extreme. You don't lock people in a building without any way to get out. There are laws against it for a reason.
|
|
fairlycrazy23
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 27, 2010 23:55:19 GMT -5
Posts: 3,306
|
Post by fairlycrazy23 on Mar 9, 2011 9:02:03 GMT -5
I haven't been in all walmarts but all the ones i've been in have fire doors. I didn't even think you could build a building without fire doors anymore.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Apr 25, 2024 12:54:27 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2011 9:07:37 GMT -5
It's not difficult to make a bet on something you don't intend to try, oldtex. I'd be willing to take your wager, but it's academic, don't you think?
True mmhmm & I wouldn't be willing to put it to the test. I have (in my younger days) worked in stores with the same type doors though. We did have problems bending the lower pins all the time & a steal bolt isn't much good if it's set in an aluminum frame. I would also doubt (but I guess it's possible) that everyone in the store would be so handicapped that they couldn't psychically break the doors (my wife is handicapped & she could break them).
|
|
floridayankee
Junior Associate
If You Don't Stand Behind Our Troops, Feel Free to Stand in Front of Them.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:56:05 GMT -5
Posts: 7,461
|
Post by floridayankee on Mar 9, 2011 9:10:50 GMT -5
Not only no emergency exits, but locked windows and doors. I have a tough time believing that there are absolutely no fire exits. I believe building code in most cities requires fire exits.
|
|
mmhmm
Administrator
It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
Posts: 31,770
Today's Mood: Saddened by Events
Location: Memory Lane
Favorite Drink: Water
|
Post by mmhmm on Mar 9, 2011 9:23:24 GMT -5
The codes do require fire exits (probably, by now, in all states), floridayankee. In this case, however, there was no method of egress for those in the building. I don't recall the details, and don't care to Google for it at this time; however, WalMart was fined a huge amount because their people had no way out of a building in which they were working.
|
|