Unions: People not lining up to join unions?

[xiggi]

My proof is my own experience. [Yes, I usually shop at WM, because it's the most convenient in a truck.]
I am a careful shopper - I read labels, and choose the best product from among the choices, which means I buy the same brand of whatever every time, and I've seen the price increases [or the equivalent, like my favorite paper towels being suddenly quite a bit smaller than before].
It's good that some competition survived in your town, but others didn't in a lot of small towns.

Prices go up, in the last few years grocery goods especially essentials have taken a big jump. My experience is when comparing most items wm still beats the competition. I would say price increases are more a fact of the economy than raising prices after they supposedly force others to close.

Sent from my Fisher Price - ABC 123

 

[cheri1122]

Prices go up, in the last few years grocery goods especially essentials have taken a big jump. My experience is when comparing most items wm still beats the competition. I would say price increases are more a fact of the economy than raising prices after they supposedly force others to close.

Sent from my Fisher Price - ABC 123

The whole raising prices after the competition folded was part of their strategy way back when they were the new kid on the block - I understand that prices are going to go up over time, at every store.
The paper towel example is a recent one, though: less product for the same price. Yes, I know that's not a WM exclusive, but it's a sneaky price increase, which makes me think it isn't justifiable.
Oh, and saying the public made WM is like saying the public wants more celebrity pics in the paper, because they keep buying the paper. We shop at WM because it's there, same as we buy the paper because it's there - it's not exactly an endorsement of their policies. Unless people complain in large groups, it has no effect on the big guys, whether it's WM or the media.

 

[sthfl2000]

Lmao...i'm beginning to think that some people's posts are a cry out for anyone to recognize their existance...lets just go back to the barter system...no work, no tensions, no polital correctness...just simple pure transactions...lol

 

[LDB]

Reducing quantity is a very common practice as opposed to raising prices. Look at Wendy's and whatever it is they call the "big" drink. It used to be half again larger than it is now but the price is the same. Chocolate covered cherries used to come with two trays of 8 each and then went to 6 each and now have 5 each although the box itself remains the same size. It's convenient to blame WM for it but I suspect with it being so many things from so many sources it's probably not only on them.

 

[Humble2drive]

Suck it up cupcake, it's how I write.

Thank you for being so open minded to my helpful suggestion.

Yours truly,

 

[layoutshooter]

Small stores don't compete with Wally World because they either choose not to or don't know how.

My cousin owns a "mom and pop" sporting goods store. He competes against Wally World, Cabela's, Gander Mountain and several other larger places. He has been doing so for over 30 years. As the markets changes, he changes with it. He provides services that the others do not and does not stock much of the low end junk that the others do. He sells high end stuff, at much HIGHER prices and does quite well.


It all boils down to how active the space between your ears is.

Don't like what Walmart pays? Here is a way around it, DON'T WORK THERE! Seems rather simple.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

My goodness you are just an abundance of nonsense... the only people that walmart puts out of business are people that were lucky to have one at all... everyone else changes their business model and stays competitive by providing a level of service and product that is not found at the walmart..... they adapt and don't just whine!!! and all those policies and procedures that they supposedly paid to hush up and smooth over? what would those be.... and of course there is tax incentives to hiring certain groups of people that are in need... like the mentally challenged which I personally handled bringing many into the mainstream through a couple of different programs with incentives ... I have 28 years of retain and corporate management on my resume none of which is with walmart so I do speak from a platform of knowledge not just talking points I have heard or unsubstantiated facts...

Here's one for ya, Hoss. When is the last time you remember the feds, either Repubs or Dems, coming up with a bill that actually helped small business, and passed?

 

[Mdbtyhtr]

Reducing quantity is a very common practice as opposed to raising prices. Look at Wendy's and whatever it is they call the "big" drink. It used to be half again larger than it is now but the price is the same. Chocolate covered cherries used to come with two trays of 8 each and then went to 6 each and now have 5 each although the box itself remains the same size. It's convenient to blame WM for it but I suspect with it being so many things from so many sources it's probably not only on them.

Remember when 5 lbs of Coffee came in the same size can it does now, only it is 3 lbs.! Service is the difference, our local Super Walmart is losing customers to the CVS Pharmacy because your prescription is ready when they say it is, they call you in advance of refills, in short, they out service Walmart, who is known to say 45 more minutes, just keep shopping! I do, at CVS!

Scott

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Remember when 5 lbs of Coffee came in the same size can it does now, only it is 3 lbs.! Service is the difference, our local Super Walmart is losing customers to the CVS Pharmacy because your prescription is ready when they say it is, they call you in advance of refills, in short, they out service Walmart, who is known to say 45 more minutes, just keep shopping! I do, at CVS!

Scott

Never had that problem at our Walmart. Usually got a call that our prescription is ready about 10 mins after the docs office called it in. Sometimes like 3 mins.

 

[muttly]

The whole raising prices after the competition folded was part of their strategy way back when they were the new kid on the block - I understand that prices are going to go up over time, at every store.
The paper towel example is a recent one, though: less product for the same price. Yes, I know that's not a WM exclusive, but it's a sneaky price increase, which makes me think it isn't justifiable.
Oh, and saying the public made WM is like saying the public wants more celebrity pics in the paper, because they keep buying the paper. We shop at WM because it's there, same as we buy the paper because it's there - it's not exactly an endorsement of their policies. Unless people complain in large groups, it has no effect on the big guys, whether it's WM or the media.

Why don't you shop at a union grocery store and spend the extra hundred dollars a month in groceries? Put you money where you mouth is.

 

[cranis]

Unions are what is taking jobs out of country now a days. Also take for exmaple the New york school bus strike, They are union, but to save money the city wants to 'bid' the jobs to private companies for a lower rate, but they only care about their own selves.. My question is where would the money be saved, if the jobs are to be the same with the new contractors. Another words they are saying that a private business has to hire at same rate, but cannnot bid a lower rate, and would have to hire the same people without making sure that they are worth hiring.
As I said the unions were good years ago, but it has been proven many times over , that unions are the downfall of alot of Government money and small bussinesses because theyw want everthing handed to them, Only the Union bosses are getting the big bucks..

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Why don't you shop at a union grocery store and spend the extra hundred dollars a month in groceries? Put you money where you mouth is.

I've got one better... why don't we all go down to Harbor Freight, and buy some Chinese tools that will break a dozen times before an American one will. But hey! They're 1/4 of the price!

 

[hossman2011]

Every point I made has been documented long ago - if you want to challenge any of them, you have to pony up the proof.

First off commenting about the nonsense is not an insult it is an observation based on your statements. secondly you did not state any specifics which is why I asked you to provide some... again anything walmart has been charged with and settled on is because of individual Members of management at the store levels not behaving, Not because they have some detrimental policies the espouse to their people to follow...

 

[hossman2011]

Here's one for ya, Hoss. When is the last time you remember the feds, either Repubs or Dems, coming up with a bill that actually helped small business, and passed?

Can't recall anything in my memory... not to sure where the question came from based on the quote..

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Can't recall anything in my memory... not to sure where the question came from based on the quote..

It's called a level playing field. The small business grocer has NEVER had the ear of the politician, nor his tax breaks... not to the extent the Walmarts do. The small business hardware store has never had the government breaks the Home Depots or Lowes have. They just can't grease the palms the same. They're already at a disadvantage due to the lower tariffs for Chinese junk (a little boat pun there), tied in with the vast quantities these mega-corps buy. You're forgetting this is not capitalism, it's corporatism. Capitalism at least gives a reach-around.

 

[hossman2011]

It's called a level playing field. The small business grocer has NEVER had the ear of the politician, nor his tax breaks... not to the extent the Walmarts do. The small business hardware store has never had the government breaks the Home Depots or Lowes have. They just can't grease the palms the same. They're already at a disadvantage due to the lower tariffs for Chinese junk (a little boat pun there), tied in with the vast quantities these mega-corps buy. You're forgetting this is not capitalism, it's corporatism. Capitalism at least gives a reach-around.

There in lies the business model that small businesses advantage get to take advantage of that the big boys lack.. great customer service, a more intimate relationship with community, and a product line unique to the smaller business person.. aand they can buy competitively with co-ops and creative shopping..

 

[cheri1122]

There in lies the business model that small businesses advantage get to take advantage of that the big boys lack.. great customer service, a more intimate relationship with community, and a product line unique to the smaller business person.. aand they can buy competitively with co-ops and creative shopping..

When the 'big boys' don't offer great customer service, a more intimate relationship with the community, and a unique product line, it's because it doesn't pay as well as sheer muscle & deep pockets.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

There in lies the business model that small businesses advantage get to take advantage of that the big boys lack.. great customer service, a more intimate relationship with community, and a product line unique to the smaller business person.. aand they can buy competitively with co-ops and creative shopping..

I agree with you, except for one thing... people don't give a crap about that stuff anymore... hence, Walmart is as big as it is, Home Depot and Lowes are as big as they are, McDonalds is as big as it is, etc. The majority of Americans, that is, don't care for well crafted tools, nutritious food, high thread-count towels and t-shirts, well constructed can openers, hamburger that actually tastes like beef (tho the public outrage over hamburger did most supermarket chains to take pink slime out). People want it as cheap as they can get it. Only when the blowback is apparent, and LOUD, do the people put their collective foot down.

Some people are choosing quality over price. My wife and I look for both. We wouldn't be caught dead buying meat from Walmart. It's just unsat. We're headed to the Eastern Market for meat and fish on Saturday. I like getting my eggs brown, from the local farm market. Organic milk. Butter over margarine. Japanese market for oriental cooking supplies. When things aren't so tight, I'm getting my wife some uber-sturdy and luxurious towels, and me some quality t-shirts.

In a lot of things, quality just pays. But sometimes, like in a depression, price overrides quality. But I'm finding that I really don't care for stuff that falls apart, or stuff that doesn't taste right, and so on. Hopefully, America can get back on its feet so more can buy better crap at smaller stores.

 

[hossman2011]

When the 'big boys' don't offer great customer service, a more intimate relationship with the community, and a unique product line, it's because it doesn't pay as well as sheer muscle & deep pockets.

Mainly it is because they can get away with it... people will still come ... but there are ways for the small shops to stay in business if they really want to