Solid Snake Hates: Walmart

I'd like to know what type of Mom & Pop stores that Wall Mart is running out of business because I hear that arguement all the time.

Down in Atmore, there's a store called "Joe's Grocery". It's been there probably 35 years...ran by an older man and his son's family. They know everyone that comes there, have kids' pictures up on their bulletin board, stuff like that.

Probably everybody worked there at 1 time while they were in high school, etc.

If Walmart ever came to town, it would be out of business, and that's how walmart wants it.

Well first, lets figure this out by analyzing Walmart. All of Walmart's products are provided at a very low cost to consumers. And Walmart sells anything and everything.

Any store that sells food, clothes, medicines, supplies, electronics, etc. So any store.

Any store will be "run out" of business.

Down in Atmore, there's a store called "Joe's Grocery". It's been there probably 35 years...ran by an older man and his son's family. They know everyone that comes there, have kids' pictures up on their bulletin board, stuff like that.

Probably everybody worked there at 1 time while they were in high school, etc.

If Walmart ever came to town, it would be out of business, and that's how walmart wants it.

You say that, but they'd be out of business because that's how the townspeople want it. It's en vogue right now to hate on Wal-Mart, but people vote with their feet everyday, and they're taking their asses to Wal-Mart. There's nothing wrong with that, people just can't have it both ways.

This whole, Wal-Mart ends small businesses argument is getting really old. Just don't go to the Wal-Mart, go to the smaller store. It's not really that difficult. If that's your concern, go to Joe's Grocery and not Wal-Mart. If it's really that big of a deal to the rest of the community, they wouldn't go to Wal-Mart either.

It's not Wal-Mart's fault that they can offer a lower price.

lol Schneed I dont fear change. In fact I love change, but I value things likes cultures, new ways of thought, etc. What exactly does Walmart have to offer? A culture of low prices, lol?

Sure some people care only about price, and I do too for certain products. However I rather get a real pizza from a place that has been around for 10 plus years and has really developed a good product. A good product to me is not just price, but quality. And Schneed, as someone who understands consumer preferences, I would hope you know that each consumer has his/her own preferences. Part of my utility curve accounts for these "intangibles"

I guess I am an outlier, but that doesnt mean I am getting attached. I just am willing to pay extra for what I want. Also if you note I clearly said I dont care about how they treat their employees.

Yeah, I wasn't just addressing you, I was responding to a few posts from a few people, so not all of that applied to you.

I get what you're saying, sometimes I like some personal attention when I go to buy something too. Like electronics or computer equipment, sometimes I need a few answers. But most of what Wal-Mart sells requires no customer service, the consumer is perfectly capable of self-selecting. Tube socks, frozen pizza, tennis balls, a Justin Bieber CD, etcetera. Nobody needs help with the lion's share of the stuff Wal-Mart sells.

Any store will be "run out" of business.

The reason all those stores will be run out of business is they hold no competitive advantage over Wal-Mart.

As I said, most of the stuff Wal-Mart sells requires no customer service, so the consumer selects the retailer simply based on price.

Some mom & pop places can hang with a Wal-Mart, if they offer service so great that it outweighs the price difference. If you're talking about a mom & pop consumer electronics store, they pretty much need to come to your house and set it up for you. Because these days, most consumers are perfectly capable of getting online and doing their own product research. The "expert" at the store is rendered obsolete.

Culture. Pffft.

Our culture is evolving.

The reason all those stores will be run out of business is they hold no competitive advantage over Wal-Mart.

As I said, most of the stuff Wal-Mart sells requires no customer service, so the consumer selects the retailer simply based on price.

Some mom & pop places can hang with a Wal-Mart, if they offer service so great that it outweighs the price difference. If you're talking about a mom & pop consumer electronics store, they pretty much need to come to your house and set it up for you. Because these days, most consumers are perfectly capable of getting online and doing their own product research. The "expert" at the store is rendered obsolete.

Culture. Pffft.

Our culture is evolving.


I love capitalism but Walmart is cut-throat capitalism. It gives everyone else a bad name. Walmart is no different than a plantation or a robber barron. Yes there are good things about the company, but there were good things about pirate ships too.

i see a whole lot of bitching going on here. so how come every time i pass Walmart, the parking lot is full? i personally do not shop there. but there has been talk about one basically across the street from my development. as far as the mom and pop stores, i know Walmart can employ many more people then the smaller stores that they replace. so why the feelings towards the older, smaller stores? is it purely sentimental?

i see a whole lot of bitching going on here. so how come every time i pass Walmart, the parking lot is full? i personally do not shop there. but there has been talk about one basically across the street from my development. as far as the mom and pop stores, i know Walmart can employ many more people then the smaller stores that they replace. so why the feelings towards the older, smaller stores? is it purely sentimental?

The US gov borrows money from China to finance wars without end. The gov also pushed through free trade agreements. Remember that giant sucking sound? The Chinese devalue their currency making their exports cheaper. All of our factories went to China. (See the sucking sound) They (the Communist) use slave labor to export cheap BS products that kill people in the US and undercut American jobs. Happy tax day. Did I leave anything out?

i see a whole lot of bitching going on here. so how come every time i pass Walmart, the parking lot is full? i personally do not shop there. but there has been talk about one basically across the street from my development. as far as the mom and pop stores, i know Walmart can employ many more people then the smaller stores that they replace. so why the feelings towards the older, smaller stores? is it purely sentimental?

Yes, i think the feelings are mostly sentimental. But trust me, if that was YOUR family business, and your livelihood depended on it, as did your children's, you'd feel differently about Walmart trying to put you out of business..