Why Is The US Economy Based On Walmart?

Discussion in 'The Lounge' started by 20Valve, Nov 26, 2005.

  1. 20Valve

    20Valve Sergeant

    Don't get me wrong - I like WalMart. But it seems many economy reports use Walmart as a reference. Walmart profits are up, the masses are in good shape financially. If WalMart posts low numbers, then economy is down. But yet - it seems many attack the chain for it's business model. It seems a strange juxtaposition of free market vs. government intervention and public opinion.

    I just don't get it.
     
  2. Adrynalyne

    Adrynalyne Guest

    Walmart is a store most everyone can afford to shop at. If their profits are down, that says something, no?
     
  3. Sgt. Tibbs

    Sgt. Tibbs Ultra Geek

    Wal-Mart is also a store that actively seeks out (and forces) factories moving to and/or building in China so they can sell their products at upwards of a 5000% profit (no, I didn't put in too many zeros).

    People just don't seem to get that when jobs are lost to make cheaper products, at some point it won't matter HOW cheap they are, no one will be able to afford them because they no longer have jobs.
     
  4. goldfish

    goldfish Lt. Sushi.DC

    It's one of those economic indicators. Along with average household energy usage. I'm not really an economics expert, but my form room has these A4 sheets with stuff like that written on them :p
     
  5. Adrynalyne

    Adrynalyne Guest

    @ Sgt. Tibbs

    Correct me if I am wrong...that has little to do with them using Walmart as a reference in economy studies. The more a company is outsourced, the less the US economy is going to have effect on it, IMO. Thats probably one of the reasons it is such an attractive option.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 27, 2005
  6. star17

    star17 MajorGeek

    I think they look at sheer numbers re: sales, not where anything is made. If all Wal-Mart's stuff is made in Taiwan, it won't figure into the sales numbers, as a 12% percent increase in sales is a 12% increase, no matter where the products are made.

    I was surprised at Wal-Mart having an increase at all; they are hardly a model corporation, i.e.: suing disabled former employees to get insurance payments back, not paying overtime unless order by a court, etc. Personally, I hate their stores.
     
  7. Corporal Punishment

    Corporal Punishment Administrator Staff Member

    Invoking Executive Privilege to Hijack This thread. ;)

    Not to get too political, but in a macro view you want companies too outsource for cheap labor so long as the profits stay home. Right now, America is so rich we pay people not to have to work jobs that people in other countries are willing to take at such low rates. At some point we won’t be and those jobs will come back. So until then enjoy the 3.99 t-shirts. But outsourcing has nothing to do with hedging against the US economy, but to maximize profits in it.

    As to Wal-Mart - They are such a HUGE and diverse retailer that they actually are an economic indicator and their reports come out a heck of a lot faster than the Fed's. ;)
     
  8. Phantom

    Phantom Brigadier Britches

    Yep, and it's the same in Australia. You buy clothing from, for example K-Mart; Big-W (Woolworths); Coles/Myer Group etc. - chances are it's made in China; Korea; Sri-Lanka, or some other third world country. Unless you can afford to buy something fancy from a boutique specialist store, even then you have to be careful, because a lot of 'famous’ band names form the U.K. and the U.S. still have a little 'Made in China', or some such label on it somewhere.

    But at the end of the day State, Federal, Sales and G.S.T. taxes is still raking in the cash, and (in theory at least) injects money into the economy, one way or the other. Even if you’re on Social Services income, you still end up injecting the economy via various Govt. taxes and charges.

    Over here, if memory servers me correct, they quote ‘Coles/Myer and other major retailers as economic indicators, and consumer spending trends. You may not like the companies, or how they operate, but that’s the way it is.
     
  9. ColonelAngus

    ColonelAngus Beefy

    There are 2 documentaries out now or will soon be out in theaters about WAL-MART. One is about how great it is and the other is how WAL-MART is ruining America.

    One town in America actually protested building a WAL-MART in there area. They didn't want it to ruin there town. I think they won and WAL-MART had to go build elsewhere.
     
  10. Adrynalyne

    Adrynalyne Guest

    I fail to see how that would make a difference if they built there or not. You aren't taking away jobs, and are adding a few in the process.
     
  11. ColonelAngus

    ColonelAngus Beefy

    Not sure why they didn't want the WAL-MART, but the whole town was against it. I guess they didn't want a huge corporation in their small town.
     
  12. G.T.

    G.T. R.I.P February 4, 2007. You will be missed.

    Traditional small town economy is generally tightly knit. Most dollars spent there stay in the town. Clothing store owner spends at the local grocery, grocery store owner spends at local TV/appliance store, appliance store owner spends at local drug store, drug store owner spends at local food store, food store owner spends..... Somewhat simplistic, but the dollars tend to circulate in town and help keep everybody in business. Things cost a bit more, but everybody helps each other keep things going. Most small towns have limited income from outside their area, so there's a limited amount of cash to keep things going.

    Walmart moves in, and pretty soon everybody is shopping THERE instead of the locally owned stores. Pretty soon most of the locally owned stores close because they can't compete. Jobs gone and empty buildings. Some of the people will get jobs at WalMart, usually for much less money. Many won't. WalMart is more efficient and requires fewer people than all the smaller stores did individually. Fewer town people working, for less money, and empty buildings, means less tax revenue for the town and more unimployment or people moving away. Plus where local store profits tended to get spent in town, WalMart profits go back to the corporate office and leaves town forever. Companies that DON'T compete directly with WalMart are also affected. Fewer people making less money means the car dealer and construction conpany will sell less etc.

    In a city that makes and exports things that bring in money this is not as big a problem, as there is incoming money to replace what's leaving, but in, say, a small farming community that makes it's money serving the surrounding area, a WalMart can just about kill the town.
     
  13. ColonelAngus

    ColonelAngus Beefy

    Brilliant explanation, GT. You hit the nail on the head.
     
  14. Adrynalyne

    Adrynalyne Guest

    That clears it up for me!

    Thanks :)
     
  15. Rikky

    Rikky Wile E. Coyote - One of a kind

    Walmart has taken over the ASDA supermarket chain in the UK we have an ASDA in our village since walmart has taken over they have ever expanded their product range and lowered prices to the point local stores cant compete,the milkmen seemed to get hit pretty bad they couldnt afford to deliver the milk everyday anywhere near asdas prices,we had a local bakery until asda started selling fresh bread everyday,a few clothes shops until asda started selling cheap imported sweatshop clothes,fruit and vegetable shops,about 4 local grocers were shutdown,the list goes on

    Not only is thre money leaving our village its leaving the country to US walmart shareholders :cool:
     
  16. evilevets

    evilevets Sergeant Major

    www.walmartwatch.com

    Wal-Mart: Profits Over Families
    From the Associated Press, via Wednesday’s Boston Globe:

    Attorney General Tom Reilly told Wal-Mart officials on Tuesday they had to close their Massachusetts stores on Thanksgiving, after receiving complaints the retailer intended to stay open.

    In a letter to the Arkansas-based company’s local counsel, the chief of the attorney general’s Business and Labor Protection Bureau said state law prohibits stores from opening on either Thursday or Sunday, Dec. 25, when Christmas will be celebrated.

    “For more than a century, Massachusetts has recognized that Thanksgiving is unlike other days—it is a day when families can come together and enjoy a day of rest,” labor bureau Chief Nicholas Messuri wrote, citing revisions to the state’s so-called Blue Laws as recently as 1994. “In that most recent revision of the law, the protection for Thanksgiving remained in place."



    I hate WALMART. My dad actually had a great paying job that he had been at for almost thirty years. The place shut down a few years ago and guess where he works now???

    He acts like he likes it, but I think he secretly hates it. He and the other "older" folks there get no respect.


    -Steve
     
  17. ColonelAngus

    ColonelAngus Beefy

    I used to work at WAL-MART when I was 20 and I didn't like it one bit. I didn't complain about it because it was my choice to have that job and I acted like I liked it there so I could keep my job. Every morning the employees there gather together for some forced motivation and do a "chant" to try and inspire positivity. It's so fake.

    5 of the top ten billionares in America are Sam Waltons relatives. I think that's his name. Each has over 15 billion dollars! It's insane. They just keep the money and don't spend it on anything.

    That, coupled with the fact that WAL-MART makes their employees do food drives and raise money, really bothers me. Making their employees raise money for good causes when WAL-MART has billions of dollars is not right.

    I'm getting angry so I'll stop now before I say something stupid.
     
  18. rogvalcox

    rogvalcox MajorGeek

    I've heard they also seem to magically find a way to terminate you if you are coming close to retirement!!

    I guess some people do stick around for awhile!?!?!?

    Roger
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2005
  19. ColonelAngus

    ColonelAngus Beefy

    Maybe the US economy would be better if the billionare Waltons would reinvest there billions into something. They probably spend only a fraction of what they could spend on worthwhile causes. boo-urns to the billionars!
     
  20. rogvalcox

    rogvalcox MajorGeek

    I guess you could say..."the more you get...the more you want"!!

    I can't think of a more appropriate way to put it!!!!

    Roger
     
  21. G.T.

    G.T. R.I.P February 4, 2007. You will be missed.

    (shrug) I don't have any idea what their "charitable donations" look like... nor do you. They may be very philathropic and still be that rich. But as far as investing, you can bet they're all HEAVILY invested. Stocks, bonds, T-bills, whatever. Nobody hides 15 billion in their mattresses. ;)
     
  22. Sgt. Tibbs

    Sgt. Tibbs Ultra Geek

    You assume a great deal about me, starting with the fact that you apparently think I shop at Wal-Mart and that in addition to that I purchase things made in China in sweatshops, and continuing to that I WANT jobs of any kind outsourced.

    You would be incorrect on all three counts.

    More than that, G.T. has said it better and more concisely than I could, because this is a topic that angers me. I'll just let him carry it through.

    Sgt. Tibbs
    Union member, Union officer, member and officer of both the local and state union label councils
    :)
     
  23. Halbibabe

    Halbibabe Private E-2

    I've worked for Wal-mart going on 13 years as a diesel mechanic and have found it to be one the best jobs that I ever had.There is one Walton that sits on the Board as a fiqure head, all the others have nothing to do with the company.The billions that they have came from Sam Waltons will after he died.I'm sure you all would of said no and gave it all to the poor.The Walton family gives millions of dollars to charity every year-$300,000,000 to the Universty of ARK. Walmart is involved in all kind of charity work.If they have some kind of drive you have an option not to give or do what you want.I'm not saying that Walmart is perfect but it sure is not as bad as it is portrayed.
    With Walmart you will see the bell ringers out front,and Merry Christmas in the stores this holiday,go check out Target,Kmart,Sears,Wouldn't want to offend anyone with Merry Christmas on Christmas.If you worked at Wal-mart then you would of known that we have always been called associates and not employees.I live in a small town surrounded by five Walmart super centers in a 30 mile radius,all the small businesses are still here.Instead of all your class envy crying just don't shop at Walmart.
     
  24. star17

    star17 MajorGeek

    I hardly envy anyone at Wal-Mart :rolleyes:

    Associates, that's rich. Anything to keep them around, including giving fancy titles to keep them amused. I've yet to see a Wal-Mart that wasn't a borderline pigpen, and the effect carried throughout whatever shopping center they were in. And don't give me this donation bulldookey; they get it back ten fold in tax breaks.

    Bet you lunch within 3 years, Merry Christmas has gone the same way at Wal-Mart as it has at other stores. The politcally correct weenies will get around to them in time. ;)
     
  25. ColonelAngus

    ColonelAngus Beefy

    As I said before WAL-MART probably only donates a fraction of what they could. $300,000,000 is peanuts compared to what they could donate. Why not do some real good and donate a few billion to the people who need it. That's what I'm saying.

    Also, I did work at WAL-MART and was not once called an associate. My mom works there now and is not called an associate. Anyway, who cares what they call you it's still the same job.

    Class envy? This isn't about class envy.

    I worked at WAL-MART at Christmas time and I think that's when the store is at its worst. That's just my personal opinion.
     
  26. rogvalcox

    rogvalcox MajorGeek

    Titles don't mean squat when you only make minumum wage, and have to work with a bunch of nimrods!!!! The other day, my wife and I were walking into a Kohls store and seen a help wanted sign for....get ready, it's big...."Replenishment Associate"!!! We looked at one another and busted up laughing!! Give me a break....it is a "Stock Boy"...or girl...to be somewhat politically correct!! Some people are soooo stuck up on images, it's enought to make you want to puke!!!!

    I work for Nabisco...setting up displays and stocking the shelves, so needless to say...I am in alot of walmarts all day everyday!! I am not the least bit impressed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In fact...I would have to say that I am a bit repulsed by the way things are run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    For starters...the back room is always a disgusting disaster no matter what store or what time of the day!!!! And the people the run/work in the back room...you would think they thought they were working right next to the oval office!!! And if you don't bend over backwards and lick their a$$...then they treat you like s**t!!!!

    Also...I have NEVER seen a store with sooooooo many managers, and co-managers!!!! It's rediculous!!!! Too many chiefs and not enough indians!!!! They are always having meetings about meetings, and one manager/co-manager, NEVER communicates with another!! Otherwise, they could quit having so many damned meetings about crap, and get out there on the floor and straighten out the mayhem out there!!!! And when you try to talk rationally (most of them don't know what that means!!)...it is like talking to a stop sign!!!!

    I will now get off my soap box!! I don't do it very often, so occasionally I have to cut loose!! I apologize ahead of time if anyone takes walmart SO seriously that I may have hurt your feelings, but I'm just calling like I see it!!!!

    Roger
     
  27. sibeer

    sibeer MajorGeek

    This is likely because you get some kind of fulfillment from your job, unlike most regular Walmart employees, and you probably make more money than all the other regular employees.
     
  28. Halbibabe

    Halbibabe Private E-2

    Yes, your right I do make more money than the people in the stores do,it may be because I work on tractors and trailers and don't stock shelves.What I did was to get myself trained and educated and stop loading and unloading trailers and stocking shelves.I did that kind of work for a lot of years until one day I woke up and got training to better myself.I quit blaming everyone for what I wasn't doing and quit worrying about what they were doing.I had a great opportunity to do somthing with my life and I did it.I'll ask a question,there are a lot of you that are very good with computers and wouldn't be if you didn't educate yourself daily on the working of a computer,so why did you bother to get good on computers?What is this socialist mentality that saids "I stock shelves so you should pay me more than you do".Educate yourself,get off your cry baby ass'es and do something.

    I've been working at Walmart a long time and can tell you a lot of horror stories that I've seen in the stores,shops,distribution centers,or I can do my job better and make my company a little bit better.There are a lot of people from third world nations that are taking a lot of our hi-tech jobs so what do you techies do,lay around crying or compete to keep your job?I work as a mechanic and have a lot of days of thinking "why am I doing this filthy work?"
    But I remind myself that this is what I chose to do with my life and I have nobody to blame but myself.I get rid of the stinkin thinkin.I'm not trying to defend Walmart,but I am defending my right to work and choose to do something with my life and quit the blame game.I lived on the streets from the age of 15 to 19 years old,blaming the world ,the rich,my family,until I got off my lazy ass and joined the army got educated and did something with my life.We are always going to need the laborers to do the unpopular jobs in this world rather we like it or not.I lived in third world nations and thank God that I live in this country to have the freedom to better myself if I choose to do so.Corporations are modivated by profit if you don't like that corporation than take your business else where.I can complain about every place I've ever worked at and again thank God that I have that freedom in my country to do so.
    Star, your right the liberal weenies got to Walmart also.Walmart is taking away a lot of the Christmas slogans.Like I said,I know Walmart is far from perfect but it's where I work and I'm going to give them what they hire me for and hope to make a little difference.Be the best at your job and when America,and Canada become third world nations we can at least say it wasn't because I didn't try to do my part.The third world laborers are more than happy to take our jobs from us and work at a lot lower wages than we will.And last of all, if you think Walmart is the only retailer with made in China products in their store than you need to open your eyes,all retailers have made in China products in the stores.I'll stop now,because I know I won't convince people,but maybe it will hit a nerve with the next generation to educate yourself and don't let anyone hold you back from achieving your goals in this short life.Peace,Neil
     
  29. rogvalcox

    rogvalcox MajorGeek

    What's that got to do with the price of eggs!?!?!?

    Don't get me wrong...I am tickled pink that you made something of yourself, but...Wal Mart still SUCKS!!!! ;)

    Roger
     
  30. Halbibabe

    Halbibabe Private E-2

    Roger,
    If you would read all the posts you would see that people were talking about the pay that some of the associates make. So my point was that you stay at that level because you want to not because you have to.
    I tried to share some things about Walmart that would help people to understand that Walmart is not perfect but it's not the worst place to work either.I appreciate your smile at the end of the comment too. Oh and the price of eggs!here or in china?
     
  31. theefool

    theefool Geekified

    I use to think the same thing when I was low ranked in the military. Meetings for this, meetings for that. Then when the info was trickled down to the workers, well, it was short and sweet. But, later, I learned it was much more.

    I do want to say, that I shop at the local superwalmart, circuitcity, and other chains. Why? Cause the local store economy pretty much sucks with certain prices.

    For example: While I was being switched from duty station to duty station, I'd take some leave to go back home. I'd always stop at this computer place that sold computer parts and games. The entertaining thing was, the games were old, and the parts were old, and still the prices were the original prices. Who'd spend $50 for a 5 year old game, that had actual dust on it.

    Hence why I shop at the larger chains.
     
  32. matt69

    matt69 Private E-2

    Theres alot a people who like Walmart and there prices. I can't say I don't know anyone that doesn't shop at our local Walmart every now and then. I can say that I know people who hate Walmart but they occasionally shop there. Walmart is so big that they set there and other local prices. They watch there market and base there sales or products to the area markets.
    They are not the king (or queen) of customer service where local stores are. Your local stores need to find the weakness of Walmart and make them there strong points. I personally shop where I'm confortable. Walmart for price, Old local store for value, quility, and customer service.
    Walmart as a company makes billons off the people who shop there. They are not stealing there money from people. They see a market and run with it. No market, No walmart. I don't see any differance in ther corprate thinking than any other company. They are out to make money. The mom and pop shops are in buisness to make money. You and I work to make money.

    If the Walmart employee doesn't like what he/she is doing or the company is doing find work elsewhere. But don't cry because your working for a company that is out to make money and your not getting rich from someone elses money. Find somthing in life that will make you money.
    We are in America This is what it is about. Sam Walton saw this and this is what he and his people built. Maybe with thought and personal motavation any of you could be the next Walmart.
    These are not facts just what I think.

    Matt

    p.s. I do not work or have anything to do with Walmart except the occasional run to the store for a few things.
     
  33. theefool

    theefool Geekified

    Nice thing about Walmart. Stays open 24/7 (I believe). I do know I have grocery shopped there at 3am. No lines at the register. I do so hate lines......:mad:

    I've dealt with them to many times in the Navy chow lines...:mad:
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2005
  34. Sgt. Tibbs

    Sgt. Tibbs Ultra Geek

    True. But Wal-Mart is the only major big-box retailer who has forced their suppliers to close up shop in the US and move to third-world countries and sweatshops in order to stay in business. Wal-Mart is also the only major retailer to launch an entire nationwide ad campaign about their "made in USA" and "US pride" products while doing so.

    Everyone has made in China products, true. But I don't buy them from other stores, either.
     
  35. Sgt. Tibbs

    Sgt. Tibbs Ultra Geek

    Meijer also stays open 24/7. I do all my grocery shopping at 3am. ;)
     
  36. Adrynalyne

    Adrynalyne Guest

    Walmart forced their suppliers?

    Eh...do you have a URL explaining that? Maybe I am misunderstanding you. Sure does sound illegal.

    Also, just to play devil's advocate, if you are using a PC, there are parts in it made either in China, or another outsourced country. Its unfortunate, but its something we really can't avoid anymore. Support American products as much as possible, however, we will end up with outsourced products, sooner or later no matter how much we try to avoid it. :(
     
  37. rogvalcox

    rogvalcox MajorGeek

    I don't mean to speak for the Sgt. but...I think what he might have meant by that....They are such a powerhouse that gives them the ability to use creative leverages in a way that will benifit them!! Like saying...We won't buy your product anymore if you don't move to another country, because we want to be able to sell it cheaper!! Or something to that effect!!

    Roger
     
  38. comperroruter

    comperroruter Darth Meatloaf

    Walmart is the greatest example of capitalism at its best. No one want to get rid of capitalism do they? That would be like switching to a social democracy <gasp> and having everyone work for the good of the people and the nation, not just for personal gain.
     
  39. Bluepickle

    Bluepickle Major Folder

    Not exactly documentary style.

    http://www.jibjab.com/Movies/MSN.aspx?contentid=122

    I've worked for two different places that manufactured products specifically for Wal-Mart. At both places, they eventually stopped making those products because Wal-Mart ditated the price they would pay, or else they wouldn't buy it. They have the buying power to make other companies cut costs and cut costs until there are no profit margins for the manufacturers. So they are "forced" to either make it cheaper (overseas) or stop making it.

    I live in a small town of about 4000 people. Before Wal-Mart came to town, it was a thriving community with several small businesses downtown. Now, Wal-Mart. The old mom and pop shops that'd been around for years are gone. Wal-Mart literally came to town and ran them out of business with lower prices and bigger selection. Yes, It's a free country where we are all allowed a choice of where we shop. Wal-Mart has done nothing wrong in the name of competition. It just doesn't seem fair though.

    Big companies have to realize, that by shipping their manufacturing jobs overseas, they save big money in labor costs. But they also have to realize, that by shipping their manufacturing overseas, they are taking jobs away from the very customers who buy the things they manufacture.

    We as a consumer must realize, that by buying a foriegn made product over a US made product, we save money in the short run, but we're hurting our own economy, and helping outsource our own manufacturing jobs in the long run.
     
  40. Adrynalyne

    Adrynalyne Guest

    Ok, thank you :)
     
  41. Sgt. Tibbs

    Sgt. Tibbs Ultra Geek

    The Sgt. is a she. :) And you don't have to explain me to anybody, although I appreciate the effort.

    URLs:
    http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html
    http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/1997/07/28/editorial3.html
    http://www.mcspotlight.org/beyond/companies/antiwalmart.html
    http://www.brainshrub.com/invisible-slap
    http://www.oligopolywatch.com/2004/01/05.html

    Need more? I've got 'em. :)

    As for having to buy some things from China...yes, we do. But I learned something at my very first Union Label seminar several years ago from one of the faith-based groups working against sweatshops: I keep a jar on my dresser. Every time I'm forced to purchase something made in another country (particularly one in which sweatshop conditions are the norm), I put at least 50% of the purchase price in the jar. At the end of the year, I donate that money to one of the groups dedicated to fighting sweatshops and child labour.

    @ Bluepickle: Yup, you got it exactly. People need to start realizing the BIG picture involved in getting something for a cheaper price. Kind of like how people like me have been fighting the outsourcing of jobs for years, but no one would listen. But then IT jobs started getting outsourced, and you'd think the world had come to a screeching halt. :rolleyes: If it doesn't affect you right now, it most definitely will in the future. You can choose to ignore everyone until it does, but don't expect our sympathy when your job goes, too.
     
  42. Adrynalyne

    Adrynalyne Guest

    Don't know where that came from. I've never been for outsourcing, just saying you can't totally avoid it nowadays.

    As for setting half the purchase price aside for fighting it, thats a good idea, until it comes to buying a car. Even American cars don't contain all American made parts. I don't know that I could afford to pay 150% for a car.
     
  43. evilevets

    evilevets Sergeant Major

    Wonder what they did with the rest of the money. With three hundred million, you could probably build three or four brand new Universities. Sure you didn't mean three hundred thousand?

    Much as I hate Bill Gates, he's pretty charitable. Although I don't know if he'd drop three hundred mills in one shot, but if he did, it'd probably go toward feeding some starving kids overseas, not pissed away on a college in Arkansas (insert redneck joke here). Besides, the Waltons are from ARK, so I'd hardly call that a charitable donation. More like a payoff to let the Walton kids f-off for four years and then graduate with honors.

    Speaking of Sam Walton, funny-story. I myself did a breif stint in WALMART back in like '94. They had just opened the place up and it was total chaos - piss-poor management. The place was a disaster. We were called Associates, by the way, but I didn't fall for that. I knew I was a nobody. Anyway, it was when they still had the "no receipt necessary" return policy. A few of us figured out that we could walk out of the Garden Center with merchandise, take our blue vests off in the parking lot, walk through the front doors and simply return the items for cash - no questions asked! Of course no one at the customer service desk even recognized us, because there were something like fifteen thousand faceless, nameless "Associates". So we'd pocket the cash and get back to work. I know, I know- thats stealing, etc. We were kids and very "anit-establishment" and all that. I would never do that stuff nowadays.

    Anyway, one guy gets caught, and brings us all down with him. So they fly in two guys from ARK who are like WALMART PI's, and brought each of us individually into a back room. It was like a cheesy '80s movie. They were playing good cop / bad cop and had the big mirrored sunglasses and everything. One even had a mustache! It came down to this - rat out all your freinds, and promise NEVER to step foot in a WALMART ever again (of course we were fired too, duh), but the best was this... We each had to call in to ol' Sam himself to personally apologize on speaker-phone! It was so funny, but in a not so funny "am I going to go to jail?" sort of way. I had to try not to laugh in front of Scagnetti and Dobs (I just made those names up, but they do sound like '80s cop movie names, don't they?)

    Anyway, grampa Sam decided not to press charges, and I'm not allowed in WALMART ever again, not that I'd want to be in one anyway.


    -Steve
     
  44. Adrynalyne

    Adrynalyne Guest

    ROFL, thats classic ;)

    How would they know anyway? Card ya?

    Maybe they have "Most Wanted" posters behind the counters :p
     
  45. evilevets

    evilevets Sergeant Major


    I always kinda wondered that, if they had our pictures posted in the break room somewhere! It doesn't even matter anyway, because the turn around, especially with management is insane.



    -Steve
     
  46. rogvalcox

    rogvalcox MajorGeek

    I apologize if I stepped on your toes!!!! :eek:

    I was just simply trying to carry on the conversation!!!! :)

    Roger
     
  47. Sgt. Tibbs

    Sgt. Tibbs Ultra Geek

    It came from a general feeling, and was not aimed at anyone in particular, on this board or elsewhere. I've been getting grief for years because I fight for manufacturing jobs, been told for years that we need to "get with the times" and that "jobs will go where labour is cheaper". Then IT jobs start getting outsourced, and in general, the IT world has a cow. Suddenly, it's a horrible nasty rotten thing that US jobs are being sent overseas. Not that any of them gave a rip when it was "unskilled manufacturing" workers who lost their jobs.

    I can't afford to pay 150% or more for anything I buy. More incentive for buying American. ;) I do get your point, though. There are some things that it is absolutely impossible to purchase US made.
     
  48. quirk

    quirk Corporal

    I have nothing against wal-mart, and i am sure other companies
    try to have the same objectives. Wal-mart does have some spooky
    idears though. Anyone see the leaked memo a few weeks ago?
    http://www.buyblue.org/node/5105
    from there you can pull up a pdf file chock full of interesting stuff.
    Lifting requirements to rid the greyhairs of their jobs? ;)
    hey!how funny I made a joke about my elders,
    and all of a sudden i'm a senior member :p
     
  49. kuku

    kuku Specialist

    All I gotta say is 50¢ 2-Liters of soda! :cool:
     
  50. evilevets

    evilevets Sergeant Major

    Where does it say that in the pdf file?



    -Steve
     

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