Another example of walmart's total disregard for the law

zooner · Post by **zooner** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 5:26 am

Why couldn’t the brick-and-mortar chains simply adopt the Netflix model? Well, they’re doing just that. But there are two huge problems with this copy-cat tactic. First, Netflix won patent protection for its business model of taking orders online and mailing DVDs to customers. To date, imitators such as Blockbuster and Wal-Mart Stores (WMT, news, msgs) haven’t stolen enough business to make it worthwhile for Netflix to spend the money in legal fees to enforce the patent and shut the copycats down, says Hastings. So we don’t really know if the patent will hold up in court. But even if the big video chains successfully challenged the patent and ran a big online-based mail-order business, they’d still have a tough time competing because of their brick-and-mortar overhead.

there are thousands of examples, but I just found this to be amusing.

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/P58723.asp

Shagster · Post by **Shagster** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 5:48 am

I'm presuming you do not shop there?

They have a good stock of Haribo Gummy Bears. So I can't touch them until they stop selling 'em.

BaLa · Post by **BaLa** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 5:56 am

Originally posted by Shaggy
I'm presuming you do not shop there?

They have a good stock of Haribo Gummy Bears. So I can't touch them until they stop selling 'em.

lol

zooner · Post by **zooner** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 5:57 am

Originally posted by Shaggy
I'm presuming you do not shop there?

They have a good stock of Haribo Gummy Bears. So I can't touch them until they stop selling 'em.

nope.

they're bad for the world. period. totally unpatriotic to shop there.

sito · Post by **sito** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 5:58 am

Since when do we have rules to capitalism huh?

Bill your making too much money...gotta slow you down.

Communists!!!

BaLa · Post by **BaLa** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 6:04 am

Originally posted by zooner
nope.

they're bad for the world. period. totally unpatriotic to shop there.

zooner · Post by **zooner** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 6:21 am

Originally posted by BaLa

over 30% of the goods sold there are sold BELOW cost, including books. Even barnes and nobles is barely surviving because of walmart and other 'super' stores.

How can you call yourself patriotic when the store you shop at LIES and creates an artificial 'made in the usa' marketing hype, when less then 10% of the goods sold are made in the usa. During that affair, they'd even have 'made in the usa' signs above products that were not made here.

Consumers were starting to catch on just how unhappy the employees are at the NUMBER ONE employer of us workers. So, walmart has created another marketing hype bonanza. it's showing commericals with it's workers EXCLAIMING how happy they are to work there. Regardless of the fact that they have total disgard for their workers and have been accused of FORCING unpaid overtime on numerous occasions.

They enter into a foriegn market and have TOTAL DISREGARD for the laws there. Germany is a good example. They've broken the laws on numerious occasions by playing commericals that clearly violate standing laws. It's also against the law to sell good below cost, but walmart simply doesnt care. japan is also a good example, but I am pretty sure my rant is falling on deaf ears that dont really care about the future; so i'll stop here.

sito · Post by **sito** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 6:25 am

Thats been happening way before walmart.

And we've created our future.

After all, money is the bottom line.

BaLa · Post by **BaLa** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 6:27 am

I'm not going to get into this...
I'm not patrotic...never said I was...
I'm not even an american citizen...

I was laughing at your statement, which was rather broad..

they're bad for the world. period. totally unpatriotic to shop there.

sito · Post by **sito** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 6:33 am

Just living in Canada is unpatriotic to some.

zooner · Post by **zooner** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 6:46 am

Originally posted by BaLa
I'm not going to get into this...
I'm not patrotic...never said I was...
I'm not even an american citizen...

I was laughing at your statement, which was rather broad..

I apologize for the dark-angle of my statement and how it appeared as a reactionary weapon.

I suppose i've been awake a little too long and am not thinking as clearly as I should.

Thats been happening way before walmart.

actually, it hasn't.

. As Wal-Mart allowed Gitano to eventually sell just one-third of its products to Wal-Mart Stores, Wal-Mart required the company to shift more production overseas as a condition for a continuing supplier-retailer relationship. Wal-Mart then proclaimed Gitano mismanagement as a reason to seriously reduce orders from the struggling company. Gitano went bankrupt. All the American jobs Wal-Mart helped create through an initial increase in orders evaporated as domestic factories closed.

Wal-Mart once allowed Rubbermaid to sell 15% of its products to them. But when Rubbermaid tried to increase prices to offset a rise in the cost of raw materials, Wal-Mart switched to Rubbermaid's competitors. In 1995, Rubbermaid announced layoffs for 9 percent of its workers as it closed nine factories.

Wal-Mart's success has turned many Main Streets of small-town U.S.A. into ghost towns. A 1995 Iowa survey showed that of the small retail industry devastation statewide, half the clothing stores, nearly one-third of the hardware and shoe stores, one-fourth of the department and building materials stores, and nearly one-fifth of jewelry stores had closed their doors because of Wal-Mart

Why would America's future be better with less Wal-Mart's and more locally-owned businesses? Because the poorer a nation's workers are, the less rich the nation becomes. A study by the University of Massachusetts found that $1 spent in a locally owned business has four to five times the economic spin-off of $1 spent in a Wal-Mart store.

Your town will also be less likely to become a victim of large, abandoned buildings, and your community will look much nicer without these eyesores. My state of Florida currently leads the nation with 30 (at last count) abandoned Wal-Mart buildings. With Wal-Mart's multi-national success, you might gather the reason behind this phenomenon is something other than their lack of retail success in certain areas, and you are right. Their predatory tactics have led to success rather than the failure. Wal-Mart will often open up a normal-sized store to "test" the local market. And if it proves to be more attractive, Wal-Mart will then open a new "supercenter" on the outskirts of the same town, leaving the old and now-empty traditional-sized building behind.

The Orange County Business Council concluded that wages and benefits could be reduced up to $1.4 billion a year if Wal-Mart were to move into Southern California alone.

Despite the resistance, the UFCW won a union election in Jacksonville, FL in February, 2000. Even though the election involved only 11 meatcutters, it was a huge lift psychologically for the union, who had consistently failed to organize any of Wal-Mart's 900,000 U.S. workers. Wal-Mart reacted by eliminating almost every meatcutter job in the country, and simultaneously issued a statement claiming the switch to prepackaged meat had nothing to do with the union election. Kmart, on the other hand, honored their UFCW Union election when meatcutters voted 11-3 for union representation in an Oakland Super Kmart.

still think it doesnt matter?

still think walmart is just another retailer?

sito · Post by **sito** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 6:55 am

A smart business person or capitalist as I see it. Since when does money and ethics mix? It has happened over and over and over, just not in the same way.

Walmart is only guilty of not having a good public relations team to cover up what will be forgotten in no time.

cybotron r_9 · Post by **cybotron r_9** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 8:01 am

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 8:07 am

what is the netflix's model?

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 9:16 am

Originally posted by zooner

over 30% of the goods sold there are sold BELOW cost, including books. Even barnes and nobles is barely surviving because of walmart and other 'super' stores.

Some people Zooner can't afford to make statements like that due to financial reasons. If a person can find an item at Walmart for $5, and elsewhere it's $7.50 they will go to Walmart, and so will I.

ace · Post by **ace** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 9:34 am

Originally posted by Roody
Some people Zooner can't afford to make statements like that due to financial reasons. If a person can find an item at Walmart for $5, and elsewhere it's $7.50 they will go to Walmart, and so will I.

Thank you. I agree 100%. If they are selling things cheaper then why should I spend more money on the same item. Nothing that has been posted could change my mind, I think its foolish to say walmart is bad. I dont like the stores that overprice there stock so why would I shop there??

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 10:40 am

Originally posted by Roody
Some people Zooner can't afford to make statements like that due to financial reasons. If a person can find an item at Walmart for $5, and elsewhere it's $7.50 they will go to Walmart, and so will I.

I agree 100%!!!

Here are a few examples.

ShopRite was the only real supermarket in the town I grew up in. They charged very high prices, why, because they could. All the while getting tax incentives to remain.

Wal-Mart just moved in this year and guess what ShopRite had to lower their prices 30 to 40 percent. Now how is this bad for the residents of this rural community. I say thank you to Wal-Mart!!

The local lumber yard around where I grew up charged very high prices, so high in fact when I ran my own business, I would drive nearly 100 miles to pick up lumber because it was still cheaper for me to drive that distance and pay someone to help me load and unload.

Home Depot moved in this year, I was back to the town I grew up in helping my Dad fix his bathroom after a pipe burst. All of the local lumber yards are now charging what I would call normal prices. I say thank you Home Depot!!

Where I live now is a good size city, quite a few stores to choose from. If Wal-Mart is cheaper, I shop at Wal-Mart. If the local mom and pops on the corner is cheaper. I shop there.

To say "shopping at Wal-Mart is totally unpatriotic" is a very reaching statement looking to cause an argument.

If you want to pay more money, if that is the case where you live, than that is your right to shop at the mom and pops.

To say I am unpatriotic because I choose to shop at Wal-Mart and save money, so I can put my two childeren through college is just wrong!

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 11:22 am

Buying $1000's dollars worth of computer stuff without proper research, messing it up with friggin with it then returning it and stiffing the company is unpatriotic but we at Speedguide don't hate those who do that.

So why hate walmart?

Actually, why hate at all?

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 12:05 pm

walmart rocks!!!

but serioulsy they are not doing anything illegaly

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 12:47 pm

Originally posted by Chris
Buying $1000's dollars worth of computer stuff without proper research, messing it up with friggin with it then returning it and stiffing the company is unpatriotic but we at Speedguide don't hate those who do that.

Actually, I've made my comments (public and private) on those who OC their stuff to death, and then expect someone (Newegg, NVidia, etc.) to foot the bill.

My comments on Wal-Mart have been made here, so I don't think I need to go further on that issue.

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 12:50 pm

Walmart rocks until it's the only game in town. Once the other businesses have been undercut so deep that they fold, Walmart stops selling at below cost.

Sure it's great while it lasts, but then again nothing lasts forever.

Immortal · Post by **Immortal** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 12:56 pm

Originally posted by Norm
Sure it's great while it lasts, but then again nothing lasts forever.

That is true... but if nothing lasts forever... then forever can't really last forever right?

Sorry.. I'm sick..

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 1:34 pm

Originally posted by Immortal
That is true... but if nothing lasts forever... then forever can't really last forever right?

Sorry.. I'm sick..

rofl

SICMF · Post by **SICMF** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 1:34 pm

Originally posted by zooner
nope.

they're bad for the world. period. totally unpatriotic to shop there.

I'm staying out of this. The truth has already been stated.

To contribute to a company like this to save a dollar will never make sense to me.

Bastid · Post by **Bastid** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 2:22 pm

OMFG not again!!!!!!!!!!
its a store
they give ME the best prices on stuff
im sorry i dont fit into your moral moldings, but im just a blue collar person, i dont make that much money int the first place
im average Joe..
they will be here for awhile
they will keep giving me the best prices on stuff
i will continue to shop there
get over it

SICMF · Post by **SICMF** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 2:30 pm

Originally posted by Bastid
OMFG not again!!!!!!!!!!
its a store
they give ME the best prices on stuff
im sorry i dont fit into your moral moldings, but im just a blue collar person, i dont make that much money int the first place
im average Joe..
they will be here for awhile
they will keep giving me the best prices on stuff
i will continue to shop there
get over it

You can do whatever you want. I will NEVER get over it. But for the record, The Average joe and the blue collar's are the ones they are hurting.

lonewolfz28 · Post by **lonewolfz28** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 2:42 pm

Originally posted by Bastid
OMFG not again!!!!!!!!!!
its a store
they give ME the best prices on stuff
im sorry i dont fit into your moral moldings, but im just a blue collar person, i dont make that much money int the first place
im average Joe..
they will be here for awhile
they will keep giving me the best prices on stuff
i will continue to shop there
get over it

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 2:49 pm

Im average Joe and am constitanly expected to live of less.Every year my wage cannot keep up to the annual 2% increase of daily products.

Capitolists manuevers and morals often seem to ride the line that divides the law. fines for breaking labor laws often are less than actually paying the overtime. So it comes down to the mighty dollar $ if you end up further ahead by breaking the law then go for it.

Its big business mentality.

about the rubbermaid deal .. xbox(billy gates) is doing the same thing with ati and nvidea.

alot of deals dont make sense or seem unfair but if you look deep enough you will see the greed.

Many employees feel they need to be loyal to their employers and often bend far over. They need to stand up for themselves.

There was a time when employers and employees put their heart into their work., which somehow

is no longer cost effective

I cant go on with this reply it just makes me sick when i think about the general working public.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 4:29 pm

Get ****ing over it.

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 4:37 pm

I always try to buy from Mom and Pop shops because of their superior customer service. Even though I may pay more...it all evens out in the end with customer perks.

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 4:58 pm

Originally posted by John
I have found mom and pop stores to have inferior customer service to larger stores.

I was just at one to have my watch battery replaced yesterday.

A few signs I saw around the store.

"Theifs will be beaten, stomped on, and if they survive, prosecuted" - not that I support theivery, but I find the sign stupid and tacky.

"No refunds, only store credit" - friendly.

"Antique clock, $250" - a clock which I KNOW was a piece of ****, and calling it an antique was highly questionable.

"No credit or debit cards without minimum purchase of $20" - mmm convenient.

All in all, the place sucked. Next time I will go to a major store to get my battery replaced.

No, you missed my point.

I know these people...I have shopped at these places for years. So I won't abandon them just because some big chain comes into town. Most of the Mom & Pop places I shop are specialty stores...like hunting and tackle shops. Places like Dicks Sporting Goods aint got **** for good quality hunting and fishing gear. I don't buy meat from Acme or any supermarket...I buy it from our local butcher who has much better quality and much better customer service.

If you needed your watch battery replaced, why didn't you ask one of your Mason brothers for a good place to go? I'm totally serious. You should have asked for a reccomendation. Mom & Pop shops need to learn how to network better to compete with the big boys.

zooner · Post by **zooner** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 5:00 pm

I dont have a problem with major chain stores.

Home depot for example pays it's employee's a livable wage. A friend of mine used to work there making $10 an hour while he was in HS.

They dont bleed thier suppliers either.

EvilAngel · Post by **EvilAngel** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 5:00 pm

Originally posted by John
Walmart is a thing of beauty.

I bet if zooner was the CEO of walmart all his views would change.....lol

zooner · Post by **zooner** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 8:47 pm

Originally posted by JBiggs
I bet if zooner was the CEO of walmart all his views would change.....lol

exactly.

I'd be without a soul.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 9:00 pm

Originally posted by zooner
I dont have a problem with major chain stores.

Home depot for example pays it's employee's a livable wage. A friend of mine used to work there making $10 an hour while he was in HS.

They dont bleed thier suppliers either.

home depot sucks i hate going in there

that place is only good if you know exactly what you are looking for and an expert

but if you just have some basic questions most times they worst off then me or give me the wrong pieces

think their customer service stinks is what i am gettiing at lol

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 9:04 pm

everyone who says they stink and unpatriocitc

you really not looking at the big picture.

How many employees does Walmrt have across the country?

I dont know number but I am sure it is high.

While they might not be making over 100k or anything close to that, it helps pay the bills and put food on the table.

Walmart helps stimulate the eocnomy.

While it might hurt some small mom & pop shops it all depends upon the area.

For example where I live if it was not for Walmart I would have to drive almost 45 minutes to get the same things that I would need at the bigger stores, most mom & pop shops don thave enough sleection

Also dont forget about their easy going return policy,

why go to mom & pop shop when if you even open something most times wont let you return without a fight?

Bottom line is as a customer I go wherever it is cheapest that is the American way and should be that way.

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 9:05 pm

Originally posted by zooner
exactly.

I'd be without a soul.

umm you shoudl learn a little bit about the people who own Walmart, and see what they have done to their communities

incrediblecain · Post by **incrediblecain** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 10:11 pm

I work for a company that employs 60 thousand + people, About a month ago, we had meetings that basically stated that if we can't cut costs by 2% within the next 6 years we'll all be looking for a job. All because of WalMart. Two weeks after that my boss quit. We have to take full advantage of the money brought in so yeah I shop there, help killing my company or not. The way I look at it What is the point of being the best dressed person in the unemployment line?

nepenthe · Post by **nepenthe** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 10:18 pm

Originally posted by sitosterol
Since when do we have rules to capitalism huh?

Bill your making too much money...gotta slow you down.

Communists!!!

Please review history regarding monopolies and trusts. Walmart is much like Standard Oil. I know Microsoft somehow skirts the law, however it is arguable how pervasive and economically damaging. I can wholly understand that Joe Everyman simply wants the lowest prices. To this end, Walmart serves as an ideal black box in which you place your money and receive your goods. If a nefarious trenchcoated gent offers a perfectly operating product you want at half the price, do you buy it? Did it matter where it came from? Does it matter if someone else gets screwed. Morality has its price tag, not everyone would wish to deny themselves for the suffering of others.

Conversely, we have to examine the big picture in 32bit true to life color. Labor is a commodity. It is advantageous to big business to have an unskilled (hence, easily replaceable), inexpensive (stronger bottom line) workforce. If Walmart can cloth and entertain the world on the backs of Chinese sweatshop workers, there will be little we can do about. The question is, how do we as Americans (and Canadians and Europeans etc.) adapt? More and more of us will be replaced. Specialized skills cost time and money to hone. Even these individuals may find themselves with short economic shelf lives as well. Like it or not, it is a crap shoot. To improve your chances, follow the money trail, learn Chinese.
This present picture reminds me of the tech stock bubble of the 90's, everyone knew it would burst, but as long life was good right now, it did not matter.

shant,
david

Ghosthunter · Post by **Ghosthunter** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 10:35 pm

Walmart is not a monopoly though

there are plenty of other chain stores out there

Kmart - Target

they are all similar in one way or another

Sometimes they are even right across the street from eachother