The Wal-Mart Effect: The spending dangers of discount stores

From the Community…

• 
  Posted by Katie B Thu Aug 6, 2009 2:39pm PDT

  Walmart is the bane of our existance... and John Walton is ROLLING in his grave over how that store has turned out... I try very hard to avoid walmart, because it's always overcrowded with a bunch of people that like to stand right in your way of what you're trying to get at... the fruit department is always crawling with bugs and most things are shoddely made, so it doesn't really save you money if you buy a $7 shirt only to have to keep rebuying them later...

  And you are right.. it only makes people want to buy buy buy, because they think... oooh.. that's $2... so I will go get this DVD for $4 and it goes on and on and on...

  I only go to Walmart only when I have no other choice... I used to go there for pet products because they are cheaper than the grocery store, but then I found out that PetSmart costs the same or is cheaper than Walmart.

  Disclaimer: This is true only of the walmarts that I have ever been in. And I do see Walmart potentially helping those on a budget (but really only those that are good and disciplined with their money and spending habits).

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by VK Thu Aug 6, 2009 2:50pm PDT

  i can not stay away from the womens dept. .. Cute tops for $ 9.00

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Amber Thu Aug 6, 2009 2:52pm PDT

  This is so true when I go into WalMart for my household supplies I end up buying things that I really don't need.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by jennifer Thu Aug 6, 2009 2:53pm PDT

  I think the point of any store is to make you buy more, or what is more expensive. Most stores put the expensive items on the middle shelves, so it is easy and convenient. Why just pin down Walmart? Walmart has helped me support my family in many different ways b/c I cannot afford paying 5 dollars more for the exact same thing at a different store.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by springtime Thu Aug 6, 2009 3:14pm PDT

  I will not go to WalMart for so many reasons. It ran many Mom and Pop stores out of business that actually cared about its employees and customers. The last time I was in a WalMart was a year ago, with my cousin. I bought nothing. The store was dirty and the customers were all wanting to know where the end of aisle " snack ladies" were. Absolutely disgusting!

  Here's the thing about WalMart. Sure. You can buy a Sony TV there, but its the cheapest model Sony makes. Ditto for everything else in that dive.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by DEBRA Thu Aug 6, 2009 3:24pm PDT

  that's Sam Walton

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by David M Thu Aug 6, 2009 3:41pm PDT

  Walmart closed my stepdads camera and film development business. Walmart will sell below cost to drive small business' out. and old man walton always sold MADE IN AMERICA merchandise. when he died wallyworld went o carp

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Libby Thu Aug 6, 2009 3:42pm PDT

  I loathe Wal-Mart! If I ever do go in, I end up spending way more that I "bargained" for! LOL But it's true that they have everything in one store!! The prices are cheap, too, so it's hard to resist. They don't treat their employees very well either, from what I hear. Like having people work part time so they don't have to pay for benefits, and terminating employees who even think the word Union. However, I get a lot of my groceries at Costco, but there are things that they just don't have! Like my self tanner....now that I can no longer enable my tanning bed addiction. Cosmetics....it's either go to Wal-Mart and get it all in one stop, or go to the supermarket and drug store and pay more, while being inconvenienced because I have to make more stops.

  I recently moved from Texas to Colorado, and I'll say one thing for the majority of people who shop at Wal-Mart that seemilngly doesn't change no matter where you are....they are not healthy or in shape, and they aren't the brightest bulbs in the box either. Oh, and they all seem to like to breed, a lot. It's like low class shoopers paradise. I'm sorry, that's rude, but That's how it feels to me.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by opiniononly Thu Aug 6, 2009 6:02pm PDT

  I avoid Walmarts, Kmarts and Targets...actually all big box stores and chain restaurants...as much as possible, in part because of the reasons posted by Springtime and David. I miss small businesses and the quality of service that used to be common. I can get most of what I want from Big Lots and dollar stores.

  But, the problem is the same if you can't control what you spend, regardless of the store. Make a list and stick to it, never buy the junk by the registers and then get out. Take a fixed amount of cash and leave your debit/credit cards at home if you can't control yourself.

  And, realize that you actually don't need most of what you buy on impulse

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Tim Thu Aug 6, 2009 6:25pm PDT

  Walmart has ruined small town America. They come into a little town, open up and force the little mom and pop operations close up. They bully their vendors, they bully their employees, and they don't care about you or your business as they know that someone else in walking in right behind to give them their business. I hear everyone say they hate walmart but everybody shops there...

  Report Abuse