# In which I am reminded of how totally K-Mart sucks **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 27, 2015, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075 "2015-03-27T00:27:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/41 "2015-03-28T17:42:17Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Hmm… I wonder how those stores like K-Mart manage to have low prices? Do they cut back on service? No, because I am sure once people had a bad experience they’d realize paying slightly more elsewhere was worth it and never go back, right? And K-Mart has been around for decades. Got to be a lot of repeat customers. How do they do it? Is this a real question or are you being sarcastic? ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/42 "2015-03-28T18:20:48Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Is this a real question or are you being sarcastic? Works either way, doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/43 "2015-03-28T18:37:09Z")
> [@FuriousGeorge](#): > > Was the person in front of you also buying uber small amounts of a homepathic placebo? You’ve got melatonin in your body right now. Better tell your pineal gland to knock off producing that “homeopathic placebo.” ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/44 "2015-03-28T18:48:01Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > The one that killed me, that made me personally furious was around their rewards card. Long, slow moving lines, was on line at least 15-20 min already, and I was finally on deck. Cashier asks the person in front of me if they have a rewards card. Answer “no”. Cashier - “would you like to sign up for one?” Answer “no”. Cashier - “Can I check to see if you’re already in the system?” Answer “ok, here’s my phone #”. Cashier “You’re not in, but since it’s already started, can we finish the application?” Answer “Sigh… ok” and another 5 minutes is spent with Ms. Hunt&Peck sloooowly entering the name and address… You also get deluged with emails after signing up for that rewards program, and when you try to opt out, you’re taken to a webpage with cutesy videos of a nerdy guy begging you to reconsider and a confusing range of unsubscribe options. Then, the next time you’re buying something at Kmart, you’re asked if you want an email receipt instead of a paper one. Sounds good, right? Less paper in your life! Turns out that saying “yes” to an email receipt **opts you back in** to all those marketing emails, and you have to go through the whole obnoxious opt-out process again. ---
**Author:** ![boffking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/45 "2015-03-28T19:45:41Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Hmm… I wonder how those stores like K-Mart manage to have low prices? Do they cut back on service? No, because I am sure once people had a bad experience they’d realize paying slightly more elsewhere was worth it and never go back, right? And K-Mart has been around for decades. Got to be a lot of repeat customers. How do they do it? In my experience, Kmart doesn’t have low prices. I don’t think anything they sell is especially cheap. Or high quality. And they only have a couple of options for anything. Kmart can’t do anything well. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/46 "2015-03-28T19:47:19Z")
> [@boffking](#): > > Kmart can’t do anything well. Except somehow stay open ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/47 "2015-03-28T20:27:43Z")
My local KMart is conveniently located. I try to patronize it in preference to Target and Walmart mainly because it is nearby, but also because I haven’t heard nearly as many horror stories about how they treat their employees as compared with those two big box stores. Over the last year, I’ve joined Costco. But going there is a major undertaking so it’s about a once a month trip for me. For the things I buy at KMart, I’ve never had a complaint and the employees are fine. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/48 "2015-03-28T21:24:59Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Why doesn’t the OP just use generic Benadryl, which my booby hatch uses to help even the most, er, _nervous_ get to sleep? It’s cheaper, wears off by morning, stops the snot machine so he and his spouse snore less, and he won’t care if anybody snores (or if there’s a small earthquake) because he’s asleep. Remind me not to get ‘twitchy’ around your neck of the woods - with my heart issues, malignant chaotic evil hypertension, COPD and occasional asthma, benedryl would probably cause a quick ER run for me … ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/49 "2015-03-29T01:27:08Z")
While that store has its usefulness, for stuff like the OP needs I shop Amazon. Cheaper, less hassle, free shipping. ---
**Author:** ![CoastalMaineiac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/50 "2015-03-29T05:32:53Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > I want to pit the assholes that use mcg for microgram (not a reference to the OP, but some strange lovechild of the FDA and pharmacists). > > Drives me batty, it does. > > Some day I will pit the pharmacies for ruining all the hard work we do on the drug development, manufacturing, and distribution side. I guess they can’t figure out how to enter the character µ. ---
**Author:** ![Inna\_Minnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/51 "2015-03-29T05:39:02Z")
Melatonin works well for me. I rarely need to use it, but when I do it is awesome. it doesn’t make me sleep, but it helps me to stay asleep. i do need a full 8 hours or it is hard to wake up. i use the 3 mg tablets. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/52 "2015-03-29T05:49:55Z")
Actually, K-Mart (the discount chain of Kresge’s) was the first successful “deep discount” chain I remember. How about WoolCo (Woolworth’s)? Didn’t make it. I can’t even remember the name of the little chain that tried a store in my little burg. K-Mart should have been able to run Sam Walton back to his hick town. Why they failed so badly? No idea. But it is appropriate that Sears, Roebuck and Co. and K-Mart will be holding hands as they crash and burn. Montgomery Ward’s failure was simple - they stayed downtown while their customer base moved to the 'burbs. Maybe the Chinese will buy Sears/K-Mart and show them how to run a business. ---
**Author:** ![eulalia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eulalia/32/457_2.png) [@eulalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eulalia)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/53 "2015-03-29T08:11:54Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Why doesn’t the OP just use generic Benadryl, which my booby hatch uses to help even the most, er, _nervous_ get to sleep? It’s cheaper, wears off by morning, stops the snot machine so he and his spouse snore less, and he won’t care if anybody snores (or if there’s a small earthquake) because he’s asleep. I don’t know about the OP, but for me Benadryl doesn’t wear off by morning, and that’s why I don’t use it unless I don’t have to do anything for the next day or so. I have to be alert at my job so I don’t electrocute myself, and that stuff makes me too drowsy. Melatonin is what my doctor recommended. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/54 "2015-03-29T18:55:47Z")
There is only one good thing about Kmart, and that is that their prescription prices are hands down the lowest anywhere. The pharmacists and techs are consistently kind and efficient, but Lawd I would never buy anything that would require me to go through a regular check-out. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/55 "2015-03-29T23:30:05Z")
I remembered: Shopper’s Fair Bet you never heard of it, did ya? Ca 1962 ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/56 "2015-03-30T04:18:16Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Why doesn’t the OP just use generic Benadryl, which my booby hatch uses to help even the most, er, _nervous_ get to sleep? It’s cheaper, wears off by morning, stops the snot machine so he and his spouse snore less, and he won’t care if anybody snores (or if there’s a small earthquake) because he’s asleep. Because Benadryl loses it’s somnolent effects after as little as three or four uses. And while the side effect is still active, it lasts much longer than necessary, leaving you quite groggy when you wake up. And the sleep you get out of it is kinda useless, like passing out with alcohol. Melatonin just naturally signals the brain that it’s time to go to sleep, when used at the proper dose. (Beyond 300mcg, it’s actually self-defeating, as it gets converted to other chemicals that overwhelm the effect.) And, yes, I will continue to use mcg because having to pull out a Greek alphabet to make a fucking abbreviation is stupid–might as well type the word out. They should have never had 3 M-words as SI prefixes in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/57 "2015-03-30T04:21:10Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > I fell unconscious halfway through the OP so I apologize if not all my facts are correct: So what leads you to believe you can give a remotely valid critique? If you fall asleep reading full text explanations, this board might not be for you. We don’t even do summaries here, and expect you to have read the entire thread before you post. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/58 "2015-03-30T06:59:41Z")
I used to work at Kmart. As bad as it is to shop there, it’s twice as bad to work there. > [@BigT](#): > > So what leads you to believe you can give a remotely valid critique? If you fall asleep reading full text explanations, this board might not be for you. We don’t even do summaries here, and expect you to have read the entire thread before you post. Shut up BigTard ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/59 "2015-03-30T07:41:18Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > So what leads you to believe you can give a remotely valid critique? If you fall asleep reading full text explanations, this board might not be for you. We don’t even do summaries here, and expect you to have read the entire thread before you post. Reading the post that you’re referring to, it does seem that it addresses the main points and facts of the OP quite accurately. Are you absolutely sure that the opening sentence isn’t a bit of a play on the fact that the OP is about buying a sleep aid? ---
**Author:** ![funky\_little\_lee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@funky\_little\_lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/funky_little_lee)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075/60 "2015-03-30T15:42:17Z")
I don’t know where you all live, but the Kmart near me is a nice place to shop. They have good stuff, the prices are reasonable, the store is clean, the employees are helpful, no wait at the checkout–I’ve never had a problem with them. The store I really hate is Kohl’s. Take everything I just said about the Kmart, reverse it, and that is Kohl’s. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075.md?page=4)