Do you have a positive opinion about Wap-Mart?
Is this a recent change?
What is Wal-Mart doing differently that influirenced your opinion?
No, still don’t think much of them. Thankfully the area I live in now doesn’t have any stores nearby, but if they did, I would continue to do what I did back when I lived near one (drive past wal-mart to go to a local store)
If anything, I would think since the People of Wal-Mart site became popular, there is more of a stigma on Wal-mart than there used to be.
I don’t, but I also don’t think they’re the root of all evil like some do. They’re among the only megacorps investing in the inner cities, for one thing.
I almost never buy there.
Haven’t in more than 2 years.
Why do you ask, are they trying to rehab/change their image? I have not seen evidence of that on the store level.
Does just locating a store count as “investing”? Isn’t the net effect to take money out (sending it to China, or Arkansas)?
Well, it counts insofar as they’re hiring people to work in their stores, and it’s not as though anyone would be building widget factories in inner-city Oakland if not for those darn Chinese, or whatever.
Haven’t heard of Wap-Mart, but if they’re anything like Fap-Mart, I’m a huge fan.
Yeah, but I’m thinking more of the displacement/prevention of more local businesses. Even just limited to retail, a collection of small businesses that add up to the same amount of commerce that a Walmart takes in is vastly better for the local community. I know it’s not easy to start a new corner grocery or hardware store in a rough neighborhood, but surely it’s impossible if there’s a Walmart not far away.
The first W*M I ever went into was dirty, ill-lit, and had narrow aisles with shelves high enough to give one the impression of being at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Since it was a Saturday, it was also clogged with well-nigh stereotypical “trailer trash,” all of whom seemed to have brought their entire drooling broods. Compared to that, the newer stores are practically Elysian.
That said, I have no use for their business model; so my impression of W*M as a corporation has not improved to any degree. There are a couple of things I use on a regular basis that don’t seem to be available elsewhere, which is the only reason I ever go there.
My impression of Wal-Mart is very negative and I avoid spending money there at all costs. I can’t imagine anything they can do that would change what I think about them.
I really don’t shop at Wal-Mart on any regular basis. They certainly do have bargains on certain things, but not on others. I know what they are good at. I save up my needs until it warrants a trip there and I cover the various departments for the bargains. One particular Wal-Mart expanded the operation to a Super Store and consequently they have cut many non-food departments completely out. There is no sewing section. The auto supply and hardware sections are skeletons of the former store. Nothing in the store is well organized. I have written that store off in favor of another one that has these fully functioning departments.
Image? As long as they have some deals, I’m there.
I was willing to put up with narrow aisles and high shelves because if I had a list of several things, I usually could find all of them. They are at the far end of town for me. If I am going to have to hit several places to find everything, they are all going to be at this end of town.
Yes, they only cut out the low volume things. But I have other places to buy the higher volume stuff.
For many years my service club did fundraisers there plus rang bells for the Salvation Army. Their traffic is way down here.
I’ve heard the arguments that Walmart takes money out of communities, hurt local businesses. And concerning employment opportunities Walmart might create, I have heard complaints that the opportunities are not very good - i.e. low pay, and poor benefits.
Why do so many people shop there, then? Answer: Because of the significantly lower cost of many quality items sold there, compared to the mom-and-pop local stores.
When walmart moved to our rural area, my grocery bill alone dropped by approx 1/3, not to mention savings on other purchases like batteries, charcoal for the grill, shampoo, shaving cream - tons of stuff.
Opening their doors has saved money for the shoppers in the area. Lots of money.
It might sound like I do - but I do not have a vested interest in promoting walmart specifically. But do I think it’s often overlooked how much a store like walmart has the potential to save money for the people who shop there. Certainly there are store owners pressured - or worse - when the retail giant comes to town, but at the same time they help a much greater number of people save on their costs of living.
And that is certainly a significant way to give back to a community.
Just sayin’… and another perspective to consider…
I worked there once.
Won’t set foot in one. They couldn’t possibly improve their image in my eyes. I’ll happily pay more if necessary, no problem, no siree.
Or like this?
Almost every single Wal-Mart I have seen has several smaller stores nearby. Dry cleaners, restaurants, barbers and other specialty stores. Stores that probably would not be in business in that location were it not for Wal-Mart’s presence. Also, I think it’s unfair to criticize Wal-Mart for making it “impossible” to someone to start a new business nearby.
A Super Walmart recently opened near us and it has saved us a bundle of money. We are on a fixed retirement income so I really appreciate the savings.
Moreover, they treat us senior citizens very nicely, and that I do appreciate.
Yes, I like WallyWorld and enjoy shopping there. 
I am paying more for my prescriptions now at Walgreens. I hate the blister packs inside the plastic boxes Walmart insists on putting my pills in. I hate even more having them rammed down my throat despite asking time after time for bottles. The first time I asked, I was told no problem, we will put it in the computer and you will never have them again. Since then, more often than not, they were in those stupid boxes. The last time I tried to refill a prescription, I went and stood in line 3 times and they still didn’t have them ready.
Every retailer pulls money out of the community. Even mom and pop pay their suppliers. Larger retailers also pay corporate overhead.