# Wal-Mart Targets the Girl Scouts! (mild) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 23, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143 "2010-02-23T17:48:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/61 "2010-02-24T22:08:58Z")
> [@Algher](#): > > Thin Mints are meant to be chilled, and eaten one full sleeve at a time. I can not wait for the next round of delivery. This. Some people say it’s possible to open one of those little plastic sleeves and not have it be empty five minutes later. I think they’re nuts. Two boxes coming my way… second week of March, I think. I’d get more - heck, I’d get a permanent supply - but the combination of the empty calories and the price always brings me to moderation. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/62 "2010-02-24T22:12:59Z")
> [@Kiros](#): > > This. Some people say it’s possible to open one of those little plastic sleeves and not have it be empty five minutes later. I think they’re nuts. > > Two boxes coming my way… second week of March, I think. I’d get more - heck, I’d get a permanent supply - but the combination of the empty calories and the price always brings me to moderation. Only thing slowing me down is the new sleeve wrappers are harder to open unless I am Prepared and have my Scout knife. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/63 "2010-02-24T22:38:37Z")
> [@Algher](#): > > Only thing slowing me down is the new sleeve wrappers are harder to open unless I am Prepared and have my Scout knife. That shouldn’t stop you from eating a whole sleeve at a time, though–once it’s open, it’s _open_. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/64 "2010-02-24T23:05:42Z")
> [@pbbth](#): > > How about a drive-thru communion window so you can get the body and blood of jesus without all that “sitting through church” hassle? I’ll look for a cite, but I think I’ve heard of this actually existing. Aha, here it is: [Episcopal Church To Offer Drive-Thru Communion](http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=5791). Fortunately it turned out to be an April Fool’s gag. ETA: [These](http://thebeattitude.com/2009/07/01/buy-human-flesh-and-blood-in-a-convenient-travel-size-plastic-cup/) are real though. Here’s your single serving to go! ---
**Author:** ![3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/47e85d/32.png) [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3_20_59_or_bust)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/65 "2010-02-24T23:12:37Z")
> [@pbbth](#): > > The cookies are tasty. They are overpriced but no more so than any other product on the market. I think the anger comes from the fact that these are a product that were designed specifically for fund raising to help an organization that does a lot of good in the world. I;m not fond of the fact that Keebler is knocking off the cookies either. What next, is a billion dollar corporation going to start a neighborhood lawn mowing business to put all the neighborhood 12 year olds out of work during the summer? How about a drive-thru communion window so you can get the body and blood of jesus without all that “sitting through church” hassle? Yes, this is capitalism at work. So was Enron. Not all capitalism is good. I’ve got to believe Keebler has got some sort of rights to “knock off” Thin Mints, since they actually [make them for the Girl Scouts](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Scout_cookie). ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/66 "2010-02-25T00:22:20Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > I’ll look for a cite, but I think I’ve heard of this actually existing. > > Aha, here it is: [Episcopal Church To Offer Drive-Thru Communion](http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=5791). Fortunately it turned out to be an April Fool’s gag. Aw, man! And drive-thru boozing seemed like such an excellent idea! ---
**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:** [February 25, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/67 "2010-02-25T01:13:50Z")
The reason we can say they are targeting Girl Scouts is simple: Did you miss the part in the OP where they can’t set up a booth there anymore? Every year I’d find a booth INSIDE THE FLIPPIN’ STORE. To go from allowing that to selling knockoffs–yeah, that’s targeting. And for those of you saying it’s just capitalism: that word doesn’t mean what you think it means. It does not mean “I must make as much money as possible by screwing everyone else.” But that’s exactly what they are doing. You honestly believe that Walmart needs to sell Thin Mints to be profitable? Puh-lease. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/68 "2010-02-25T01:55:46Z")
I’ve got to think that this is a local manager or regional manager who has an issue, not a WalMart wide thing. It doesn’t make sense to say Girl Scouts can’t sell their cookies because there are now WalMart branded cookies that are similar when the Homophob, er, um, Boy Scouts have long been allowed to sell their popcorn outside and WalMarts have always sold popcorn. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/69 "2010-02-25T05:14:47Z")
> [@Kiros](#): > > This. Some people say it’s possible to open one of those little plastic sleeves and not have it be empty five minutes later. I think they’re nuts. I limit myself to 2 Thin Mint cookies a day. Like watching any diet, it’s trivial if you are strong of will. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/70 "2010-02-25T05:57:46Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > I limit myself to 2 Thin Mint cookies a day. Like watching any diet, it’s trivial if you are strong of will. I am not strong of will. My boxes of Trefoils and I are ok with that. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/71 "2010-02-25T06:13:17Z")
Safeway (grocery store) has its own version of Samoas (my favorite) which are _extremely similar_ although not 100% identical. More like 97.5% identical. I can’t find them on Safeway’s web site but I just saw them in stock the other day. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/72 "2010-02-25T14:10:48Z")
> [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](#): > > I’ve got to believe Keebler has got some sort of rights to “knock off” Thin Mints, since they actually [make them for the Girl Scouts](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Scout_cookie). They make them under liscense from the GSUSU, according to that. And they’ve only had that liscense since 2008. I don’t think that that gives them full rights to market them under their own trademark. But maybe a business lawyer could set me straight on that. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/73 "2010-02-25T15:55:09Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > I think they’re just trying to protect themselves, out of fear that the Girl Scouts will trample the Greeter to death. Nah, more like Village of the Damned. They will command him to kill himself in some spectacular way. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/74 "2010-02-25T16:05:36Z")
Does a representative of WalMart come to your door to deliver the cookies? Does a parent of a WalMart employee bring cases of cookies to work so that all you have to do is walk over to their desk to get your fix? ETA: I think that McDonalds got the idea for the Big Mac from a very similar sandwich sold at the Waterfall Restaurant in Des Plaines, IL, which was just down the road from McDonalds HQ at the time. IIRC, it later became a Big Boy’s but they had the sandwich long before that. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/75 "2010-02-25T16:37:27Z")
> [@Cat\_Fight](#): > > But wouldn’t one of the hamburger chains’ profits have to go to developing confidence and characters in young girls? That’s why they sell cookies? It is to laugh. I have never seen an actual girl scout selling cookies, it’s always the parents. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/76 "2010-02-25T16:41:45Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > That’s why they sell cookies? It is to laugh. I have never seen an actual girl scout selling cookies, it’s always the parents. I didn’t sell any of my daughter’s girl scout cookies, she did. Didn’t even take the sheet to work (though I should have). They even went door to door (which by GS policy, they need to do with an adult present - one of the other moms took them). She made the phone calls to the relatives. It doesn’t develop her character for me to sell her cookies. If parents are hitting you up, simply say no if you don’t want the cookies. (Although, a lot of people do WANT girl scout cookies, of all the fund raising items out there, Girl Scout Cookies are an easy sell. I have had people call me up looking for cookies. I turn the phone over to her.) ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/77 "2010-02-25T16:59:30Z")
I think they are the worst excuse for cookies ever. Never tasted one I didn’t want to spit out. Yuck. That said, I am happy to support the Girl Guides. When they come to my door I just give them a couple of bucks and tell them to keep the cookies. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/78 "2010-02-25T17:10:22Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > That’s why they sell cookies? It is to laugh. I have never seen an actual girl scout selling cookies, it’s always the parents. The only time it is the parents that I have seen is when someone brings the sheet to the office. The rest of the time it is door to door, calls to relatives, table at church, or a table at the local store. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/79 "2010-02-25T17:21:32Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > That’s why they sell cookies? It is to laugh. I have never seen an actual girl scout selling cookies, it’s always the parents. If you re-read the post you’re replying to, you’ll see that they specify that the \*\*profits \*\*go to “developing confidence and characters in young girls,” not that the actual \*\*selling \*\*is intended to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143/80 "2010-02-25T17:23:00Z")
I have seen tables at stores where there were some girl scouts but the parents were still doing all the work. Maybe there are some scouts that do the selling but IME it’s often the parents. I am actually opposed to kids selling stuff, especially door to door. If you are painfully shy it doesn’t make you confident or build character, it just terrifies you and makes you feel inadequate when you can’t sell as much as the outgoing kids whose parents probably drag them all over to help them sell. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-targets-the-girl-scouts-mild/530143.md?page=5)