[quote=fat_lazy_union_worker]
I don’t think the issue is with discount shopping itself. Me personally, I’m always looking for bargains. The beef I have with Walmart is they are more than often in the news or spotlight over stupid sh!t concerning either employee benefits (or lack thereof), discrimination, questionable employment practices,etc. Things companies like Costco,Target,even BigLots are less in the spotlight of.
The fact that Walmart has overly large P.R. department who’s so purpose is to improve image of Walmart to me is a sign.[/quote]
When you employ 1.5 million people, even if only 1% are dissatisfied, you’re talking about 15,000 people. When 15,000 people complain very loudly, it does give a company a pretty bad image. I also find that the one that’s dissatisfied are the one that’s loudest in voicing their opinion.
[quote=fat_lazy_union_worker]As far as low prices as walmart. Yes you find low prices, but you also find a lot of crap that arguably one doesn’t need. Not specific to Walmart, but dozens time i see folks loading up on absolute crap they don’t need, because it’s “cheap”, and these are things that usually end up at garage sales/Goodwill. The problem i see here is overconsumption. To this, I draw an analogy to one thing about American restaurants. Here in America, restaurants give utensils/napkins freely in the wide open. Since it doesn’t cost you the consumer anything, more than often I see folks take a stack of napkins, utensils,etc and inevitability throw the out without ever using them during the meal. People do this because they can..It’s free, it’s cheap, why not? Likewise, I’m not surprised seeing folks that exit places like Walmart loaded up on crap that they really don’t need. And these are the very people that really can’t be affording to be wasting money.
Personally, I’d rather pay a little more for fewer things I really want rather than pay a lot for a lot of little crappy things i don’t need.
[/quote]
You miss one scenario. I’d much rather pay less for few things I really want than the 2 scenario you presented. Your description struck at the core of the average American consumers. Why do you think so many people buy SUV, 3000+ sq-ft houses, etc. American love to consume, period. Be it from Walmart or GM. If it’s the over consumption that disgust you, you shouldn’t blame that on Walmart, but rather, blame that on those consumers. Walmart never put a gun to their head and force them to buy anything.
[quote=fat_lazy_union_worker]Third, the allusion is that places like Walmart,Target,Costco are cheap..Not always the case, it depends. If you need to get something in a hurry, than generally Walmart/Costco are cheaper than other store’s regular price. BUT, if you ever plan accordingly, you can find much better deals by shopping around. I buy a lot of toiletry and stuff from Vons for example. Because usually when it goes on sale + coupons + Vons doubling coupons, I usually end up paying much less than target,walmart,costco. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to selectively shop, since most of the stores you have to go to regularly anyway.
[/quote]
I agree that VONS + double coupon + sales does end up being cheaper than Walmart, Costco, etc. However, how often does everything you need end up being on sale and have coupon as well? I know people who are very frugal and clip coupons all the time. Yet, they still go to Costco to buy certain things. So, if you use a combination of both, you’ll get your lowest cost.
[quote=fat_lazy_union_worker]4th, considering fuel prices. The nearest walmart for me is Clairemont. The nearest target is mira mesa, and the nearest costco are Carlesbad,CarmelMountain and Morena. With today’s gas prices, going there specfically to pay a few cents cheaper on toothpaste isn’t the most economic solution, while I could walk to Vons to get something a few cents more.
BTW: BigLots is awesome for little things here and there like christmas lights and baby bedsheets(Carter) and holiday cards.
I have never found Costco to be “cheap”. In fact, I find the food to be pretty expensive. Costco use to be cheap(er), it aint cheap anymore. My barometer is the 2 gallon concentrate oj from costco. Use to be 2 gallon for $4, now it’s closer to 2 gallon for $5.50, which is on par with Vons when vons has a sale, plus costco doesn’t take manufacturer coupons.
[/quote]
Not everyone have a luxury of being able to walk to a supermarket. The drive to Costco is only 4-5 more than the drive to Vons for me. @ 20MPG and $4.5/gal, you’re talking about $1-2 in fuel. So, if you can save more than $1, you’re already better off. One example I find that Costco is cheaper in food is, eggs. At Vons, even when on sales, you’re talking about $3-4 for 24 eggs. Costco will usually have 18 eggs for around $1.50. Also, the quality of meat at Costco is much better than Vons. Even a Ruth Chris’s chef recommend to buy meat at Costco if you want better quality.
I do agree that distance does make a difference in where I go to buy things. I rarely go to Walmart now, because it is farther way. When I used to live in Oceanside, I had 4 Walmart options w/in 5-10 minutes drive from my house.
