Am I the Only One Who Likes Walmart?

[Ember]

Don't like Wal-Mart. Will go there maybe three times a year for something specific, but I don't shop there regularly.

 

[bicker]

I think at least some of the animosity towards Walmart, which we see expressed in some quarters, is a reflection not so much of dissatisfaction with Walmart delivering what they promise, but rather is a reflection of dissatisfaction with Walmart for what its apparent core mission and vision represents. Many people (rightly or wrongly) feel Walmart fosters a "low prices" strategy that sometimes obscures in many consumers' minds the negative ramifications, in terms of impact on American employment, in terms of impact on the general wage levels of the local community, etc. Other folks (rightly or wrongly) feel that by prosecuting this strategy, Walmart helps fuel consumerism, which they feel is a negative force on our society. Still others (rightly or wrongly) link Walmart to a general degradation in the availability of higher quality products (which necessarily would cost more): By fostering the "low prices" market, there are fewer people engaging the market at a higher level, and therefore the costs folks who want the higher grade of product either have no offerings available to them, or the offerings they have available to them cost more than they would have had more of the "low prices" consumers been directed by circumstance (the lack of a "low prices" marketplace) to the higher-end.

None of these perspectives are definitively "right" (or wrong, for that matter) but all represent a plausible linkage between Walmart and something that some people don't like. They may or may not express their attacks in those terms (often people try to make such criticisms sound more important that just their own personal preference for things).

 

[kydisneyfans]

I think the "Unbeatable price" campaign is an outright lie. The same crock pot on sale at Kohls for 34.99 (+the additional 15-30% off with CC)-is $39.99 everyday at Wal Mart. They will match $34.99, but not the additional money off. That's not unbeatable in my book.

They also don't match BOGO sales. Gatorade is "Unbeatable" at Wal Mart for $1. It was BOGO for $1.18 at Meijer on Saturday. I can go on and on.

I despise Wal Mart and shop very little there. The rest of my family keeps the entire chain in business. I just don't get the reason for the draw to Wal Mart.

 

[OK!]

I like Wal-Mart, too, if for no other reason than their prices. Their prices on things like cereal are roughly 2/3 what they are at the other local stores in the area. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the fact that the nearest Supercenter is about 25 minutes away, but that'll change this fall when one about 5 mins. away opens.

As for the personnel, everyone I've met has always been polite and helpful; at least, no negative experiences immediately come to mind, and there've been more than a few times that their employees have definitely gone above and beyond to help me.

 

[Nie0214]

I don't even look at Walmart's sign. I go right to Target. Haven't purchased anything from Walmart in 4+ years, not going to start now.

 

[Justanopinion]

Wal Mart is pretty much the only option around here.

I live in a small town. We do have a Wal Mart now. It's been here just over a year or so.

Before that though, there is a town 20 miles north, 20 miles south or 20 miles east...so basically a 30 minute drive in any direction.

Even now, if I go north or south, only Wal Mart. North does have a Sac n Save but if you thought Wal Mart was dirty you haven't seen dirty until you've seen this place.

Now, if I go east, there is a Target, but their prices are higher, I can't get everything and who wants to drive. But even east, there is no Kroger or anything else, just Wal Mart and Target.

Have I had rude service yes, but everybody has a bad day once in awhile.

 

[RN4Babies]

It is a love/hate relationship with me.

I love the low prices, however I hate how they create those low prices.

I love that they are able to create jobs in towns with nothing and employ many people. I hate the fact that the money does not stay in your area.

I do hate that they have closed small shops and now they are dominant with no competition so they are able to raise prices. (no love there)

As far as employees and rudeness, waiting, a bad shopping experience, etc...I do not find it exclusive to WalMart and I think it is silly to comment on that really.

What she said.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

personally I don't get the draw of Walmart.Every store I've ever been in is always dirty, I don't want to touch anything.
They have a horrible selection of items, at least to me. I can't get most of what I want there. Their prices aren't really cheaper than most of the other grocery stores in the area. I occasionally shop them for Coffeemate as their price is slightly cheaper. But I can get a better selection and better prices elsewhere. I usually split my shopping between super target and kroger.

 

[luvmy3]

I don't mind our Super Walmart, they just remodeled it and its nice and clean and bright. For the most part the employees are friendly, the only real downer is that I spend more time waiting to check-out than I do shopping.

 

[ead79]

In general I am not a fan of Wal-Mart. In my area most of the Wal-Mart stores are dirty, which really bothers me. They also often run out of things, which makes me have to take a trip to another store. I much prefer Target, both for their store cleanliness and their selection. Target has more appeal to me--I like their home decor items and some of their clothes as well. Wal-Mart doesn't seem to have the same level of quality or keep up with the trends as much as Target does (at least in my area). That being said, there is one nice Wal-Mart in my area with good employees, a clean store, and a good selection. So that's the store I go to when I need something from Wal-Mart.

 

[tonilea]

We live about 70 miles from corporate headquarters, so our store is always clean. There are two or three checkers that I avoid. I don't buy many clothes there, I can usually get better deals on better quality clothing at places like Kohls and Penneys. What clothing I do buy is underwear and socks for my men. Fruit of the Loom is pretty much the same anywhere.

All in all, I like Wal-Mart.

 

[disykat]

Everyone has always been pleasant to me at Walmart. No issues there. I prefer shopping there over Target mainly because Target doesn't carry very many unscented items. I can find what I need at Walmart.

I have only been in one gross Walmart - in my parent's town - and I try to avoid going there.

 

[PghLybrt]

I have not shopped there in at least 10 years. It was never clean, organised or pleasant t but that is not the reason that I do not shop there. I rather try to buy locally, mom and pop type stores and mostly american (when i can). I do not like the directon that walmart is taking us.

 

[Nie0214]

I think at least some of the animosity towards Walmart, which we see expressed in some quarters, is a reflection not so much of dissatisfaction with Walmart delivering what they promise, but rather is a reflection of dissatisfaction with Walmart for what its apparent core mission and vision represents.

I'm glad you pointed this out. It seems the people in the "love walmart" category all say they love the prices and they've never had customer service/cleanliness issues.

Well, I am in the "refuse to shop at Walmart" camp, and I've also never had customer service/cleanliness issues. My issues are among those you pointed out in the rest of your reply, as well as others.

 

[browneyes106]

Rude employees exist everywhere. I have encountered rude employees at various stores. There is a Wal-Mart in my city that is extremely clean and the employees are very nice. I shop at that store often. A couple of other Wal-Marts in my area are always dirty and items aren't organized well. The Wal-Mart in my parents' town is very clean and has a good reputation. I think Target tends to be better organized and they always have better selection of entertainment items like CD's, DVD's etc.

 

[Anne34]

I don't even look at Walmart's sign. I go right to Target. Haven't purchased anything from Walmart in 4+ years, not going to start now.

Very True!!! I can't stand the Walmart by us -- dirty, nasty and very rude people who speak little English. BUT -- I do go to Sams Club (which is owned by Walmart).

 

[ajk912]

I love mine. I usually try to do 20 items or less so I can go through that line, and usually checkout is under 5 minutes, tops. Usually there are those cashiers just standing around, so no wait. Everyone is super friendly, the store is clean, and I love how I can get everything I need in one trip instead of worrying about prices.

Funny story..I was once out at Target, and saw this guy and was thinking the.."where have I met this guy" drill and was trying hard to figure it out without staring. Finally it dawned on me that it was one of the Walmart managers. That means I am there too much.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I shop at Walmart mainly for its cheaper food items and yes they do make a big difference and our Walmart does honor coupons as well. As a PP said their Cereal is MUCH cheaper than at Shoprite or Pathmark. Also their beauty products are less then CVS and/or Walgreens as well. So even though our Walmart is a bit on the dirty side, its just less expensive to shop their. Their milk and alot of Frozen food as well is much much cheaper. Clothes...eh sometimes they have some cute things and they do have alot of Disney things. I mean I have been at an inbetween weight loss stage so instead of spending alot of money on new clothes I bought a few things that were very inexpensive to hold me over till I lose those last few pounds.

For those that say they wait 10 mins and think its long....I mean when I have waited that long which I don't think is a long time personally, it was the person in front of me that was having an issue NOT the cashier.

Target is much cleaner and I do like their clothing more...but I also agree that recently Target has not had alot of things in stock.

 

[Pigeon]

I loathe Walmart on so many levels.

 

[LittleBlue22]

I like Wal*Mart. I've bought clothes for myself and the kids, food, you name it, except fish. You have to be discretionary choosing clothing, but overall, I like our clean and tidy super store. There are some items that are higher priced, but I just stay away from those and find the same item at a lower price at another store. Overall, Wal*Mart is a good store for my needs.