Super Wal-Mart - WWYD?

[jennynoel]

A Super Wal-Mart just opened around the corner from my house. It is the same distance from me as my normal grocery store.

I went to check it out last night and they have many grocery items I buy on a weekly basis for $1 to $1.50 less than our grocery store (King Soopers).

If you were in my situation would you split your grocery shopping between Wal-Mart and the regular store?

I have mixed feelings about Wal-Mart as a corporation. They certainly do not have corporate ethics that I agree with, but they seem to be starting to make improvements in certain areas. In my opinion, boycotts don't work, and pressure from customers sometimes does.

I worry a bit about taking $$ away from the grocery store. It's a Kroger store and I don't agree completely with their corporate ethics, either, but they are far and away better than Wal-Mart.

My considerations are 3-fold: budget, ethics and convenience. What would you do?

 

[summerrluvv]

I don't like Walmart because ours are dirty, but if your's is clean I would shop there since it's cheaper and this is the budget board

 

[lovemygoofy]

Just remember if you start doing all your shopping there that you might start spending even more. It's magical how even more things appear in the cart that were not on the list.

 

[atisikitabasket]

I buy box food, canned food and frozen items at walmart and paper goods. I buy all my meat and produce at a local store because I feel it has a better selection and cheaper price than walmart on the meat and stuff

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I do all of our grocery shopping at our local Walmart Supercenter.....with the exception of beer (no beer sales at ours) and I do not like their steak/hamburger----so I go to our grocery store for "beer and beef!"

We're a family of 4 on a one person, not so large income, and I cut corners as often as I can. My store is pretty clean, but honestly I can overlook a dust bunny or two to save money on our bill. If I was just saving a couple dollars I wouldn't bother going there, but I save at least $20 a trip compared to my local grocery store.

 

[gemjoy]

Personally, I would go where you can get the most bang for your buck! And I agree that WalMarts grocery prices are tough to beat. That being said... I NEVER buy their meat!!!

 

[Malificient Tater]

I buy at the local Super Walmart because I live in a nice area and it is clean and cheaper than the grocery store. I only go to the other grocery store if I must, but even then I will go to Walgreens.

I do buy my meat and other things at Sam's. And I get my personnal product and animal food at Target. Yes I run over town but at least I get what I like for a good price.

 

[dturner]

They opened up a new Walmart Supercenter right by where I live a couple of years ago - the reason I don't shop there is because there are so many people shopping in that store and no cashiers - I hate to wait 30 minutes to check-out.

I used to shop at Albertson's right around the corner and then when Walmart opened they closed the Albertson's. Now I only have a Super Target (they don't carry everything I use) and the Walmart near me.

What do I do??

I drive 10+ miles to get to the nearest REAL grocery store - a new Kroger Signature store - I just love that store. I use coupons and I'd much rather go to Kroger and get double and triple coupons then shop at Walmart, who might be a little cheaper, and have to wait forever to check out.

Also, I'm another one who hates Walmart meat - it has no taste whatsoever!!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I don't like WalMart because they are dirty, crowded, yucky and the people in there are downright scary. I also have to park 2 miles from the front door and it takes 30 minutes to get thru a checkout line.

I shop there however because I can get Tide for cheap.


I buy very few edible items from WalMart though -- too many bad experiences.

 

[CEDmom]

The only time I avoid a chain store is in favor of a mom & pop type place. I'll pay a little more there but I go because of the customer service. For example I bought chair stain at a local paint store rather than one of the chains because the paint store opened 3 cans and helped me match the color. The chain store barely gave me the time of day. It costs me about $3 more but it was so worth it.

Personally I avoid Wal Mart like the plague because ours are not very clean or organized. Also, I think they beam the workers and other customers in from another planet - they're all just so odd .

However, I wouldn't feel guilty about shopping at one chain vs another.

 

[Magic Maker]

I find it admirable that you are concerned about the ethics of large grocery chains, including Wal-Mart. That being said, I think you are absolutely right that most large chains are unethical in many ways, so one is as good as another. Maybe you can approach it from the Karma perspective- Shop where you get the best deals, then funnel some of your savings into worthy causes or those less fortunate!

 

[NeedaVacation03]

I am not a fan of Walmart. I try to save as much money as I can, but I try to do it without giving it to Walmart. I have found that I never really saved much money by going in there, and the fustration out weighed any savings that might have been. You have to do what feels right for you.

 

[momof1princess]

i shop for pretty much everything except certain meats at our wal-mart supercenter, which is clean, well-lit, and less than 2 years old. i try to only buy meat every 2-3 months at a sam's club about an hour away which has EXCELLENT meat. flame me if you must, but the prices are SO much cheaper at the wal-mart supercenter than any of the 1-2 grocery stores left in my town (everything else has closed), i can't afford NOT to go to wal-mart, especially on 1 income.

 

[lisalovesmickey]

For me, this would depend on how tight your finances are. For me, I absolutely refuse to shop at Walmart. I've read a lot about the worldwide impact of their business practices and I think they're awful. So I don't shop there, for the sake of my peace of mind. I try to shop at local stores and at some chain stores that, in my research, tend to share more of my ethics. Of course, I know I still end up spending money in places (and on brands) that have questionable business ethics. But I feel good knowing that I try when I can.

However, that said, I also realize that I'm able to do this because I make enough money that my choice not to shop at Walmart does not affect my ability to eat or pay the bills. If the choice was between my peace of mind and feeding my kids, it would be different.

 

[tor]

A Super Wal-Mart just opened around the corner from my house. It is the same distance from me as my normal grocery store.

I went to check it out last night and they have many grocery items I buy on a weekly basis for $1 to $1.50 less than our grocery store (King Soopers).

If you were in my situation would you split your grocery shopping between Wal-Mart and the regular store?

I have mixed feelings about Wal-Mart as a corporation. They certainly do not have corporate ethics that I agree with, but they seem to be starting to make improvements in certain areas. In my opinion, boycotts don't work, and pressure from customers sometimes does.

I worry a bit about taking $$ away from the grocery store. It's a Kroger store and I don't agree completely with their corporate ethics, either, but they are far and away better than Wal-Mart.

My considerations are 3-fold: budget, ethics and convenience. What would you do?

So you can be bought for a few bucks. I say if it is against your principles don't shop there. I don't give money to causes or companies I find objectionable.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I buy box food, canned food and frozen items at walmart and paper goods. I buy all my meat and produce at a local store because I feel it has a better selection and cheaper price than walmart on the meat and stuff

If I shop at Wal-mart, this is pretty much what I do. The only exceptions are the pre-packaged meats such as Oscar Mayer cold cuts or whatnot, or the packaged Dole lettuces. There are times when I make an exception, like if I'm there and the only produce I need is an onion, i'll get it there.

With that said, I usually shop at a local grocery store chain because it's about a 1/2 mile from my house and not in an area that is a nightmare traffic-wise and I can almost always get things just as cheap or cheaper than wal-mart if I shop sale times and use coupons. Plus they offer a rewards program for shopping there. I generally only go to Wal-mart if I need to get a bunch of stuff for specific meals (like if I'm having people over or something) or if I'm already in that shopping center going somewhere else.

Kimya

 

[pixiewings71]

My grocery store is 5 minutes from my house, the closest Wal-Mart is much farther, so is the Target. Of course now they are trying to build a Super Wal-Mart 5 minutes the other direction from my house. I'm against it. I don't like Wal-Mart as a chain and avoid it as much as possible. I have shopped there and will go in for something specific but I generally avoid it. I'd much rather shop at Target or my grocery store to get what I need. I'm afraid if they put the SWM in my usual store will go away...and that will be sad because it's the BEST place to buy product and meat in my area.

If they do put the SWM in I still won't shop there. But, I have the luxury of making that choice.

 

[dsnymomadopt2china]

I have the same situation. But you can not beat King Soopers bakery and their produce is SOOO much better than walmart. Their meats are better, and dairy are better too. But the paper good, soups, cosmetics are much cheaper.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

In our area the overall prices @ Walmart Super Center are cheaper..and the condition of the store shows it. The meat, deli and produce are terrible..I much prefer our local grocery where I can buy everything in one trip, moderately priced and everything is fresh.

 

[autumnsmommy]

I think they beam the workers and other customers in from another planet - they're all just so odd .

Hey, some of us actually work there! However, my Disney obsession may or may not count as odd