WalMart to buy Disney Stores?

[Tekneek]

Times are going to be changing. As larger percentages of the population have their jobs offshored, or have wages cut by 4/5, people will begin to understand that how they spend their money has an effect on everyone else around them. Sure, it seems the bottom will have to fall out before they understand what is happening all around them, but it will happen. I think that when that day comes, Walmart and the tactics they have employed in all of their markets will also catch up to them.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Tekneek, for what it's worth we do not shop at Walmart anymore either (because of their neighborhood impact and desire to 'own it all') but I wonder if the others, Target, K-Mart, etc., don't have the same nationwide economic effect? (Am I being hypocritical?).

Currently my only other boycotts are Nike and Bongo's Cuban Cafe.

Nike for their labor practices as pointed out years ago to their ridiculous advertising salaries (Serena Williams, the racist tennis player, just rec'd a $40 million per year contract).

Bongo's because of their unxious owners Gloria & Emilio Estefan, who, once the Miami Sound Machine had a recognizable hit sound, fired ALL of the band members in favor of scale rate musicians so Gloria could reap all of the benifits...

 

[mitros]

I have said this many times before, Walmart gets most of it's goods from China, so, by shopping at walmart, we are helping to support chinas prison {slave camps} system and build their huge military complex. And if you think that we don't have to worry about china,just wait. Of course. disney also sells mostly chinese made merchandise...check out the labels next time you shop there.

 

[Tekneek]

Originally posted by mitros
I have said this many times before, Walmart gets most of it's goods from China, so, by shopping at walmart, we are helping to support chinas prison {slave camps} system and build their huge military complex.

Most of the flags used in the US, as I understand it, come from China. I believe that is where the government purchases them from as well. I am not positive about the US government, but I know the State of Georgia buys them from China. The situation is way out of control.

 

[doombuggy]

Ever look into how the Disney Store is run and how they treat their employees? You might want to stop doing business with them as well.

I disagree with part of this statement. You sound a bit bitter to me. After 7+ years with the company, I'd give them more plus than minus. You want to talk about how an employer treats its employees, let me tell you about my other job................

 

[shirley 38]

I have worked for the Disney Stores for 9 years. I love working there.
We are treated very well and we are like a family.

I do however agree with the product we sell is not the best or for everyone.

When I started way back in 1994, we had at christmas time Annimate figures that moved, all kinds of watches, jewelry I could go on and on.

Our product now is not the greatest. But we have imporved with bringing in some adult clothing and infants clothing.

But there is nothing like working for Disney. It is a great experience.

 

[exDS vet]

Originally posted by doombuggy
You sound a bit bitter to me. After 7+ years with the company, I'd give them more plus than minus. You want to talk about how an employer treats its employees, let me tell you about my other job................

There's quite a difference between being bitter and being a realist. I'll admit that when I left TDS I was bitter. Not just at their horrible upper management, but at the trail of lousy business decisions that they made back then, and that they are still making today.

You are, or were obviously a non-management CM. I'm glad that you have been happy there, but (no disrespect intended) most part time CM's see the world of DS through rose-colored glasses. More often than I'd care to count, I spent my time explaining the real business world with my CM's and trying to clear-up their blurred vision where the company was concerned.

You sound like a dedicated, hard worker. You probably love your job, but after 7+ years with Disney, you might want to think about moving on, before you have no choice, because that's exactly what's going to happen not if, but WHEN the chain is either sold or closed.

And if you worked for the company that I now work for, you would realize the difference between DS and a great company.

 

[disney_parrothead]

I don't see a business parallel between Wal-Mart and Disney, but I do know one thing. Wal-Mart didn't get where it is today by luck. It does one thing well -- it gives the people what they want. If you want the highest quality product you can get, you avoid Wal-Mart like the plague. But if you want to pay pennies for paper towels and don't care whether they were made in USA or China or Mars, then Wal-Mart is the store for you. The truth is, Wal-Mart hasn't put a single store in this country out of business. THE PEOPLE who shop there, instead of those other stores, is what allowed this to happen.

One report I recently read said they made $244 billion last year. That money came from people who have one intention when they shop, and that is to save money.

Sorry ... on to my point. Wal-Mart may not take over the DS per se, but they may begin to have some special connection with Disney to sell their merchandise with some kind of exclusivity. And my guess is that Disney's merchandisers would then have to negotiate with Wal-Mart as to what price they will be paid. May God have mercy on them if that happens.

I guess it comes to this -- if your dear old Aunt Maggie wants to buy a stuffed Mickey, she probably doesn't care where it was made, but she DOES care how much it costs -- and THAT'S why she would buy it at Wal-Mart and not the DS.

My opinion only. Others may vary.

 

[exDS vet]

Originally posted by disney_parrothead
The truth is, Wal-Mart hasn't put a single store in this country out of business. THE PEOPLE who shop there, instead of those other stores, is what allowed this to happen.

I guess it comes to this -- if your dear old Aunt Maggie wants to buy a stuffed Mickey, she probably doesn't care where it was made, but she DOES care how much it costs -- and THAT'S why she would buy it at Wal-Mart and not the DS.

Thank you for two great points!

I am so tired of all of these people who blame large companies for putting the smaller ones out of business. The last time I looked, Wal-Mart was a business just like all of the others. People need to stop putting down large companies just because they are successful. Is it Starbucks Coffee's fault that over 25 million people go to their stores every week?

I encountered hundreds (if not thousands) of "dear old Aunt Maggies" when I worked at DS. And when it came to just about every item that we sold, they said that they could find it at their Wal-Mart, K-mart, Costco, etc. Most of us know that DS merchandise is exclusive to Disney, where all of the other retailer's Disney merchandise is still licensed by Disney to those retailers.

What makes more sense to you consumers? Purchasing a Disney Classics piece at Disney Store or a theme park for full price, or buying the same exact piece at Costco or on sale at your local WDCC dealer?

For me, if the piece is $275 at Disney and $150 at another retailer, Disney is losing the sale. And think about the mark-up on those pieces if retailers are selling it at such a low price. Disney never marks down WDCC pieces. They "MOS" (mark out of stock) those items and return them to the company, or even destroy them. That's their choice. Other retailers have an option, and many of them opt to reduce the price to move them. I have purchased most of my WDCC pieces at discounts of up to 90%. It pays to look around.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Just a quick comment on the stores, to ex-DS vet:

Adult product sold like gangbusters in Q1. And we sold a fair amount of it AT FULL PRICE. Even I was amazed......... It was a very successful re-entry into the adult market. Prior to this Q1, I also felt that we would never sell adult product except at 50-75% off. I was wrong.

The stores are better managed now than they were the last 2 years...........

 

[doombuggy]

What makes more sense to you consumers? Purchasing a Disney Classics piece at Disney Store or a theme park for full price, or buying the same exact piece at Costco or on sale at your local WDCC dealer?

You have found WDCC on SALE somewhere??? I have never been able to find these pieces on sale! What's your secret?

PS: you are correct in assuming that I am not a SM/ASM or lead. I have been (and still am) just a CM since 1996. I have worked in other retail outlets, though, in an assistant manger position.

 

[exDS vet]

Originally posted by doombuggy
You have found WDCC on SALE somewhere??? I have never been able to find these pieces on sale! What's your secret?

Here's the secret. You have to shop around, but there are bargains on WDCC out there. Most Hallmark stores are independently owned. Some of them are authorized WDCC dealers and they carry a surplus of these items. You probably know that many WDCC pieces don't move very fast. And once the supply exceeds the demand, they really stop moving. So these stores put them on sale. Especially the event pieces and some retired ones.

I found the Simba/Mufasa "Pals Forever" event piece at a Hallmark store for $75.00. I believe the retail for this one was over $250. Bambi, Amigo Donald and Medium Mushroom (Fantasia) all at 50% off retail.

Once I stumbled onto a 5th anniversary Charter member piece for WDCS (Steamboat Willie), at a collectibles store that was going out of business. I bought the piece for $50 and then turned around and sold it for $450.

Since you are a CM, I'm sure you know about Company D. Sometimes they have a surplus of WDCC peices too. I found the Disneyland special edition Mr. Toad set at the DL Company D store for $40.00. This retailed for $300.

Lots of other smaller retailers carry these pieces at discounts. I recently visited a store here in Phoenix that had their entire WDCC collection priced at 10% off. Big deal for a CM right. I'd assume you get the 35% discount now. But it's nice for others who don't normally see discounts on such product.

Happy searching

 

[Cheshire27]

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[Xtine76]

Oh dear god I hope not! I can't stand walmart and I'd hate to see Disney associated with white trash central!!!

 

[mickey4ver]

Originally posted by Xtine76
Oh dear god I hope not! I can't stand walmart and I'd hate to see Disney associated with white trash central!!!

You are entitled to your opinion and can shop where you like, and NO I would not care to see Wal-Mart involved with TDS, but your comment above isn't very nice about those who choose/like to shop at Wal-Mart.

 

[tdsryan]

Forget the white-trash customers. What about the employees at Wal-Mart? I like to call them "Marties", kinda like carny folk. There are different types of Marties. The most prevelant type is the 18 to 25 year old girls with the 1980's overpermed hair or modified mullet cut. They are also usually knocked up. Then there are the disturbing old men at the front door. Don't even get me started on the chain gang... err... the flow team that stocks the store at night at the 24 hour Wal-Mart Supercenter by my house.

Low Prices (and IQs) Everyday!

 

[mickey4ver]

Again, regardless of what anyone thinks of who shops/works or feels about Wal-Mart, the above references really are quite unkind to be posting. JMHO

 

[patsal]

Some of the comments have been unkind, yet I will not do business with a company (Wal-mart) that pays their employees so little that even though they work full time they are entitled to benefits that come out of taxpayers pockets. I doubt it is worth my savings of a few dollars in the long run since my tax dollars have to supplement these workers incomes. I'd rather see no Disney store than one run by Wal-mart.

 

[IluvDisney326]

No, DISNEY CAN'T SELL TO WALMART
WHy would they? I haven't heard any reason to sell to walmart.

 

[mitros]

And don't forget those Rah! Rah! meetings they hold with the employees at different times of the day. They get all the employees to come together in some part of the store and tell them what a wonderfull job they are doing, then they all scream and cheer! {no extra money though} Talk about brainwashing!