Wal-Mart encourages workers to vote Republican

[notyoueither]

I've watched the effect of the drive for cheaper on computers, not just from Walmart.

I wonder about other durable goods.

Good for them if they have a good selection of fresh foods, but that's only one aspect of their business.

[snoopy369]

It's merely an example Their clothing is quite decent, also; compare to Old Navy for example, and you will find their clothing is MUCH more durable and long lasting.

Quality of things in general is going down - or has gone down, anyway - as people prefer things other than durability, which used to be more highly valued. Who cares if a computer is durable if you replace it every 3 years anyway?

[notyoueither]

Many people would like their purchase to last a lot longer than 3 years. Not everyone is a gamer.

The effect goes way beyond Walmart, but you could call it the Walmart effect, among other things.

Cheap **** that doesn't last, but it costs $1 less so consumers snap it up.

[snoopy369]

You should call it the Old Navy effect then.

Wal-mart is selling to people who WANT things to last longer. At least for their basic consumables (clothing and such), they make very high quality goods for the price, that last for years.

[notyoueither]

No, it's the Walmart effect (one of them).

The drive for cheap results in things having to give. They drive their suppliers harder than they do their staff. If you think that doesn't have an effect on the final product you are sorely mistaken.

The effect goes way beyond their stores though. They are the 800 lb. gorilla, so the rest of the chimps try to mimic the model.

[snoopy369]

If I knew more about you, i'd suggest you are talking about something you don't know anything about; while I have intimate knowledge of Wal-Mart both from knowing former employees and living in small towns and cities where Wal-Mart is a significant element.

Wal-Mart is about bringing quality products cheaply to the consumer. Many chains have tried and failed before and after Wal-Mart to bring cheap products to the consumer. The quality is why Wal-Mart is where it is today.

[notyoueither]

Sure, Snoop.

Made in China is the watchword for quality, I'm sure.

The effect I am speaking of is not found in just their stores.

[Kuciwalker]

Anyway, I don't see the problem with selling lower-quality goods to people willing to spend less. At worst Walmart is filling a market need...

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Anyway, I don't see the problem with selling lower-quality goods to people willing to spend less. At worst Walmart is filling a market need...

Sure.

I think most of the problem is with analysts and executives outside of Walmart.

The drive for cheap has taken over a large proportion of our consumer industries. The results are good for the consumer at the time of purchase and in the first 6 months after. Not so much if durability is desired.

[Kuciwalker]

If durability is desired you spend more. Duh?

Also, durability is overrated.

[notyoueither]

You have to find someone still making and selling that then.

Good luck when the drive for cheap has taken over the retail, distribution, and manufacturing sectors.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
Also, durability is overrated.

There are things I would rather spend $50 or $100 on once than $20 six or seven times in the same period of time.

It's called false economy.

Take Levi's, for example. I have not had a pair of Levi's last more then 12 months without shredding in some strange place for quite a while.

I used to be able to wear a pair of Levis for many years.

[Kuciwalker]

There are things I would rather spend $50 or $100 on once than $20 six or seven times in the same period of time.

Duh?

But there are things I would prefer not to spend $100 on once if it'll cost me $20 only twice in the same period of time.

It's called false economy.

You've presented absolutely no evidence whatsoever that your scenario is actually the case.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by notyoueither
You have to find someone still making and selling that then.

Good luck when the drive for cheap has taken over the retail, distribution, and manufacturing sectors.

So you're saying there's not enough demand to support production of the type of product you want, at the prices you want? Boo hoo.

[Provost Harrison]

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is mobilizing its store managers and department supervisors around the country to warn that if Democrats win power in November, they'll likely change federal law to make it easier for workers to unionize companies -- including Wal-Mart.

Well by the sound of some of the sh*t that Wal-Mart pulls, is that supposed to be a bad thing for their employees/slaves? I've When dealing with large corporations from an employee/employer relationship perspective, I think unions are a necessary counterbalance to the corporation steamrollering its employees. Balance of forces and all that...