Why do so many people hate walmart

[~Master~ Button Mash 2,307]

Well, we can agree to disagree with that, since this argument has lasted pages in this thread xD.

 

But anyways, what was the original topic again?

Good, I can agree with that. We shouldn't derail this thread anymore than we have. Plus it's almost 3:30 here and I should be heading to bed anyway. Fun debate, though, friend. /)

[~Sole~ 852]

Everypony is entitled to their own opinion but the problem is somepony might have an opinion about your opinion. Oh well, haters gonna hate I guess.

[BronyPony 575]

Everypony is entitled to their own opinion but the problem is somepony might have an opinion about your opinion. Oh well, haters gonna hate I guess.

What does this statement have to do with the topic? If your talking about our debate we had a formal debate. Debates are how we stop violent action.

[~Sole~ 852]

What does this statement have to do with the topic? If your talking about our debate we had a formal debate. Debates are how we stop violent action.

Actually, debates start more "violent action" then it stops. At least in my experiences. What I meant was the reason everypony like/dislike something is their buisness, until somepony dislikes that opinion and starts saying how wrong they are. Just imo.

[Blue Lightning 275]

Ok, first and fore-most, I work at Walmart. This might mean I know exactly what goes on my job, to others, you probably won't believe me, and I could understand that. My experience at the specific Walmart I work at, might not be able to speak for everybody who's ever been to Walmart. However, I know for a fact that the people who appreciate and don't appreciate the place are 50/50 in population. The major thing that turns people from a calm and collective customer to a monster tends to be our service. I know for a fact that if I'm told to do a price check, I try to do it as quickly as possible, because nobody ever has time to wait. Also we have several products in which are not labeled correctly. Ya know, that hat that was $3.00? it's actually $8.99, that sort of thing. If anybody is mad at Walmart, it's because of the class of people we work with. Walmart is supposed to be the most convenient store to go to, and if there is ANYthing that even SLIGHTY disproves that, the customer will get mad. No one ever goes to Walmart to be.. PATIENT!!!

As far as the workers themselves, most of them are just defending themselves because they act like the way customers treat them should bother them. I've learned to expect ANYTHING from ANYBODY because it will happen. Walmart is one of the most populated stores as well, so it is hard to take care of customers as immediate as everyone wants us to.

Examples of things I've seen at Walmart include: Parents letting their children hang around dangerous machinery (like the cart lifter, registers, behind the counter of certain registers where we sell tobacco, etc.), a customer who refused to show us the inside of a luggage bag before she bought it and she made a BIG deal about it, several customers getting mad because they were told to get off a line they didn't even get on yet, Parents abusing their children (One kid was pulling and pushing this cart back and forth with an older woman i believe to be an aunt or mother, and instead of going around and pulling the kid off the cart, she hits him with the cart), I had some Spanish lady squeeze a dog toy in my face, I even saw this kid choke his sister (6-9 years old maybe so it was alright I suppose), drop her on the ground, and then blame it on her.

These aren't anything compared to the people that get involved in thievery though. We have a police car there like once a week as if it's required. 80% of the workers are nice at my job if anyone is wondering why Walmart sucks. JUST LOOK AT YOURSELF!!!

[TailsIsNotAlone 3,695]

I don't know when this became a debate about government regulations. I don't really care about those. They don't work, at least not for long these days--but let's not even bother with the myth that the government and large businesses have different goals. Their boots have been under the same bed for a while now, folks.

 

But on to economics. The free market ultimately bends to the whims of the people. In some ways, it's far more flexible and easily influenced by us than the government is. The fact is that if we cared enough to prevent the rise of a depressing corporate empire, there wouldn't be one. We didn't have to shop at these places and we don't have to today. And even if the people don't like it, this too shall pass. Organized cities and downtown areas took the place of bazaars and farmer's markets, malls and supermarkets weakened the downtown areas, and WalMart and similar companies are now taking the place of the malls and supermarkets.

 

Eventually, something will take the place of WalMart--probably well within our lifetimes. As our unease about these huge, spiritless places grows, eventually the market will trend back toward smaller places again.

 

And I'll be glad when it does, because that was a damn lousy place to work. I was happier at McDonald's with minimum wage.

Edited March 31, 2013 by TailsIsNotAlone

[Gone Airbourne 21,977]

Oh god and I just now started working here everything blue lightning said is so true... But hey it's a job at least and I am just thankful to have one.

[Scootalove 10,689]

I never really understood the hate towards Walmart either. All corporate businesses try to stay in business, and the reason Walmart is still in business is not because of protesting it is because of the people that shop there. Without the customers, there wouldn't be a Walmart at all and the small businesses that it put out of business would be back in business. Here is how it works, Walmart has a lot of money because of it's sponsors and the customers. So don't blame Walmart for becoming popular, your money contributes to it.

[BronyPony 575]

I don't know when this became a debate about government regulations. I don't really care about those. They don't work, at least not for long these days--but let's not even bother with the myth that the government and large businesses have different goals. Their boots have been under the same bed for a while now, folks.

 

But on to economics. The free market ultimately bends to the whims of the people. In some ways, it's far more flexible and easily influenced by us than the government is. The fact is that if we cared enough to prevent the rise of a depressing corporate empire, there wouldn't be one. We didn't have to shop at these places and we don't have to today. And even if the people don't like it, this too shall pass. Organized cities and downtown areas took the place of bazaars and farmer's markets, malls and supermarkets weakened the downtown areas, and WalMart and similar companies are now taking the place of the malls and supermarkets.

 

Eventually, something will take the place of WalMart--probably well within our lifetimes. As our unease about these huge, spiritless places grows, eventually the market will trend back toward smaller places again.

 

And I'll be glad when it does, because that was a damn lousy place to work. I was happier at McDonald's with minimum wage.

The free-market in a democratic society does not cause the rise of corporate empires, in a power sense. However, it allows multiple businesses to provide services to people.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

They sell shit cheap, and I'm not made of money, therefor I like them. I have a Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Menards, Target, and Kohls here, and WM is usually the cheapest and has what I need.   

[TheEngineer 188]

Because they hate capitalism.  Listen people, Walmart doesn't force anyone to work for them, and if people didn't think that their wages were fair they wouldn't accept them and they'd quit.  People don't need work, they can run off into the forest and survive on leaves any time they want

I really don't hate capitalism, I'm in favor of a mixed economy and I still am not a fan of Wal-Mart.

 

People that blame Wal-Mart for their "exploit" of overseas opportunities need to do a bit of business themselves before judging a business by the way the media does portray them. Though I am against the exploitation of some bad conditions you have to look at what Wal-Mart has to deal with. With the government regulations of the United States, the problem is Wal-Mart can't really pay that amount in the U.S., especially with the minimum wage. If you owned your own business your task is to find the cheapest way to run one. If there is an opportunity the natural reaction is to use that system. In fact, people should be blaming the foreign governments and our own government for this issue, not the businesses.

 

Though I admit Wal-Mart sells cheap items, the question is why? Because most likely with the amount of government taxes imposed on products it is kind of impossible to actually give something with good quality.

 

Wal-Mart, a company whose profits are in the billions and grow every year (including this one), can afford to pay their producers in other nations a few extra dollars per person and give more back to the economies which make up a substantial part of their supply chain. 

 

Government regulations in the US also are really not that awful and corporate tax rates are not as burdening as some would claim. If you want a counter-example of a company that has made profits and paid people more, an easy example is CostCo. which has not only done extremely well in the market, but, in addition to a $40,000+ a year salary for employees, offers them an attractive healthcare package. Big businesses do not have to cut back on worker's salaries either in the US or abroad to be successful, such a claim only holds up in arguments because people assume it is the only way. Instead of the only way, in fact, it is the least ethical way to create profits. 

Edited March 31, 2013 by TheEngineer

[Modphase 1,271]

The reason why I don't like Walmart, is not because it kills of businesses, I understand that that's what happens when a company starts from the bottom and becomes successful. The winner takes all.

 

The reason why I don't like Walmart is because it's pretty gross. The low ceilings, the weird lighting, and dirty floors. There's just something about the whole store that makes me want to leave and go to Target to shop instead. I will admit they do have a really good electronics section.

 

 

People really shouldn't hate on Walmart because of their business. Walmart does contribute a lot to the economy.

Edited March 31, 2013 by Modphase

[Zacharias 191]

I've heard a lot of bad shit about Walmart, especially Chinese people suffering to produce their cheap-ass products, but I don't have a personal experience with them, because THANK GOD, there's not a single Walmart store over here in Hungary, and I wish it's gonna stay that way.

[Inactive01 5,299]

The very simple answer is that Walmart gives us a lot of crap products that don't work, even if they're at a cheap price. That cheap price is maintained because they provide lower wages to their workers and poor working conditions.

[Goodra 531]

It really depends on the one you go to; Ive been to a pretty "ghetto" Walmart where the people were rude and barely understood me but ive been to other walmarts where the people were nice and seemed like they loved to talk/serve you. 

[BronyPony 575]

I really don't hate capitalism, I'm in favor of a mixed economy and I still am not a fan of Wal-Mart.

 

 

Wal-Mart, a company whose profits are in the billions and grow every year (including this one), can afford to pay their producers in other nations a few extra dollars per person and give more back to the economies which make up a substantial part of their supply chain. 

 

Government regulations in the US also are really not that awful and corporate tax rates are not as burdening as some would claim. If you want a counter-example of a company that has made profits and paid people more, an easy example is CostCo. which has not only done extremely well in the market, but, in addition to a $40,000+ a year salary for employees, offers them an attractive healthcare package. Big businesses do not have to cut back on worker's salaries either in the US or abroad to be successful, such a claim only holds up in arguments because people assume it is the only way. Instead of the only way, in fact, it is the least ethical way to create profits. 

Again, this is all false. Instead of looking at directly the money they make, you also have to think of the costs of owning a business, such as property taxes and the higher-income tax and all the regulation that occurs that causes millions of dollars to be wasted. Look at how much money they have to pay their workers with the minimum wage and the millions of workers they have. Then you have to look at the amount of money needed to pay for the products to sell. It ain't much for a business when looking at it from an economic perspective.

[Icy Wonderbolt 34]

Walmart is ok. I have no problem with it but I think many people hate it because they do stupid stuff that gets them kicked out and then they get so angry about why they can't go in anymore.

[TheEngineer 188]

Again, this is all false. Instead of looking at directly the money they make, you also have to think of the costs of owning a business, such as property taxes and the higher-income tax and all the regulation that occurs that causes millions of dollars to be wasted. Look at how much money they have to pay their workers with the minimum wage and the millions of workers they have. Then you have to look at the amount of money needed to pay for the products to sell. It ain't much for a business when looking at it from an economic perspective.

I understand that there are maintenance costs and property taxes, absolutely. But if they are so burdensome, then how is it that Costco can afford them and pay their employees more than triple of what Wal-Mart does with added benefits while still growing by 8% in one quarter of 2013? 

[BronyPony 575]

I understand that there are maintenance costs and property taxes, absolutely. But if they are so burdensome, then how is it that Costco can afford them and pay their employees more than triple of what Wal-Mart does with added benefits while still growing by 8% in one quarter of 2013? 

Who says Costco doesn't have the same burdens? Also, Costco doesn't sell the same products as Wal-Mart in most cases. There are other factors and how different businesses are run.

[TheEngineer 188]

Who says Costco doesn't have the same burdens? Also, Costco doesn't sell the same products as Wal-Mart in most cases. There are other factors and how different businesses are run.

Again, property tax rates are, at most 8% while the burdens of taxes and other expenses are actually at an all time low for many corporations even as their profits increase. 

 

Unfortunately, this is precisely because of outsourcing and that the government takes it easy on corporations that do exploit labor overseas. Again, I just don't think you can justify the hefty ethical costs of wage slavery just to pay less to run a business. Businesses, just like everyone other entity, are bound by certain ethical and moral standards. 

[BronyPony 575]

Again, property tax rates are, at most 8% while the burdens of taxes and other expenses are actually at an all time low for many corporations even as their profits increase. 

 

Unfortunately, this is precisely because of outsourcing and that the government takes it easy on corporations that do exploit labor overseas. Again, I just don't think you can justify the hefty ethical costs of wage slavery just to pay less to run a business. Businesses, just like everyone other entity, are bound by certain ethical and moral standards. 

Well, that was because of Sequestration(proposal by the Republican party, mind you), which itself is still not a solution to the problem.

 

There is no such evidence that corporations and government work together on this. All businesses are bound by ethical standards, but the point is businesses provide services that people do not have to accept. If you don't agree with their way of doing things(which there is no evidence that they are doing anything wrong) then simply don't buy from them. In fact, most of the time I grow my own plants for food.

 

In fact, there have been more government scandals than corporate scandals.

[TheEngineer 188]

Well, that was because of Sequestration(proposal by the Republican party, mind you), which itself is still not a solution to the problem.

 

There is no such evidence that corporations and government work together on this. All businesses are bound by ethical standards, but the point is businesses provide services that people do not have to accept. If you don't agree with their way of doing things(which there is no evidence that they are doing anything wrong) then simply don't buy from them. In fact, most of the time I grow my own plants for food.

 

In fact, there have been more government scandals than corporate scandals.

All I'm saying is that outsourcing labor and paying people minimal wages overseas should be outlawed. Until then, we need not spend money at places that abuse human rights on a regular basis. 

 

...and no evidence of them doing anything wrong? Paying workers pennies overseas who work for long hours is not morally wrong? 

[BronyPony 575]

All I'm saying is that outsourcing labor and paying people minimal wages overseas should be outlawed. Until then, we need not spend money at places that abuse human rights on a regular basis. 

 

...and no evidence of them doing anything wrong? Paying workers pennies overseas who work for long hours is not morally wrong? 

Well, considering the fact that these other countries also have adopted Socialist policy is the cause of this. In fact, most likely companies are forced to pay that low because if they pay any higher the people of those countries would have to pay more taxes, therefore it ain't a help to those people anyways.

 

Also, you have to consider the following: If companies can't even afford to do all of their business in the United States, is it truly the business's fault? No, it is the government's fault for implanting pointless regulation, such as the minimum wage.

[TheEngineer 188]

Well, considering the fact that these other countries also have adopted Socialist policy is the cause of this. In fact, most likely companies are forced to pay that low because if they pay any higher the people of those countries would have to pay more taxes, therefore it ain't a help to those people anyways.

 

Also, you have to consider the following: If companies can't even afford to do all of their business in the United States, is it truly the business's fault? No, it is the government's fault for implanting pointless regulation, such as the minimum wage.

 

I'm really not thinking that's the cause. China is not socialist at all, but is a capitalist Communist state with minimal regulation; thus they have a large problem not only with labor but with pollution (much more-so than the US). I don't think that those people would have to pay taxes on their income at a rate anywhere close to the US' current income tax rate. 

 

And, though I believe that the US government should abolish the income tax (along with every other tax) and establish a national sales tax (thus making business easier in the US), I also know that businesses have ethical choices. They are not just helpless victims of regulation who have no alternatives than to pay their workers minimally in every case. 

Edited March 31, 2013 by TheEngineer

[BronyPony 575]

I'm really not thinking that's the cause. China is not socialist at all, but is a capitalist Communist state with minimal regulation; thus they have a large problem not only with labor but with pollution (much more-so than the US). I don't think that those people would have to pay taxes on their income at a rate anywhere close to the US' current income tax rate. 

 

And, though I believe that the US government should abolish the income tax (along with every other tax) and establish a national sales tax (thus making business easier in the US), I also know that businesses have ethical choices. They are not just helpless victims of regulation who have no alternatives than to pay their workers minimally in every case. 

China has many problems, especially with the policies they have. The problem is companies from the United States are forced to pay such low amounts because of the government regulations there and the government regulations back in the United States(export tax, travel tax). With the amount of money it takes to do such things, it hinders on business profit and employee payment.