Walmart - The High Cost of Low Prices DVD

eldragon · Nov 10, 2005

Hi, anyone interested in buying a copy of the documentary "WALMART - the High Cost of Low Prices," being released November 15th .............

I bought a truckload of them and am selling them at cost.

I figured it's a public service to pass these around, it's not like you can buy them at your local Walmart!

Here is a link to ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6450270848

Or, you can contact me for other payment information.

I'm not making anything on these ........am selling them at cost ......and will ship them by priority mail the second I receive them ........which should be tomorrow (Saturday at the latest.)

Let me know.

Thanks!

Jamesaritchie · Nov 10, 2005

Nah

Nah, Wal-Mart saves me about $3,000 per year, not to mention gas money I save by doing one-stop shopping.

But I like that you're selling them at cost. Sounds just like Wal-Mart.

Mike Coombes · Nov 11, 2005

From the Ebay blurb, it sounds like Walmart are just doing what everyone else is. If you want to develoop a social conscience then Walmart are the tip of the iceberg - make some enquiries where your smart Nike sneakers come from, for example, the use of 3rd world child labour, etc.

As a side issue, Alan Bennet, British playwright and author, has urged readers NOT to buy his book through supermarket chains, discount book stores and Amazon. Why? You save yourself a bit of cash, but these places are killing the small independant bookstore that can't afford to offer the same discounts. These bookstores generally are the only places you can get 'less popular' works, or things that don't fit the mainstream, and when they go choice will be restricted still further.

eldragon · Nov 11, 2005

Nah, Wal-Mart saves me about $3,000 per year, not to mention gas money I save by doing one-stop shopping.

But I like that you're selling them at cost. Sounds just like Wal-Mart

Saves you $3k a year, but at what cost? That's what the documentary is about, which I havent' seen yet, but hope to see today.

Walmart used to buy things made in the USA, but apparently, that's not the case anymore.

They don't pay their employees a living wage, or provide usable, affordable health insurance, either.

The Documentary isn't necessarily saying "don't ever shop at Walmart." but it does apparently expose some things you shouldnt' buy at Walmart, like toothpaste, because Walmart apparently has a monopoly on toothpaste sales in the US.

If you are comfortable with one company having a monopoly on everything, and are satisfied because it saves you money, then by all means, do all your shopping at Walmart.

eldragon · Nov 11, 2005

As a side issue, Alan Bennet, British playwright and author, has urged readers NOT to buy his book through supermarket chains, discount book stores and Amazon. Why? You save yourself a bit of cash, but these places are killing the small independant bookstore that can't afford to offer the same discounts. These bookstores generally are the only places you can get 'less popular' works, or things that don't fit the mainstream, and when they go choice will be restricted still further.

I buy most of my books in thrift stores and used book stores, when I can. I almost never pay retail at Barnes & Noble, or Books a Million - the prices are unreasonably high.

While the author doesn't set the price for a book sold at a B&M store, he's also getting the same cut out of the original sale there that he would through a regular new book seller like Amazon (provided you are buying from Amazon, and not a used seller.)

There are so few independantly owned bookstores out there, I can't imagine how that will change.

Just like there are no mom and pop grocery stores out there, either. That's because they couldn't compete with Walmart and other chains like Walmart.

And, it's hard to pay more for something at a mom and pop store, when you can get it for less at walmart.

Anyway - I bought the DVD's from an activist group - so many are being distributed as a part of general awareness. They are trying to promote house parties, due to happen the 15th.

I am not kidding when I say I am selling them at cost. I hope I can sell them all at cost, and not lose any money.

eldragon · Nov 11, 2005

Also, this DVD won't put Walmart out of business, or change much, if anything about how business is done there.

But, wouldn't you feel better knowing the employees made a better salary and had insurance?

Would you mind paying ten cents more per item to know that they are at least considerate of their employees?

it's one thing to have a monopoly, but can't the monopoly also be fair to it's thousands of workers? And, since it's the largest retailer in the US, can't they buy products made in the US?

As United States citizens, shouldn't we be buying products made in the US, by adults under fair labor guidelines? Or, should we pay less for a product, knowing its made in China by an 8 year old who was paid a dime for a days work?

MadScientistMatt · Nov 11, 2005

eldragon said:
Walmart used to buy things made in the USA, but apparently, that's not the case anymore.

Depends on what section you shop in. There's a fair amount of products from China and Third World countries, but there are still American-made products to be found there. I've often found them if looking for high-end (for Wal-Mart) products, such as the steel-bodied Kitchenaid mixers or Coleman camping stoves.

Or did you mean they used to exclusively buy American products? Did they ever do that?

johnnysannie · Nov 11, 2005

I live within 50 miles of Wal-Mart's corporate headquarters and at one time spent a brief sojurn as a Wal-Mart employee.

To my knowledge, Wal-mart has never offered exclusively American made products. For one thing, that would be all but impossible to do in today's marketplace and sell at discount prices.

Second, be aware that many of the name brand items - RCA televisions, Kitchen Aid mixers, and many other items - are not always equally to what appears to be an identical item in another store. Why? Because Wal-Mart is large enough that they pay manufacturers to create a cheaper version of products that sell well so that Wal-Mart can market the item for less. Consumers figure they are getting the same tv or whatever but it's not always the case.

Third, increasing numbers of small American companies don't want to do business with Wal-Mart because they demand that the cost they pay be lowered. It turns into a terrible Catch-22 - the company gets forced into accepting less money for their merchandise and less profit but can't always say "no" to the retail giant.

In case anyone is wondering, yes, I do sometimes shop at Wal-Mart. In the rural Ozarks, it's a necessary evil (not to mention the fact that Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart Super Centers have driven many competitiors out of business). I do, however, try to shop elsewhere when I can and to patronize what few hometown, local businesses we have left.

It's true enough that Wal-mart does not treat workers fairly. I know. I've been one. I haven't seen the video - don't really feel that I need to - but most of the allegations about WM employees I've seen are true in my own experience.

Lyra Jean · Nov 11, 2005

Oh stupid Wal-Mart has said not to reply to posts like these. They think I'm a hardcore worker. I'm not, I'm just a regular employee.

Is it the best job in the world? No, but it's a lot better than fast food. In fast food you are treated like the scum of the earth by management and customers alike. I've had coworkers in fast food be cussed out by customers and management was like well they are right cause they are the customers. So I'd rather work Wal-Mart than fast food. So that's why I work at Wal-Mart. They hired me when no one else would.

No I'm not going to join a union. The government takes enough of my money. I'm not going to give it to other people freely.

America had their own period when child labor was used. America expects other countries to become like ours in a few months or couple of years but it took us 200 years to get where we are now. Why would we think it would take less time for other countries to do the same?

eldragon · Nov 11, 2005

No I'm not going to join a union. The government takes enough of my money. I'm not going to give it to other people freely.

When you are part of a union, your dues, which can be as little as $16 per month (culinary union, for instance,) provide you and your family with excellent health insurance, and keep your employer for firing you without just cause, and demand that you are paid a living wage.

$16 per month for health insurance?

I should know, because I was a member of the culinary union for over 10 years . I had a baby for $250, and that was a surgical delivery. My doctor's co-payments were about $10, or less. Prescriptions were $5, or generic, $1-3.

I was a cocktail waitress in a casino, and I started out making $6.50 per hour, plus about forty thousand dollars a year in tips. Every single year, I got a quarter raise. That was in 1989, by the way. Non-union jobs, working for the same company, were paying $5.50 per hour. MIN wage was $3.85.

I paid $16 per month to be in the union, which in turn, provided me with free health insurance, free retirement fund, and enough support to see that I never had to worry about losing my job, unless I did something really, really bad.

Seems to me like that's money well spent.

Walmart would love to have you think that unions take your money. But, the only money a union will take.........is from the employer, and you get it in your paycheck.

johnnysannie · Nov 12, 2005

I'd like to say that I'm very pro-union. I was raised on Unions and the tradition dates back as long as my family has been in the United States.

Having said that, however, let me say this: In many areas where Wal-mart operates, there are very few unions of any kind. For workers who have the choice of a job or the chance to go union and lose that job, the choice is going to be the job.

I am a former Wal-mart employee. Talking union would have ended my Wal-Mart career very quickly.

And, does anyone really think other chain retail stores treat employees that much better? My aunt works for a large grocery chain and she gets as much (or more) crap than when she also worked for Wal-mart. Wal-Mart is larger and so the attention focuses on the one corporation.

Anyone who thinks Wal-Mart is the worst employer should go to work in one of the poultry processing plants (the other BIG industry in the Wal-Mart home country around Bentonville, AR) and see which they prefer. The chicken plant pays more and offers better benefits but the work is much harder and the conditions are beyond description to most of y'all.

Vanessa · Nov 12, 2005

I think when Wal-mart advertised made in America, they were referring to the company being made in the USA. They used to label any merchandise that was made in America, but never advertise that all their product was made in America. Secondly, IMO, the only reason there's any media distractions with Wal-mart now, is because of angry ex-employees and the unions trying to tap into the biggest retailer in the world. Wal-mart is anti-union and they have a right to be that way, just as any other company with the right to operate as they choose. This whole thing can always be debated, but the result is most people shop there. They employ millions of people worldwide, and in most cases it is a one stop shopping experience. Most people, including myself complain about having to shop for a few items and walk in among a crowd of people. I hate that everytime, but I'm all done when it's over and I'm out of there. Plus their prices are better.

I know a few, nah heck I know many who work there and have for years and are very happy with their pay, insurance and job security.

Lyra Jean · Nov 12, 2005

Walmart would love to have you think that unions take your money. But, the only money a union will take.........is from the employer, and you get it in your paycheck.

I live in Florida. It's a right to work state. I don't care if Walmart fires me. Walmart is just a job not a career move for me. So mostly I just don't care.

LloydBrown · Nov 12, 2005

eldragon said:
The Documentary isn't necessarily saying "don't ever shop at Walmart." but it does apparently expose some things you shouldnt' buy at Walmart, like toothpaste, because Walmart apparently has a monopoly on toothpaste sales in the US.

By "monopoly", clearly you mean something other than "monopoly."

I've never purchased toothpaste at Wal-Mart in my life, ergo, no monopoly. Perhaps you mean "dominant market share?"

eldragon · Nov 12, 2005

Well, I think the official number is 75% of the toothpaste sales in America, but I'm not sure.

I'll be sure to update on that when the DVD arrives.

Don't get me wrong, people, I'm not standing outside of Walmart, holding a picket sign. It does have it's good points, most of which have noted already.

And, of course, there are worse places to work. Even not working might be worse.

As far as Walmarts insurance plan goes .........my ex-husband is a store manager of a Walmart in Montana. He is ordered by the courts to provide insurance for his daughter, my 16 year old.

So, he pays something like $100 per month, so that I have a card in my possession. The insurance doesn't cover doctor's visits, or prescriptions. It doesn't cover dental or vision.

It's only for hospitalization.

Most insurance plans that lousy are provided without cost to employees.

Providing employees with suitable insurance would encourage me to shop at Walmart more often. I believe that any company providing employment for a certain number of people, should do that.

I know the little guy employing 10 workers can't afford health insurance, hey, nobody can.

But Walmart can't get deals?

PS ..........Unions don't have to be local, they come to you.

Mentioning the word "union" at Walmart, gets an employee fired. The company will close an entire store, rather than allow a select few to organize.

You don't have to unionize every single job. But meat-cutters, mechanics, and other specialized trade workers have nothing to lose by organizing.

Unions get a bad rap because of propaganda spread by large corporations who object to them. Why? Because employees banding together to demand fair pay and insurance costs them money.

johnnysannie · Nov 12, 2005

If Wal-mart had a monopoly on toothpaste, Wal-Mart would be the ONLY place that anyone could buy toothpaste. Not so.

I myself buy toothpaste in other places such as Dollar General, Walgreens, Target. Since these retailers and others have toothpaste on the shelf, I think we're safe from a toothpaste monopoly.

Carole · Nov 13, 2005

johnnysannie said:
Why? Because Wal-Mart is large enough that they pay manufacturers to create a cheaper version of products that sell well so that Wal-Mart can market the item for less. Consumers figure they are getting the same tv or whatever but it's not always the case.

That explains the three vacuum cleaners, two coffee makers, two phones, two beard trimmers for hubby and two toaster ovens I have been through in the past two years...

Carole · Nov 13, 2005

johnnysannie said:
I'd like to say that I'm very pro-union. I was raised on Unions and the tradition dates back as long as my family has been in the United States.

Ditto on both points.

I remember when I was growing up, seeing on TV all the anti-union folks on the news bashing people like my father when the coal miners would be on strike. I couldn't understand their anger. If daddy hadn't been on strike with his co-workers...if the workers didn't strike, each time the contract ran out they would have lost the bulk of their benefits. It wasn't always about getting more...often, it was about fighting to keep the benefits they already had and that the company was trying to take away.

Daddy's always been a proud UMWA member. The union quite literally fed us when the men were on strike. They also set up clinics with doctors and nurses volunteering their time so the families could still have medical care because the company took away their medical benefits when the contract ran out. Daddy is retired now. Last year he had a very ugly battle with cancer. If not for his retiree union benefits, there would have been NO way mom & dad could have afforded the treatment that saved his life.

My brother in law was a UFCW rep until the day he died. My entire family is very pro union.

eldragon · Nov 13, 2005

I've never understood a worker being against a union, either. It makes no sense.

astonwest · Nov 13, 2005

Having seen the effects of labor unions in the aircraft industry, I myself consider myself strongly anti-union...

The mob mentality shown when unions go on strike is abhorable...vigilante-style tactics and the like.

With unions in place, a person cannot be fired unless a entire process is undertaken. Gross negligence is not an excuse to fire someone. Meanwhile, the person who needs to be fired can claim a medical injury, and be set for life.

With unions in place, your work ethic is not considered when layoffs come, instead it's based merely on seniority. And lo and behold, if someone in another department is more senior than you, even if you're the most senior person in yours, they can take your job and bump you off if they so choose.

Although particular workers may be getting far and above a "living wage", the unions cause them to believe that they should be getting much more...

Certainly, unions have done great work in the past with regard to living conditions, child labor, and many other hazards inflicted by companies. However, at some point, it became less about helping out workers, and more about money-grubbing...

in my opinion...

emeraldcite · Nov 13, 2005

They don't pay their employees a living wage, or provide usable, affordable health insurance, either.

I'm a teacher and barely paid a living wage...

I buy most of my books in thrift stores and used book stores, when I can.

This doesn't support authors or independent book stores.

Authors already received royalties when it was bought the first time. Only the consumer and the business make out on this one.

I occaisonally buy books at thrift stores, but more often than not, I try to buy them at locations where I know it won't hurt my favorite authors' sales.

I've never understood a worker being against a union, either. It makes no sense.

Depends on your union. Is it strong or weak? Weak unions that do little for the employees just takes money out of the pocket of the workers. Strong unions can do quite a bit, or lose you your job if you picket...

I'm pro-union, but it depends on how the union works. My father's union only negotiates a contract every few years, so he pays dues into the union for three years and gets an okay contract at the end with only a moderate pay raise. Does he earns back his dues in pay? Every couple of contracts maybe.

Not attacking you personally, just saw a few things that I felt strongly about. The reason everyone goes after Walmart is because it's gotten huge. If you look at Kmart, Target, and other stores of the ilk, you'll find the same practices. Why is everyone after Walmart? The same reason they went after Microsoft: they're big enough to notice and everyone uses it.

I thought the whole point to business was to get as big of the share of the market as you can...just be careful, if you're too good at what you do or too popular for consumers, everyone will come after you.

Ultimately, does the public want to go without Walmart and Windows?

Vanessa · Nov 13, 2005

emeraldcite said:
Ultimately, does the public want to go without Walmart and Windows?

Very good point!

Answer: I don't think so!

Celia Cyanide · Nov 13, 2005

Wal-Mart may have its good points, but I won't shop anywhere that allows its pharmacists to refuse to fill birth control and EC perscriptions, which Wal-Mart does. Everyone has their limits, and that is mine. I don't see why I should give money to any business that allows its employees to refuse to serve me and still get paid. I deserve better than that.

astonwest · Nov 13, 2005

Celia Cyanide said:
I don't see why I should give money to any business that allows its employees to refuse to serve me and still get paid. I deserve better than that.

Most businesses reserve the right to refuse service if they so choose. Many of them put up little signs to the effect.

Celia Cyanide · Nov 13, 2005

astonwest said:
Most businesses reserve the right to refuse service if they so choose. Many of them put up little signs to the effect.

I don't care. The majority of pharmacies have policies to fire pharmacists who refuse to fill perscriptions. I'll shop there.

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