Poppa_Zit wrote:[I never thought about it before, but the things I buy at WalMart do require frequent replacing -- GE light bulbs, Scott toilet paper, Bounty paper towels, Gillette razor blades, Edge shaving cream, Old Spice deoderant, Anco wiper blades, Pennzoil engine oil, Fram truck air filters, Planters peanuts, M&Ms peanut, 2-liter bottles of Coke Zero, Hallmark greeting cards, dog chewies, Scott's fertilizer, rolls of 35mm Kodak and Fuji film, Maalox antacids, milk, Campbell's soup, Coffee Mate, those $4 prescriptions... the list of "less durable" products they have hypnotized the American public into buying could go on forever.
Really, though - most of those items are also available at my local grocery store, and have been for years.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Dweezil wrote: Then there is the part where demand for quality merchandise drys up due to patron's succumbing to the "cheaper is better" philosophy...driving the quality products out of the market place, but since you said you didn't want to go there, I've purposefully been avoiding it.
Then there is the part where demand for quality merchandise drys up due to patron's succumbing to the "cheaper is better" philosophy...driving the quality products out of the market place, but since you said you didn't want to go there, I've purposefully been avoiding it.
Maybe this is true where you live, but not here. You fail to give people any credit -- they know exactly what they're buying at WalMart. Only a fool would expect high quality at discount prices -- and keep returning to buy more of those items.
In some cases, it is all some people can afford.
I bought some WalMart furniture when I got my first apartment because that's all I could afford at the time. It worked fine -- the bookcase was a step up from boards across concrete blocks.And I didn't expect heirloom quality, either.
Why are you so upset with the success of companies like WalMart and Microsoft?
Poppa_Zit wrote: Why are you so upset with the success of companies like WalMart and Microsoft?
I think that your attempt to typify my position as being 'upset over their success', is a misspent exploratory.
I see it more as calling a spade a spade.
(I fail to see where Microsoft belongs in this discussion, I doubt seriously if they even have a siding)
Dweezil wrote:(I fail to see where Microsoft belongs in this discussion, I doubt seriously if they even have a siding)
Probably not, but I believe you can see Bill's house from the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train....
Poppa_Zit wrote: You fail to give people any credit -- they know exactly what they're buying at WalMart. Only a fool would expect high quality at discount prices -- and keep returning to buy more of those items. In some cases, it is all some people can afford.
Ok then, so you agree that the perception of Walmart merchandise as lower bin, is not unfounded?
What I'm saying in context with this thread is that "lower bin" tends to be less durable.
Less durable means the more you use (whatever) the greater the likelihood that you'll need a replacement, sooner or later.
Need for a replacement = another haul enjoyed by the logistics provider.
So, the greater acceptance of this quality (lesser durability) of product plays out into repeat business for the railroad.
Dweezil wrote: Poppa_Zit wrote: Why are you so upset with the success of companies like WalMart and Microsoft? I think that your attempt to typify my position as being 'upset over their success', is a misspent exploratory.I see it more as calling a spade a spade. (I fail to see where Microsoft belongs in this discussion, I doubt seriously if they even have a siding)
Why, we've been over this ground once before in the last two years, where you expressed exactly the same WalMart opinions -- using your other ID. And nothing's changed, has it?
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1/885456/ShowPost.aspx#885456
tree68 wrote: Dweezil wrote:(I fail to see where Microsoft belongs in this discussion, I doubt seriously if they even have a siding) Probably not, but I believe you can see Bill's house from the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train....
LOL!
Poppa_Zit wrote:[ Why, we've been over this ground once before in the last two years, where you expressed the same WalMart opinions -- using your other ID.http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1/885456/ShowPost.aspx#885456
Why, we've been over this ground once before in the last two years, where you expressed the same WalMart opinions -- using your other ID.
Great minds think alike
tree68 wrote: Poppa_Zit wrote:[I never thought about it before, but the things I buy at WalMart do require frequent replacing -- GE light bulbs, Scott toilet paper, Bounty paper towels, Gillette razor blades, Edge shaving cream, Old Spice deoderant, Anco wiper blades, Pennzoil engine oil, Fram truck air filters, Planters peanuts, M&Ms peanut, 2-liter bottles of Coke Zero, Hallmark greeting cards, dog chewies, Scott's fertilizer, rolls of 35mm Kodak and Fuji film, Maalox antacids, milk, Campbell's soup, Coffee Mate, those $4 prescriptions... the list of "less durable" products they have hypnotized the American public into buying could go on forever. Really, though - most of those items are also available at my local grocery store, and have been for years.
Same here, at all of our local grocery chains (7) in the Drug and Sundries aisle. Also at the stores of three national drug chains we have locally. But WalMart's prices on these things are probably 40 percent cheaper, though, and that's why I make a WalMart run once every two months or so and fill up a cart.
Man, just look at the explosive growth in the number of views this thread has enjoyed, relative to the overall number of posts.
Proof positive that "taboo" sells.
Dweezil wrote: Man, just look at the explosive growth in the number of views this thread has enjoyed, relative to the overall number of posts.Proof positive that "taboo" sells.
We're just waiting for your friend, Convicted One, to join the party.
So does the high number of views to the low number of posts make this a 'Low Bin' thread?
Dan
Dweezil wrote: Murphy Siding wrote:I'd be fairly certain, that lower cost providers have been around as long as money has been around. I'd even wager that throw-away products have been around for a few years as well. Made in Japan....made in Taiwan...made in Mexico...made in China...etc. We'll always have a low cost labor provider somewhere in the world for manufactured goods. Yes, but before all that finely "honed" marketing expertise went to work making lower bin products ubiquitous, it mattered less, because the slice of the pie was smaller. Then there is the part where demand for quality merchandise drys up due to patron's succumbing to the "cheaper is better" philosophy...driving the quality products out of the market place, but since you said you didn't want to go there, I've purposefully been avoiding it.
Murphy Siding wrote:I'd be fairly certain, that lower cost providers have been around as long as money has been around. I'd even wager that throw-away products have been around for a few years as well. Made in Japan....made in Taiwan...made in Mexico...made in China...etc. We'll always have a low cost labor provider somewhere in the world for manufactured goods.
Yes, but before all that finely "honed" marketing expertise went to work making lower bin products ubiquitous, it mattered less, because the slice of the pie was smaller.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
nanaimo73 wrote: We're just waiting for your friend, Convicted One, to join the party.
gee, I've never heard you sound bitter before.
CNW 6000 wrote: So does the high number of views to the low number of posts make this a 'Low Bin' thread?
No, I think what it shows is, that controversial topics build interest better than the more bland topics, so long as the participants keep it light, and take nothing personal.
Of course I'm sure that some mod would have loved to put the clamp on this thread after the 6th post, out of concern of "where it might lead", but the fact remains that it was never necessary, (so they didn't) and a keen interest item blossomed as a result
Murphy Siding wrote: Does Walmart cause the railroads to compete harder for it's business?
I'd like to think that the railroads take more of an Al Perlman approach towards Walmart. Custom tailoring a service package tuned to their specific needs, but then priced accordingly to assure an adequate return
I love Wal-Mart. Their toilet paper, although cheap, never fails to leave me feeling clean and refreshed. Dare I say it flushes nicely too. Oh and the Listerine! Tastes the same as the Pick N Save variety but without the price. I've traveled far and wide to look for a high quality cat litter to take care of Mr. Bingle's blowouts, and I've discovered that Wal-Mart's litter is real good at covering up those 'whoopsie-daisies' and making everything clean and fresh smelling, even if kitty had a major problem with is #2.
One time, in a state of desperation, I was driving around madly trying to find some playbox sand. I couldn't believe what Menard's wanted for their sand and I decided that there can't possibly be that much of a difference between Wal-Mart sand and Menard's sand so, being the terrible union member I am, I joined the dark side and patronized a Wal-Mart store. After seeing their prices on toiley paper and towels, I realized that I was in for a treat. I found that playbox sand. And this happy Wal-Mart shopper has been back for playbox sand and much more ever after.
Most of what Wal-Mart sells is disposable. I could give a crap if their crap paper is crappy (tee-hee).
The fact that the railroads are getting business of off my clean rear end makes me even more excited to visit my local Wal-Mart, right next to my local McDonalds. After a few rolls of toilet paper and some burgers my wife and I will swing by Starbucks and give those greedy capitalists even more money. Life in this great nation of ours can be cheap and enjoyable at the same time. I refuse to feel bad about it.
Dweezil wrote: Murphy Siding wrote: Does Walmart cause the railroads to compete harder for it's business? I'd like to think that the railroads take more of an Al Perlman approach towards Walmart. Custom tailoring a service package tuned to their specific needs, but then priced accordingly to assure an adequate return
closed circuit to Mr. Dweezil: I found the word: (vilify), which doesn't seem right, since villian has 2 l's in it. Live and learn. Hope you can sleep better tonight, and that you're not sic(k).
One family member once worked wally for a time.
I watched this money flowing back from wally paycheck back out into the spending inside the store each month.
Falls Valley RR wrote: One family member once worked wally for a time.I watched this money flowing back from wally paycheck back out into the spending inside the store each month.
And the point is?
The point?
Let's see... riffles Budget pads...
first month 340
Second month 600
Third month 800
forth month 400
The income was a bit over a thousand dollars per month net. ALOT of it went right back into wally.
That got stopped right quick. We go once a month with a 150- shopping list.
That one trip has pretty much removed our local grocery store's 350 dollar budget with thier flagging morale and expired food products.
I think it is pretty good.
Murphy Siding wrote: closed circuit to Mr. Dweezil: I found the word: (vilify), which doesn't seem right, since villian has 2 l's in it. Live and learn. Hope you can sleep better tonight, and that you're not sic(k).
I was feeling petty at the time, and my general impression of spelling and grammer na.zis is that they are usually driven by pettiness. Just something about the "attack the messenger" mentality that puts me in that frame of reference
Dweezil wrote: nanaimo73 wrote: We're just waiting for your friend, Convicted One, to join the party. gee, I've never heard you sound bitter before.
I'm not bitter. Perhaps disillusioned.
I find you to be one of the more interesting members of the forum. Currently I'm trying to figure out if you are bitter at Walmart, or just the people that shop there.
FutureModal had a lot of bitterness for BNSF, with the opinion that they were helping the Chinese destroy your economy. Is that how you view Walmart?
If you are looking at discussing a different topic, perhaps the effects of Robert Young's suicide would be of interest. How about Teddy Roosevelt? Did he damage the United States when he forced Harriman to drop SP?
Falls Valley RR wrote: The point?Let's see... riffles Budget pads...first month 340Second month 600Third month 800forth month 400The income was a bit over a thousand dollars per month net. ALOT of it went right back into wally.That got stopped right quick. We go once a month with a 150- shopping list.That one trip has pretty much removed our local grocery store's 350 dollar budget with thier flagging morale and expired food products.I think it is pretty good.
OK. But it has nothing to do with WalMart -- which bears no responsibility with what your relative does with the paycheck he/she earned there.
It has everything to do with your family member's responsibility in handling his/her finances.
Why would you shop at a store with poor moral and expired food products? (Your language is ambiguous as to whether you are talking about WM or the grocery store.) Selling expired food products is against the law. Call your local FDA office and make a complaint.
The store is working hard to improve the products and progress is made. However the damage has been done and hundreds of new shoppers go to the supercenter to shop leaving the have nots trapped.
There are rumors that a super center will be built in the local area which will pretty much crush the local town's store. Ive seen this happen many times.
The budget is fixed and running profitably. Being inside a store filled with buy buy buy buy while working was the problem. We got the family member away from there. Almost like keeping a compulsive gambler away from casinos.
Wally is good for us but at the same time, not so good.
nanaimo73 wrote:. Currently I'm trying to figure out if you are bitter at Walmart, or just the people that shop there.
Does it necessarily HAVE to be either? I (personally) do not believe so.
Simply because one may not happen to be enthused with a particular entity's...ethos, is no reason to brand them a "hater".....don't forget the shades of gray between black and white (goodness, one can only shudder to think if any prior member might have used that metaphoric analogy before, cueing all the 'noid types to fixate upon whether or not i am THAT one as well?)
For the record, I feel that I have defended my premise on this one, successfully. If the original author intended to limit the scope of "affects" we were permitted to ponder to exclusively those pertaining to competitive salesmanship, well then the time to set those parameters was when the thread was minted. Otherwise I feel my reference to second and third hauls for subsequent product replacement, has merit.
nanaimo73 wrote:FutureModal had a lot of bitterness for BNSF, with the opinion that they were helping the Chinese destroy your economy. Is that how you view Walmart?
If that WAS the case, the correct place to fix the blame would be on the politicians, for favoring capital over labor....but then that would be a forbidden topic.
nanaimo73 wrote: Dweezil wrote: nanaimo73 wrote: We're just waiting for your friend, Convicted One, to join the party. gee, I've never heard you sound bitter before.I'm not bitter. Perhaps disillusioned.I find you to be one of the more interesting members of the forum. Currently I'm trying to figure out if you are bitter at Walmart, or just the people that shop there.FutureModal had a lot of bitterness for BNSF, with the opinion that they were helping the Chinese destroy your economy. Is that how you view Walmart?If you are looking at discussing a different topic, perhaps the effects of Robert Young's suicide would be of interest. How about Teddy Roosevelt? Did he damage the United States when he forced Harriman to drop SP?
Back on *track*: A Teddy Roosevelt/railroad thread would be interesting. I'm afraid we're all going to get sic(k) of this thread soon.
Murphy Siding wrote: Most people can see the undeniable writing style of TheAntiGates / Convicted One/ Dweezil. If you believe in what you write, why the different identities? We're, for the most part. an anonymous forum. Do you need to be *more anonymous* sometimes? I don't get it.
Maybe it's best to chalk it up to the same reason your god put all the stars in the sky, ...for your wonderment
Maybe it's not important that you get it?
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