Walmart

[justme]

Talking about big box stores .... who shops @ Walmart :rockon:??????

[KINGCHIP]

I avoid the place as much as possible, preferring to support local owners. I am stuck in that they are the only place in town to purchase ammo. Can't have enough of that with hunting season upon us.

Wish we had a Circle S

[grumpy]

I tend to agree with Kingchip. I go to Walmart because I know they will have something I can't find other places. I always shop local first. Even prescription drugs are available at Adkins at the same prices.

[mrdonkhan]

I know it is fashionable to rip on Wal-Mart and it is your right to do so. There is nothing I or anyone else in the world can say will change your mind but, here are several points to look at.

Wal-Mart is an example of the American Dream. It was a "local" store that grew into what it is today. The Walton family are billionaires. Ask any "local" owner and I bet they would love to grow their business where they can call themselves billionaires and leave their heirs with more money than they can now.

They provide a service that people want. If they didn't, they would be out of business. They hire locally. They pay taxes locally.

People come from all over the area, not just Marble Falls to shop there. I bet they also spend money at other places while they are in town.

Even if you don't shop there, you are reaping the benefits of having a Wal-Mart here.

[KINGCHIP]

Agreed, They hire and employ local people, and that's a good thing. I tend to find better quality and more knowledgeable assistance elsewhere, and local business needs the help so that they too can become billionaires. Not knocking Wallyworld, just prefer shopping elsewhere.

[springflower]

I gotta say that the only thing I go to Wal-Mart for is their day old bread.
I rarely by anything else. It's got to be a pretty good sale to grab my attention.
H.E.B is my favorite grocery store.
Ace for hardware and other items.
I avoid prescriptions.

[sunnye]

I have tried and tried to support local businesses for my shopping, you simply cannot. Our little boutiques in the area over charge for their items! If you have ever been to Market in Dallas you would be shocked and your eyes would open big time on this subject. I would love to be able to shop for clothing here instead of going to Austin but cannot afford to pay 100.00 for a pair of jeans I can get in Austin for 20-30....ridiculous.
As for Walmart? There are things you can only get there, they are not going anywhere and same thing on other items, tv's, plants etc., yes there are locally owned businesses that sell them but over charge! Besides Walmart was here before many of these other businesses. If you want to be successful, go off of your customer count not off of the few items you do get lucky and sell for overinflated prices.

[Nomos]

There is another dimension of Wal-Mart that goes unnoticed. They are a good community citizen. They donate a lot to local charities and to service clubs that do good works around town. They were also the first to open up to letting the Salvation Army bell ringers on the premises and now that effort funds most of the local SA budget.

[matokeya]

I have shopped at Wal-Marts all over the United States for over 18 years while doing Renaissance Festivals across the country. Mostly in their now nonexistent crafts department. When I didn't have time to order my supplies, I would go to Wal-Mart because I knew they had what I needed, when I needed it even if I had to pay retail and not wholesale for my supplies. Over the years, the quality of their merchandise has gone away and has been replaced with less than quality merchandise. I recently purchased 5 tables from them for my business and they all fell apart soon after I put them up. When I informed them of this, they did nothing. But, that's my own personal experience with them.

Yes, they do hire local people, which is excellent and they do contribute to the community which is also good. The one thing I do like about them is they hire Senior Citizens, and I admire them for that. People are always friendly from the time you walk into the store until you check out. I don't shop with them for groceries, but will, from time to time, get other items for my business. I mainly go there to get my prescriptions filled because it's less expensive there than where I live.

[Caretaker]

My biggest problem with wallyworld is all the China made goods.But another problem is that new remodel they just did. The employees told me that the wont get a bonus this year because of it.And the pharma is getting bigger and the bakery is getting smaller. Guess drugs are more important then fresh baked food.
Do i shop there.Seldom and when I do it is to look for clearanced out items.

[tamra30]

well, for one, we need a like button added! I shop WalMart, not really any other choice when you 'can't' afford our 'local' shops overpriced goods. they are inflatued prices, big time. and you can go into their stores and look at the tags, made in China and priced over one hundred dollars for a blouse,,,,please. it is good exercise to go and walk the strore and hopefully now that the remodel is complete they will restock their shelves. So this complaint to shop locally has been going on for over 20 years, yet they don't lower their prices for us 'little' folk. oh I live on the north side of the lake. :)
Happy shopping ya'll!

[JWebb]

I shop at Wal-Mart and appreciate the variety of merchandise and low prices. However, its founder was a man who strongly advocated American made products and would be very disappointed if he could walk the aisles today.

I shop the local shops whenever possible - which is when I am looking for something unique. They really can't compete with Wal-Mart who leverages their size to dictate prices from their vendors. Manufacturers covet space on Wal-Mart shelves and are willing to sacrifice their usual unit profit for the volume that shelf space brings. Since they get a much lower wholesale price than the local shops they can put a lower retail sticker on their products. The local shops very well may be making a smaller profit per unit than Wal-Mart does. They have to pay rent, utilities and payroll so please shop with them whenever it makes sense.

[matokeya]

I have an alternative when wanting to shop local and get a good deal to boot. Visit a craft show and buy from vendors who actually handcraft their products versus those to buy from wholesalers and sell at flea markets. Little know fact... there are a lot of crafters out there that this is their only way of making a living, whether they are retired or not. This isn't a hobby, as a lot of folks think, but it is actually a Small Business complete with all the licensing as a brick and mortar business. Many work from their home and either sell at craft shows or via the internet plus craft shows. Many will travel hundreds of miles to set up at a show hoping just to make their expenses back plus a little profit to boot. With the Holidays just around the corner, check out a few of the craft shows that are in the area. Kingsland has one next weekend. You might be surprised at what you find....not only quality, but handcraft items made here in the U.S.A. Plus...you would be shopping "local". How do I know all this? First hand...I'm a crafter and Small Business Owner.

[Caretaker]

I have an alternative when wanting to shop local and get a good deal to boot. Visit a craft show and buy from vendors who actually handcraft their products versus those to buy from wholesalers and sell at flea markets. Little know fact... there are a lot of crafters out there that this is their only way of making a living, whether they are retired or not. This isn't a hobby, as a lot of folks think, but it is actually a Small Business complete with all the licensing as a brick and mortar business. Many work from their home and either sell at craft shows or via the internet plus craft shows. Many will travel hundreds of miles to set up at a show hoping just to make their expenses back plus a little profit to boot. With the Holidays just around the corner, check out a few of the craft shows that are in the area. Kingsland has one next weekend. You might be surprised at what you find....not only quality, but handcraft items made here in the U.S.A. Plus...you would be shopping "local". How do I know all this? First hand...I'm a crafter and Small Business Owner.


Now that is one of the best suggestions I,ve seen in a long time.Plus Craft shows are also fun and a good reason to get away from in front of the idiot box.
I believe folks will see more of these shows coming back into full force real soon.

I hope you do well this season.

[matokeya]

Thank you Caretaker for your well wishes. I'll be at the Kingsland show this weekend. My booth is Time Flown Bye. Stop by and say hi if you are in the area. I'm one of the few people who demonstrates my craft and who can make something specific for you while you either watch, or shop.

Unfortunately, Kingsland doesn't advertise their shows that much. Guess they don't have a budget to do so, so I try to let as many people know about it as I can. I do know there are about 30 or so vendors at the show this year, which is really good for this show, and it does seem to be larger this year than previous years. They have food and live entertainment both days and I always enjoy the entertainment. These are also local people who volunteer their time every year and it makes the show so enjoyable.

[tamra30]

I love craft shows!! If you have facebook, post/advertise there to draw business. Sometimes the products are a bit pricey, but I do like the unique'ness of the products. I will post on my page. Good luck to all!

[matokeya]

I am on facebook, twitter and linkedin, all of which I do a moderate amount of advertising. I can't afford the ads that are on the right-hand side (FB), so I keep trying to remind all my "friends" about me and keep trying to entice them to visit my storefront/website for truly unique and practical gifts for everyone they know and buy gifts for. So far....nothing. Maybe no one is in the mood to buy yet. Don't know.

I have a business page on FB as well. It's called Time Flown Bye. Go there and check it out. Leave feedback. Make comments. I'd love it. :o)

Again, Thanks for the well wishes.