<p>Well, gotta disagree. Our Walmart has some employees who really will go out of their way to help you. Like I said, maybe our town is just more friendly.</p>
<p>“I’m very torn about Walmart. It is hard for me not to go there to stock up on specific items which cost 50% less there (Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar, for example).”</p>
<p>I am also torn but so many basic grocery items are so much cheaper then the exact same product at my local market. I don’t buy anything else at Walmart and I also spend quite a bit at the local market and farmers markets so at least I am spreading my money around.</p>
<p>I live within about 5 min. from Wal-Mart, I do not shop there because I do not shop anywhere, unless some family members send me for something specific thing and this most likely will be shopping on-line. I am too old, I just got lazy and besides, my H. loves shopping, so I let him to enjoy it. I know it is all TMI, but I jsut wanted to say that my NOT shopping at Wal-Mart does not indicate any positive or negative view of this business. I believe tht they create lots of jobs here in the USA, personally I have worked for one very well known businees that would have not existed if they did not have Wal-Mart as one of their customer. So, when Wal-Mart blink, everybody else out there say: “yes, sir”, they will not exist if they do not meet some new business requirments of Wal-Mart, as simple as that.</p>
<p>Wow, none of these complaints apply to our local Walmart. It’s well lit, it is NOT dingy or dirty, it’s recently been upgraded, and the employees there are very friendly.
We do not have a “Super Walmart” or a SAMS in our town, but the only grocery stores are an HEB Pantry store, Walmart and Kroger. I like Kroger for meat, HEB for produce, and Walmart for everything else. If I need to do a general shopping trip for everything, I go to Kroger.</p>
<p>The only complaint I have about our Walmart is that the selection used to be much better in almost every section except for housewares. It’s a drag that you can’t buy a simple pair of decent tennis shoes there anymore, and I often can’t find my favorite brands in the grocery section.</p>
<p>Will shop there when the location is convenient. There are a couple Walmarts directly on the path to and fro a few places we frequently drive to for other reasons. I’ve found some of their basic - used for one or two seasons - type of clothing to be of reqsonable quality. I’m referring to things like T-shirts, undershirt tank tops, and their 98% cotton night shirts which you can find for $5.99 if you don’t mind wearing a snowman or turkey on your nighty.</p>
<p>I do enjoy the ‘people of Walmart’ website. ;)</p>
<p>I hate our Walmarts. I have two that are close. I got to Target first. I recently bought kitchen stuff and went to Macys of all places. Nicer products and not much more expensive. I refuse to allow Walmart to dictate the market place.</p>
<p>I’m another fan of Wegman’s store brands. I buy all my paper products, detergent and such there. If I do go to Walmart, I always do self check-out.
I’m still finding it hard to believe 90% of Americans live within 15 minutes of a Walmart. Is that maybe 15 miles?</p>
<p>I’m surprised at your D’s treatment at Target. 3 of my 4 kids worked there and had a great experience. One stayed 3 years and was pushed up into management. While in college- they always honored her school schedule/time off requests. </p>
<p>Our WalMart is a dump and messy with long lines. I avoid it all costs. I have ordered on-line from them including some college furniture. Best price by far and free shipping.</p>
<p>Martharap, so funny you mentioned Cabot’s extra sharp cheddar. I specifically went to walmart to buy that item.</p>
<p>I shop at walmart because in my one horse town I have the choice of Meijer or walmart. I don’t think Meijer treats its employees that much better than walmart or Target for that matter so it doesn’t really matter that much. I chafe at my limited shopping options but there isn’t anything I can do about it. When I lived in a bigger town, I bought paper goods mostly at Target, fruit from the fruit market, meat from the meat market and groceries from an independent local grocery store. It sound like a lot of different places but all were very close and I buy meat in bulk and freeze it and it didn’t take that much extra time to shop locally. </p>
<p>I’ve also heard that Target is a terrible place to work. It’s sad because I love their business model. Unfortunately now I live an hour away. But I shopped there tons when it was 2 miles away.</p>
<p>Sorry^^^^that was for Martha. Anyway, I have noticed that the WalMart by my sister in Arizona is much nicer than ours- clean, orderly, well stocked, and friendly employees. Ours in So. Cal. Is so trashy!</p>
<p>My D worked at Target her senior year of high school. It was a fantastic experience. I shop there weekly. I have been in a Walmart twice. I walked out both times empty handed. Never again. They seem to have great prices on things that people buy all the time, but their prices on other items are out of line. The last time I went to a Walmart was on our way out to a camping trip. The glass on my Coleman lantern had broken. They wanted $18. I had just bought one a week before at an Ace hardware for $5… I think that people assume that all of the prices there are great.</p>
<p>The WalMart that’s nearest to our home (2 mi.) is about 8 yrs. old and was given a much needed refurbishing about a year ago. Most of the employees I’ve encountered have been pleasant and helpful, especially in the optical shop (which may be an independent operation - not sure about that.) </p>
<p>About two years ago, another WalMart opened 4 mi. in the opposite direction and I prefer to drive the extra distance to that store. It has better lighting and parking is easier since it seems to draw about 1/4 - 1/3 as many customers. I shop at WM about once every two months, so I don’t mind the trip taking a little extra time. I buy frozen foods not available at our regular grocery store, but not fresh produce or meats. For non-grocery items, I buy mostly “Made in USA” labeled merchandise there. You can guess how much that limits my shopping, although I was pleasantly surprised on my last visit. </p>
<p>Our area has lost three grocery chains in the last decade. Publix is the only major grocer left, so WalMart and Target have really picked up customers. Target is over three times the distance from us as the newer WM and is in an area with heavy traffic. The closest Costco is at least a 40 minute drive, so dh puts a cooler in his car and stops there when he has to attend a meeting near the store about once a quarter.</p>
<p>No, I don’t. Don’t even know where the closest one is. </p>
<p>I went to one, once, with my boss. That was enough for me.</p>
<p>I am a Target girl! Shop there several times a week. However, when we go to our cabin in the summer I shop at Walmart grocery part as that is the only store close to the cabin. I used to pack everything in coolers and haul it up but it is more convenient to stop there on the way. If I need something different for a specific recipe I have to bring that from home as Walmart rarely has what I need.</p>
<p>We are moving to a very rural area next year. The closest (regional no frills) grocery store is 10 miles away from our home. We drive a few more miles beyond that to arrive in the closest town of maybe 10,000 residents (pets inlcluded). It is the largest town in the county. People come from all over the county to shop there. Walmart and Lowes Home Improvements are the “go to” stores in town. Everybody goes to Walmart. It’s all there is. So yes, I guess I’m a Walmart shopper when we are at that house. The nearest Target is 25 miles away. Can’t really justify a 50 mile round trip drive to pick up basic stuff.</p>
<p>Where I currently live, I shop Target way more than Walmart.</p>
<p>Yes I shop at Wal-Mart. There are 4 Wal-Mart Super Centers and a 2 million s.f distribution center within 15 minutes of my home.</p>
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<p>I agree. I haven’t looked at that web site in over a year. Always good for a few laughs.</p>
<p>I do believe that there may be quite a bit of difference in the level of customer service you receive depending on the part of the country where the store is located. A friend moved to Denver a few years ago. She couldn’t get over how friendly the store employees were compared to back east. In general, people were much friendlier, courteous, and laid back there.</p>
<p>I have a picture of 4 horses tied to one of the lightposts in the parking lot of our Walmart. Of course, not a block away, I took a picture of the chickens in the Shell station parking lot.</p>
<p>I sent that horse picture to some of my European friends who got a HUGE kick out of it. The week prior I was vehemently assuring them that not everyone in Texas rides a horse into town, and we don’t all carry guns all the time…that it’s not like the wild west or something. And then I see that! LOL</p>
<p>I work at Wal-Mart (technically as a vendor for Wal-Mart stores but I think it is splitting hairs) I work in the book department. I think lonely old people must be attracted to the book department, they are always asking me what I have read recently or when a new book is coming out that they can’t remember the name, author, or subject of. We do sell lots of 50 shades of grey to people that I even doubt their IQ is high enough to read it.</p>