I will tell you Why Anti-Walmart - Page 6

[bigeyes]

Originally Posted by llamalluv

Why the assumption that it's ONLY because of the import issue?

It isn't. But that is one of the most often cited reasons for not shopping there, and other stores have the same merchandise.

Originally Posted by llamalluv

1. They treat workers badly - (i.e. scheduling them at times that employees specifically state during the application process that they cannot work, denying breaks, making employees clock out for breaks that should be paid, etc)

I had an acquaintance who was management for Target, treated terribly, and I've heard their employees are treated just as badly as Wal-mart employees. At Christmastime, when the bus ran late, he was denied his bonus because he was 10 minutes late for the Holiday meeting. All his hard work during the entire year went out the window because the city bus was late that day and a power tripping pencil pusher decided he should have left for work 4 hours early instead of 3 that day. It's the same place with a prettier facade. Give them some time and they'll grow to be the same monster.
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/50058/
http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/...any.cfm?id=295
according to this article, the only reason to boycott Wal-mart instead of Target is that they're bigger, not that they're worse.
http://www.wisebread.com/is-target-r...ad-as-wal-mart
Similar business practices, similar treatment of employees, just Wal-mart has been at it longer, so let's boycott them and shop at Target.

Originally Posted by llamalluv

2. Their health-care policy. (It is "unofficially" to let welfare/Medicaid provide health insurance for their employees.)

This article mentions that Target doesn't give their employees a much better deal than Wal-mart, but doesn't expand on that statement to give actual numbers or percentages.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortu...1782/index.htm
This article points out many similarities between the 2, and imo, Target seems to be worse, just smaller.
http://www.reclaimdemocracy.org/walm...get_better.php

Originally Posted by llamalluv

3. Poor quality merchandise.

This one kills me. Plastic crap and foreign made clothing is plastic crap and foreign made clothing, regardless of where you buy it. When you fall for marketing, you get what you deserve, and Target is the master of slick marketing.

Originally Posted by llamalluv

4. Their ad campaigns about buying more stuff to appease spoiled children. (My policy is to give all the needs, a few of the wants, and teach kids to be happy with what they have and to share.)

We don't even have a Target here yet, and we have Target ads on TV. All advertising is about getting you to buy something you don't need. If you believe anything different, you're fooling yourself.

Originally Posted by llamalluv

5. The stores are always dirty and unorganized.

A con man in a designer suit is still a con man. It's all packaging and marketing. And if you don't shop there, how do you know it's dirty and disorganized?

Originally Posted by llamalluv

6. I have been harassed by employees when leaving their stores - I was accused of theft when I refused to show what was in my bags of paid for merchandise.*

They don't harass people for stealing, instead they let them walk out and raise prices to cover the loss. Company policy says you let them walk out.
Be sure to click on the blue link, I worked for Toys R Us, and they had the same policy, you weren't allowed to stop shoplifters, but then when it came time for raises one of the reasons they used to deny them was that you didn't keep a lid on shoplifting losses.
http://www.ogresview.com/archives/592

Originally Posted by llamalluv

7. Their policies on dealing with suppliers - "give it to us cheap and fast - who cares about quality or your profit margin?"

This is covered in some of my links, Target has the same practices.

Originally Posted by llamalluv

8. The complete lack of care for the environment (such as leaving pallets of pesticide out in the rain...)

That is also covered in the links, both companies have the same practices.

Originally Posted by llamalluv

9. The savings are marginal - if they are even present. The last pair of jeans I bought were $15. The last pair that I bought at Wal*Mart were $22....same brand. I regularly buy our groceries at everyday prices that Wal*Mart can only beat during a sale.

2 sides of the same coin. A discount store is a discount store.

Originally Posted by llamalluv

10. The store is too big, the parking lots are too big, and I get hurt trying to maneuver through both between my bad back and fibromyalgia.

Ever been to a Super Target? Not much different from a Super Wal-Mart. I find most stores of any kind to be a pain for the same reason. Fibro sucks. But I also like 1 stop shopping with gas prices what they are, and living on an island, you go where you can find most of what is on your shopping list.

When it is reported that Target is associated with an item from a sweatshop, they deny it and pretend they knew nothing about it, just like Wal-Mart.
http://abcnews.go.com/business/holid...3989096&page=1
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...6/ai_n22469115
http://www.sunmt.org/gaptrial.html
http://www.laborradio.org/node/1727

According to No Sweat, Target is just barely scoring above Wal-Mart when it comes to stocking merchandise made with sweatshop labor.
http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/.../scorecard.cfm

When you add all these factors together, I'm not seeing a big difference in the 2 stores other than the packaging and advertising.

So explain to me again how Target is somehow better than Wal-Mart just because they're in a prettier package? You are falling for the packaging and marketing, which is exactly what they want you to do.

[happyhats]

I didn't know all that about Target, so thanks. I have known a few people to work at different stores and have all had really good experience, in different states. I know that the stores obviously aren't always the most ecologically sound, nor am I delusional about them shipping products from out of the country. I only shop at Target once in a blue moon, and now I may not even do that. Honestly, I'd rather support a mom and pop business with problems than a major chain.

[bigeyes]

Originally Posted by happyhats

I didn't know all that about Target, so thanks. I have known a few people to work at different stores and have all had really good experience, in different states. I know that the stores obviously aren't always the most ecologically sound, nor am I delusional about them shipping products from out of the country. I only shop at Target once in a blue moon, and now I may not even do that. Honestly, I'd rather support a mom and pop business with problems than a major chain.

YW. I was aware of this stuff, which was why I always got so irritated by the whole Target is better thing.

To me, governments who allow companies to get away with these business practices are the evil ones.

Think how much time and energy goes into protesting Wal-mart. Couldn't that time and energy be better spent changing the laws that allow big companies to exploit workers overseas or under-insure workers here?

[octobermoon]

Originally Posted by bigeyes

To me, governments who allow companies to get away with these business practices are the evil ones.

OK WHOAH! EVIL?! I think that statement is totally out of balance. This kind of language is definitely not compassionate and leaves a lot to be desired......... I do not agree when one starts viewing others as the BAD ones, which only makes the accuser the GOOD one. Where is the respect? Where is the kindness? NOT COOL! AND ANYWAY the thread is about WAL-MART NOT TARGET.

[AdinaL]

Thread is closed.

If you all would take the time to read the sticky at the top of this forum you will note that it says there is no debate in Activism. Threads are for a cause, and that's it. If you feel a counter cause is valid, submit a thread, but do not debate on the threads.