So what's the deal with Target? - Page 3

[carolm22117]

Originally Posted by SugarAndSun

I am not a fan of Target and actually don't shop there anymore, but I am wondering why how your son was treated badly. My dsd works there and loves it, though she has no knowledge of worker's rights, etc.

Oh,he wasn't really treated badly. There were just some things done with his schedule that he didn't agree with. Nothing illegal, just not exactly worker-friendly. We also feel that the job and the hours weren't honestly represented when he was hired on.

It was an eye-opening experience for him and for this mama.

[ASusan]

They don't play music in the store. It is such a pleasure to shop there. Not only is it clean, which several people have pointed out, but it is QUIET. I can think while I am shopping, and this, unfortunately, allows me to spend more time there, spending money. If a store has music, I am often driven out of it with just the bare necessities, if I bother to even buy anything at all.

[cloudswinger]

Originally Posted by shayinme

As for Target, yeah on the surface it looks better than Wal-Mart but IMO they really are not that far apart both strive to seperate you from your money buying things you often don't need. It just looks better.

Isn't that the whole point of a consumer society? If our society didn't have that consumer base, what would people do? I've pretty much decided that there really isn't anything I really need at most stores, except for food. I already feel like I have too much stuff.

[Inquiringmind]

I admit that end up spending too much money at Target. I end up buying clearance items that I don't really need.

[Tilia]

I like Target rather than Wal-Mart for a few reasons, but one is coupons. You can print Target store coupons off the internet, plus sometimes they come in the mail.

Today for instance, I went to Target to get diet coke because it was on sale. Plus, I had Target coupons for $1 off 2 twelve packs. It was a good deal!

Tomorrow if you buy 2 Luv's family packs of diapers, you get a free $5 GC. I have Target coupons for Luv's too. You can stack those with manufacturer's coupons.

I also like Target's toddler shoes. My daughter moves up a size every 2 months or so. I don't have to have expensive high quality shoes. They are cute for the 2 months we need them before she sizes up or the season changes.

[carolm22117]

Originally Posted by cloudswinger

Isn't that the whole point of a consumer society? If our society didn't have that consumer base, what would people do? I've pretty much decided that there really isn't anything I really need at most stores, except for food. I already feel like I have too much stuff.

Thread Hijack-

That's good question. One that I've wondered about. Has our society always been consumer-based? I don't think so, but what did people do before all this madness started? And when and why did it start? I know post WW2 had alot to do about it. But it just seems to have gotten so much worse lately. Even when I was a kid (I'm 37) things weren't like this or maybe I just wasn't aware of it then? What on earth do we do about it now? I mean we all can't go back to the Laura Ingalls days, but what can we/do we do now?

End Hijack.

[SugarAndSun]

Originally Posted by shayinme

Lack of dental care speaks to larger social issues, like the fact that so many low wage jobs offer either no benefits or they offer them but they are not affordable to many of the workers. More and more middle class folks also do not have access to dental care via jobs but generally are in a better position to scrape up the resources to see a dentist. Its not fair to judge folks by their teeth.

As for Target, yeah on the surface it looks better than Wal-Mart but IMO they really are not that far apart both strive to seperate you from your money buying things you often don't need. It just looks better.

Shay

I believe teeth are one of the main indicators of class. Things like that don't hapen by accident. Lower class people have poor teeth because, as you said, they do not have access to dental care. Target is after the middle class.

[Milky Way]

Originally Posted by SugarAndSun

I believe teeth are one of the main indicators of class. Things like that don't hapen by accident. Lower class people have poor teeth because, as you said, they do not have access to dental care. Target is after the middle class.

Exactly! The socio-economic status of people shopping at Target is signifigantly different that those shopping at Walmart. Why, I don't know, alot of their stuff is priced very similarly.

I choose Target over Walmart because Target is clean but more importantly Target is quiet. In fact no matter how many people are in Target it's still quiet and just all over more relaxing. Somehow thats the trick, the peace lets me ponder if I really need that one more scented candle and the answer is usually yes.

[umarider]

Originally Posted by carolm22117

Thread Hijack-

That's good question. One that I've wondered about. Has our society always been consumer-based? I don't think so, but what did people do before all this madness started? And when and why did it start? I know post WW2 had alot to do about it. But it just seems to have gotten so much worse lately. Even when I was a kid (I'm 37) things weren't like this or maybe I just wasn't aware of it then? What on earth do we do about it now? I mean we all can't go back to the Laura Ingalls days, but what can we/do we do now?

End Hijack.

In response to your question might I suggest reading Your Money Or Your Life, by Joe Domingues and Vicki Robin? In the prologue and Chapter 1 they provide some interesting insights into what is/has been going on with our comsumer society. I may not agree with everything in the book, but I am taking some of the ideas, adding them to ones from other sources, and developing a "Financial Sanity Plan" for my family.

[CorasMama]

Originally Posted by boysrus

What an incredibly classist comment.
On soooo many levels!!

Yep. I just had 3 extractions, myself. The combination of genetically weak enamel and several years of soul-crushing, could-barely-care-for-one-person-so-I-took-care-of-DD-not-me depression has done in my teeth. Sorry I couldn't swing the thousands of dollars for implants to make YOU all more comfortable. Luckily, they were back teeth, but even if they were front teeth, I don't know that they'd be getting replaced immediately. And sorry I'm going to have to wait til my $1500 yearly maximum insurance coverage resets in 11 months to get the visible cavities in my front teeth filled.

[I-Love-Alaska]

Originally Posted by CorasMama

Yep. I just had 3 extractions, myself. The combination of genetically weak enamel and several years of soul-crushing, could-barely-care-for-one-person-so-I-took-care-of-DD-not-me depression has done in my teeth. Sorry I couldn't swing the thousands of dollars for implants to make YOU all more comfortable. Luckily, they were back teeth, but even if they were front teeth, I don't know that they'd be getting replaced immediately. And sorry I'm going to have to wait til my $1500 yearly maximum insurance coverage resets in 11 months to get the visible cavities in my front teeth filled.

[Black Orchid]

Originally Posted by CorasMama

Yep. I just had 3 extractions, myself. The combination of genetically weak enamel and several years of soul-crushing, could-barely-care-for-one-person-so-I-took-care-of-DD-not-me depression has done in my teeth. Sorry I couldn't swing the thousands of dollars for implants to make YOU all more comfortable. Luckily, they were back teeth, but even if they were front teeth, I don't know that they'd be getting replaced immediately. And sorry I'm going to have to wait til my $1500 yearly maximum insurance coverage resets in 11 months to get the visible cavities in my front teeth filled.

people need to leave the whole teeth thing go. really. just bow out and realize that you need to do some personal work on your prejudices.

my mom grew up in utter poverty (she wore out the soles of her shoes and had to go without in the WINTER) and her teeth are just plain beautiful looking. my brother grew up in middle-class insured privledge and his teeth are awful. he has no enamel and has a number of pulls to look forward, too.

using teeth as a judge of "class" or whatever you want to call it is so completely superficial and hurtful to everyone. just as making judgements based on someone's car, clothing, hair style, etc, etc, etc.

mean. mean. mean.

[faerierose]

Originally Posted by Black Orchid

people need to leave the whole teeth thing go. really. just bow out and realize that you need to do some personal work on your prejudices.

my mom grew up in utter poverty (she wore out the soles of her shoes and had to go without in the WINTER) and her teeth are just plain beautiful looking. my brother grew up in middle-class insured privledge and his teeth are awful. he has no enamel and has a number of pulls to look forward, too.

using teeth as a judge of "class" or whatever you want to call it is so completely superficial and hurtful to everyone. just as making judgements based on someone's car, clothing, hair style, etc, etc, etc.

mean. mean. mean.

:

[SugarAndSun]

My response regarding teeth was not "mean." Rather, it questions the lack of dental care in our society. Why should someone go without health/dental care in our country?

Yes, there are certainly exceptions. My DH, for example, had all his teeth knocked out in a boating accident. His teeth and gums are far from excellent.

However, both of our mouths were better taken care of when we had dental insurance. Now that I am a SAHM, we struggle to pay the dentist bills. We actually just bought dental insurance because we both need a lot of work done, I went in to get it done, and it turns out they only cover metal fillings. I am so angry!

[Mamatolea]

It's all about clearance and coupons for me...

Except that our local targets are all coupon cops, so it makes me want to go there less....but when I can get coffee for free and a birthday present for someone I don't want to celebrate with for $2, then I am happy! LOL

[Black Orchid]

Originally Posted by SugarAndSun

My response regarding teeth was not "mean." Rather, it questions the lack of dental care in our society. Why should someone go without health/dental care in our country?

Yes, there are certainly exceptions. My DH, for example, had all his teeth knocked out in a boating accident. His teeth and gums are far from excellent.

However, both of our mouths were better taken care of when we had dental insurance. Now that I am a SAHM, we struggle to pay the dentist bills. We actually just bought dental insurance because we both need a lot of work done, I went in to get it done, and it turns out they only cover metal fillings. I am so angry!

you can make that point without making generalizations about class.

[Mamatolea]

Let's all place nice children!

Let's get back to what this thread is about-spending money at Target!!!

[Ruthla]

Am I the only one on this thread who's actually able to walk into a Target store and get stuff on her list and not blow the budget?

[mnnice]

Ruthla--I can too. I can even go in and look at things on clearance and walk out empty handed. The last place I lived was only about a mile from a Target and I had more time (i.e. no kids) it was a paycheck killer though.

CoraMom--good luck on your fillings (and maybe eventually implants). (T

As a general note-- The dental implant process is not only very expensive. It's a very slow, multistep deal. In other words just because somebody has a gap/gaps doesn't mean they are ignoring their dental health.

[MommyErin]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

Am I the only one on this thread who's actually able to walk into a Target store and get stuff on her list and not blow the budget?

Phew! I actually did it today. I went in there for one thing and came out with two but I spent well under $20. That doesn't happen very often.

Ruth, I think you just have a little more self-control than I do.