[amyamanda]

I do not like Walmart. I do not like anything about it, other than that I've seen a number of people posting that they enjoyed working there. I don't want to give them my money unless I don't have another option that is reasonable for my family.

Earlier this year I decided never to shop there again. For many reasons. Primarily because I really value the existence of our small downtown Main Street culture, and I don't want to support an entity which threatens the existence of that. Also I don't enjoy the aesthetics of shopping there. And I am worried that somewhere in the chain, someone is getting $$$hortchanged so that they can charge less for things. I don't want to support the corporate machine when I can give my money to the little guy and support downtown snall-town America.

But then a few months ago, I was faced with a dilemma: I needed to replace my (nonstick-ick) muffin tins with regular old uncoated muffin tins. I could buy them at the local hardware store for $16 apiece (!) or at Walmart for $3 apiece. I couldn't justify the higher price, especially since I needed four of them. So I reluctantly decided to buy them at Walmart.

Other than that, I've stayed out of there. But now I have a new dilemma. I need some sewing supplies ASAP. There is a Jo-Ann Fabrics about an hour from me in a town I hardly ever go to. There is a Walmart in town. I'd rather shop at Jo-Ann but with gas prices so high I am not sure I can justify the drive to Jo-Ann Fabrics when I'll be just a few minutes from Walmart anyway.

How would you resolve this dilemma? Is Jo-Ann Fabrics (or any other smallish-compared-to-Walmart chain store - Michael's craft store, Staples office supplies, etc etc) that much better than Walmart anyway, since they are chains and sell mostly the same things, made in China, etc? Or would it be worth the drive - probably $15+ in gas, in my car - to avoid Walmart? I wishwishwish there was a *local* craft/fabric store, but there is nothing like that here.

I would love some input as I'd like to sort this out by tomorrow, when I'll be shopping in town (near Walmart, LOL). For those of you who generally (or even diligently) stay away from Walmart, what would you do?

 

[MommytoTwo]

Well those stores you mentioned are all big chains too - not as big as WM but still big. In that case I personally would shop where I could get the best price. I *hate* WM and I absolutely refuse to go there, simply because the one here is disgusting. But I live in a big city and there are many other options for me.

 

[mightymoo]

I feel your predicament. I just had a thought - could you buy some of the stuff you are looking for online and take advantage of free shipping offers to get it? I know that the craft chains sometimes have those promotions. You wouldn't be avoiding chains, but you might be able to avoid walmart.

 

[Scribe]

It really comes down to what's personally most important/makes the most sense to you. I don't shop at Wal-Mart, for any reason, period. They make me sick and I don't want to enter their stores, so they aren't even an option. And while I live in a small city and have lots of other options now, that wasn't always true. But if you aren't that sure you don't want to support them, or if you only want to "partially support" them in cases where you find doing something else too expensive/difficult, then that's up to you. Everyone has a different threshold.

To address your more specific question, I personally think there is a difference in heinousness between Wal-Mart and other chain stores like Jo-Ann's or Michael's. Yeah, I'd prefer a local indie store to any of them, but Jo-Ann's and Michael's managed to exist without driving every small merchant in a town out of business for years before the Wal-Mart model really kicked in. Plus they just aren't as unpleasant.

 

[amyamanda]

About online shopping, at least one of the things I need is something I need to "browse" to find exactly what I need...I'd order online but I'm not comfortable doing so if I haven't seen the item, you know? Good idea though, and it would be a good option in many cases.

Grace, I think you're right that I am drawing a line short of "all or nothing"...I don't want to support them, but neither do I want to burn up $15 worth of gas to buy $15 worth of sewing supplies somewhere else. Maybe it comes down to needing to plan better, though I didn't realize what I needed until my sewing project evolved, and my deadline is looming. I am inspired by people who live their values 100% and I am striving for that...sometimes it is a struggle though, and convenience sometimes wins out, especially when I'm toting kids around shopping with me.

Thank you for responding. I am weighing all these things and it helps to know what others think.

 

[sanguine_speed]

I guess it depends on how strongly you feel about the Walmart issue. I feel very strongly about it, to the point where I've made it simple for myself: I act as if Walmart does not exist. If I'm considering options, Walmart is not one of them. Sometimes it reeeaaaallly sucks, but I do it anyway. This only reflects the strength of my conviction, and if you don't feel so strongly then it's really up to you. Just sharing my strategy for not going there.

 

[sabrinat]

Are you on www.sewingmamas.com? If you sew you have to join, tell them Sabrinat sent you. They have a wonderful boutique and you can find most anything from another mama member.
But, to answer your question. I don't have the issue alot of people have with Walmart and I also drive a not very economical car (ok it's an SUV, but i digress) and I'm not about to drive an hour or 2 if I don't have to. Not only do I consider the drive and gas...but my time is valuable and I'm not going to enjoy spending it in the car when I could be doing something else. I'd shop at W. when I had to and wouldn't feel guilty about it.

 

[e.naomisandoval]

I feel very strongly about this issue. I try to combine errands so gas isn't an issue. I have a Walmart 1 mile away. I pretend it is not there. I did go in a few times when we first got here to see what it was all about but it was not nice so it's easily enough avoided. The tops I bought fell apart. The employees were not at all helpful. Most of the stuff was utter junk. The prices may be better but what they put the businesses through to force those ridiculously low prices is crazy. Not worth being a part of that energy.

Oh - don't use non-stick stuff! Maybe line with paper or a bit of oil/butter.

 

[No2Circ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanguine_speed I guess it depends on how strongly you feel about the Walmart issue. I feel very strongly about it, to the point where I've made it simple for myself: I act as if Walmart does not exist. If I'm considering options, Walmart is not one of them. Sometimes it reeeaaaallly sucks, but I do it anyway. This only reflects the strength of my conviction, and if you don't feel so strongly then it's really up to you. Just sharing my strategy for not going there.

:

 

[primjillie]

I'm anti Walmart also and never go in there. One thing to remember is that you may be saving $ by buying pans/fabric/etc. at Walmart, but chances are you are going to have replace those pans far sooner than if you bought more expensive ones, therefore, spending just as much money or more. Also, I have seen WM fabric ~ yuck! If you are making anything you want to last, don't use their fabric. They may sell things cheaper, buy the quality is crap.

 

[Ruthla]

Quote:

Originally Posted by amyamanda I do not like Walmart. I do not like anything about it, other than that I've seen a number of people posting that they enjoyed working there. I don't want to give them my money unless I don't have another option that is reasonable for my family. Earlier this year I decided never to shop there again. For many reasons. Primarily because I really value the existence of our small downtown Main Street culture, and I don't want to support an entity which threatens the existence of that. Also I don't enjoy the aesthetics of shopping there. And I am worried that somewhere in the chain, someone is getting $$$hortchanged so that they can charge less for things. I don't want to support the corporate machine when I can give my money to the little guy and support downtown snall-town America. But then a few months ago, I was faced with a dilemma: I needed to replace my (nonstick-ick) muffin tins with regular old uncoated muffin tins. I could buy them at the local hardware store for $16 apiece (!) or at Walmart for $3 apiece. I couldn't justify the higher price, especially since I needed four of them. So I reluctantly decided to buy them at Walmart. Other than that, I've stayed out of there. But now I have a new dilemma. I need some sewing supplies ASAP. There is a Jo-Ann Fabrics about an hour from me in a town I hardly ever go to. There is a Walmart in town. I'd rather shop at Jo-Ann but with gas prices so high I am not sure I can justify the drive to Jo-Ann Fabrics when I'll be just a few minutes from Walmart anyway. How would you resolve this dilemma? Is Jo-Ann Fabrics (or any other smallish-compared-to-Walmart chain store - Michael's craft store, Staples office supplies, etc etc) that much better than Walmart anyway, since they are chains and sell mostly the same things, made in China, etc? Or would it be worth the drive - probably $15+ in gas, in my car - to avoid Walmart? I wishwishwish there was a *local* craft/fabric store, but there is nothing like that here. I would love some input as I'd like to sort this out by tomorrow, when I'll be shopping in town (near Walmart, LOL). For those of you who generally (or even diligently) stay away from Walmart, what would you do?

IMO, spending an extra $15 on gas and 2 hours driving is not "a reasonable option for your family."

ITA with the others that there's still a huge difference between chain stores in general and Walmart in particular. If there was a Target nearby that would be a much more ethical solution.

How desperately do you need these sewing supplies? Can you get them online from a reputable business? Or do you need them NOW and don't have time to wait for shipping?

If you can wait for shipping, I'd buy online. If you can't, I'd buy the minimum that you need for right now at Walmart, but do your "big stocking up of sewing supplies" online.

 

[thriftyqueen]

I guess in this situation, I would go to Wal-Mart. It seems silly to spend $15+ on gas (not to mention time) to drive elsewhere. If it were only a couple of miles, I would understand going the extra distance, but with the price of gas and just being environmentally conscious of how much gas is used, I would make the decision to stay closer to home.

Of course, if you have other things to purchase in the location close to JoAnn's or Michaels, it would make sense to drive. I am not completely against Wal-Mart, but I also live in a town with very few options for groceries and crafts, etc. The closest town to anything else is 2 hours so my options are very limited.

 

[sabrinat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by primjillie but chances are you are going to have replace those pans far sooner than if you bought more expensive ones, therefore, spending just as much money or more. Also, I have seen WM fabric ~ yuck! If you are making anything you want to last, don't use their fabric. They may sell things cheaper, buy the quality is crap.

I'm going to have to disagree. I think it depends on the brand and the quality of the item to begin with. I know when I was making dd diapers. WM had Alova suedecloth for $2.97/yd and JA had Alova suedecloth for $6.99/yd. Even with the 50% off coupon WM still had the better deal on the EXACT same item. My first set of real pots and pans were T-Fal purchased reasonably at WM. I still have those pans I don't use them much anymore since I've graduated to Le Creuset, but they're still in fine condition. At the time for a girl just starting out, they were the cheapest and I was happy to have them.
It really just depends. As a long time sewist while some of the fabric IS indeed crap (just as some of JA's, Hobby Lobby and Hancock's sells crap) some is quite good and from very well respected manufacturers. Like in anything you need to know what you're purchasing.