'Twas 2 Months Before Christmas, and Wal-Mart Keeps Cutting Prices

Though never happy to feed the Wal Mart machine…I can’t ignore their prices, especially on things like canned goods. A Super Wal-Mart opened near us, and I was able to cut my grocery spending in half.

That’s it, for canned goods, paper items, things for the cat - they can’t be beat. And I’m sure for the toys that the kids will be wanting they will have the best prices. I don’t like the stores policies but I don’t have the luxury of ignoring the the money I save.

In the small town that I live in wal-mart and food lion are the only two grocery stores. Wal-Mart is the only store besides a Peebles that sells clothes and Wal-Mart is the only toy store so unless we want to drive 45 minutes to the closest mall we are stuck shopping at Wal-Mart. They are a big employer in our small town also. I have already started to look at their toys on display form my daughter this Christmas and have a small list going…

We have a super Wal-Mart in my town too. However, after wandering through the aisles for a couple hours the other night, I couldn’t help but notice that prices have seemed to go up instead of down. Canadian Wal-Marts seem pricey to me, considering the quality of a lot of their products.

We have a new super Wal-Mart near us. It replaced a smaller storer. I find the Super Store prices very high comparison to the former store. And it is a very unfriendly store. Next door to the Wal-Mart is a Dollar Store. It sells many of the same products for a third of the price. Being a member of the Baha’i Community, Christmas is not a holiday. So all this battle between K-Mart and Wal-Mart is lost on us. I look forward to the day when those stores cut prices during our, the Baha’i Holidays, during the spring of the year. I look forward to the day when there is 10x times the Baha’is in the U.S. as there is today. Perhaps the new movie by Mel Gibson, Mona’s Dream, will speed that blessed day.

I just visited Walmart on Tuesday— I like going on Tuesday and Wednesday…why? Meat is on sale! My intake of meat is minimal—most days I do not eat meat—BUT, I picked up some non-frozen chicken skinless/boneless chicken breasts for HALF PRICE! Dog food—HALF PRICE! I chose not to but the half-price pork of all shapes, nor the half-price beef…but there were some bargains to be had…mid-week, there is a need to clear out the shelves to make room for the next delivery—and I am no fool when it comes to saving pennies here and there. Tuesday, I calculated that with the savings JUST on the chicken, I was able to have a new pair of slippers! On my meds—-I get 3 months worth for $10! Every other pharmacy in my town charges $11 per month, or $7 per month if I buy in a 3 month lot. Once again, money is money. Sams Club opened a new store to replace the old one, about 2 years ago—prices went up abut 30%! I shop Sams ONLY when I need something in bulk—-like dishwasher detergent, salt for my water softener—that sort of thing. I used to buy more at Sams’ than at Walmart, or anywhere else—but Sams’ is now more expensive than Walmart on my pet food, and Walmart is more expensive, over-all, than shopping the sales in other stores. And I am an expert at squeezing out a penny her and a penny there. We stopped giving gifts for Christmas years ago. We wanted Christmas to be more focused on spending time together, rather than spending money—-and it has served us well—-and then in January—-watch out! If something is REALLY important to ‘have’, the sales at 30% and 50% off are worth the wait. Oh I have heard —and been verbally attacked for shopping Walmart—because of the way they treat their employees and their suppliers when negotiating costs—-but, no one is paying me to stop shopping there. My essential self is an idealist…..but in todays’ economy, it is pragmatism that rules.

I certainly wouldn’t verbally attack you for shopping at Walmart, nobody should. I try to shop as little as possible at Walmart, more because of the lack of “customer service” then anything. And the quality of many products, but I think anyone that would slam you for shopping there is ridiculous. I did make one purchase at Walmart today tho, they were blowing out litter box scoopers for less than a buck and with 5 litterboxes in my house I stocked up. I have to buy extras because my dogs think the scoopers are toys and chew em to bits when they get hold of them.

i can’t understand why the focus on walmart’s business practices is supposed to keep me away, as i’ve been told somewhat frequently. their payscale and business practices are no worse than any other retailer. their prices are hugely better. could walmart treat and pay their workers better? of course!!! better benefits? sure!!! but the same goes for any and all other retailers.