Walmart prices higher than others

[bigstack]

Thats called a Monopoly! I used to work for walmart. They actually told us that they would soon be the only stores around. They will actually sell at a loss to put lil mom and pop stores under. They have been sued several times and lost for doing just that. They make deals with manufacturers that they cannot sell to any one else for the prices they get. If they do walmart will not order from them again. With the amount of merchandise they move, a manufacturer must comply. There is just too much money to lose if they lose walmart. Walmart even buys the manufacturers and makes their own products and sells at an inflated price to the compatition. My local wm will not price match unless it is exactly the same item (size, label,manufacturer) and all. Thats why they have been changing the names and packaging on their brands. That way they can say "Oh no its different see!" When Sam Walton was alive the store was a pleasure to shop. Now, It's just about the money. I remember commercials with him saying " only items made in the USA!" WE MISS YOU SAM!!! Long live Mom and Pop stores! Down with the Monopoly!!!!

 

[MandyH]

Let me start off by saying that I hate wal-mart more than words can express. I do NOT have a problem with anyone that works or shops there because that is their business not mine. Wal-Marts business practices are less than desirable and I've seen many mom and pop stores in my area get put out of business by them. Normally I would rather have teeth pulled without numbing meds than go in there, but I went in with my Mom the other day and was appalled at their "low prices". A bag of sugar was $3.58, $3.58 ??!!! WTH I give $2.29 for a bag of sugar at my grocery store. They may roll back prices on some products, but the roll ups far outweigh the roll backs. I would rather go to my grocery store that has american beef and pay more for my shampoo, than to eat their little skinny chinese beef. I despise that place and pray often that they get a little taste of their own medicine. Now back to regular programming.

 

[TipsyDog]

Walmart came to our town a few years ago and destroyed the local business. Their prices are now MUCH higher than anywhere else. I have to drive 12 miles to get to the local Walmart.

Instead, I will drive 30 miles to the next larger shopping area and buy everything at the premium "upper scale" supermarket there in which most things are cheaper than Walmart! I don't care how much fresh food costs anymore - it is one area I have stopped saving on. I'm done being poisoned by the American food system and will pay almost whatever price for top quality produce, etc. instead of the Walmart quality trash they peddle.

I did go to our Walmart the other day 'cause they sell a giant bag of Kale which I feed to the chickens. I spent 5 minutes watching people there and it's almost shameful - overweight and women with children but no produce or fresh food in their cart - mostly processed foods, soda and junk. No wonder! Why aren't they feeding their children real food?

I cannot cope with the Walmart check-out lines anymore either. Walmart's prices are higher than the premium supermarket. The most surprising thing is that everyone THINKS Walmart is cheaper when they aren't!

 

[LizFM]

Quote:
I'm glad I'm not the only one who has noticed this! My parents shop at the Walmart supercenter for everything but meat (Walmart meat is gross). I hate their checkout lines in bigger cities...it takes forever to get out of that place.

We eat "whatever is on deep sale that week" at the our local grocery and save tons of money over Walmart or anywhere else.

People don't buy fresh food or produce because it's cheaper to buy a discount box of macaroni and cheese or whatever starchy processed food, than it is to buy enough fresh fruits and vegetables to feed a family. Study after study links poverty and obesity for this reason, and also because working poor families often default to 'not only cheap but easier to prepare' foods because parents (and very often, kids) are fixing meals at the end of a long work day and they are tired. Also, starchy foods contribute more to a feeling of fullness and satisfaction. If you're poor and you can't afford much, you can still eat high fat, starchy, cheap 'comfort food'.

Store-bought produce in general just doesn't taste very good compared to (expensive) fresh local stuff. Think about it, we have raised at least 2-3 generations of people who think vegetables don't taste good because grocery store vegetables are more about what can be picked early, shipped, and last in the store for the least amount of money, than what tastes good!

 

[conny63malies]

I am lucky enough to be able to shop for groceries in a commissary on post. We save so much money and on top of it I use coupons ,which saves me another 20$.

 

[LAMchop]

Quote:
WalMart descended on our town years ago, sucked it dry, moved on to the next town to build a SUPER Walmart, and left behind an empty shopping center for meth heads to hang out in.
It doesn't surprise me that they would raise prices. I like aveca's post... the company store....

 

[Goose and Fig]

I make the long trip to Publix once or twice a month to get my "international" fix- and I always end up with tons of stuff because their sales are sooo good.
What really irks me about "our" walmart is that they keep discontinuing the stuff I regularly buy. Green Works dish soap- gone. Sara Lee everything bagels-gone. Brie-gone. Recipe-ready crescent dough-gone. Whole grain honey wheat bread-gone.3 / 4 of the Morning Star products-gone. Bags of Turnip Greens (for my chickens)- gone.
Our milk is almost 5 bucks for a 1/2 gallon now

WTH?

And yes- all the other grocery stores in 2 counties (except sav-a-lot- yuck!) went out of business within 6 months of the store opening.

 

[cluckcluck42]

The nearest shopping center to us has a Walmart and a local grocery store. The local grocery is pricey. The Walmart has occasional good deals. We will go to Walmart to pick up the sale items, then go shopping elsewhere for the bulk of our groceries.

THey are definitely not cheaper than most places. They are also tricky. At the front they will have 12 rolls of Charmin for $8 bucks on sale, and have the 18 roll one on for 7.98. No joke, I saw this. I asked a clerk about it and they just shrugged it off. They really pray on impulse buys.

 

[PineappleMama]

I've got a Tom Thumb and a Kroger within walking distance of my home. The Walmart Neighborhood Market is further away, nevermind the full fledged Wally Worlds. About the only time I purposely go to Walmart is if I am hunting plastic canvas or other specific crafty things and I don't want to drive to the mall (where now the only Michaels AND Hobby Lobby are located -traffic is evil-) Mostly I stick to what's on sale, at the two nearest stores (saves gas money!), on a rare occasion I might hit the WNM IF I've got a sale paper thing they'll match AND I'm already up that way... *shrug*

None of that even includes me disliking the politics, imports, lead, etc... that's just based on distance and somewhat on price.

I can't imagine how horrible it is for the folks who don't live in a spot like us where there are options... that's exactly why there are anti-trust laws... funny that they went after Gates for making software our kids could operate by age 5 but the government doesn't do doodly to Walmart when they run every other shop out of town... aka they're the only source for goods = monopoly. ARGH!

Walmart is one bit of Arkansas-ology that I don't care to brag about.

 

[Egg_newton]

I don't know. I haven't shopped at Wal-Mart in almost a year. They are pure evil. Maybe they are raising prices to pay employees a decent wage and buy more American made items... or just to line their pockets with more of our money.