In response to my post yesterday about my Wal-mart experience, David wrote:
“...but your not complaining about the slower growth in the standard of living right?
It's no secret that Wal-Mart has a reputation for scorching the earth of all nearby retailers that were there before them. I don't have any statistics to indicate if that is true or not because it's not that important an issue for me... but that is the reputation.
Consumers should have to right to purchase goods wherever they choose. Businesses of all sizes should have the right to compete for your business in the way they seem fit.
When you make a purchase you are making a statement that you are okay with how that businesses conducts itself.
How Wal-mart deals with pay, prices, suppliers, competition and more all fall into the equation.
There are reasons why that bottle of shampoo costs what it does. Your purchase indicates that you're okay with those reasons... and the results.”
I felt that my response to David warranted a whole new post to offer more food for thought...
I completely agree that consumers have a right to purchase goods wherever they choose. The key word here is “choose”. I chose to go to Wal-mart to purchase the shampoo, even though a Target was only five minutes further down the street. However, I wasn’t too thrilled with the Wal-mart experience and will probably choose not to go there if given the choice again.
We all have choices in life. Are you going to choose to support those who offer better customer service? Or will you have a momentary lapse of memory like I did and buy goods from the company that doesn’t offer a pleasant shopping experience?
Thanks, David, for your perspective and the reminder!
I wish I could take back my response. I didn't mean to sound so "holier than thow." My bad.
I decided to visit a Wal-Mart and a Target to check out the experience for myself. Not something I do a lot of since I tend to buy online more than offline.
There is something very strange about Wal-Mart. It's Disneyland without any of the fun.
However, the only real difference I spotted between Target and Wal-Mart was the color. The prices seemed pretty close to me.
Was it my imagination or does Target tend to attract a younger demographic?
The workers at Target didn't seem any happier than at Wal-Mart other than the way too helpful and cheery guy that welcomed me to Wal-Mart.
Do Target workers get paid more? Do they have better benefits? I wouldn't think this would be the case but maybe it is.
Why does Target get such good press and Wal-Mart get such bad press? Hip marketing? Their association with cool designers? Because they aren't growing as fast? Does Wal-Mart suck so much that it just makes Target look good in comparison?
After walking through Target and Wal-Mart I had to cleanse myself by going to Costco. Yes, Costco. One of few places that shop at on a regular basis. I love it there. The staff is always friendly. Sometimes walking way out of their sections to help me find something. Even the people handing out samples are cool.
From what I understand they treat their workers pretty well. So much so that their is on occasion grumbling from stock holders to lower those benefits to increase margins to boost the stock prices. I for one hope they hold their grown and keep the benefits.
Why can't Wal-Mart be more like Costco? Walking through Wal-Mart made be feel like I was pillaging. Even with the limited selection (compared to Wal-Mart) and the longer lines, at Costco I felt like the workers, everyone shopping there and I were all in on some insider secret. Plus they give you really big carts.
Posted by: David | September 24, 2006 6:35 PM | Permalink to Comment