My Offical Blogg

[retailguy]

Have you been fired? Or just on vacation? After all, you've been there three or four weeks. You ought to have earned a week off by now....

[retailguy]

What was more intriguing in my research - the savings that customers saved didn't get piped back into other disposable/discretionary expenditures - instead it went right to the Walton family.

Huh? Shouldn't the "savings that customers saved" be with the customers, not with the Walton family? I don't follow what is bad about the customers saving money.

What do we care what the Waltons do with the money they've earned? By the way, the ONLY way that the dollars don't get "piped" back into the economy is if the Walton's take the cash, put it into a sock, and stick it into their mattress.

Other than that, it's piped somewhere. Whether they do it, the bank does it, or whatever, it is still working.

[jack's smirking revenge]

Alright, I'm here.

Where's todays blog entries????

I am too busy to be writting bloggs during breaks now a day. I am too busy talking to the girl i liked during breaks. I've used the the Nut Roll's so called friend apporch and played it cool with her and so far it has worked. I may be getting into something. Stay turned.

Fosco, good take on walmart. I couldnt have said it any better.

Good deal Tank. I'm waiting with baited breath for pics of her.

Best of luck!

tyler

[Fosco33]

What was more intriguing in my research - the savings that customers saved didn't get piped back into other disposable/discretionary expenditures - instead it went right to the Walton family.

Huh? Shouldn't the "savings that customers saved" be with the customers, not with the Walton family? I don't follow what is bad about the customers saving money.

What do we care what the Waltons do with the money they've earned? By the way, the ONLY way that the dollars don't get "piped" back into the economy is if the Walton's take the cash, put it into a sock, and stick it into their mattress.

Other than that, it's piped somewhere. Whether they do it, the bank does it, or whatever, it is still working.

LOL. What I meant is that the perceived savings from shopping at WalMart are not generally kept by the consumer (for other investments or critical expenses) - instead it's given to WalMart by purchasing more things - some of which are not critical. Let's say this money given to the Walton's is then invested back into creating more WalMarts - further reducing suppliers based in the US and increasing the trade deficit.

[retailguy]

LOL. What I meant is that the perceived savings from shopping at WalMart are not generally kept by the consumer (for other investments or critical expenses) - instead it's given to WalMart by purchasing more things - some of which are not critical. Let's say this money given to the Walton's is then invested back into creating more WalMarts - further reducing suppliers based in the US and increasing the trade deficit.

Well, part one is a consumer problem, not a Wal-mart problem. I agree with you that this problem exists and it is an epidemic, but I don't think we can blame that on Wal-Mart however. What happened to personal responsibility? I have yet to be "held at gunpoint" by a Wal-Mart cashier until I bought more Chinese goods than I wanted.

Purchasing non critical things is an epidemic in this country. For example, is ANYTHING purchased at Best Buy really a "necessity"? How much of Best Buy's stuff is "Made in the USA"? Can you even purchase a US made TV anymore? I don't think so...

Face it Fosco, we don't make much anymore. We can blame the trade deficit on Wal-Mart, but, in reality, they're just the largest and easiest to point fingers at. Our economy is changing, we're not primarily manufacturing anymore. That is not Wal-Mart's fault. There are many factors for this.

Wal-Mart is not "reducing suppliers" in the US. Suppliers are responsible for maintaining and growing their businesses. If they can be "price competitive" Wal-Mart will buy from them. If they can't, they won't. You do the same thing in your household on a smaller scale. Why is it OK for you to "comparison shop", but it isn't for Wal-Mart?

[Fosco33]

LOL. What I meant is that the perceived savings from shopping at WalMart are not generally kept by the consumer (for other investments or critical expenses) - instead it's given to WalMart by purchasing more things - some of which are not critical. Let's say this money given to the Walton's is then invested back into creating more WalMarts - further reducing suppliers based in the US and increasing the trade deficit.

Well, part one is a consumer problem, not a Wal-mart problem. I agree with you that this problem exists and it is an epidemic, but I don't think we can blame that on Wal-Mart however. What happened to personal responsibility? I have yet to be "held at gunpoint" by a Wal-Mart cashier until I bought more Chinese goods than I wanted.

Purchasing non critical things is an epidemic in this country. For example, is ANYTHING purchased at Best Buy really a "necessity"? How much of Best Buy's stuff is "Made in the USA"? Can you even purchase a US made TV anymore? I don't think so...

Face it Fosco, we don't make much anymore. We can blame the trade deficit on Wal-Mart, but, in reality, they're just the largest and easiest to point fingers at. Our economy is changing, we're not primarily manufacturing anymore. That is not Wal-Mart's fault. There are many factors for this.

Wal-Mart is not "reducing suppliers" in the US. Suppliers are responsible for maintaining and growing their businesses. If they can be "price competitive" Wal-Mart will buy from them. If they can't, they won't. You do the same thing in your household on a smaller scale. Why is it OK for you to "comparison shop", but it isn't for Wal-Mart?

Agreed. The only people benefiting from WalMart are their consumers (which I am not), investors and owners. The problem I have with WalMart (and this is pointing out WalMart) is I have to pay for their employees healthcare (in part) and on a much smaller scale the social benefits of employees of the companies that couldn't compete with China, Ireland or India (at a wage differential of $0.50/hr vs $10-$15/hr w/ benefits).

Who knows - maybe WalMart choses (or is forced) to provide healthcare and better wages OR maybe they build clinics in every store for their employees. Being in the healthcare sector, I see and feel the effects of the uninsured on a daily basis. If a FTE can't support their family on a WalMart salary (at WalMart's own admission), who really benefits in the end?

[Partial]

On an unrelated note, do we want the Wal-Mart talk moved to it's own thread? Tank, it's your call.

[Partial]

Retailguy, how can we fix that problem? I think it can be contributed to the fact the american dream is no longer hard work and providing for a family, it's driving a beamer and living in orange county. Secondly, I blame unions. It's going to be even worse when my generation is grown up, everyone I know dreams of having a big house with a pool and a talk and a mercedes parked in the driveway. They are all going to school for engineering, or plan on getting an mba, or to be lawyers or doctors.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

6-30-06 at 5:45 PM ET

YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were flirting some at lunch and out of the blue the question pops up again. She said yes this time. I am picking her up at 7 tonight. We will go to dinner, see a movie (Superman) and then clubbing. She lives in Silver Spring so I am hoping she'll be too tired after tonight and opts to spend the night at my place. I am trying to decide whether to wear the blue dress shirt or the red one, with tie or without tie. The roomates are saying the blue one and without.

Later folks.

[BallHawk]

Tank, if this is true than Congrats.

DON"T FUCK IT UP!

[Partial]

Are you caucausion or africa-american? If caucasian, tan or pale? Are you wearing jeans? Light or dark? Do you have curve cologne? Curve gets you laid.

edit - actually i'd go with the red either way, its summer. Blue is too wintery. Red is bold and confident. Unless you're really pale, then go with black.

[Scott Campbell]

6-30-06 at 5:45 PM ET

YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were flirting some at lunch and out of the blue the question pops up again. She said yes this time. I am picking her up at 7 tonight. We will go to dinner, see a movie (Superman) and then clubbing. She lives in Silver Spring so I am hoping she'll be too tired after tonight and opts to spend the night at my place. I am trying to decide whether to wear the blue dress shirt or the red one, with tie or without tie. The roomates are saying the blue one and without.

Later folks.

Tonights the night. Drop the Darren Charles story on her and she'll be putty in your hands.

[GrnBay007]

For God's sake use a condom, we don't need you reproducing!!!











j/k but use one anyway if the special moment happens.




-

[Scott Campbell]

By special, do you mean awkward?

And like you, I just assumed it wouldn't take longer than a moment.

[Scott Campbell]

For God's sake use a condom, we don't need you reproducing!!!

I just had a mental picture of a father/son bong-a-thon.