Walmart Is makeing a huge mistake!!!!

[gottafish]

I found this on another board. it kind of reminds me of K-mart a few years ago.

The guys working in the sporting goods section said that Wal Mart is restructuring their image to be more upscale so most of the suburban Wal Marts will no longer handle guns and hunting stuff as well as fishing stuff. Most rural Wal Marts will still continue to carry guns and hunting supplies.

SO has anyone seen this happening here Yet?

[lentz]

Not about Wally World, but i've heard that Bi-mart is not going to be carrying guns in the very near future, in the Eugene area.

[gottafish]

That is sad, I remember Gart sports did away with them to I havent been back since. I wont support a store that does that. I guess I'll shop at gun store's Sure wish I could get milk at sportsmens LOL

[Opportunist]

They lost my hunting and fishing supply needs a long time ago. No loss to me if they went belly up all together.

[Amahnee]

They lost my hunting and fishing supply needs a long time ago. No loss to me if they went belly up all together.

[goodkarma]

I saw a TV spot on this last week but the article said that Walmart is trying the upscale stores only in select markets and they may upgrade some of the exisiting stores with nicer food departments but that for the most part, the current stores would remain the same as they are now.

[James in Idaho]

Gee, both my Walmart and my Gart's have racks full of guns. The new wallys in Idaho Falls has a real selection of steelheading gear and an in store fly shop. But I would not be surprised if certian locations (like CA) make selling guns by anyone a living h e double toothpicks. Love wallys or hate 'em, they are the number one retail business in the world for a reason, they know how to do market research.

[Trick]

This is off subject sorta', but I'll share it anyways. I wanted to pick up a 10/22 a week or two before X-mas and the weather was really nasty. Ice and snow the day I had off and I had intended to travel to Bi-mart to pick up the gun in Hillsboro. But, with the added danger that day I said the heck with it and i went into Walmart to check out their selection. They had one I was interested in and after being stared at for 10 minutes by the store managers having a meeting about 15 ft away from the counter one of them asked me if I needed help and I said that I did. Instead of helping me they made a call and a few more minutes elapsed and a floor worker comes to the counter. I told him that I was interested in buying the 10/22 and he said that I couldn't buy it. I said "excuse me??? Why can't I buy it?" Well, he explains to me how their firearms licence had expired and how it would be several weeks before they would be back in business.

Right before X-mas they let their licence expire? :whazzup:

They don't post a bulletin enforming those dumb enough to waste 30 minutes trying to perform a transaction? :whazzup:

The store manager didn't know this or at least couldn't save me more wasted time by telling me in the first place? :whazzup:

I drove up the pass in the snow to get it from Gi-Joes and they were great. Helped me promptly and made my boys X-mas!

So let them stop carrying rifles....I already wrote them off my list for any future firearm purchases anyways.

[oregonoutdoors]

but i've heard that Bi-mart is not going to be carrying guns in the very near future, in the Eugene area.

Are they crazy? Which one?

[lentz]

Not sure! The son of a guy that i work with told him the info. Not sure which one he works at. I called the local store here in toen and talked to the store manager, she said that she had'nt heard anything. She said that the sporting goods clerks were at a meeting though. Maybe somebody does'nt know what is going on, or possibly got the wrong message. I'm sorry if i'm relaying the wrong info. I guess time will tell.

[Whatchaketchemon]

Isn't Walmart and "upscale" an oxymoron of sorts? I wouldn't buy anything from Walmart regardless of whether they have sporting goods or not. I would rather pay an extra few bucks and help out the little guys.

[RoscoeP]

[Chesapeake]

Isn't Walmart and "upscale" an oxymoron of sorts?

Thats what I was thinking. Walmart is bottom of the barrel for me and I live in Washougal.

I dont know about market research but I think "Upscale" would alienate Walmarts current clientel.

[Beeatease]

Trick,

Having your license "expire" isn't hard to do with BATF. Ours did at Canby Rod & Gun a couple of years back because I wasn't the "official" person to sign the documents that were sent in, although everything was in order.

The wonderful folks at BATF didn't tell us that fact till after we called asking why we hadn't received our renewal which was getting very close to expiring.

The person(s) actually on the BATF's list for that FFL has to add someone if they are filling out the paperwork. That may have been the case, an employee wasn't on the stores FFL....

[woolybuggerboy]

If i'm going to purchase a gun i'm going to get it from a gun store. the walmart loss doesn't really affect anything except for prices becase the loss in competition will drive the prices up. way up.

[Whatchaketchemon]

If i'm going to purchase a gun i'm going to get it from a gun store. the walmart loss doesn't really affect anything except for prices becase the loss in competition will drive the prices up. way up.

Walmart is not a major contributor to the sporting goods market. How many people honestly consider Walmart a good place to buy firearms or optics? I suppose if Vanguards and Tascos are your cup of tea then its a good place to shop, but I seriously doubt they have that much of a share of the sporting goods market, with the exception of the deep south :smile:.

[Pan Fry]

Wal Mart upscale?
now that's funny.

[Mr_sturgeon]

It's called, Wal mart in the area and economy sucks, low paying jobs, and put the little guys out

[Vandon16]

No guns? Does this mean no ammunition? Can't tell ya how many times I've needed some emergency ammo for myself or another hunting buddy who lost his or drank to much the night before and left it at home or whatever. I have tons of Target stock. So I'm all for the evil empire going boobs up.

[Trick]

I guess I understand the license being expired...sorta'. I have yet to ever experience that and any gun dealer....but it can happen.

But wouldn't you think that they could breakout the box of crayons and notebook paper and scrawl something fairly ledgible for customers to read since they never staff their counter anyways.

Just irritated me a little....I'm over it now.

It's just a half hour that I want back....but what can you do? :tongue:

[Bait O' Eggs]

Walmart sells guns?? :whazzup: :whazzup:

I had no idea, unless I see it posted, I guess I wont know what else they sell, as I wont feed the evil empire any of my money.

[Fish Wheels]

Smoking deals on guns also. 700's, 70's, vanguards. Saw a 700 cdl in 270 there last week for under 4 bills. And most of the model 70's were also under 4. Nothing evil going on, just good business and making a profit while providing good pricing to the shopping public.

[Trick]

Yeah, I really wish someone else would open a gun shop in Columbia County besides Walmart and Sporty's on the other end of the world.

Weather was bad, running out of time and I was in a pinch....so, I gave them a shot and my bills ended up at GI Joes anyways.

As someone else elegantly said it on another post "They have lots of cheap plastic crap".

So now you know what else they sell.

[Ras]

Wally's has firearms and sporting goods :shocked:; still not enough reason to patronize them .

In addition to all that "cheap plastic crap", I don't recognize the flag next to the "Made In..."

Ras

[TonTo]

They sell guns? I thought they just had those yellow smily targets :shocked:.After dealing with the guy at the counter for some ammo,I won't be back for either.My step mother went in once to get some 7X57 mauser for my baby bro,she was sold 7mm rem by mistake,and aperantly WallMart has a no return policy on ammo.I did end up with a box of 150grn 7 mag out of the deal oh and surprise surprise they don't even stock 7mm mauser.

[alaskan]

They sell guns? I thought they just had those yellow smily targets .After dealing with the guy at the counter for some ammo,I won't be back for either.My step mother went in once to get some 7X57 mauser for my baby bro,she was sold 7mm rem by mistake,and aperantly WallMart has a no return policy on ammo.I did end up with a box of 150grn 7 mag out of the deal oh and surprise surprise they don't even stock 7mm mauser.

You mean there's a difference?

[PDXSteelhead]

It's a shame Bi-Mart is going to stop carrying guns, that is great place to get 'em.

[Ragnar]

I'll second the boycott of wal-mart for all of the towns, (large and small) they have ruined, for all the crappy low paying jobs without out decent benifits all in the name of a "good deal."
I feel it is a festering black eye on all of the U.S. in the way that this giant empire has totally put countless Mom-n-Pop stores and shops out for good.
I have seen this first hand throughout N. America. Very sad.
I think it's about time "AMERICANS" take back our small towns and take a little pride in how we spend.
I know it's time to sell my house when Wal-mart moves into the neighborhood because the loathsome creatures will be soon to follow.
Ragnar

[sunshinefisherman]

Thats what I was thinking. Walmart is bottom of the barrel for me and I live in Washougal.

I dont know about market research but I think "Upscale" would alienate Walmarts current clientel.

Anyone remember Larry's Sport Center in Oregon City? After they went down, along came Northwest Outfitters. At first, the store was OK then they tried the same thing, going upscale. IMO it got a huge dose of Estrogen that it didn't need. They were out of business in a year because they forgot that their core demographic is not yuppies. It is blue collar working class people that are not likely to buy $300 teal rain jackets .

So I heard Martha Stewart is going over to Wall Mart to intruduce a more "upscale" line than she had at K-Mart. Are they going to use real diamonds on the electronic ankle bracelets instead of fake?

[reelbigfish72]

A little off topic, but I find some of the talk about Wal-Mart's clientele insulting. It's not my favorite place in the world, but I do all my grocery shopping there as well as picking up some other items here and there (stuff that's cheaper for the exact same item I'd get elsewhere).
I shop there because I like to have food, pay the bills and have a little extra money when I'm done. Couldn't do that if I avoided Wal-Mart (the grocery department at least).

[Valley-Boy]

Wallmart hurting the little guy? :shocked:
I thought we as consumers were the little guy. :whazzup:
Ill go where I can save a buck.
When I was shopping for a rifle a year ago I looked there, they didnt have what I wanted so I went elsewhere.

[Limbhanger]

I think Larry the cable guy said it best when he mentioned being in a Walmart up in Washington, he was shocked and insulted that people were actually wearing shoes in there.

[Ragnar]

If the "Fat ole' shoe fits? Where it!"

[BrotherWolf]

A little off topic, but I find some of the talk about Wal-Mart's clientele insulting. It's not my favorite place in the world, but I do all my grocery shopping there as well as picking up some other items here and there (stuff that's cheaper for the exact same item I'd get elsewhere).
I shop there because I like to have food, pay the bills and have a little extra money when I'm done. Couldn't do that if I avoided Wal-Mart (the grocery department at least).

I find it humorus that so many people hate wal-mart. If ya dont like shopping then dont if ya dont wanna work there then dont no one is forcing you to do either.


I aprrove this message
Lonnie Thatcher

[BrotherWolf]

I'll second the boycott of wal-mart for all of the towns, (large and small) they have ruined, for all the crappy low paying jobs without out decent benifits all in the name of a "good deal."
I feel it is a festering black eye on all of the U.S. in the way that this giant empire has totally put countless Mom-n-Pop stores and shops out for good.
I have seen this first hand throughout N. America. Very sad.
I think it's about time "AMERICANS" take back our small towns and take a little pride in how we spend.
I know it's time to sell my house when Wal-mart moves into the neighborhood because the loathsome creatures will be soon to follow.
Ragnar

Just wonder what kind of vechiles you own?? rice burners???
if all the people that worked at wally world didnt work there were else would they work???Rite aid? pumping gas??? flipping burgers????Some ones got to do it. I think if you really knew what they payed and the bennifits they do offer arent that diffrent than alot of other companies out there. Like anything else if you dont like working/shopping there then dont. No one is holding a gun to your head! come on loathsome creature/kids we are going to wally world! beside customer service anywhere any more execpt for a few acceptions bites

[cheyenne10]

I have tough time believing Bimart would stop selling guns. This to me would equal to no guns, ammo, accessories. Their prices on what they sell are usually the best. They buy and sell in volume and able to take only small margin. That said they sell a lot of guns even in Eugene. I see no reason they would stop. The sales desk is same as fishing goods desk. SOunds like a visous rumor. I will wait to see rather that buy into that one.

[lentz]

A good friend of mine is the 2nd man of the Pendleton Bi-mart. I gave him a call and he hadn't heard of anything. HE did say that they only make a VERY SMALL profit when they sell a gun. Call me superstitious, but they are the only place that i buy my outdoor gear. A gentleman that i work with had told me that they were not going to sell guns, per his son that works there. Guess time will tell. Hopefully just some misunderstanding in their store.

[Trick]

I think if you really knew what they payed and the bennifits they do offer arent that diffrent than alot of other companies out there.

Yes, I agree.....but, this is because Walmart has forced industry consolidation and payroll/benefit reduction in the competition over the last 20 or so years.

Wages are generally one of the most controllable expenses in a business and this is one of the first areas that retailers look at when they are trying to be competitive with Walmart.

If you don't think they are changing the face of America then you are sorely mistaken.

It is America and everyone is free to support any legal business out there and were all free to have an opinion.

[Chesapeake]

A little off topic, but I find some of the talk about Wal-Mart's clientele insulting. It's not my favorite place in the world, but I do all my grocery shopping there as well as picking up some other items here and there (stuff that's cheaper for the exact same item I'd get elsewhere).
I shop there because I like to have food, pay the bills and have a little extra money when I'm done. Couldn't do that if I avoided Wal-Mart (the grocery department at least).

You should try Winco or Costco for groceries. I would think you could get better quality for the same or better price.

[Swamp Puppy]

You should try Winco or Costco for groceries. I would think you could get better quality for the same or better price.

HEY!!! why didn't i think of that?...oh yeah, because they don't HAVE a winco or costco in St Helens...or Scappoose...or Rainer....

Wally world is in my town..and yes, i do shop there. not for everything, but it sure is nice to have someplace to stop in and pick up an item or two when you need it (at a good price) without having to drive all the way to Hillsboro or Longview.

[reelbigfish72]

You should try Winco or Costco for groceries. I would think you could get better quality for the same or better price.

We get our meat and some other items at Costco, but no Winco nearby or I'd be all over it. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Chesapeake]

We get our meat and some other items at Costco, but no Winco nearby or I'd be all over it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Location, location, location. Well I guess if Walmart is all you have then thats where you get to shop. We lucked out and have a Cosco and Winco neer by.

[spinnerbob]

A little off topic, but I find some of the talk about Wal-Mart's clientele insulting. It's not my favorite place in the world, but I do all my grocery shopping there as well as picking up some other items here and there (stuff that's cheaper for the exact same item I'd get elsewhere).

The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them.
Karl Marx


WELL, YOU PICK WALMART.

[reelbigfish72]

You make a good point. The quote on my signature line does apply to the Wal-mart situation in a way. Pretty much anywhere I shop I'm giving my money to a huge corporation that really doesn't care about the people who shop there, work there, live nearby, or produce the items that make the corporation rich. It's the paradox of having to choose between the lesser of two evils (or the evil of two lessers).
I choose to shop where I can save a few bucks.

[Jennie@ifish]

Please remember that if you complain about a business in any way, you must write your full name, so that people can contact you to make it right.

There are employees of Walmart that are ifishers, and they take it personally if the rules of ifish are not enforced when people bash Walmart.

I don't blame them, as they are employees, just as in anywhere else.

Please, if you want to complain about Walmart, you may do so, but with a signature of your real name, included.

Thank you!
Jen

[Tilla]

Well are we learning anything here? Any economics people willing to sum up how the desire for low prices may send business to other countries?
Unfortunately the desire to buy American and low prices are just not the same thing.

[sinker]

Yes, I agree.....but, this is because Walmart has forced industry consolidation and payroll/benefit reduction in the competition over the last 20 or so years.

Wages are generally one of the most controllable expenses in a business and this is one of the first areas that retailers look at when they are trying to be competitive with Walmart.

If you don't think they are changing the face of America then you are sorely mistaken.

It is America and everyone is free to support any legal business out there and were all free to have an opinion.

Retail jobs have always been the lower paying jobs out there. It's good for people who need awkward and flexible schedules, part time jobs, sometimes it's the only job they can get. None of these things are new to retail.

Everyone acts like walmart has been around here forever but they're pretty new on the retail scene around here.

[baltz526]

Well are we learning anything here? Any economics people willing to sum up how the desire for low prices may send business to other countries?
Unfortunately the desire to buy American and low prices are just not the same thing.

i have nothing bad to say about wal-mart. wal-mart provides a lot of jobs for the hard to employ. look at what you buy at wal-mart. seperate it out into product type, drug, food, cloths, homewares, sports, auto, garden, ect. we buy stuff from the drugstore section as our largest percentage of purcheses, then cleaning products for a buisness, then everything else in much lower percentage. i'll include old roy dog bones, as a seperate major catagorie. the majority of products we buy at wal-mart are american made, we shop elsewhere for our chinese made junk products we buy lower priced american products at wal-mart, now. and when wal-mart gets done with the two new super centers, they are planning for central oregon. we may buy some american grown/processes/packaged food products in the new grocery sections. the economics are wal-mart provides jobs, and sells a lot of american made products, and non american manufactured us companys products. these are all good for our economy as a whole. it is sad that smaller buisnesses are killed by big retailers. but that is our fault, us consumers, not the big retailer. if we do not shop at the small retailer, we are to blame for their decline.

[BrotherWolf]

Everyone acts like walmart has been around here forever but they're pretty new on the retail scene around here.

They have been in Oregon since 1989... I wouldnt say that is pretty new but they have expanded alot in the last 6 years

[BrotherWolf]

i have nothing bad to say about wal-mart. wal-mart provides a lot of jobs for the hard to employ. look at what you buy at wal-mart. seperate it out into product type, drug, food, cloths, homewares, sports, auto, garden, ect. we buy stuff from the drugstore section as our largest percentage of purcheses, then cleaning products for a buisness, then everything else in much lower percentage. i'll include old roy dog bones, as a seperate major catagorie. the majority of products we buy at wal-mart are american made, we shop elsewhere for our chinese made junk products we buy lower priced american products at wal-mart, now. and when wal-mart gets done with the two new super centers, they are planning for central oregon. we may buy some american grown/processes/packaged food products in the new grocery sections. the economics are wal-mart provides jobs, and sells a lot of american made products, and non american manufactured us companys products. these are all good for our economy as a whole. it is sad that smaller buisnesses are killed by big retailers. but that is our fault, us consumers, not the big retailer. if we do not shop at the small retailer, we are to blame for their decline.

that pretty much sums it up!

I deal with the ma and pa stores and other small retailers daily and let me tell ya some of there prices are way out of line. 30% is a normal mark up on most all products every where. But I see 45% and 60% mark up's daily in my line of work and let me tell it kills there sales on those Items. And they wonder why they cant sell it. For small ma and pop stores they need the foot traffic. And with what gas costs are these days people arent going to spend that kinda money on something they know they can get cheaper elsewhere. But the stores that only go 20% to 25% are the ones moving product and they buy in on things when there on post off to make up the diffrence.


Did you know that when it comes to beer that the cheapest place to buy it is Rite Aid

[Trick]

Retail jobs have always been the lower paying jobs out there. It's good for people who need awkward and flexible schedules, part time jobs, sometimes it's the only job they can get. None of these things are new to retail.

Very true, they are generally lower paying jobs for the majority in this field. I still feel that generally on average workers in a Walmart are paid less and receive fewer benefits then say a Union Safeway Cashier.

Like I said before, everyone has a right to shop in any legal business operating in the U.S.. Walmart has built an empire by giving consumers what they wanted and they should be applauded for being so successful. I do disagree with some of their practices and I feel that they have become so large that they sometimes loose focus of their most important assets....their people.

I personally feel better inside paying a little bit more and supporting our local businesses. That's just me. Will I still find myself in a Walmart....sometimes...but I'm a sucker for good customer service and I generally don't find it in a Walmart.