Wednesday, June 24, 2009
WalMart Must Make Its Margins Somewhere
Cheap WalMart Meds Supplied by Disreputable Indian Supplier that's been investigated by the FDA and DOJ. And the company has had its products banned from Canada!
So yeah, WalMart is offering cheap medication from a company with repeated violations for contamination, falsification of records and for submitting false info to the FDA.
You get what you pay for at WalMart and what you are paying for is crappy medication.
How disgusting and underhanded can one megacompany be? Stay tuned to find out.
Friday, May 29, 2009
I'm Sorry, What? Seven K for Enabling a Stomping Death?
So yeah, WalMart is offering cheap medication from a company with repeated violations for contamination, falsification of records and for submitting false info to the FDA.
You get what you pay for at WalMart and what you are paying for is crappy medication.
How disgusting and underhanded can one megacompany be? Stay tuned to find out.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Del.icio.us It
Digg It!I'm Sorry, What? Seven K for Enabling a Stomping Death?
Wal-Mart to be fined for poor planning that led to employee's death but the maximum fine is a mere $7k and Wal-Mart covers that fine in only 20 seconds of operation.
What's the message being sent here? The cost of a human life is 20 seconds of operation for Wal-Mart. That just makes me sad.
If Wal-Mart wanted to make some positive PR out of this then they'd pay 100 times the fine, acknowledge the horrific way this temp worker died and vow to never ever let it happen again.
But, since Wal-Mart is a soulless money sucking corporation, they will fight the fine, spend ten times the cost of the fine on their lawyers, garner even more bad publicity and move on to their next affront to human decency.
This is why I despise Wal-Mart and everything it stands for.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Green Day Stands Up to Wal-Mart
What's the message being sent here? The cost of a human life is 20 seconds of operation for Wal-Mart. That just makes me sad.
If Wal-Mart wanted to make some positive PR out of this then they'd pay 100 times the fine, acknowledge the horrific way this temp worker died and vow to never ever let it happen again.
But, since Wal-Mart is a soulless money sucking corporation, they will fight the fine, spend ten times the cost of the fine on their lawyers, garner even more bad publicity and move on to their next affront to human decency.
This is why I despise Wal-Mart and everything it stands for.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Green Day Stands Up to Wal-Mart
Green Day lashes out at Wal-Mart policy that wanted them to censor their music or Wal-Mart wouldn't stock their CD.
Green Day refused and Wal-Mart won't be selling their best selling "21st Centure Breakdown".
Good for Green Day, if more artists and producers refused to bow down to Wal-Mart's demands then Wal-Mart would be forced to change how they do business.
Good on Green Day! Makes me want to go out and buy their new album.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wal-Mart Settles Race Bias Suit
Green Day refused and Wal-Mart won't be selling their best selling "21st Centure Breakdown".
Good for Green Day, if more artists and producers refused to bow down to Wal-Mart's demands then Wal-Mart would be forced to change how they do business.
Good on Green Day! Makes me want to go out and buy their new album.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wal-Mart Settles Race Bias Suit
Wal-Mart Agrees To Pay $17.5 Million To Settle Race Bias Suit
Seems like they are getting off easy for a company philosophy of discrimination against black drivers for its trucks.
Yet another knock against the largest retailer on the planet. But hey, at least they are expanding their repertoire of douchebaggery. Usually its just forcing people to work through breaks and off the clock.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
The Boss Regrets Wal-Mart Deal
Seems like they are getting off easy for a company philosophy of discrimination against black drivers for its trucks.
Yet another knock against the largest retailer on the planet. But hey, at least they are expanding their repertoire of douchebaggery. Usually its just forcing people to work through breaks and off the clock.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
The Boss Regrets Wal-Mart Deal
Springsteen calls Wal-Mart deal a mistake because he's supposed to be all about worker rights and Wal-Mart has a long history of abusing those same rights.
Seems like The Boss let his greed get the best of him.
But at least Springsteen has come clean about it and drawn more attention to Wal-Mart's less than stellar business practices.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Another Shoplifter Sentenced to Death by Wal-Mart
Seems like The Boss let his greed get the best of him.
But at least Springsteen has come clean about it and drawn more attention to Wal-Mart's less than stellar business practices.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Another Shoplifter Sentenced to Death by Wal-Mart
I'm sure they didn't mean for Russell S. Palmer to die, but they held him down after he was suspected of shoplifting and he did die.
Another Shoplifter Death at Wal-Mart
From the Wal-Mart employee handbook:
"Great caution must be used in any shoplifting situation. If you suspect someone is shoplifting, maintain eye contact with the suspected shoplifter and notify a member of management. DO NOT, in any circumstance, accuse or try to apprehend a shoplifting suspect on your own. You may assist in the apprehension if directed to do so by a member of management or Loss Prevention."
And yet, two security guards and a bystander held Mr. Palmer down until he was dead.
I'm not condoning shoplifting by any stretch but I don't think he should have died for such a minor crime. Just another reason to avoid Wal-Mart like the retail plague it is.
Obama Won't Shop at Wal-Mart
Another Shoplifter Death at Wal-Mart
From the Wal-Mart employee handbook:
"Great caution must be used in any shoplifting situation. If you suspect someone is shoplifting, maintain eye contact with the suspected shoplifter and notify a member of management. DO NOT, in any circumstance, accuse or try to apprehend a shoplifting suspect on your own. You may assist in the apprehension if directed to do so by a member of management or Loss Prevention."
And yet, two security guards and a bystander held Mr. Palmer down until he was dead.
I'm not condoning shoplifting by any stretch but I don't think he should have died for such a minor crime. Just another reason to avoid Wal-Mart like the retail plague it is.
Labels: death, shoplifting
Obama Won't Shop at Wal-Mart
Barack Obama Doesn't Shop at Wal-Mart and neither should you.
His reasons? Wal-Mart is anti-union and treats its employees "shabbily". Works for me.
Note, if you shop at Wal-Mart because you have to because of economic constraints then I honestly have no issue with your doing so. It is when people of greater means that can afford to shop at less exploitative places of business that I have an issue. Studies have shown that Target's prices are as good or better than Wal-Mart but that people feel like Wal-Mart's prices are better because the stores are not as well kept (no lie, people equate lower prices with messier stores).
Friday, January 23, 2009
Some Crooked Big Box Stores Don't Want to Learn
His reasons? Wal-Mart is anti-union and treats its employees "shabbily". Works for me.
Note, if you shop at Wal-Mart because you have to because of economic constraints then I honestly have no issue with your doing so. It is when people of greater means that can afford to shop at less exploitative places of business that I have an issue. Studies have shown that Target's prices are as good or better than Wal-Mart but that people feel like Wal-Mart's prices are better because the stores are not as well kept (no lie, people equate lower prices with messier stores).
Labels: anti-union, exploitation, Obama
Friday, January 23, 2009
Some Crooked Big Box Stores Don't Want to Learn
Wal-Mart, after paying fine, still violating Ct tax laws by illegally refusing to refund sales taxes on returned items and then charging sales tax again on new sales.
If you do the one, you can't do the other, that's just honest and logical business.
In this case, the columnist had a key made that did not work, they tried to return it and got their money back minus the sales tax and then had to pay more sales tax on the new key that was made.
Nice (though unethical and illegal) way to pad the bottom line, Wally.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Waning momentum at Wal-Mart
If you do the one, you can't do the other, that's just honest and logical business.
In this case, the columnist had a key made that did not work, they tried to return it and got their money back minus the sales tax and then had to pay more sales tax on the new key that was made.
Nice (though unethical and illegal) way to pad the bottom line, Wally.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Waning momentum at Wal-Mart
Waning momentum at Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart is going to have its worst year in a long, long time. Sure, much of the rest of the market will also suffer but Wal-Mart has alot further to fall. And I'll be here, with my popcorn, watching.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Wal-Mart Spreads Like a Virus
Holy cats, this is both fascinating and frightening. This is a flash-based map showing how Wal-Marts have spread across the nation.
If you don't think the mega-retailer is a virus on the land then this just might change your mind.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
More Wal-Mart Workers Joining Forces
“Sales were especially poor in discretionary items in general, at Sam’s Club, and in the International division, illustrating that even Wal-Mart is not immune to the economic slowdown. The incremental benefit it realized from consumer trade down in 2008 might not repeat itself in 2009,” Credit Suisse stated.
...
“Price increases, not unit growth, within the grocery and health and wellness categories drove the majority of Wal-Mart’s sales growth in 2008,” Credit Suisse stated in its research note.
Wal-Mart is going to have its worst year in a long, long time. Sure, much of the rest of the market will also suffer but Wal-Mart has alot further to fall. And I'll be here, with my popcorn, watching.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Wal-Mart Spreads Like a Virus
Holy cats, this is both fascinating and frightening. This is a flash-based map showing how Wal-Marts have spread across the nation.If you don't think the mega-retailer is a virus on the land then this just might change your mind.
Labels: virus, wal-mart, walmart
Sunday, January 04, 2009
More Wal-Mart Workers Joining Forces
Wal-Mart workers in Canada organize
"From it's support for Communist Chinese unions while opposing independent unions elsewhere, Wal-Mart is on a corporate mission to make sure that workers are not afforded any level of dignity."
What's that? Its the sound of progress, Wally. Get used to more and more of your peons throwing off the chains and banding together to better demand living wages, health coverage and those little things like getting paid for the hours worked.
Suck reality, Wally-world.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Another Drop in the Bucket Loss for Wal-Mart Wage Exploitation
"From it's support for Communist Chinese unions while opposing independent unions elsewhere, Wal-Mart is on a corporate mission to make sure that workers are not afforded any level of dignity."
What's that? Its the sound of progress, Wally. Get used to more and more of your peons throwing off the chains and banding together to better demand living wages, health coverage and those little things like getting paid for the hours worked.
Suck reality, Wally-world.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Another Drop in the Bucket Loss for Wal-Mart Wage Exploitation
Wal-Mart to pay up to $54 million to settle wage suit
At what point does the Justice Department look at these many and repeated lawsuits of Wal-Mart's wage exploitation and finally step in and say these are not isolated incidents. Wal-Mart has a corporate philosophy of squeezing its least powerful employees for extra work. Nobody likes being squeezed and, eventually, the squeezees will fight back and win yet another judgment.
Spend your money at Wal-Mart? Then you are supporting an exploitative company that crosses the line so often that it knows the border guards by name and how well their kids did in school this last semester.
Wal-Mart cares not the least about the law, they care about their bottomline regardless. And that is despicable.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Short Answer: No, You Should Not Shop at Wal-Mart
At what point does the Justice Department look at these many and repeated lawsuits of Wal-Mart's wage exploitation and finally step in and say these are not isolated incidents. Wal-Mart has a corporate philosophy of squeezing its least powerful employees for extra work. Nobody likes being squeezed and, eventually, the squeezees will fight back and win yet another judgment.
Spend your money at Wal-Mart? Then you are supporting an exploitative company that crosses the line so often that it knows the border guards by name and how well their kids did in school this last semester.
Wal-Mart cares not the least about the law, they care about their bottomline regardless. And that is despicable.
Labels: exploitation, lawsuit, wal-mart, walmart
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Short Answer: No, You Should Not Shop at Wal-Mart
Kerry Trueman: The Big Box Paradox: Should We Shop At Wal-Mart?
The essay details Wal-Mart's recent and highly publicized efforts to go green only the greenwashing is a business decision rather than a decision to actually improve people's lives.
If you have no choice but to shop at Wal-Mart because your money is very tight then I have truly no issue with you shopping there. If, like my brother, you have plenty of means but still choose to support the goliath then I do have an issue with that. Its supporting a company with a long history of employee abuses and exploitations, of supply chain bullying, of health insurance coverage dodging and willfully charging customers more for items and then making it damned near impossible to get proper compensation.
Wal-Mart sucks, shop there if you must but don't if you have the means not to. Please.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wal-Mart Loses Another Lawsuit for Off-the-Clock Working
The essay details Wal-Mart's recent and highly publicized efforts to go green only the greenwashing is a business decision rather than a decision to actually improve people's lives.
If you have no choice but to shop at Wal-Mart because your money is very tight then I have truly no issue with you shopping there. If, like my brother, you have plenty of means but still choose to support the goliath then I do have an issue with that. Its supporting a company with a long history of employee abuses and exploitations, of supply chain bullying, of health insurance coverage dodging and willfully charging customers more for items and then making it damned near impossible to get proper compensation.
Wal-Mart sucks, shop there if you must but don't if you have the means not to. Please.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wal-Mart Loses Another Lawsuit for Off-the-Clock Working
Wal-Mart to Pay $54 Million to Settle Minnesota Suit
Gee, a mere 2 million times they broke state laws in forcingslaves employees to work off the clock.
It isn't enough to make Wal-Mart change their policies but the more attention that is drawn to how they treat workers, the more likely someone will go and spend their money at a business that isn't in the news constantly for shameless business practices.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Wal-Mart fined for Double Taxing Exchanges
Gee, a mere 2 million times they broke state laws in forcing
It isn't enough to make Wal-Mart change their policies but the more attention that is drawn to how they treat workers, the more likely someone will go and spend their money at a business that isn't in the news constantly for shameless business practices.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Wal-Mart fined for Double Taxing Exchanges
Wal-Mart fined, fesses up to charging illegal taxes in Connecticut when customers would return an item for an even exchange.
Which is to say, Wal-Mart had to be forced to admit they were double charging people and they even had fake posters up that tried to blame the state of Connecticut for their shysterism.
Yet another reason why I freaking hate Wal-Mart.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
D.C. Progressive Examiner: Why I boycott Walmart
Which is to say, Wal-Mart had to be forced to admit they were double charging people and they even had fake posters up that tried to blame the state of Connecticut for their shysterism.
Yet another reason why I freaking hate Wal-Mart.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
D.C. Progressive Examiner: Why I boycott Walmart
D.C. Progressive Examiner: Why I boycott Walmart: "I know why.
Because Walmart is evil."
An editorial after my own heart that makes a few good points. Some that are overlooked like how Wal-Mart throttles suppliers, forcing them to do business how they want it done, forcing them to sell product to them far cheaper than they can afford and start the supplier into a downward spiral. Once the supplier gets low enough, Wal-Mart will "graciously" offer to buy them out.
The editorial wraps up with: "And so Walmart uses its power to hurt American values, American workers, American business and the American economy. (Even consumers themselves if they’re not careful.)
I waited until after Black Friday to tell this story because I can’t, in good conscience, ask other people not to shop at Walmart. Not in this economy."
Nor can I but it is important to know what you are supporting with your money. If you have no other choice then you have no other choice but if can spend your money somewhere else then please do.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wal-Mart has Killer Deals
Because Walmart is evil."
An editorial after my own heart that makes a few good points. Some that are overlooked like how Wal-Mart throttles suppliers, forcing them to do business how they want it done, forcing them to sell product to them far cheaper than they can afford and start the supplier into a downward spiral. Once the supplier gets low enough, Wal-Mart will "graciously" offer to buy them out.
The editorial wraps up with: "And so Walmart uses its power to hurt American values, American workers, American business and the American economy. (Even consumers themselves if they’re not careful.)
I waited until after Black Friday to tell this story because I can’t, in good conscience, ask other people not to shop at Walmart. Not in this economy."
Nor can I but it is important to know what you are supporting with your money. If you have no other choice then you have no other choice but if can spend your money somewhere else then please do.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wal-Mart has Killer Deals
Wal-Mart worker dies after shoppers knock him down and trample him to death in a mad rush "Black Friday" bargains and deals.
Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with people?
I think people need a refresher course in what Christmas is supposed to be about. Hint, it isn't about bargain hunting and going into debt to buy presents.
I am appalled. And yes, this could have happened at any of a thousand other stores but it didn't, it happened at Wal-Mart.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
We Are Under Construction
Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with people?
I think people need a refresher course in what Christmas is supposed to be about. Hint, it isn't about bargain hunting and going into debt to buy presents.
I am appalled. And yes, this could have happened at any of a thousand other stores but it didn't, it happened at Wal-Mart.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
We Are Under Construction
Bear with me. Changes are a'coming. The ads don't want to resolve properly yet. And, with Black Friday rapidly approaching, the traffic on this blog is spiking sharply even though there's absolutely zero chance I'd post Wal-Mart Black Friday deals. Maybe people are educating themselves this Christmas and choosing better places to spend what money they do have? That would be nice.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Op-Ed: Wal-Mart is the problem
Labels: blog
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Op-Ed: Wal-Mart is the problem
Wal-Mart is the problem -- chicagotribune.com:
Friday, November 21, 2008
Welcome to Wallyland
Are you aware of the hundreds of thousands of jobs that have been sent overseas because of Wal-Mart? Are you aware of the number of bankruptcies Wal-Mart has caused? Did you know that Wal-Mart dictates what it will pay it's vendors for their goods. Did you know that Wal-Mart is the single largest importer of goods from overseas? Can you say Trade Deficit?Well said, Mr. Charles Thomas, well said.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Welcome to Wallyland
RealClearPolitics - Wal-Mart Economy Lays Us All Low:
There are other places to spend your money, places that treat their employees with respect, places that don't even cost more than Wal-Mart (studies have shown that Wal-Mart's prices are no better than Target's) and places that don't sell knockoffs as originals (the recent story of fake Apple Nanos on Wal-Mart shelves comes to mind).
Don't get me wrong, I know the economic downturn hits the poorest folk the hardest. I know because I am in the poorest folk class. And we squeeze every penny as hard as we can get the most out of it. But giving my money to Wal-Mart doesn't enter into the equation because I just can't stomach the idea of giving them money when they behave in such a reprehensible (and codified throughout the company) manner.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Truth in Advertising
Shanghaiist: Hey Fatso: Buy your boxers at Wal-Mart in Shanghai
They are easy to find, the box says Fatso on it. Nice. I wonder if they have a line of paper bags called Ugly? A line of hats called Baldy?
Friday, November 14, 2008
Feed Test
"Here is what Wal-Mart's 2008 annual report says: The company is a defendant in 'numerous cases' for alleged violations of wage and hour laws. Generally, they involve employees who say they were forced to work 'off the clock,' who were denied meal and rest breaks, or who claim the company simply found other ways not to pay them for hours they'd worked.And yet, they pursue obviously stupid lawsuits (like trying to get sites that link to sites with Black Friday information to remove those links). They continue to send insane amounts of money to China for poisonous toys. The continue to exploit healthcare systems and their employees to squeeze every dime they can for their shareholders.
Wal-Mart also is ensnared in the largest gender-discrimination lawsuit ever, with women claiming they were paid less and denied promotions and transfers that men received. It faces environmental charges from federal and state prosecutors who say Wal-Mart has flouted hazardous waste disposal and other laws."
There are other places to spend your money, places that treat their employees with respect, places that don't even cost more than Wal-Mart (studies have shown that Wal-Mart's prices are no better than Target's) and places that don't sell knockoffs as originals (the recent story of fake Apple Nanos on Wal-Mart shelves comes to mind).
Don't get me wrong, I know the economic downturn hits the poorest folk the hardest. I know because I am in the poorest folk class. And we squeeze every penny as hard as we can get the most out of it. But giving my money to Wal-Mart doesn't enter into the equation because I just can't stomach the idea of giving them money when they behave in such a reprehensible (and codified throughout the company) manner.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Truth in Advertising
Shanghaiist: Hey Fatso: Buy your boxers at Wal-Mart in ShanghaiThey are easy to find, the box says Fatso on it. Nice. I wonder if they have a line of paper bags called Ugly? A line of hats called Baldy?
Labels: bad marketing, wal-mart, walmart
Friday, November 14, 2008
Feed Test
This is a test.
The feed should go to http://www.intellectualpoison.com/rss2/WIPE.xml
Site Feed is Changing
The feed should go to http://www.intellectualpoison.com/rss2/WIPE.xml
Site Feed is Changing
I guess I've gotten tired enough of having my rss feeds crossed and every post going up here on WIPE funneling through my regular blog, Intellectual Poison.
The site feed will be changing shortly.
Sorry if this munges things up on your end, it isn't intentional.
Wal-Mart Exhibits Meta-Stupidity
The site feed will be changing shortly.
Sorry if this munges things up on your end, it isn't intentional.
Labels: rss
Wal-Mart Exhibits Meta-Stupidity
Techdirt: Wal-Mart Now Going After Search Engines For Linking To Sites With Black Friday Ads
Note, this isn't sites posting Black Friday ads, these are sites that link to sites that post Black Friday ads. Nevermind the fact that Wal-Mart needs every bit of help it can get in this holiday season that promises to be one of the worst in recent years.
I say, fine. Just don't go to friggin' Wal-Mart and don't spend any of your money there. But I'm sure they are trying to figure out a way to sue people who don't shop there.
Friday, October 31, 2008
All Hail Costco
Note, this isn't sites posting Black Friday ads, these are sites that link to sites that post Black Friday ads. Nevermind the fact that Wal-Mart needs every bit of help it can get in this holiday season that promises to be one of the worst in recent years.
I say, fine. Just don't go to friggin' Wal-Mart and don't spend any of your money there. But I'm sure they are trying to figure out a way to sue people who don't shop there.
Friday, October 31, 2008
All Hail Costco
The Motley Fool has an interesting article, All Hail CostCo that details some of the sharp differences between Wal-Mart and CostCo.
I shop at CostCo because the prices are good, the stores are well cared for, the employees are well cared for and it is a company I can feel good about supporting. How many of you shopping at Wallyworld can say the same thing?
# CEO Jim Sinegal earns a mere $350,000 per year, with a bonus of as much as $200,000 (and possibly some stock). He aims to earn no more than three or four times what his highest-paid store managers earn. "Having an individual who is making 100 or 200 or 300 times more than the average person working on the floor is wrong," Sinegal has said.How much did the Wal-Mart CEO take home last year? How many hundreds of times was that above the floor level grunt?
# Costco pays its employees relatively lavishly. Workers reportedly start at $10 or more per hour, considerably more than elsewhere, where minimum wage is the usual starting point. According to a 2008 SmartMoney article, average pay topped $18 an hour, fully 68% more than employees earned at Wal-Mart's (NYSE: WMT) Sam's Club, and more than BJ's Wholesale (NYSE: BJ) employees earn, too. Roughly 85% of Costco's employees had health insurance last year (at fairly cheap rates), versus only about half at Wal-Mart and Target (NYSE: TGT). All this leads to low turnover, saving the company money on recruiting and training new employees, and helping Sinegal argue that it's simply a rational business practice.
I shop at CostCo because the prices are good, the stores are well cared for, the employees are well cared for and it is a company I can feel good about supporting. How many of you shopping at Wallyworld can say the same thing?
Labels: comparison, costco, wal-mart