When are the dollars uber Alles trolls who run WalMart going to WAKE UP AND SMELL THE CAT LITTER? Is it going to take someone being trampled to death in one of their stores before they decide that their despicable bait-and-switch loss-leader strategy is a dishonest, despicable, and downright dangerous way to do business? Or does WalMart management consider a casualty count to simply be a cost of doing business during the holiday season?
I must admit that I was tempted by the WalMart circular in Thursday’s Chronicle, which advertised laptops for less than $400. Being in the market for a new laptop myself, it seemed like a good idea…until I read the fine print. Then there was the reality that it was WalMart, which I have effectively boycotted for a few years now. Ultimately, common sense prevailed when I realized how much I detest crowds (and WalMart). I stayed home…and it turned out to be a wise decision. With each location only having a very few (in some cases, 10) laptops available, it was as if the company WANTED to create chaos. After all, shoppers falling all over themselves (and in some cases becoming violent) makes for great press, and when it comes to retail during Christmas, any publicity is good publicity, no?
You can find examples of what happens when retail Hell takes advantage of it’s customers here, here, here, here, and here. Even here in Texas, lunacy reigned. And these are hardly the only examples of what can happen when a retail giant promises something that is too good to be true in order to get people into their stores, and then delivers far too little of it.
WalMart cannot claim in good faith that they never expected this sort of madness to break out. This is hardly the first year this has happened, and indeed, this stories lead the day-after-Thanksgiving news every year. WalMart, in fact, create this hysteria and profits from it. It seems to be nothing if not a corporation-wide marketing stratedy.If they didn’t profit from it, they would not continue to do it. What amazes me is that there is no organization, no plans for dealing with the crowds- nothing geared towards the safety of their shoppers. No, it’s throw the doors open and get the hell out of the way. If a few fat women get trampled…well, maybe next year they should try to get into better shape, eh?
I realize that WalMart is not the only retail giant to engage in these reprehensible tactics, merely the most egregious. When you value the Almighty Dollar over all else, including the safety and well-being of your customers, you get WalMart. And WalMart needs to be held responsible for what happens at their stores- BEFORE someone gets killed. Or does the company just consider the occasional death merely an inconvenient cost of doing business?
Merry F——-g Christmas…and Season’s Beatings. May all y’all get everything you want under your tree this year…without someone having to lose a limb to get it for you.
Don't be childish. It's spelled "Fucking".
Childish? Not at all. I just don't want those folks who read TPRS at work to have it blocked by their company's filters. Besides, I'm well aware of the spelling, thank you. ;o)
For years I sold my soul to Walmart. One day I went to Randall's, where I paid a little more, but when I left I didn't feel like I needed a shower. It was liberating, rather like getting out of an abusive relationship and then dating someone nice! I'll be a whore no more to Wallyworld.