Is Wal-mart evil?

They must more good than bad because they are creating all these jobs, but their problem is they don't want to share the huge profit they are making. So they have to be punished in a capitalist way, that's they have to be made to lose to a compitator, but it will have to be a tough one and big and I couldn't name any. If you can beat them take advantage of what they are offering, because no one beats their price.

I could go on forever about this subject, but I'll try to keep it to a minimum! I think Walmart is a necessary evil. I don't like their practices, but they provide jobs and products to people who may otherwise not have such opportunities. They force the market to be competitive, but at what cost? They OWN the market in some respects. Although I cannot vouch for the validity of the statement today, when I was in University some 10 years ago, I learned Walmart essentially sets the standard for minimum wage in the US and many smaller or specialty stores only exist because they are somehow linked to Walmart-usually by being found in the same plaza or mall as a Walmart. So it ensures cheap labour and an ever growing population of low-income customers while profit and expansion soars. It seems like a sad, vicious cycle. Unfortunately, I can't see it changing any time soon.

I don't know if wal-mart is evil, but my father in-law will not shop there and doesn't like it when we do either, we get an earful from him if we even mention wal-mart.

I personally don't enjoy shopping there, but my husband hates it. He calls Walmart "The Evil W" and he has said it so many times that my 4 year old son calls it that now too. I saw a documentary about their business practices and some of what they do is pretty dirty. I wonder if it would be so bad if Mr. Walton were still alive? He always seemed to be a good guy from his press coverage... but perhaps he is the devil who started it all?

I worked there. I was treated like scum, got paid crap, got accused of doing horrible things like stealing (which i would never do!) & was fired a day before i was suppost to get a raise and benefits. I like to shop there though. Dirt cheap prices.

I have heard a lot about people boycotting Walmart, as I used to do phone interview surveys. I guess there are two ways of looking at the issue. One is that they purportedley make use of child labour in 3rd world countries and pay them a pittance. The other view is maybe the people in that country and the children see it differently and are glad for the work and the money however little it may be. From our point of view for those of us who care, it is terrible, but maybe these people see it differently. Maybe someone should ask them what they think?

I know what you mean. Isn't life a 'catch 22'?

I like Walmart. It's one of my favorite places for groceries, and all kinds of things. I also like Sam's Club. It doesn't matter to me what anyone says about it, I will continue to shop there.

I used to shop there because they were nice and cheap... but I'm finding that I can find the same things for about the same price and better quality. You just have to shop around. And with all the bad publicity I'm really disapproving of their business practices.

I don't think they are evil...however they only lower prices for one reason only. Walmart moves into a city or town and compete with other like retail stores. The lower there prices and it goes into a price war, eventually, what Walmart hopes is that the other retails fold because of walmarts better deals, this goes on until Walmart is the only Retail store of that type in the city...then they raise there prices and you have no choice but to buy from their store

i guess if you have any experience working for them you may be abit biased in your answer. But i feel that they may have shoddy business practices but they so affer alot or great stuff.

I beleive it is. But, that's just me.

I agree with you. I have a friend that works in the store and she is treated really bad. Their business practises are so poor it is only their low prices that keep ppl shopping there.

i would not say its a devil as it helps many human beings to survive

I am reading all your responses about walmart. Soon walmart is going to have Indian office at Bangalore and start their business by opening outlets are major cities of the country. These information will become handy.

My father in law works for Wal-mart and he is also a very good Christian man, I don't think they are evil, because if they were I don't think he would be working for them.

I have no clue, i've never worked there but where I live the employees are very loud and it is always crowded with rude people so I tend not to shop there unless they have a product I want that is cheaper.

I shop at walmart sometimes

I personally enjoy walmart. They offer low prices and a lot of different stuff. I can go there to buy school supplies, groceries, cleaning stuff, clothes and much more. Almost anything I need can be purchased at Wal Mart and I appreciate that. I also enjoy shopping that their sister store, Sams. I save tons there too. I also like the fact that they do try to have a nice family environment. They have toyland, and characters come to visit your kids sometimes. I know we always do pics with the easter bunny and with Santa. It's also one of the few places I have shopped that actually checks id's for kids buying movies and cd's that are explicitedly rated. I have a son who is growing fast, I like to know someone is looking out if I happen to not catch something.

I used to work at Wal-Mart also. I didnt really mind it, the benefits were great and I liked the money. I was 17 then though and didnt have any family or anything to feed. I dont think people with a family could live very well off the salary they pay. My grandmother worked there for 11 years and the most she made was 12 an hour. Thats not very much. I do shop there all the time though, its the only place I go. Thats only because I live in a small town, and there arent any other grocery stores.