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Comments
Speaking about not paying much, on the return trip from Florida City we went to the Miccosukee Casino once again for a $9.99 steak and lobster lunch (inc baked potato, salad, cake).
If we joined the club, just had to sign up, we got $25 to spend, but you had to use it up on one machine. You could keep any winnings in cash. I think the machines are fixed to make you win so you will be hooked.
I am not a gambler, I wouldn't get addicted. But, I did make $35 from my free $25 and my wife made $25. We thought we should quit before we lost it all which is what people usually do.
So, basically we had a free dinner and won a few bucks, and had a few hours of entertainment. That was better than paying as little as possible, that was coming out ahead - it was better than shopping at Walmart..
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I've actually seen some Walmarts close down because the local community wouldn't support them.
BTW....I think I've got a sales story if things work out the way I hope. Probably won't know for certain until tomorrow, however.
Hope so, sounds like it could be an interesting one, especially if it is the neighbor.
Walmart squeezes it's suppliers to the limit. They have squeezed a lot of businesses out of business. I like a more cooperative business model. However, they have also made other companies try to find ways to cut costs too, and so overall they have led the way in lowering prices.
I am not against Walmart...I even shop there on occassion, I just want the competition to survive too, or all we will have is Walmart.
One example is I needed some running/cross trainer shoes, and we went to the Addidas store in the outlet mall. I told the fellow what I used the shoes for, how I thought some shoes were to light for me, how I wanted more structure. He explained how running shoes have little structure because the idea is to make them as light as possible, and able to breath.
I needed more of a training shoe. He explained a tennis shoe has lots of structure for twisting and turning, but is too heavy for every day use. I found exactly what I wanted, in fact I got one pair of shoes and a second pair for half price. Came to about $90, but I was happy to pay the extra $10 or $20 for all the knowledge and so I would get exactly what I wanted. Might actually cost less in the long run.
At Walmart I would be lucky to find a sales person and I am sure their knowledge would be pretty limited.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Where were your Adidas shoes made?
Look at similar shoes in Walmart and check where they are made.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Every week of every year retailers will give things away to get you into the store hoping that you will spend more money in the store to ease the pain of selling an item (or three) at a 5% gross.
We tend to avoid Walmart just because I hate shopping there. They do have some great prices , at times even cheaper per unit than the wholesale club. I think that we all tend to forget that they do a great job at keeping prices lower in all stores and are a huge employer in the US. When they enter a small town, yes they hurt local business, but also create 200+ jobs. I've also read they hire from within so many managers have worked their way through the ranks.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
How much is your Doc Fee? Is it negotiable?
You are right on that point. Yesterday I was looking at a Laptop at a Super Mega Wal-Mart store. There was no one in sight to help so I walked around until I found the person responsible for the electronics section. He had no clue whether they had the item in stock much less for detailed product information.
Speaking of Wal-Mart electronics, it wasn't long ago that Wal-Mart cooked up a strategy to compete vigorously with BestBuy. They organized the electronics section very well, even setting up a special "Apple-style" sales area....Fast forward two years later and the electronic section looks like a liquidation center with dusty and disorganized TVs and computers all over the place. Oh what a mess.
If their intent was to put BestBuy out of business, it worked. Because BestBuy is hurting badly. Nowadays, most people use BestBuy as a demo center, then order online from a discount supplier. Oh well, that's the nature of capitalism...creative destruction.
But clothes? Never happening (outside of Hanes undies I guess!) and the food overall (fresh stuff) is actually more than at shop rite overall.
selection will also be limited.
For many items, they also sell crap. Even the name brand stuff can be lower quality, since they have to build to a price (you get the same problem at a big box hardware store. Moen is not always Moen for instance).
But no real worry about higher end stuff like running shoes, since wallyworld normally just carries cheap no-name stuff, or if it is a name brand like Adidas, it will be the cheapest model, then decontented.
And no, there business model does not include knowledgeable customer service. You want cheap, you mostly are on your own.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Carmax will give you a written offer, good for about a week. They will give you the same amount on a trade-in or cash. No difference.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
We had a reservation in the lodge, which was $200. per night. After seeing the cabins, we decided we wanted to stay in one of them.
The lady at the check-in desk informed me that they were $399. per night. She became quite snippy when I asked if she could give us a lower price on the cabins. "Absolutely not, that is our only price, take it or leave it". Without checking in, I told her I would think about it.
My wife was busy shopping around in the lobby area so I found a nice comfortable chair where I could see the check-in desk, which had multiple stations, etc., whipped out the cell phone and called reservations.
I saw a young man answer the phone and asked him if there was any possibility we could change our reservations and stay in one of the cabins. He said yes, but the rate was $399. I said thanks anyway but that was way more than we wanted to pay. He said, "hold on a minute", then came back and said we could have the cabin for $199. per night.
I thanked him profusely and said we would be there in a few minutes. Since I knew what he looked like, after about 15 minutes I went up to him and checked in. He could not have been nicer, however, the old gal who had turned me down earlier kept giving me looks that could kill. We stayed two nights and had a great time. Always ask...sometimes more than once.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I'm with you Mike. We shop at our local grocery for small things, but we make a run to Costco or Wal Mart every couple of weeks to stock up. Our local Costco has great filet mignon at times.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Commie! :mad:
WalMart is good for commodity type stuff like oil but I'd never buy food there unless it was something standardized like frozen brand name veggies. The products tend to be of lesser quality.
You can't blame WalMart for paying the game of capitalism better than others. The irony of it's success is that in giving poor people a place to shop cheap they have destroyed American jobs and businesses causing many more poor people who have no choice but to shop there.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
oldfarmer, we buy a 5 lb bag of Birdseye frozen Broccoli forets for $5.99. At Publix or Winn Dixie, they are $6.99 to $7.99 for the same identical bag. We buy Kraft grated paremsan cheese, 16oz for $3.99 while at Costco or Publix or Winn Dixie it is $5.99.
We never buy anything but frozen branded items, boxed or canned brand name groceries, brand name papergoods (bathroom tissue, facial tissue, paper plates), aluminum foil, plastic wrap, etc., for $1.00 - $2.00 less per item than any place else. We never buy meats, clothing, or fresh produce, etc. I do buy some DVD movies for $4.00 to $5.00 less than any place else.
Why would I want to shop at a supermarket and spend $20.00 more per week on groceries? That is significant savings - over $1000 per year. If we were talking about a couple of bucks a week, I would shop Publix, Winn Dixie, Western Beef, etc., more for the appearance and displays than anything else.
We shop at Publix when we want fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) because their produce is outstanding and I don't mind paying a little more for the best fruits and vegetables.
We shop at Penn Dutch for meat and deli items. Their meats are excellent and fresh and cost 30% less than Publix or Winn Dixie or Western Beef.
I am retired and have nothing but time on my hands so going to different markets for the best prices and for the best quality is not a problem. We shop three times a week. Once day we go to Walmart. Another day we go to Penn Dutch. Another day we will go to Publix for their produce and sale items. Once a month, we go to Costco. Their bagels are great and very reasonable. Dad like their blueberry muffins. We get cheese there as well. Sometimes we will buy a sale item or two. But we do this because we have the luxury of time. If I didn't have that luxury, I would shop at Publix, which is closest.
If I didn't drive any more, like many people in our condo community, I would take one of our community buses there, do my shopping and banking, and then take the bus right to my door. They go to Publix 3x a d week, Penn Dutch 1x a week, Walmart 1x a week.
So long as Walmart carries brand named grocery items for the lowest prices, I will continue to shop there. If we did not have a Walmart close to us, we probably would not shop there.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
The more expensive pair were made in China, the cheaper pair in Viet Nam.
I still don't care, Addidas still makes shoes to a certain standard that are probably bettter than just trying to make for the cheapest price.
Also, I am paying for the salesman's expertise. If I bought them at Wallymart I would probably pick something that wasn't really right for me. I may have saved money in the long run by getting it right in the first place.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That is hilarious....what a great idea. Sometimes the phone rate or online rate is better because if you are there in person they know the chances are better that you will just stay and pay the higher rate. A low online rate will guaranty them a sale.
Reminds me of my BIL. He was telling me he stayed at a motel that didn't have a free breakfast. He took his early morning walk and around the corner there was a motel that did have a free breakfast. He walked in like he was staying there and had a nice breakfast.
You just gotta learn how to work the system.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Commie!
Even the supplier has to make a profit in order to survive. Wallymart would rather get a new supplier at a lower price, and put the other supplier out of business. It does work, but, I think it works even better if everyone benefits.
Some business models work on the principle they will do better if they can ruin the other guy. I would rather just carve out a new customer base.
t in giving poor people a place to shop cheap they have destroyed American jobs and businesses causing many more poor people who have no choice but to shop there.
Maybe that is their business plan.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The problem is if everyone does that there won't be a Publix to buy fresh produce at. Walmart skims off the easy merchandise that sells in volume and doesn't spoil easily.....the grocery store has the much more dificult task of selling less profitable fruits, vegetables, meat and fish.
You could save money by buying all your groceries at Costco. But, if you want a little container of salt, you will have to buy 3 boxes of it or the gallon size container...a 10 year supply.
Shop at Walmart, but try to support your grocery store chains too. I like the friendly helpful staff at a Publix or Sweetbay much more than the staff I have encountered at the Wallymart.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Beg to differ. At least what I've found true on some items is that Walmart actually includes more, there is a value added to the product. Examples are Net10 and Tracfones where they included a car charger and/or Walmart's version had a memory card included that wasn't included in the phone on Tracfone's or Net10's website. The same thing was true when I shopped for a DVD player long ago. I found the RCA at Walmart included an HDMI cable that was NOT included in the box on the RCA website. Other products in the store, including the shoes, may also have the same quality upgrade. With some things there are different model labels at different stores so it's harder to compare for price, but I believe the air filter from 3M that I buy is better at Walmart for a similar or cheaper price than at another store. Same was true for some of the computer-related products. There's more content offered at a similar price to the lesser product elsewhere. Sometimes it's just a cheaper price on the same content.
I can't find fexofenadine cheaper than at Walmart. Are they cheapening the drug inside the bottle?
I find it odd to stand up for the product at Walmart, but I think it's unfair to blanket the store with the idea that the quality is cheapened just to sell it at Walmart. I suspect it's the other way around. I've watched some of the TV stories about Walmart and how they pick the products and interview the suppliers that they put into their stores.
Total ease of returns at Walmart--best with receipt. Think the Adidas shoes you bought there are made cheaper with lesser materials than the ones from the speciality shop? Take them back, used. Keep your receipt however for that. It's like Rich's and Davidson's department stores in Atlanta back in the dark ages: they had little old ladies wear out shoes and return them because they weren't good and the same for furniture. Time to redecorate? Just take your old sofa and chair back because they just weren't good enough since you bought them 5 years ago.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
That is hilarious
I liked that one too Houdini. Had a manufacturer's rep friend fly out to Boise one time for work and to visit and offered him my Outback. On the drive to our house he changed his mind about borrowing my car, so we turned around and drove back to the airport (after logging on and determining that the Enterprise downtown was too pricey) so he could rent a car. He walked into the rental area with his laptop open, went to his favorite agency and asked them if they could match the online price that was being offered at the competition at the adjacent counter.
No problem, sir. :shades:
The town I live in blocked one too about 3 years ago. The road congestion in that area would have been a nightmare. The new Walmmart that I mentioned is in an adjoining town where the Sears store was. Just the thought of Sears not being there anymore bug me no end.
Like I said, Mrs. j probably won't shop there too much but who knows?
All of the jokes about Wal Mart are TRUE!! Won't be going back!
I agree that you see some weird types there but there are a lot of normals there too.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
If our forefathers had felt that way we wouldn't even be talking about automobiles. We would be discussing the virtues of various buggy whips. And we would not be doing it on computers or the internet either.
Wal Mart is not the problem. The problem is that most of us are content to let a vocal minority or special interest group make decisions that affect all of us.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
To me, Wal Mart is like a low class K-Mart. The hire whoever walks in the door. If the happen to speak English, fine, if not, so what?
The sell cheap Chinese junk and they drive established businesses out of business. Then, they raise their prices.
The ""Three** stores I've been have been messy and poorly displayed.
Maybe a lifetime of retail managesmet has trained me to run a professional, top notch operation and I have little tolarance for low class dumps!
Maybe, I've just visited the wrong stores?
We don't shop at Walmart too much unless we need low cost non food products like bathroom stuff, cleaners, etc... at which point we will pick up some loss leader dry food items.
And when I need to get something quickly I find that I prefer a small mom n pop grocery store rather than a big box supermarket where it'll take me 10 minutes to navigate the isles, find one item, and then wait in line another 10 minutes. I'll just pay the extra $1-$2 for the convenience and the speed of service.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
They just can't compete and the way things are going the Safeways of the world may not be far behind.
It'll be a Wallyworld!
I would agree with your assessment of the Equus. Makes for a great livery vehicle and very, very roomy. Resale is what I would be concerned about.
I sat in a Rolls Royce Ghost today - my true DREAM CAR! To me, a DREAM CAR is a car that I drive or own, or ride in ONLY IN MY DREAMS! The Phantom is much too big and bulky. You really should have a chauffeur if you had one of them - not a DREAM CAR of mine.
The Lexus LS FSport was a little too sporty and aggressive for my tastes. That bustle front end (which is found on all Lexus vehicles now) is a bit too "over the top" for me for a luxury vehicle like the LS. It's ok on the GS, and I really like it on the RX, but on the ES, also a bit over the top.
The Jaguars are a bit too small inside for me. Even the XJL is too low and I hit my head on the roof when sitting in the driver's seat.
The Mercedes SL550 was terrific as was the S Class. The S class AMG version is something to behold, that's for sure. The CLS550 is just too small inside, even small than my E350.
It was a great auto show, but most of the cars were outside, and it is very cold and windy today (58 degrees with a stron NW wind). I know, for most of you, it's "swimming weather" but for us folks who live here, it's COLD! I would say there must have been 200 new cars out there and about 20 indoors. I would estimate the crowds at about 2000 people. It was well advertised in the Sun Sentinel and the local Boca Raton weekly paper.
But, I don't go to the Miami Auto Show because of the distance and location. The Ft. Lauderdale Auto Show I believe is this month or first part of April. I get tickets to that show - it's held in the Convention Center at the intercoastal waterway. That's the one I am looking forward to. I will get a firsthand look at the new E350 Sport Sedan with the new front end and new rear end and rear quarterpanels.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I wouldn't shop at Walmart unless I thought I was saving a bunch of money. In your case, in Vancouver, if you don't find the pricing better than the other chains, you should not shop there.
I navigate the "isles" too, but preferrably in the Caribbean or South Pacific. I prefer navigating the "aisles" at food stores, though.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Richard
Since they don't run a top notch, professional organization, I guess they have just been incredibly lucky with those low class dumps.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
The typical profit on fruit and veggies in the supermarket is 40% compared to the overall profit storewide of 1%. I don't know about meat and fish but I imagine it is similar.
Veggies are the biggest profit center a store has.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
There was only one problem. Twice during the evening, Sam mentioned that he never forgot a customer. He said that he simply could not remember us as regulars. My response: "Sam, this isn't at all like you. Don't tell us that you're slipping after all of these years." I know, I know. I'll get paid back one of these days. :sick:
Richard
When I go to Wallymart, I don't want a staff member. They look and act too much like the customers.
Richard
Haha I was in a rush to leave and typing too fast, missed the A.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Richard
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Haha I was in a rush to leave and typing too fast, missed the A.
Just thought it was a humorous way to alert you - besides, I am a stickler for grammar and spelling - I guess it's the educator in me!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Waiter: Can i help you?
Lady: I'll have to see what they want (from her cell phone!) One two piece meal---does that come with fries?
Waiter: No
Lady: How much would an order of potato wedges be with that?
Waiter: $1.59
Lady: Wait a minute. No, they want potato wedges. How about baked beans?
Waiter: Are you talking to me?
Lady: yea, how much are they?
Waiter: All sides are $1.59.
Lady: No, she don't want them. What do you want? Ok then. Just give me the two piece meal.
Waiter: Will there be anything else?
Lady: Yea, wait a minute. What does Junior want? Yea. Give me a 6 piece dinner with an extra biscuit.
Waiter: Anything else?
Lady: How much is the extra biscuit?
Waiter: All sides are $1.59.
Lady: He don't need no extra biscuit. Wait. Yea? OK. Give him the extra biscuit.
This conversation went on for another two people! Then she had to order for herself. The poor waiter looked worn out. I couldn't believe how patient the waiter was. Me? It was really beginning to get on my nerves. Now for the topper. She pulls out a Mastercard to pay the bill. She swipes the card and it's no good. She then pulls out a man's debit card (I saw the picture.) and pays for the food. By now, the line behind me has seven people in it. The waiter looked so relieved when I ordered one pot pie. I told him that he had the patience of Job. He said, "We get all kinds of people in here."
I don't know about you guys, but my opinion is this. If you come in for an order like that, have the choices written down or bring the family with you. Deciding over the cell phone and having several conversations is inconsiderate to the restaurant staff and to the waiting customers. Had I been the waiter, I think that I would have asked her to step aside until she had her order straight. What think ye?
Richard
The Bentley coupe/convertibles were sporty and quite nice. Blonde wood in both. Fully loaded and very luxurious. MSRP was $225,000 and $245,000 respectively. Very wide stance, great looking instrument clusters and dashboards. They were willing to negotiate a little on the price, which surprised me.
The sedan they had there was very nice looking. Rich interior leather and a huge rear seating area for stretching out your legs. Huge trunk also. MSRP was $239,000 and that too was negotiable, but not much according to the rep.
The Rolls price was not negotiable. After sitting in both sedans, I found the Rolls far superior to the Bentley, but not as sporty. The Ghost did not have as much interior room as the Bentley, but the Rolls Ghost was $70,000 more. IMHO, the Rolls is the more sophisticated automobile. It was more stoic in its design while the Bentley is more sporty. Of I had a choice, I would still go with the Rolls. The Bentley was a bit too big for my tastes. The Rolls had plenty of room and was very comfortable.
If you can afford the Bentley, go for another $70,000 and get the Rolls. That's a car I could keep for years because its design seems ageless.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Me too. I can tolerate seeing mistakes on a chat forum, it's worse when professional businesses make them in advertisements and signage :surprise:
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Mike, take my advice and don't do too much of that. When I came here several years ago, I corrected the guys constantly. They took it in good spirits for a time, but it got old pretty fast. I rarely do it now. I may have been an English teacher, but I'm not theirs. I enjoy having them as my buddies too much.
Richard
I would not have had that problem since I can't stand their chicken. I would rather not eat chicken than go there for chicken.
But that is not what you asked - I think if I was the waiter/order taker, I would have politely asked the customer(s) to jot down their order(s) on a piece of paper once they know what they want. There are other people in line waiting to place their orders. Once you have your order straight, come back to the front of the line and I'll take your order immediately.
Another choice you had, Richard, was to tell the order taker he just lost s customer because of his seeming indifference to all the other people in line, and just walk out of there!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Let's make that comma a semicolon.
Richard
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Richard, I never disagree with your comments or opinions. l have never corrected anyone for grammar or spelling in the year or so I have been posting here. I just thought it was a funny response. I guess you did not!
My apologies to you and everyone else for trying to be funny in an insensitive manner!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Ordinarily, I would agree. In this case, I have found the pot pies to be delicious. A friend of mine had to beat me over the head to try one. Once I did, I was pleased. Actually, I'm not into fast food restaurants of any kind. Still, now and then, I'll give one a try.
Thanks for the info on the Bentley and the Rolls. It's been some time since I was in either, but I figured the Rolls was still the better choice. You just can't beat its elegance.
Richard
Definitely Grey Poupon! The payments on the Rolls for a 30-year loan would be about what you would pay for a house. Since I couldn't afford both (actually neither), I guess I would bring my "blankie" to the car since I would have to sleep in it for 30 years!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Best,
Richard