I hate walmart.

[shakin360]

I hate walmart. I try to have stuff printed there and everytime they say I need the photographers signature. I've signed so many things. but somehow they can never find it. Then today I uploaded some pics of my great great great great (no joke) grandparents. The pic is 100 years old, but they called and said they need the photographers signature! The guy has been dead for who knows how long. WTF. I'm thinking about never sending stuff there again.

Ok rant complete! :)

[NickSimcheck]

I hate Walmart too.

[shakin360]

i'll be more specific. I hate walmart's photo dept.

[Tom W]

It they're being that hard to deal with, I'd go elsewhere. Have you talked with the manager about this?

[Steve Parr]

I'll go to Wal-Mart for socks.

I'd never dream of getting photos printed there...

[Curtis N]

They hire kids and pay them minimum wage.
They sell prints for the cheapest prices in town.
Both you and Wal*Mart get what you pay for.

Some stores are better than others, and some have some good employees.
You should speak to or write to the store manager if you are continually dissatisfied.

[shakin360]

It they're being that hard to deal with, I'd go elsewhere. Have you talked with the manager about this?
I plan on doing that tomorrow when I go in.

I'll go to Wal-Mart for socks.

I'd never dream of getting photos printed there...
I have photos done there for when my wife does her scrapbooking. They are only 19 cents and my wife cuts em up anyways. The ones I am talking about in my original post are for my mom. They are scans of scans. I'm not too worried about quality. :)

I'm just asking for some common sense and some organization skills to keep track of the 4 or 5 releases I've signed already.
For my stuff I go through MPIX.com

[Steve Parr]

I plan on doing that tomorrow when I go in.


I have photos done there for when my wife does her scrapbooking. They are only 19 cents and my wife cuts em up anyways. The ones I am talking about in my original post are for my mom. They are scans of scans. I'm not too worried about quality. :)

I'm just asking for some common sense and some organization skills to keep track of the 4 or 5 releases I've signed already.
For my stuff I go through MPIX.com

I would speak to the General Manager. Ask him how comfortable he is with some of those yahoos keeping track of drawers full of cash when they can't keep track of a simple signature card...

[saravrose]

Now, in all fairness they're doing there job. those young kids that are in highschool or putting themselves through college are told that if a shot looks even semi-pro they need to make sure that copyright laws are observed. True, they should keep track of your signature card. But, it sounds to me like your shooting the messenger.. Think of it another way, folks come in with pro prints, get them scanned and re-printed and put on disc turn around and publish those photos somewhere sell the publication... six months later the photographer see's his images in some magazine, book or newspaper and wants his cut. Who is the first one to be blamed and sued? The big old store that messed up by not having a little piece of paper with a signature... Big store get's sued for millions because the teenagers were afraid to make a fuss in front of a customer....
What if it were you? you create an image the customer buys one photo from you, turns around and takes that print to Walmart.. and get's all the cheap copies they want, that if the store had refused to do they would be forced to purchase from the photographer or studio... I think we've all been through it, goes with the territory. It is a pain and they can and are more often than not pretty rude about it. Complain to the manager, explain that you're the photographer, bring the camera bag.. there's nothing like a big DSLR to put suspisions to rest..

sari.


sari.

[thebrewer]

I would speak to the General Manager. Ask him how comfortable he is with some of those yahoos keeping track of drawers full of cash when they can't keep track of a simple signature card...
I suspect he will laugh at you (perhaps not out loud). They count the drawers every shift. They don't count signatures nor will they on you recommendation. Be prepared to bring a signed release each time. It sucks, but this is the level of service you are paying for.

As far as asking for a release, they are afraid of being sued for copyright violations. Periodically the PPA will ask people to 'sneak' copyrighted work past them just so they can file a complaint.

If you want pro results go to a pro lab.

Just my two cents,
Rich

[shakin360]

I wasn't looking for pro results, just cheap and quick to send to some relatives. They have you sign releases and then they are supposed to keep them on file. Last time they had me go through the file to see if I could find any of my releases.

I know that they do it to protect us photographers, i'm just asking for common sense. Here are the pics in question.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/3b.jpg

This is from 1903.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/4_filtered.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/2_filtered.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/1_filtered.jpg

Now c'mon. Do you really think these need a release?

[Eagle]

I've never had anything printed at Walmart but a friend of mine goes there often and he says on numerous occcasions they have refused to print his pics because they looked to professional.

[defordphoto]

Go to Costco, or anywhere else. I tried Wal-Mart once and their goofy machine would not read my photos. Went to Costco with the same CD and no problemo. Never been back to Wal-Mart for anything photo related.

[shakin360]

No costcos around. I like sending my non important stuff there, because I can uploaded it to the website and go pick em up in an hour.

[jbkalla]

I love that huge mustache on the old guy!

[shakin360]

i know, its awesome. I think (my mom told me but i forgot) that is my great great great great grandpa.

[MichelleK]

I have never got anything printed at walmart...always ritz or costco. That is really weird about the signiture card...never heard of that.

Why dont you try an online co. like shutterfly or photoworks, I can give you some codes for free prints. Then you can have the order delivered straight to the family members or sent to you and then you can send it to them.

Michelle K

[jbkalla]

I hate WalMart, too. However, since you posted your pics, I'd like to post this relative of mine from way back. I think she died in an auto accident in the 50's or something, but I think the picture is great!

<edit> died in 1946 at the age of 32.

[Jon Foster]

Hey, those pictures are awesome! I love that old stuff...

And the next time you sign a signature card make sure the person at the store signs a receipt that you have signed their signature card to be held on file. Protecting copyright is a really good thing but along with that responsibility they must also protect your signature. Right? If your signature is important enough to insure copyright security, then it's important enough to be secured as well.

Jon.

[Papaw]

I second Costco - it's the most economical and dependable. It is sad they are so scattered out and only in major citys.

[Steve Parr]

What if it were you?

Sorry, I thought I'd covered that.

I'd pick up a nice new package of socks, and then beat feet to the parking lot and into the car so I could drive to a real lab...

[queenbee288]

I wasn't looking for pro results, just cheap and quick to send to some relatives. They have you sign releases and then they are supposed to keep them on file. Last time they had me go through the file to see if I could find any of my releases.

I know that they do it to protect us photographers, i'm just asking for common sense. Here are the pics in question.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/3b.jpg

This is from 1903.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/4_filtered.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/2_filtered.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/1_filtered.jpg

Now c'mon. Do you really think these need a release?

I guess a copyright last forever.:lol:

[Ikinaa]

Googling ...

Duration of copyright (in the USA)
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode17/usc_sec_17_00000302----000-.html

[Andy_T]

Here are the pics in question.


It looks pretty clear to me that you did *not* take these
(until you are the oldest active forum member, that is) :lol:

Best regards,
Andy

[michael88]

I'll go to Wal-Mart for socks.

I'd never dream of getting photos printed there...

I bought some socks at Wal-Mart before. They ended up stretched so much, they kept falling to my ankles.

[Livinthalife]

walmart...i had some prints there, but they used some non glossy paper and my prints came out all with a blue and OOF looking...strange...I ended up going to CVS which gave me 100%...Im no pro, so iwont go to a pro place...cheap places for me!

[thebrewer]

I have used Walmart for prints when I needed them quick, I am ready to provide a release each time. I no longer trust them with negatives since they scratched the last set on me (not an issue since I now shoot 100% digital). You cannot expect them to keep track of you signature. There is a reason for all the 'head cashier at Walmart' jokes.:lol:

[staciecd]

I print my photos at Wal Mart and the worst issue I've had is standing in line. The printer isn't monitored. The one at Target is and it's a pain to get the kid at the photo desk to enter in his PIN. But, it's cheaper than buying a printer at this point.

Stacie

[Citizensmith]

I hate Walmart too.

I'm with you on that one. More from the destroying America's culture and environment one town at a time angle though. You could go to a local store and buy some well made, possibly US made, products. Or you could go down the road to the minimum wage box store (that only recieved planning permission after payments to a few county re-election funds) and buy some cheap crap made in a foreign country. I wonder how many US brand names have died beneath the feet of walmart now.

That and the two times I actually went in to a walmart it felt like my intelligence was being drained. :)

[Steve Parr]

I'm with you on that one. More from the destroying America's culture and environment one town at a time angle though. You could go to a local store and buy some well made, possibly US made, products. Or you could go down the road to the minimum wage box store (that only recieved planning permission after payments to a few county re-election funds) and buy some cheap crap made in a foreign country. I wonder how many US brand names have died beneath the feet of walmart now.

It's called a free market economy.

Not to brush aside the intent of the thread, but Wal-Mart survives because people want them to.

A person would be hard-pressed to argue with their business model and, let's face it, their prices are low. If I need to pick up a gallon of milk on the way home from work, I can stop at the grocery store and pay $3.88, or I can stop at Wal-Mart and get it for $2.89.

As for their "photography services": no thank you...

[Tom W]

There's many things to dislike about WalMart, and certainly more in some WalMart stores than others, but their ability to offer name-brand products at a considerably lower price than the local super market chains and other stores is not one of them. I buy many things at Wally World as they offer the same product for less in many cases (but not all), and they pay their people competitively with other markets in the area.

That said, I don't buy everything there, not by any stretch of the imagination. There are differences in quality among some products that can't be matched. But that's true of all stores, including the other big chains and the "mom and pop" outfits.

[shakin360]

Just to clear up my end...I have nothing against walmart as a whole. Just this particular photo dept.

[MichelleK]

The military's commissary is still lower than walmart so I dont shop much for food at walmart.

I know a lot of people that get their prints done their but it is usually people that dont really care about quality. I print most of mine on my small photo printer or my large format printer.

Michelle K

[shakin360]

Just went and picked them up, didn't have time to talk to the manager. Signed a new release form and as she is putting it in the file, guess what release is right on top? Mine from last month... hmm. They should maybe check that next time. Anyways, i have the pics now and they are good enough for my mom.

[Citizensmith]

It's called a free market economy.

I'm fully aware of that. I just feel that they are an example of the problems that can be associated with that. They treat their employees like crap, flaunt planning and environmental laws, and get away with it because they have the money to drown any issues that show up.

The fact that most of the products they sell are cheap junk is irrelevant. If people want sucky stuff they can have at it. My issue with them is just the plain old big business vs the consumer thing, and currently the consumer is pretty much getting shafted every which way, not just by Walmart.

Like you said though, its a free market economy. They never get any of my money, and none of a fair few other folks here as well it sounds.

[Maureen Souza]

Buy a good scanner and printer... then you can do whatever you like :):)

[ayotnoms]

I'm fully aware of that. I just feel that they are an example of the problems that can be associated with that. They treat their employees like crap, flaunt planning and environmental laws, and get away with it because they have the money to drown any issues that show up.

The fact that most of the products they sell are cheap junk is irrelevant. If people want sucky stuff they can have at it. My issue with them is just the plain old big business vs the consumer thing, and currently the consumer is pretty much getting shafted every which way, not just by Walmart.

Like you said though, its a free market economy. They never get any of my money, and none of a fair few other folks here as well it sounds.
Hear
Hear
The Mega-bazillionaire Waltons will have to make do without my money as well.

Signed
Thousand-aire ayotnoms
:)

Oh...and BTW, cool photos of your ancestors Shakin!!

[Steve Parr]

They treat their employees like crap, flaunt planning and environmental laws, and get away with it because they have the money to drown any issues that show up.

Accusations, and nothing more.

I know the guy who manages one of the local Wal-Mart stores. He's been with them for 17 years, and he's paid pretty damn well. Does he have better benefits and pay than the "greeter" at the door or a cashier? Probably, but he should...

The fact that most of the products they sell are cheap junk is irrelevant. If people want sucky stuff they can have at it.

I can go into my local Wal-Mart and find dozens of products that are also sold by other well known retailers, which are made by well known manufacturers. Canon comes to mind, Olympus, Sony, Kershaw (knives); any number of products. Yes, they certainly have their share of crappy products. But your statement could lead one to believe that you think only Wal-Mart has "sucky stuff". Ever go to Sears? JC Penney? Macy's? I've found plenty of garbage in those places, too...

My issue with them is just the plain old big business vs the consumer thing, and currently the consumer is pretty much getting shafted every which way, not just by Walmart.

How is the consumer getting shafted by Wal-Mart?

Consumers make the decision to go to Wal-Mart because they like what Wal-Mart has to offer; nobody's putting a gun to their heads to go shopping.

In the case of this thread, it appears as though the original poster (just to get this back on track) has made the decision that the photo services Wal-Mart offers are services worth paying for.

I can drive less than ten minutes and find a dozen other stores which sell items that Wal-Mart does, but the Wal-Mart prices are lower. It's as simple as that.

Wal-Mart isn't only the largest retailer in the world, they're the largest company in the world. They're thriving because people have decided that they want to shop there. The way it looks, this isn't going to change any time soon, simply because Wal-Mart offers what a lot of people want...

[Citizensmith]

Accusations, and nothing more.

If it is nothing more then the two class action suits brought against them, for instance the one regarding a systemic mistreatment of female staff, will surely all go to nothing.



I can go into my local Wal-Mart and find dozens of products that are also sold by other well known retailers,

See thats the problem, Walmart sells thousands and thousands of items and you can only find dozens of good ones. :)

How is the consumer getting shafted by Wal-Mart?

That comment was directed against big business in general and the current political environment that supports their actions. I'm not going to get in to anything there though, political discussions are a bad idea.

Consumers make the decision to go to Wal-Mart because they like what Wal-Mart has to offer; nobody's putting a gun to their heads to go shopping.

I never questioned that. My point is that Walmart are not exactly a good corporate citizen. If I want to see everything turned in to generic strip mall USA then all well and good. I don't. When a new Walmart is constructed 30% of neighbouring stores (within 5 miles I think the figure was) close within 2 years. Sure its just plain old competition, I just don't like to see what I identify as the US with a soul eroded by the throwaway culture that replaces it.

It also annoys me that they sensor materials they sell. Be it music or movies the fact that there are alternate Walmart friendly versions of things and that people are fine with Daddy Walmart telling them what they can listen to is pathetic.

Oh yeah, and go get yourself some nice Mexican made Levi jeans. Now made of cheaper materials and nowhere in the US all thanks to Walmart and their pricing.

[TSEE]

I hate walmart. I try to have stuff printed there and everytime they say I need the photographers signature. I've signed so many things. but somehow they can never find it. Then today I uploaded some pics of my great great great great (no joke) grandparents. The pic is 100 years old, but they called and said they need the photographers signature! The guy has been dead for who knows how long. WTF. I'm thinking about never sending stuff there again.

Ok rant complete! :)

I'm getting rather annoyed iwth them myself, but whoelse does a fast 1 hour printing job around here...no one!
I finally got them to put my business card on file so from now on I'm not suppose to sign anything at my local walmart, they're just suppose to dig out the card on file and I can get my pictures. I've had the hardest time picking up my OWN photos (even without the copyright logo in the corner) until I finally started showing them my business card, I had to sign several of these releases prior to Christmas. =oP

[zacker]

last time i did this sorta thing, i laid the pics down on a table, took a pic of it and touched it up in PS and sent it off the Mpix. came out mint!
EF- Walmart..I use em for magazines, cheap jeans and tee shirts and the best boneless, Barbecued chicken chunks in the world!
that is all!
lol
-zacker-

[Steve Parr]

If it is nothing more then the two class action suits brought against them, for instance the one regarding a systemic mistreatment of female staff, will surely all go to nothing.

Have the suits gone to trial? Have they been settled? Plenty of companies get sued with less than desired results for the plaintiff...

See thats the problem, Walmart sells thousands and thousands of items and you can only find dozens of good ones. :)

Oh, I'm certain I could find more. I was using it as an example...

That comment was directed against big business in general and the current political environment that supports their actions. I'm not going to get in to anything there though, political discussions are a bad idea.

I don't see it as political so much as I see it as economical. Wal-Mart isn't in business only to give people another option in their shopping day, they're in business to make money.

I like to make money.

Don't you like to make money?

I never questioned that. My point is that Walmart are not exactly a good corporate citizen. If I want to see everything turned in to generic strip mall USA then all well and good. I don't. When a new Walmart is constructed 30% of neighbouring stores (within 5 miles I think the figure was) close within 2 years. Sure its just plain old competition, I just don't like to see what I identify as the US with a soul eroded by the throwaway culture that replaces it.

You might consider laying some of the blame at the feet of manufacturers and distributors. They don't have to sell their goods to Wal-Mart. They do, though, because they know Wal-Mart has a strong business model, and that equates to higher sales for the aforementioned manufacturers and distributors...

It also annoys me that they sensor materials they sell. Be it music or movies the fact that there are alternate Walmart friendly versions of things and that people are fine with Daddy Walmart telling them what they can listen to is pathetic.

They're offering an alternative. If someone wants movies or CD's with more adult oriented material, there are certainly places like that to get them. In fact, there are more other places to get them than there are Wal-Mart locations...

Oh yeah, and go get yourself some nice Mexican made Levi jeans. Now made of cheaper materials and nowhere in the US all thanks to Walmart and their pricing.

Wal-Mart forced Levi Strauss to move their factories to another country? How'd that happen? I'd love to read up on that. Can you provide a reference which shows how Wal-Mart made this huge change for Levi Strauss?

The fact remains that there are more places to buy Levis, that aren't Wal-Marts, than there are Wal-Marts. People have the freedom to shop where they want. Some will shop at Wal-Mart and use their photo services, others will not.

Choice is a wonderful thing.

Wal-Mart is nothing more than a big company that's found a way to make a lot of money, and people resent them for it. Yet, someone living on a fixed income looks at Wal-Mart as an absolute Godsend.

To the original poster, sorry for letting this thread get derailed. You're happy with the service and results you received, and that can't be argued with.

Hope Mom likes the pictures...

[Sean-Mcr]

I wouldn't even go to walmart to buy bread let alone have them print photographs

[zacker]

if it aint walmart screwing the nation its target or k mart or home depot or lowes or any of the other hundreds of big chain stores on the planet... if you have a problem, dont go there if you dont have a problem, do go there.. I for one hate going to the little ma and pa store only to ripped off by them too. I hate the thought of putting someones kid through college just by buying a soda and a pack of twinkiees! whatbever happened to fair prices? a dollar wont even buy a pack gum anymore...its disgusting! at least walmart is always open, it always has what i want and i never get aggrevated there.. well i do but at the other shoppers..if its one thing i hate its the shoppers at my walmart.. the rudest people ever!
-zacker-

[Carzee]

Mass consumer goods. Ugh. Import vs export ugh. Free trade, zero trade barriers, natural efficiency of the market, humbug.

All the valued commodities goodies are cartels. Diamonds, oil, gold, credit. They thumb their nose at anti-racketry laws.

Cheap consumer goods = cheap overseas coolies. 100 years ago the British used/abused cheap Indian labour, thats called Imperialism and is ethically "bad". Now how come modern-day Mexican and Asian cheap labour on display at Walmart etc is ethically "good"?

[shakin360]

UH OH! what have I done!

[Tom W]

The one thing I've found to be consistent on the internet, across many forums, is that any mention of WalMart brings out vigorous discussion. This thread is mild compared to some, but there are definately strong pro- and anti-WalMart contingents standing by here in POTN.

Not a problem - we all get to choose where we shop and that's a good thing.

[Livinthalife]

Walmarts ethics are bad, yes.

But I just went back to the US to see if I could get a job to support my family and the best paying job is less then $15 a hour! Its impossible to pay rent and buy food for the family let alone pay for health ins, buy christmas presents. So I came back to japan, where yes things a re bit more pricey, but eveything is incountry done. Everyone gets paid well. (example: Mcds here starts at $10hr.) Im making way more money then I ever thought possible because of another country.
If I were to stay in the states, I would be fuel to the wal martm 3rd world country imports...Thats why walmart does so well, cuz the average man/woman cant make enough therefore, looking for a "bargain".

heres another comparison, I used to be in the US navy, which payed me sh*t. I have a wife, and a child, and I could barely make ends meet. The second I got out, I started working at a night club in tokyo (yes a night club, where I only bartended) and I made more money there then I did "protecting" the country...Whats up with america pay ethics...seems like everyone is about getting rich, and knocking over the guy below.

[Tom W]

Walmarts ethics are bad, yes.

But I just went back to the US to see if I could get a job to support my family and the best paying job is less then $15 a hour! Its impossible to pay rent and buy food for the family let alone pay for health ins, buy christmas presents. So I came back to japan, where yes things a re bit more pricey, but eveything is incountry done. Everyone gets paid well. (example: Mcds here starts at $10hr.) Im making way more money then I ever thought possible because of another country.
If I were to stay in the states, I would be fuel to the wal martm 3rd world country imports...Thats why walmart does so well, cuz the average man/woman cant make enough therefore, looking for a "bargain".

The pay scale is very, very location-dependent. $15 per hour would take you a lot farther here in Tennessee than it would along either coast. And you're more likely to get $15 per hour here than in a major coastal city where the pay is higher to match the expenses. Lots of things cost roughly the same, but a lot of things are outragously expensive (housing, land, etc) in some parts of the US. It is a huge country, but in some respects, it acts like several smaller countries.

As for the WalMart/3rd world relationship, it's a gross overstatement. They sell much of the same stuff that is sold at k-mart, Target, and the rest of the discount stores. The difference is that WalMart sells it for less in many cases. Now some of that stuff comes from developing countries, some from China, Mexico, Europe, Canada, the US, Japan, and plenty of other places around the world. I can't tell you the ratio of what's made where among the various stores, but I will say that it's a lot closer than one might think.

WalMart does well not because people can't necessarily afford to shop at other stores (though certainly some can't), but because people would rather pay $2.50 for that box of crackers than the $3.50 that the local supermarket charges for the exact same thing.

heres another comparison, I used to be in the US navy, which payed me sh*t. I have a wife, and a child, and I could barely make ends meet. The second I got out, I started working at a night club in tokyo (yes a night club, where I only bartended) and I made more money there then I did "protecting" the country...Whats up with america pay ethics...seems like everyone is about getting rich, and knocking over the guy below.

We're all broke, from buying Canon gear. :)
j/k - pay is pretty variable here, because many of us treat it as a private employer/employee agreement. A lot of the time, pay is well-matched to the amount of training needed for the job, but often, pay is more closely related to a supply/demand situation. It's often best to be real good at something which many want done, but few can do well. If you're the only plumber in a town, you can set your rates a bit higher.

Military pay has been traditionally less-than-ideal, but at least you get to play with high-tech guns (well, some do). Actually, the military has been quite weak in the pay department for a long time.

[Bodryn]

I recently saw a documentary (a movie) about WalMart that was just about enough to make my skin crawl. I think at some point, one has to ask the question: Is it worth it to me to save a few dollars at WalMart if in so doing I contribute to the misery of others? (sort of a 'reverse tithe') You ought to check out the working conditions of the people who MAKE a lot of stuff that WalMart sells. Just for one example, sweat shops where people work twelve hour days six days a week and may not even be allowed lunch breaks, and take home maybe three dollars a day. At what point do we as human beings say 'Enough is enough'? Concerning the WalMart business model: Is there any point at which ethics matters? Or is the profit motive enough in and of itself? And why are so many cities and towns using taxpayer money to help pave the way for new WalMarts when most businesses do not get such help?

[jbkalla]

I recently saw a documentary (a movie) about WalMart that was just about enough to make my skin crawl. I think at some point, one has to ask the question: Is it worth it to me to save a few dollars at WalMart if in so doing I contribute to the misery of others? (sort of a 'reverse tithe') You ought to check out the working conditions of the people who MAKE a lot of stuff that WalMart sells. Just for one example, sweat shops where people work twelve hour days six days a week and may not even be allowed lunch breaks, and take home maybe three dollars a day. At what point do we as human beings say 'Enough is enough'? Concerning the WalMart business model: Is there any point at which ethics matters? Or is the profit motive enough in and of itself? And why are so many cities and towns using taxpayer money to help pave the way for new WalMarts when most businesses do not get such help?

I really liked WalMart when old Sam was alive, but since he's died, his kids have run the store in a, shall we say, different manner... :evil:

[Tom W]

I recently saw a documentary (a movie) about WalMart that was just about enough to make my skin crawl. I think at some point, one has to ask the question: Is it worth it to me to save a few dollars at WalMart if in so doing I contribute to the misery of others? (sort of a 'reverse tithe') You ought to check out the working conditions of the people who MAKE a lot of stuff that WalMart sells. Just for one example, sweat shops where people work twelve hour days six days a week and may not even be allowed lunch breaks, and take home maybe three dollars a day. At what point do we as human beings say 'Enough is enough'? Concerning the WalMart business model: Is there any point at which ethics matters? Or is the profit motive enough in and of itself? And why are so many cities and towns using taxpayer money to help pave the way for new WalMarts when most businesses do not get such help?

What's the name of the "documentary" and who sponsored it? I ain't buying it. Sounds like the same kind of propoganda that the UAW put out when Honda started building cars in the US with non-union workers. The auto-workers unions demonized the Honda corporation and tried unsuccessfully for years to organize the Honda workers into the UAW.

[MichelleK]

My best friend works at Walmart (female)...she loves it.

Walmart does provide jobs, more jobs than ma and pop stores provide :-)

Michelle K

[lost]

What's the name of the "documentary" and who sponsored it? I ain't buying it. Sounds like the same kind of propoganda that the UAW put out when Honda started building cars in the US with non-union workers. The auto-workers unions demonized the Honda corporation and tried unsuccessfully for years to organize the Honda workers into the UAW.

It aired on PBS locally. I am not sure who produced it, but it did make a strong arguement. It was enough for me to do some research and come to my own conclusions. I won't get into details (they are easy enough to find on your own) but I have stopped dealing with walmart for ANYTHING. You should have seen the look on my wifes face when I forbid her to buy from them. (OK it didnt really go down like that. I made the statement for shock value then spent the next hour exlpaining why.)

There is a serious anti-walmart backlash happening across the US. Mostly in mid sized towns. I am 27 years old and dead center of the throw away generation, but even I can see that walmart is not good for the US. Driving manufacturing jobs oversees and replacing them with one that include the use of "would you like fries with that?"

[Bodryn]

TomW, it sounds like you're anti-union. Maybe you don't care much for the 40-hour work week either? Maybe you'd prefer the six day week, twelve hour day? Child labor? Those were standard in the early 1900s before the unions changed those things. But you may like the way things are going now: more and more people have to hold down two or more jobs to make ends meet. Some of them even have a home to live in.

If you haven't seen the film though, you can't really criticize it properly. Calling it "propaganda" is just a way to discredit something you haven't even seen. I recall the old days when a man could support wife and family without his wife having to work, and believe it or not, could afford health insurance too! (I remember when our family doctor made a house visit for $5!) But now we have WalMart encouraging its employees to take advantage of government health services normally provided to jobless people. So WalMart is in several ways being directly subsidized by the public! And many people think WalMart is the business model of the future! What a country1

[shakin360]

I met Sam Walton when I was a kid.

Now he's dead, just like this thread should be!

[johnnybfan]

Buy a good scanner and printer... then you can do whatever you like :):)

AMEN!!! Maureen, you hit the nail on the head. If you don't want any hassles just get a decent photo printer and do what ever you want.:):):):)
I've never had my printer tell me that my pictures are professional quality and that I need to sign a release to get them printed.(I turned off the sound on my printer! :confused::confused::confused::lol::lol::lol::lol: )

[jbkalla]

AMEN!!! Maureen, you hit the nail on the head. If you don't want any hassles just get a decent photo printer and do what ever you want.:):):):)
I've never had my printer tell me that my pictures are professional quality and that I need to sign a release to get them printed.(I turned off the sound on my printer! :confused::confused::confused::lol::lol::lol::lol: )

I love my CanoScan 9900F! :-)

[Maureen Souza]

I love my Epson scanner and wide format printer....But mostly I love having full control over my photos, whether they are oldies or newbies.

[Rob612]

Wally World is for buying bullets cheap. Not for pictures, AFAIK.

[Citizensmith]

Wally World is for buying bullets cheap. Not for pictures, AFAIK.

Bullets sure, coz killin' is fine and dandy. Can't buy a CD with the F word in it though because swearing is the devils work.

Oh, old article, but the Levi thing is mentioned here. http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2003/3044wal-mart.html

Seems like a well written article, selected as it was the top hit on a google search rather than anything else. There are plenty of hits about the class action goings on. Of course Bush and his buddies are attempting to rewrite the rule book on class action law suits to pretty much eliminate them. I mean why would we need a way for mean old consumers to be nasty to those big cuddly corporations.

[Citizensmith]

I love my Epson scanner and wide format printer....But mostly I love having full control over my photos, whether they are oldies or newbies.

Absolutely. Epson photo printer for quick and easy 6x4, and a decent Canon printer for everything else. If there are too many idiots handling your photos something is bound to go wrong. This way mine are handled by just one. :)

[Steve Parr]

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Lightstream]

Absolutely. Epson photo printer for quick and easy 6x4, and a decent Canon printer for everything else. If there are too many idiots handling your photos something is bound to go wrong. This way mine are handled by just one. :)

Fully agreed.. I needn't pay anybody to botch up my photos, because I have.. a... a... a...COMPUTER! I can botch it up faster and quicker myself and see my mess straight away! :lol:

I'm going to pick up a Canon IP6600D. Last time I got the photos commercially printed (not at Walmart though) it was enough of a hassle having to make the trip and deal with some folks busy making their problem my problem, that I've decided to do it myself. I've run the numbers and it is a little bit more expensive to do it inhouse, but well worth the convenience and instant results.

For prints larger than letter/A4 size I'll still be outsourcing them, but at least that cuts down the number of trips substantially. A printer capable of managing those sizes is substantially more costly than the run of the mill inkjets, so it is still worth it to get it done commercially.

[EdGreene]

As photographers (if that is what you call yourself), you would not want someone copying your shots-period.
If someone asked you might say yes, but Walmart et. al. has the duty, the legal obligation to protect your and my output.

It's utterly stupid not to know the rules and worse, dumb to ask once you do know.

[EdGreene]

Walmart provides jobs to more than 30,000 handicapped workers.
Walmart employs more than 1,400,000 Americans.
Walmart stores create more than 200 (over 600,000 jobs total) outside supplier jobs per store.
If you stay at Walmart for a career, you'll retire with more than $400,000 in stock and maybe more in your 401k plan.
For every 'Mom and Pop' store that closes whenever a Walmart 'big box' opens, the new store and the tremendous traffic it generates becomes a 'crossroads' center for many new businesses, and as always, more jobs are created around the big box than were lost


Who benefits from having a Walmart 'big box' move in?
*The local Coke/Pepsi/7up bottlers and the new truck drivers they have to hire.
*Local suppliers of fuel & wholesale grocery suppliers
*Local suppliers of bread, cookies, specialty products-etc.
*City and County governments benefit from all the new the taxes collected from Walmart and the other businesses as they expand or start up. Law enforcement also benefits from the new taxes
*School boards
*Local charities
*College students
*Garbage collectors
*Local services (electricians, plumbers, roofers, taxi drivers-etc.)
*Beauty shops, barbers, specialty bakers
*Local green grocers.

If you bought all your groceries at your local Walmart Supercenter for one year, you'll save as much as 18% or as much as $600 on your food bill.

Your handicapped neighbor/child/spouse/cousin has a better chance getting hired by Walmart than nearly any other major US employer.

I only spend $76 a month on my 8 (eight) prescriptions at Walmart.
Walmart DVDs and Games are 15-20% cheaper than Best Buy and others.

[Jesper]

Ed, you made it really clear that you're a fan of Walmart, and that's OK! :)

Nobody said that Walmart is a bad, evil company and that everybody should boycot Walmart. We're only discussing their hostile behaviour against innocent photographers.

As photographers (if that is what you call yourself), you would not want someone copying your shots-period.
If someone asked you might say yes, but Walmart et. al. has the duty, the legal obligation to protect your and my output.

It's utterly stupid not to know the rules and worse, dumb to ask once you do know.
How is Walmart going to know who made the photo? I don't live in the USA so I have no experience with them, but from the many reactions in this thread it's clear that if you print photos that look better than bad snapshots, they start to go crazy. Why does Walmart make such a fuss out of it, while others don't?

If Walmart is so afraid about copyrights etc., they should maybe stop processing photos altogether, instead of annoying lots of customers who are competent photographers.

[Tom W]

TomW, it sounds like you're anti-union. Maybe you don't care much for the 40-hour work week either? Maybe you'd prefer the six day week, twelve hour day? Child labor? Those were standard in the early 1900s before the unions changed those things. But you may like the way things are going now: more and more people have to hold down two or more jobs to make ends meet. Some of them even have a home to live in.

I'm not anti-union, but I spent 11 years of my working career as a union member. While I am fond of many of the fine people that I worked with, I am decidedly against the concept put forth by our union leadership that people ought to be paid to do nothing. And that's exactly what our union wanted - high pay and no work. One good look at GM and Ford ought to be a good indication as to how things can get carried away with that concept.

As for how things are now, I've been in non-union positions since 1991, and haven't met any of the dreary circumstances that you describe above. I have a 40-45 hour workweek, one income, my own home, and have plenty of time to enjoy photography and a bit of WalMart bashing on the internet. I haven't been in a position where I needed a second job since back when I was a youngster just starting out (and, ironically, a union member).

If you haven't seen the film though, you can't really criticize it properly. Calling it "propaganda" is just a way to discredit something you haven't even seen. I recall the old days when a man could support wife and family without his wife having to work, and believe it or not, could afford health insurance too! (I remember when our family doctor made a house visit for $5!) But now we have WalMart encouraging its employees to take advantage of government health services normally provided to jobless people. So WalMart is in several ways being directly subsidized by the public! And many people think WalMart is the business model of the future! What a country1

I don't think I'll be seeing that movie any time soon, as it apparently has only been shown on PBS in this country. I'm decidedly against any government-run broadcasting system. Heck, our commercial media is bad enough. Regardless, the movie still sounds like propoganda. Our community, like many, has welcomed a new WalMart store and we are witnessing a commercial building boom in the area surrounding the store. It doesn't seem that WalMart is chasing anything away, but is instead creating a commercial center and drawing other businesses to the area.

A for the good old days - they still exist, at least in middle America. A family can still be supported with one income, but maybe not if that family wants to live in a 3000 square foot "mcmansion" and drive a $50,000 fake Humvee. Health insurance is still provided by most employers, and is offered by WalMart for a relatively small price. Insurance and other benefits at WalMart are consistent with what other large retailers are offering, and significantly better than what the small "mom and pop" outfits are offering. WalMart does not "encourage" its employees to take advantage of taxpayer-funded government health services.

[Steve Parr]

Nobody said that Walmart is a bad, evil company

Well, not verbatim...

[shakin360]

As photographers (if that is what you call yourself), you would not want someone copying your shots-period.
If someone asked you might say yes, but Walmart et. al. has the duty, the legal obligation to protect your and my output.

It's utterly stupid not to know the rules and worse, dumb to ask once you do know.

As I said earlier in this post.... I don't hate Walmart or their copyright rules. I was just mad at this individual walmart's photo dept. They are supposed to keep my release on file, I have signed many. Infact when I signed a new one, they opened the file to put it in and another one of mine was on top, for the same pictures a month before. They obviously didn't even check their file. Second the picture are over 100 years old, It is not hard to tell.

1901 (not 1903)

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/4_filtered.jpg

[Steve Parr]

They obviously didn't even check their file.

I would speak to the General Manager of the store (not a department manager or anyone like that).

If they had cleared out their files, and your signature card was inadvertently discarded, that would be one thing. But to require you to sign another card, because they say they don't have one, and then file on top of your previous one, is ridiculous...

[MichelleK]

I have seen that documentary on walmart and their healthcare system and for awhile it was in the news a lot.

Michelle K

[Citizensmith]

Well, not verbatim...

Don't they make blank CDs and DVDs and such? Not sure why they would be commenting on Walmart business practices? :)

[zacker]

i guess im not a union fan because of my work..its a small family owened company where i get paid great, have 3 weeks vacation, get a car, a gas card, great healthcare,dental, eye care, great x-mass bonus and i have been there 18 years so i gotta be doing something right. I think Walmart is an ok place..i go there all the time..why would people work there if they were so bad? also, i thought that the owners were like this big christain family? would a christian family be that evil? could they be? Hmmmm ... Ok, let me stop before i attack religion or the current administration.

so, how about we close this thread huh CDS?
-zacker-

[Livinthalife]

I dont know if it has been brought up, but i do find it a bit strange they sell guns and ammo, but edit all their music cds of curse words...hmmm...words and insults may break my bones, but guns will never hurt me?

sorry this isnt meant offend any gun owners, but if you have a gun, surely you can handle a bad word :)

[shakin360]

I brought this thread into the world, I wish I could take it out.

[Livinthalife]

I brought this thread into the world, I wish I could take it out.

LOL might be time to call-a-mod! :)

[Citizensmith]

But censoring this thread would be just like walmart censoring music. :)

I think we all get the point though. For photography as for everything you get what you pay for. I guess lots of people there pay in crap. :)

[Bodryn]

I don't want to continue my slant on this thread as it has drifted away from the original subject. Besides I did buy a Canon S1 IS from WalMart. It was the only place I could find one locally. :(

TomW, it sounds like you are better and smarter than a lot of people who have to hold down two and three jobs. Congratulations, you are obviously superior to many of us ordinary and not so virtuous human beings and obviously have no need to watch any movie about WalMart. Special kudos to you for owning your own home, also. What is your secret?

[Steve Parr]

I don't want to continue my slant on this thread as it has drifted away from the original subject. Besides I did buy a Canon S1 IS from WalMart. It was the only place I could find one locally.

I'm sorry, but that's just not possible. After all, it's been established by some here that Wal-Mart only sells crap. They can't possibly stock Canon products...

;)

[MichelleK]

TomW, it sounds like you are better and smarter than a lot of people who have to hold down two and three jobs. Congratulations, you are obviously superior to many of us ordinary and not so virtuous human beings and obviously have no need to watch any movie about WalMart. Special kudos to you for owning your own home, also. What is your secret?

I actually liked the movie...it was a documentary but it was interesting...oh and TomW I did not watch it on PBS, I think it was A&E or one of those other cable chanels.

Michelle K

[MichelleK]

P.S. I went to Walmart today :-)

... to pick up some easter stuff for my kids.

Michelle K

[Jaymz]

I don't really care for Walmart for many reasons, most are trivial to me, but the biggest reason I dislike them is because every Walmart I have been in is filled with people who just don't seem to care about customer service. Everyone sales associate I have dealt with has an attitude like "I just don't care" or "Its not my job". IMO you are paid to do a job, do it well.

[zacker]

ill be in walmart too this weekend to pick up a perscription. hey I just thought of this... I recently heard that the government has had to force Walmart to provide the "morning after Pill" to Rape victems.. Now, I ask... Walmarts christian beliefes told them they couldnt contribute to the death of a fetus...even in the case of rape.. but, How come when faced with the possibility of loosing the government contract.. they have decided to provide it..so this proves they are driven by the all mighty dollar and not the all mighty.. and they sell guns and ammo so this proves that they would rather make a buck than save a life. With all this though, I still shop there.. hey like i said, they got the awesome barbecue chicken chunks..oh, and the pizza stix are to die for! :)

PS.. i think it was the CT. Government, not the United states government.
anyone else have a super walmart?
-zacker-

[Jaymz]

anyone else have a super walmart?
-zacker-

We have a super Walmart here, in a small town of about 8,000. With the DC (distribution center) for most of Oregon, Washington, parts of Idaho and Montana about 3 miles away. Yet the shelves seem to always be empty, heh.

[MichelleK]

I recently heard that the government has had to force Walmart to provide the "morning after Pill" to Rape victems.. -zacker-

That goverment knows how to get what they want :-) I recently learned that in order to accept military insurance (triwest) you have to also accept medical and medicare (medical = medicaid). If they refuse a medical or medicare paitent than their contract with military insurance will be taken away. Not that I mind...it was just interesting to find out.

I dont have a super walmart over here and I have actually never been in one...I dont know if there are any in California. I have heard about them though.

Michelle K

[Tom W]

I don't want to continue my slant on this thread as it has drifted away from the original subject. Besides I did buy a Canon S1 IS from WalMart. It was the only place I could find one locally. :(

See, they come in handy from time to time. :)

It is easy to drift away from the subject when the "W" word is mentioned. As I said earlier in the thread, it is one subject that is very devisive. Perhaps moreso than politics. ;)

TomW, it sounds like you are better and smarter than a lot of people who have to hold down two and three jobs. Congratulations, you are obviously superior to many of us ordinary and not so virtuous human beings and obviously have no need to watch any movie about WalMart. Special kudos to you for owning your own home, also. What is your secret?

No, not any smarter or better than the rest. You took my words differently than I meant, it seems. Or maybe I stated them differently than I should have. Regardless, I spent several of my younger working years with two jobs so that I could afford to live my middle years in a less stressful manner. That and I've not chosen the most extravagent lifestyle. Perhaps that doesn't match the proverbial American dream, but I really don't care. I've earned my keep so far, and I stay within my means.

Anyway, we've taken the WalMart wars far enough. Some love the store, some hate it. Some shop there for many things, some for few, and some not at all. In the grand scheme of things, it probably doesn't matter.

[Woolburr]

Just a few quick thoughts for all the Wally World bashers. First, here in America, no one forces you to shop anywhere. If you dislike Wal-Mart...take your business elsewhere. Second, here in America, no one forces you to take a job with an employer that you do not wish to work for. The job police do not show up each day and tell you that you must now work for Wal-Mart. Third, there are many satisfied Wal-Mart employees. I have several friends and aquaintances that have worked for Wal-Mart for years and are quite happy with their pay and benefits and would not consider leaving the company. Finally, there were many local businesses here that insisted that Wally World should never be allowed to come to town. The claimed that they would lose all their business. Cooler heads prevailed and Wal-Mart was allowed to build a Supercenter here. What the locals suddenly discovered was...the people that typically shop at a Wal-Mart...never were and probably never are going to be part of the customer base for the type of fancy schmancy upscale stores that comprise the downtown market here. Let's face it, a person that wants a cheap 10 buck sweatshirt to wear while cleaning the gutters on their house isn't looking for a $350 hand loomed angora sweater to wear for the same task. If you don't like Wally World and other big box stores...that is fine...take your business elsewhere...but it is time you realized that people that do choose to shop there are not the spawn of Satan, nor will they spell the end of Democracy....

[zacker]

Just a few quick thoughts for all the Wally World bashers. First, here in America, no one forces you to shop anywhere. If you dislike Wal-Mart...take your business elsewhere. Second, here in America, no one forces you to take a job with an employer that you do not wish to work for. The job police do not show up each day and tell you that you must now work for Wal-Mart. Third, there are many satisfied Wal-Mart employees. I have several friends and aquaintances that have worked for Wal-Mart for years and are quite happy with their pay and benefits and would not consider leaving the company. Finally, there were many local businesses here that insisted that Wally World should never be allowed to come to town. The claimed that they would lose all their business. Cooler heads prevailed and Wal-Mart was allowed to build a Supercenter here. What the locals suddenly discovered was...the people that typically shop at a Wal-Mart...never were and probably never are going to be part of the customer base for the type of fancy schmancy upscale stores that comprise the downtown market here. Let's face it, a person that wants a cheap 10 buck sweatshirt to wear while cleaning the gutters on their house isn't looking for a $350 hand loomed angora sweater to wear for the same task. If you don't like Wally World and other big box stores...that is fine...take your business elsewhere...but it is time you realized that people that do choose to shop there are not the spawn of Satan, nor will they spell the end of Democracy....

right on! but one thing, i live in wally world... (wallingford, ct) now can we get on to disecting an even bigger evil?? Yes, the dreaded SEARS... I hear they whip the employees and kick dogs and sell drugs to children... Can you believe it?..................:lol:
-zacker-

[Woolburr]

right on! but one thing, i live in wally world... (wallingford, ct) now can we get on to disecting an even bigger evil?? Yes, the dreaded SEARS... I hear they whip the employees and kick dogs and sell drugs to children... Can you believe it?..................:lol:
-zacker-


Not only that...but I hear they are going to let Satan (aka Martha Stewart) start hawking products for them. The horrors!!!

[cgratti]

This guy must hate it too....

[cosworth]

....I made more money there then I did "protecting" the country...Whats up with america pay ethics...seems like everyone is about getting rich, and knocking over the guy below.

America does not want their high wage earning people in the military.

[jbkalla]

America does not want their high wage earning people in the military.

Though I gotta tell you, I wish I'd joined at a young age, like 17. I spent many years just bumming around when I could have gotten the focus I needed in the military.

Plus, I wouldn't have this job if I hadn't done it in the military first! I think it was really good for me, but I agree that the pay isn't great if you're in an expensive area. Overseas it was nice because they give you housing allowance and cost of living that makes up for a lot.

[MichelleK]

Until my husband got his recent advancement (5th advancement since he has been in - 6 years) our salary was in the acceptable range to qualify for welfare!!! That is how crappy we get paid.

While my husband was getting paid enough to qualify for welfare he went to iraq three times, searched for survivors when the cole was bombed and helped in aid the tsunami hit.

They really need to start paying us more.

Michelle K

[jbkalla]

Until my husband got his recent advancement (5th advancement since he has been in - 6 years) our salary was in the acceptable range to qualify for welfare!!! That is how crappy we get paid.

While my husband was getting paid enough to qualify for welfare he went to iraq three times, searched for survivors when the cole was bombed and helped in aid the tsunami hit.

They really need to start paying us more.

Michelle K

Wow. Must be different if you're married, I guess. I was single while I was in and the pay was adequate. That's depressing!

[lost]

and they sell guns and ammo so this proves that they would rather make a buck than save a life.

(Please do not interpret this post as supporting Walmart)

I have noticed a couple posters point out that Walmart sells guns. And some have implied that this is somehow wrong. Walmart does choose not to sell pistols. They firearms that they do sell are for hunting and sporting. While of course deadly, not your typical 7-11 robbery tools.

What you imply (and some other posters as well) is that guns automatically = death and therefore should not be available. Well a baseball bat can be one hell of a weapon so should Walmart consider pulling them from the shelves?

I am of course biased. I am a licensed concealed carry permit holder, and regularly carry a handgun on my person. I thank God that I have never needed to use it but I am trained if the situation arises.

[lancea]

I love Walmart. There's nothing like it in New Zealand. Certainly not on that scale and with that range of goods. I've found the staff to be very good. Only problem is that when you're travelling you generally want a little bit of laundry powder. "Little" in Walmart terms seems to be the 10 pound pack. But hey, they did sell shotguns for $99 at the Walmart beside the old Denver airport. Ya just don't get those bargains here ;) Nor would you find any staff willing to wear shirts with "How may I help YOU" on the back.

[StevenRaith]

What you imply (and some other posters as well) is that guns automatically = death and therefore should not be available. Well a baseball bat can be one hell of a weapon so should Walmart consider pulling them from the shelves?

Hey, the also sell socks, I could put some snooker balls in there after stealing them from a pub snooker table and beat someones brains across the floor with them, quick, BAN THE SALE OF SOCKS!

I hate the whole 'must ban guns' culture - just make purcahsing them more of a PITA then you will have less casual gun owners who genuinely don't understand the dangers of them, using them hollywood sylee and accidentally killing people...

Besides, if someone really wants a gun, the black market is always there to be used. Simple as.

Also, this comment tickled me:
TomW, it sounds like you are better and smarter than a lot of people who have to hold down two and three jobs. Congratulations, you are obviously superior to many of us ordinary and not so virtuous human beings and obviously have no need to watch any movie about WalMart. Special kudos to you for owning your own home, also. What is your secret?

Wow, someone who got off thier arse and worked a bit to get themselves some personal financial security, they must be WORSHIPPING THE DEVIL!

No, it's called taking responsibilty for your actioans, not dropping out of school at 15 and actually putting some effort in - if you don't want to have to hold down three jobs to afford to live, then don't throw your life away in your youth.

If you have worked your arse off in school/education, and still can't get a decent job, then do what I did and get out of the area you are in as the economy is obviously useless for your skills, and move somewhere where you can get a decent wage for your abilities.

I lived on the poverty line all my life, until eventually I got pissed off working 60-70hrs a week just to live - I jumped ship and am now on three times my previous earnings and am living..well, hardly 'comfortably' to middle class standards, but I can pay the rent and enjoy my toys and get hammered every other weekend.

No-one owes you a living, thats a personal responsibilty and no-one can change that - if you can't accept that, then tough sh*t.

[jbkalla]

I'm thinking this is starting to flare up!

[Steve Parr]

My biggest gripe with Wal-Mart (and then I promise to take this back to a photo related observation) isn't the staff, nor is it the fact that small businesses may close.

I go to Wal-Mart, maybe, once a week at best. Maybe for dog food, or bread, or a decent pair of $11.00 jeans. I walk in, I go to what I need, I pick it up, and I get out.

What drives me nuts are the people who go there, grab a cart, and then slllloooooollllllyyyyyyy walk through every aisle with their seven kids trailing along, blocking the entire aisle. That drives me absolutely nuts. I try to be polite, but I have a pretty intense dislike for lack of common sense, so I have, on occasion, been a tad rude about moving around them. Maybe next time they'll think twice before clogging up every aisle they go in.

Seriously, if it wasn't for people like that, I'd have absolutely no problem with Wal-Mart.

But, back to photography. If the original poster is still reading this now protracted and hijacked thread, I was wondering about a few things:

A - Have you discussed this with the manager?

B - Are there no other labs where you could have printing done and, if so, what makes Wal-Mart more a more attractice alternative?

[benhasajeep]

I never understood the Walmart thing. How they got so big. And why so many people like the place. Yes people love Walmart. But why? Well I found out about a year ago. Go to a small town where walmart put up a store. The people love it. They don't have to travel an hour or more now to do their "normal shopping".

I think Walmart is actually bad for the country. They do pressure companies to make products cheaper. And I do believe they do tell companies to look overseas for labor to reduce prices. During the 80's when they had their big buildup and had a lot of made in america advertising. Walmart was making monthly trips to China setting up manufacturers. America is getting away from a manufacturing economy to a service economy and I think that will hurt us in the long run. Is it Walmarts fault? A little. Others have seen their success and followed suit.

Do I go to Walmart? Yes I do, but not nearly as frequently as I used to. Seems I am getting a concience as I get older. My step father refuses to go, but does not prevent my mother from going.

[Steve Parr]

Go to a small town where walmart put up a store. The people love it. They don't have to travel an hour or more now to do their "normal shopping".

Give the people what they want.

How un-American...

[Ronald S. Jr.]

"Little" in Walmart terms seems to be the 10 pound pack.

HA! You think THAT'S bad? Ever been to a Sam's Club? ;-)

[MichelleK]

What drives me nuts are the people who go there, grab a cart, and then slllloooooollllllyyyyyyy walk through every aisle with their seven kids trailing along, blocking the entire aisle.

lol...that might only be a huge problem in San Diego. I know what you are talking about though. There are some walmarts in San Diego I wont even go to...like the one on college ave. off the 94 (lemon grove/la mesa). The one here in Santee is not that bad but I still dont go certain times of the month.

Michelle K

[Ronald S. Jr.]

right on! but one thing, i live in wally world... (wallingford, ct) now can we get on to disecting an even bigger evil?? Yes, the dreaded SEARS... I hear they whip the employees and kick dogs and sell drugs to children... Can you believe it?..................:lol:
-zacker-


I worked at Sears for a couple years selling big screens, computers (until they stopped selling them), and component stereo equipment. I loved it. Sold some nice, expensive equipment, and made plenty of commission! However, they now work on a straight wage, and K-Mart has bought them out. It wasn't a bad place to work at all. Granted, my manager had the IQ of a bedroom slipper, but hey. As long as I get paid.

As for Wal Mart- I go there quite often. It's not even five minutes away, and they have almost all of the "everyday" stuff we need. As for me personally, I only go there for socks and video games. Other than that, it's up to the mall I go. We do have a supercenter wal mart...three, actually. 20, 30, and 40 minutes away, but each in a different direction. Truly an "everything" store. As for digital cameras? Pft..nicest Canon digital my local wally world carries is an SD500. They do have a Rebel K2, though. ;-)

[Steve Parr]

lol...that might only be a huge problem in San Diego. I know what you are talking about though. There are some walmarts in San Diego I wont even go to...like the one on college ave. off the 94 (lemon grove/la mesa). The one here in Santee is not that bad but I still dont go certain times of the month.

Michelle K

Michelle, that's the one I go to.

That place drives me nuts. However, they've got inexpensive frames; double matte jobs for thirteen bucks. The pain of having to deal with other shoppers is worth it, I think. I've got a lot of those frames...

[MichelleK]

Michelle, that's the one I go to.

That place drives me nuts. However, they've got inexpensive frames; double matte jobs for thirteen bucks. The pain of having to deal with other shoppers is worth it, I think. I've got a lot of those frames...

Wow we live right next to eachother. Even when I lived in La Mesa I still went to the walmart in santee :-) Now I live in Santee.

Michelle K

[Steve Parr]

Wow we live right next to eachother. Even when I lived in La Mesa I still went to the walmart in santee :-) Now I live in Santee.

Michelle K

I'm two blocks west of City Hall...

Steve

[MichelleK]

I'm two blocks west of City Hall...

Steve

la mesa city hall?? By the vons?? I go there all the time to go to the scrapbook store in that shopping center...memories in the making. I live by Mission Trails park off of Mission Gorge.

Michelle K

[Steve Parr]

la mesa city hall?? By the vons?? I go there all the time to go to the scrapbook store in that shopping center...memories in the making. I live by Mission Trails park off of Mission Gorge.

Michelle K

No, I'm up near Santee City Hall, at the north end of Magnolia. Not too far away...

[MichelleK]

wow we live like 5 miles away from eachother!!!

Michelle K

[Steve Parr]

wow we live like 5 miles away from eachother!!!

Michelle K

It would so appear...