Tell me exactly why I shouldn't buy groceries from Walmart.

[Maddy McCall]

I have always bought my groceries at the locally-owned grocery store. Yesterday, the owner's wife noticed my Kerry sticker and said to me, "You need to take that off of your car." I replied, "Why do you think so?" She said, "Because Democrats are all brainwashed, and you don't want someone to think that about you. I'm shocked that your car hasn't been keyed, or egged, or worse."

I replied, "Are you saying that Republicans are mean and vicious and go around disrespecting others' opinions by keying their cars??? I am shocked! Now tell me WHO exactly is brainwashed?"

She just went, "Hrumph!" and walked away.

There is only on locally owned grocery store here--the rest are chains, like Kroger and Walmart.

Tell me why I should continue to fatten the wallet of someone who insulted me.

[Florida_Geek]

1. Typical Repugs

They are losing money to Walmart and still believe the Repug BS that the economy "has turned the corner"...

[skygazer]

2. I believe

that Kroger is union and so I would patronize them before Wal Mart which is anti union, anti women and anti minority.

As for that bitch at your former store, I would drop her a letter telling her exactly why you no longer shop there. Better yet, I would put it in a LTTE and let the community make up their mind about it!

[Cha]

5. Perfect~!

"Better yet, I would put it in a LTTE and let the community make up their mind about it!"

[CrownPrinceBandar]

12. Kroger is BARELY union........................

remember the strike? Kroger wanted to pay shit wages, but finally the union won out and K acquiesced. I shop there, but I'm keeping an eye on them.

[skygazer]

17. Same union as me

I know what you're saying but when you shop at a store that is a union shop, no matter how grudgingly, you're supporting the union by keeping their jobs viable.

Thanks for the watchful eye! Our contract just came up (Bay Area) and we're waiting with bated breath!

[JackintheGreen]

27. Precisely

I would no longer patronize the local store (so sad, I know), but Wal-mart is violently anti-union, and their worker compensation is ample evidence of that. I don't remember Kroger fondly - my family used to shop at the one in Springfield, IL in the '80s, but they are a union shop. And though I have difficulties with the grocer's union at times, they try their best to represent their membership.

A Jolly Teamster (damn, I'm a Teamster. WooHoo!) It's a new thing...

[skygazer]

29. And a Tull fan?

If so, I offer you this - :toast:

Songs From the Wood was a great album!

[Ron Green]

3. I would continue to trade with her

and start a dialogue with her about monopoly in the grocery business, and how Repubs and Democrats affect these trends. If you're her customer, she might realized you've got something worthwhile to say, and maybe she'll start thinking about it a bit.

[Maddy McCall]

11. She's very opinionated...I don't think I can sway her.

[Cha]

4. I would immediately find out what the

politics of Kroger's is and be sure and tell the small business owner why you are not supporting her establishment anymore.

You did really well when you came back with.."Are you saying that Republicans are mean and vicious and go around disrespecting others' opinions by keying their cars??? I am shocked! Now tell me WHO exactly is brainwashed?"

walmart supports bush inc.,too, as you probably know.

[Maddy McCall]

18. Yeah, I think I am going to shop at Kroger...there's a Winn Dixie here too

[warrens]

26. Wal-Mart has notoriously inferior meat, as well

It's not just their anti-union crap. Kroger is better.

[Maddy McCall]

33. I have always LOVED the meat department at my local store.

They will do special cuts for you, and the steaks are to die for.

But, so long. I will make it Kroger then--their black angus steaks are pretty awesome.

[flamingyouth]

6. Stories like this never cease to amaze me

How much of an idiot do you have to be to challenge your customers' political beliefs? :eyes:

I know I have plenty of Republican customers; I sure as hell would never insult them over it. I need all the business I can get! :D

[Maddy McCall]

That's my philosophy, too.

And I buy from the local hardware shop, that is republican owned. They are extremely pleasant to me--they appreciate my business.

I was really sad that she treated me the way she did--and she said all of this in front of my son, my father, and the kid who's visiting my son this weekend.

I guess she thought I would bite my tongue in front of my kid and father. Nope.

[Lady Effingbroke]

25. It's amazing that she would shoot herself in the foot

with a statement like that, especially with the precarious state of today's economy and the resulting hardships suffered by small-business owners. As flamingyouth said, you would think she'd need all the customers she could get. Another sterling case of someone letting their alligator mouth overload their mockingbird a**.

[Maddy McCall]

34. LOL! You slay me. :-)

alligator mouth/mockingbird ass. Bwahahahahaha!!!! Too funny! I'll have to hold that one in my repetoire for the next smart-ass student who pops off in class. :toast:

[blondeatlast]

40. Bad enough to have said it in front of you, INEXCUSABLE to say

it in front of others.

[blondeatlast]

39. I was just thinking the same; that's just incredibly stupid business.

I'm a big believer in supporting local business, but if they were to insult me like that, I would sure as hell tell them why I wouldn't be patronizing their shop.

And I'd make sure they knew that my friends in the precinct would know right away as well.

[oldcoot]

45. Good business practices

I have personally stopped shopping at businesses because these businesses have decided to advertise their political beliefs. For example, I decided to stop shopping at one of the used bookstores in my area because the store had a petition to repeal the Endangered Species Act. While I believe that everyone has a right to express their political beliefs, they are not entitled to my business. I have a right to decide which businesses I will or will not support.

The woman describe in the original post was especially stupid. She not only advertised her own beliefs but she was rude to a loyal customer. Since loyal customers probably are the ones keeping her in business, she should learn how to keep her big mouth shut.

Clearly, it is not a good policy to share one's political or religious beliefs with one's customers. You are smart for not challenging your customers' beliefs.

[OneTwentyoNine]

52. That was my first thought....

SBJ,what an idiot that woman is. Hell,most people buy groceries at larger chain stores or Walmart. She's lucky they still have a store.

SOAB,as long as your money is green why the HELL should she care who you vote for. She DESERVES to lose your business to a large chain...of course then she'll whine about it.

David

[anti_shrub]

7. Because WalMart wants to destroy sacred Native land...

Speaker at a Pow Wow I was at yesterday talked about Wallyworld wanting to build a SuperDuperMegaMart on sacred grounds.

There was a story about it on CNN.com but it seems to have disappeared.

[greatauntoftriplets]

20. Nothing is sacred to WalMart except profits.

Is the property on reservation lands?

[LeighAnn]

8. Definately write a letter

to the store, first, I'd say, demanding an apology, at which point be prepared to provide them with literature pointing out some of the facts. If no apology is forthcoming, write a letter to the editor of the paper. Give these people a chance to "see the light" before exposing them and alienating probably half of their customer base.

IMO

[opiate69]

9. Like my neighbor always says..

"Walmart is a shitty company, but it's hard to vote with your dollars when you don't have a lot of 'em"

[punpirate]

10. Write a letter to the owner...

... explaining to him what happened, and then why you have always supported the locally-owned store, instead of other national chains (include the usual good arguments).

Then say, simply, that if your money is going to go into the pockets of people who disrespect free speech on the basis of their own political leanings, then it's to your advantage to give them the least amount possible, and that perhaps that means shopping where it's cheaper.

Cheers.

[Maddy McCall]

15. I like this...i just might do this.

You know, if he sees that his wife's insulting customers will affect his ability to pay the note for her BMW, maybe he'll muzzle her. :-)

[blondeatlast]

42. Excellent! nt

[antigone382]

54. I agree; writing a letter is the way to go.

Write a letter to the owner requesting an apology. Explain that you have been a loyal, supportive customer for years, and you don't feel that you deserve to be insulted for your political beliefs, however those beliefs may differ from those of the owners. Tell them that you have enjoyed your shopping experiences there, but if they refuse to apologize or insist on insulting you further, you will have no choice but to take your business elsewhere.

It's worth giving them a second chance. Whether you go to Wal-Mart, Kroger, or the local shop, you'll be shopping in a place that supports the GOP. You can choose to shop at a big chain store that quietly donates millions, or you can shop at the local store that probably donates at most a fraction of that, though they make a lot of noise.

[Radical Activist]

13. Does it have to be Wal-Mart

If you're going to a chain you could at least pick something a little less offensive like Kroger. Wal-Mart's insults to you and this nation are much greater than the woman at the local store.

[Maddy McCall]

16. So I am supposed to suck it up and go back there?

Nuh uh.

[Radical Activist]

23. Did I write that?

I think I wrote that it would be better to go to a chain that isn't wal-mart if you must go to a chain at all. A place like Kroger won't be the #1 importer of goods from China, probably won't have major civil rights lawsuits against it, and probably isn't being prosecuted for using illegal immigrant labor on a massive scale. All of those things are true for Wal-Mart. If you're going for a chain, don't choose the worst one out there.

[Maddy McCall]

37. Sorry--I misunderstood.

And I agree. Kroger and Winn Dixie get my business, from now on.

Love your Che avatar. :-)

[TexasSissy]

14. You can't reason with Repubs. Not this year, anyway.

They are absolutely running amuck with the power they've gotten since * has taken office. Now that Repubs have control of the exec., legislative, and federal judiciary (as well as now having control of intelligence), they have been corrupted totally. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Forgeddaboutit. Shop wherever the best deal is for you and your family. I like Kroger's the best, but since it's further away for me, I sometimes shop at the local Wal-Mart Food Mart. I have not seen anything to indicate to me that Wal-Mart is anti-woman. I come from a union town, so I'm not sure I think that anti-union is a bad thing, unless we get back to the situations that existed before unions. (Unions can get corrupt with power, and can be greedy....remember when after 9/11 the airlines were in trouble financially, and American Airlines pilots or stewardesses went on strike? Talk about bad timing and greedy. They were lucky to still have jobs at that point.)

[skygazer]

24. Anti women, anti minority

And you may not be happy with unions but if it was not for them, many more of us would be costing taxpayers money because we'd need more social services. My company would love to slash our wages and health care benefits but the union keeps them in place.

This is the home page for the current class action suit against Wal Mart on behalf of women employees

http://www.walmartclass.com/walmartclass94.p

"Lawsuit alleges Wal Mart biased against black truckers"

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/business/9742008.htm

In addition, a recent study showed that Wal Mart costs the state of California $86 million anually because its employees require additional health and financial services from the state because of low wages and lousy benefits. Link was outdates - sorry.

[Bridget Burke]

19. So shop at Kroger's & tell the owner why you switched.

Kroger is better than WalMart--which doesn't mean the chain is perfect.

[Maddy McCall]

21. And at the Kroger here, the bagboys (and girls) still take your...

groceries to the car for you AND put them in the trunk. I think I am with you...looks like Kroger or Winn Dixie for me. :-)

[Deja Q]

22. Lower quality

Their 50 cent dried onions appear to be coarsely ground and contain the outer skin. I'm assuming they'd been washed. They're not unhealthy, but the 2.5x more expensive name-brand dried onions at the proper grocer's seem of higher calibre.

Milk? Looks like a nice low price, but check out the expiration date.

No-name vegetables? If the broccoli cuts are mostly stalk with little bits of florets (or if no florets at all), give those to * as he hates the stalk (but prefers "...the top of the broccoli" (that's called a 'Floret', Mr. President :eyes: )

[Infomaniac]

28. What's on your car is none of her damn business.

What you put on your car is none of her damn business. I'd take my business elsewhere too and let the owner know exactly why. People who go around insulting customers - and in front of their children to boot - don't deserve your business. I have found the produce and meat at Wal-mart to be of a lower quality than union shops. I also don't buy from places that sell guns but won't sell birth control.

[BiggJawn]

30. Because Wally-World food will make your kids start to idolize Rush...

And I'm not talking Neal Pert's band, either.....

They epitomize everything that's bad about "Big Box" stores. Their politics are the same as your local Mom n'Pop, they just don't have Dead Sam's kids there to tell you in person...

But if they're the only game in town....Shit, even the Koran tells you it's better to eat a ham sandwich than starve to death...

[NC_Nurse]

31. The reason that stores like Kroger and Winn Dixie are having

problems is because of Walmart. They actually pay decently and have benefits for their employees, but when Wlamart got into the grocery business, they undercut all the regular groceries with lower quality merchandise, less selection, and underpaid, mostly part time employees (read:no benefits).

Walmart is the evil empire of retail! :puke:

[JVS]

32. Hey, if mom and pop are shitheads, fuck 'em!

[Maddy McCall]

35. Thanks for your succinct reply :-)

I agree. :-)

[Misunderestimator]

36. Go to Kroger's then... that woman doesn't deserve your business

I was at my local supermarket on Friday, wearing my Kerry t-shirt. While I was waiting in the check-out line, I noticed the young cashier kept glancing at my shirt. When I got up to her, she asked me where I got it... that she loved it and that I must get a lot of compliments on it. I said that I got very few around here, not surprisingly since we're surrounded by idiot republicans. She laughed and said, yeah... that's the truth. I was surprised that she wasn't whispering all this to me, since we are indeed surrounded by idiot republicans.

I think I'll buy another one and bring it with me to the store until I see her and give it to her. Made my day.

[Maddy McCall]

38. I had the same experience at the corner quick stop here...

went in to pay for gas, and the manager said the same thing to me...I brought her a tee, and now her hubby wants one, so I will bring him one, too.

:-)

[Zomby Woof]

41. Go to Kroger's

They own a chain here called Fry's, and they have good prices, good meat, and even the Kroger's brand of frozen pizzas is good, and I hate frozen pizzas, lol.

As for that repuke clown, you can't argue with a sick mind. She basically walked right into it when she admitted their best argument is...vandalism!

Gawd, but repukes are fucking stupid shitholes.

[blondeatlast]

46. Fry's is owned by Kroger's now? It's impossible to keep up anymore! nt

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

48. These are the stores Kroger's owns

- Supermarkets - Kroger, Ralphs, Dillons, Smith's, King Soopers, Fry's, QFC, City Market, Hilander, Owen's, Jay C, Cala Foods/Bell Markets, Kessel Food Markets, Pay Less, Baker's, Gerbes

- Multi-department stores - Fred Meyer, Fry's Marketplace, Smith's Marketplace

- Price-impact warehouse stores - Food 4 Less, Foods Co.

[Zomby Woof]

49. they have been for a long time

[blondeatlast]

43. This reminds me of the "Tip-Tip" campaign.

When you leave a card, leave a note saying you appreciate the hard work and that Kerry supports labor issues.

That shirt would make her day. When I worked in a department store in the Kenneth Cole section, one of my best customers BOUGHT me the shirt I had just sold to her. I was absolutely astonished; she said she simply appreciated my service.

I have NEVER forgotten that--or her.

[Misunderestimator]

44. I just ordered it.... I'm looking forward to giving it to her now.

And your story inspired me to do it now and not procrastinate :)

[Lady Effingbroke]

51. That is such a nice thing to do for someone!

You're awesome! :yourock:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

47. I've worked on marketing for all three of these retailers

Kroger is the best in a lot of ways. A union shop; proactive to customer needs; lots of community involvement and support for local food drives, schools, parks, etc.

Winn-Dixie's not bad but not as responsive as Kroger. They kind of do what they have to do and no more than that.

Wal-Mart's anti-union stance is why they'll never get a dime from me. As someone else pointed out, their super centers are driving other grocery retailers out of business. And working with them was a very aggravating, barely productive and just plain creepy experience.

[Lefty48197]

50. Kroger workers = union members, with benefits, and decent wages

Walmart represents the 11 year old Chinese girls who make all the products they sell.

[Logansquare]

53. Kroger CEO is a big GOP contributor, but what can you do?

Wal-mart is pure evil. At least some of the Krogers are union, and they don't lock their employees in until they finish inventory. Be sure to stop by your old store and tell that woman that both Wal-mart and Krogers are huge Bush supporters and they are going to drive her out of business without an ounce of guilt. Then, go shop at Krogers.

[HEyHEY]

55. Keep going, argue about stuff everytime - until she bans you

It'll be fun

[shingashong]

56. Completely unprofessional of her to say that to you

She's lost you as a customer, and if you see her again, I would suggest telling her that to her face. It's completely unprofessional for ANYONE who is a business owner (or employee!) to go there. I'm no fan of Kroger either- but I would rather go Kroger than Walmart. I absolutely REFUSE to shop at Walmart. It's like what someone said to me on a flight recently, "Walmart is going to destroy our country". Damn skippy!