Change Comes to Wal-Mart

• Report this Comment On November 24, 2008, at 1:23 PM, kmacattack wrote:

  As a long term shareholder of Wal Mart, I was not unhappy to hear about Lee Scott's "retirement". From 1977 until 1992, I worked as a District Sales Manager for a major appliance distributor in Northeastern Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas. I have seen Wal Mart grow from a bunch of small-town based variety stores into the mega-retailer of today on a first-hand basis. I almost feel guilty as a stockholder, though, because of the heavy-handed manner in which Wal-Mart treats employees . At every opportunity I ask employees about their treatment, wages and benefits, etc. and the general impression is that most employees are not all that thrilled about their job or their company. Most disturbing to me is the corporate policy which encourages profitable vendors which manufacture goods in the US to move their production to overseas.

  I have purchased 4 items at 4 different stores in the last year which were obviously used merchandise returned as defective and were placed back on the store shelves for resale, including a $150 air compressor, two Wagner "paint sticks", which were missing critical parts, and a car jack. These used items were the only ones placed on the shelf , so I was forced to buy them. In the case of the air compressor, the store had a back stock of at least 6 more in the warehouse, and, after an hour wait, I was provided with a replacement, which broke within 6 months. The common denominator is that all of the products were made in China. Remember the "Bringin' it home to the USA" slogan?

  If it is ever re-run, you should watch the documentary on CNBC about Wal-Mart, which I thought was more than fair in its treatment of the company and only scratched the surface regarding questionable business practices, destroying small town America, lowering the standard of living, etc.

  A good start for Wal Mart would be a strong labor union for their employees. Next, the company needs to revisit their corporate policy of forcing prices down, no matter what the cost to our nation, its work force, and consumers. A $150 compressor which is junk in less than a year is no bargain. I would much rather pay $200 for an American made product which will last 15 years.

• Report this Comment On November 27, 2008, at 9:51 PM, tbirmingham wrote:

  I have been employed by Wal-Mart for 6 plus years and I am getting tired of hearing how "Heavy Handed" they are with us. This has not been my experience. Wal-Mart has treated my with respect and has paid me a good wage. If you have not worked for this company and your only knowledge is second hand please withold your neg. comments

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