Target over WalMart

[WSUCougar]

I don't know if this is a "real" letter or not, but it's making the e-mail rounds, and it fits my experiences exactly. The only time I'll ever go into a WalMart anymore is if I can't find an item anywhere else.

"This is a joint letter to the corporate headquarters of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and Target, Inc. I am writing to relate my recent shopping experiences at your stores in Knoxville, TN. A few nights ago, I went to our local Wal-Mart megacenter to purchase a few miscellaneous household items. I found the store in a state of near total chaos. It was about 9 pm, and customer load was moderate, but by no means overwhelming. The aisles were poorly marked, the floors universally filthy, and the shelves, where they were stocked at all, were completely disorganized. Many of the aisles held shelves piled with unmarked boxes to heights of ten feet or more. Within individual aisles, merchandise was displayed apparently at random with no clear divisions between differing products and few, if any labels or price tags. The aisles and shelves were only part of the store's problems.
The few incredibly rude associates I encountered fit in well with their environment. Their appearance was slovenly and unkempt. Most wore non-uniform clothing in a poor state of repair and cleanliness. Despite the utter inability of the associates I encountered to direct me even to the correct departments, I gathered the items I had come for and approached the checkout counter. It was at this point my frustration reached its peak.
Of the almost thirty checkout lanes available, including numerous self checkout lanes, only six full-service and only four self-service lanes were open. In each of the six open full-service lanes, more than eight customers stood in line. At each of the self-serve terminals, at least four customers were in line. Taking the apparently faster course, I queued up in a self-service lane. Over the next twenty five minutes, each of the four self service lanes encountered a variety of problems, from lack of currency to scanner failure. None of these problems was addressed with any degree of seriousness and, when I inquired, I was told that this was "normal" and that no one on duty was trained to operate or repair the terminals. At this point, my quick shopping trip had taken over an hour, and I had yet to complete a single purchase. In disgust, I laid down my armload of sundries and left the store.

At this point, my night took a decided turn for the better. On my way home, I remembered that there was a Target store not far off my route home. I stopped and went in. My experience there could have been neither more pleasant nor more completely unlike that at Wal-Mart. I found a well-lit store with clean floors; wide, clearly marked aisles; eye-level shelves that were fully stocked and conveniently labeled. Moreover, I found friendly, knowledgeable associates who were easily identified by their neat, clean uniforms. I found everything I had come for in less than ten minutes. Over the next fifteen minutes, the ease of shopping at Target led me to accumulate a shopping cart full of merchandise. At Target, the checkout lanes were manned in proportion to the level of business and I concluded my purchases quickly. In all, I spent almost two hundred dollars at Target after having gone out for about ten dollars in light bulbs and shaving supplies.
I am a young man, but I have a number of years experience in the service-intensive hotel industry, and I make it a policy to reward good service when I find it. And that, really, is the crux of the matter: I am a young man. I have a lot of years left to shop, and a lot of things I'd like to have. In the future, my first choice, and the recipient of my disposable income will, without exception, be Target, rather than Wal-Mart."

[TredWel]

My sentiments exactly.

Target opened a store up here a couple of years ago. Since that time I probably hit Target a few times a month for miscellaneous shopping, while I have gone to Walmart only a couple of times, and only as a last resort. Almost every time I leave Target, I'm pleased with the experience, while every time I leave Walmart I ask myself what could have compelled me to go there in the first place.

[rkmsuf]

That one was obvious. Target rules.

On to round 2:

Lowes or Home Depot?

[Ksyrup]

We shop at both. We've tried - in two completely different cities at this point - to find a grocery store that is as cheap and that has as many items that we use as WalMart does, and we have come up empty. WalMart can get annoying with the way they randomly discontinue certain items, but overall, I have no problem.

Also, the idea of "helpful associates" I just don't get. I can't recall the last time I felt like I needed to ask for help in a store. They either have what I want, or they don't, and it's either in the area where it should be or it's not. I just shop, pay, and leave. The only person I come in contact with is the cashier - and that's only if we have too many items to go through self-checkout.

[BrianD]

I always find it interesting how quickly a WalMart store can get so ugly and dirty. Stores that have been around a while can be quite scary, but even the new ones seem to get ugly pretty quickly.

[wade moore]

We shop at both. We've tried - in two completely different cities at this point - to find a grocery store that is as cheap and that has as many items that we use as WalMart does, and we have come up empty. WalMart can get annoying with the way they randomly discontinue certain items, but overall, I have no problem.

Same here. If it wasn't for groceries, I'd rarely go to wal-mart. But, bottom line, they are cheap as hell for groceries.

[Ksyrup]

What do you shop at Target for? For "specialty" items or kid's clothes, etc., we shop at Target. For groceries and household items, WalMart is unquestionably cheaper. I certainly like the appearance of Target's stores more than WalMart, but not at the risk of paying so much more for food, diapers, detergent, etc.

[BrianD]

Do you know how much cheaper groceries are at WalMart over a normal chain grocery store? I haven't done much of a comparison, but I'd believe it was worth some amount of extra money to not feel the need to shower for a week after leaving a WalMart.

[Butter]

I worked as a front end supervisor for a Target for a couple of months, and aside from being pushy on the credit cards they DEMAND that any available store personnel help with cashiering any time any checkout line reaches more than 3... 1 person getting checked out, 2 behind them.

[molson]

Also, the idea of "helpful associates" I just don't get. I can't recall the last time I felt like I needed to ask for help in a store. They either have what I want, or they don't, and it's either in the area where it should be or it's not. I just shop, pay, and leave. The only person I come in contact with is the cashier - and that's only if we have too many items to go through self-checkout.

Same here. The emailer in the original post is overly concerned with lighting, the store's apperance, the clothes of the employees, the store's organization. I could care less. Walmart is for people who want to buy cheap stuff, and aren't looking for atmosphere.

[Ksyrup]

Same here. If it wasn't for groceries, I'd rarely go to wal-mart. But, bottom line, they are cheap as hell for groceries.

When we moved to Kentucky, we gave Kroger a legit shot and found it wasn't worth it. It's the closest grocery store to us, so we use it for middle-of-the-week essentials (milk, bread, etc.), but once a week, we make the trip to WalMart for the bulk of our grocery shopping. Same with Publix in Florida - except I've always found Publix to be the most expensive non-niche grocery store I've ever shopped at, so the decision was even easier to shop at WalMart.

[vex]

The Wal-Mart/Target comparison varies from city to city. So to me, this is just another blah, blah, blah letter.

[Ksyrup]

Do you know how much cheaper groceries are at WalMart over a normal chain grocery store? I haven't done much of a comparison, but I'd believe it was worth some amount of extra money to not feel the need to shower for a week after leaving a WalMart.

I have no clue. I haven't done an item-for-item check. What cost you're willing to pay is up to you. I haven't found WalMart to be a problem. I just know I couldn't imagine buying non-grocery items like razors, shampoo, detergent, etc., at a typical grocery store, because I know those items are way more expensive. And we don't have time to hit 3 or 4 different stores for the best deals on certain products. WalMart may be dirty (at least compared to Target; I haven't been grossed out by anything I've seen) and more crowded, but it saves us time and money.

[MylesKnight]

KSyrup, I agree with the sentiments on Publix, but have you ever visited a Harris Teeter? The HT is Ponte Vedra Beach is the nicest, but also most expensive standard grocery store I've ever shopped at. The floors are wood paneled for goodness sake, in the whole place.. And not the cheapy, fake wood looking stuff.. It's parketed, like the damn Boston Garden or something.

As far as the Lexington area is concerned, I actually like the Kroger stores.. My folks live over in the Heartland area, and I've been to the stores on Tates Creek and in Heartland. Nice places...

The Wal Mart Super Stores are cheaper, but goddamn, they are always packed. That's why I hate the place.. It takes foooooorrrrrrreeeeeevvvvvveeerrr to escape that place.

Also, I've never understood why Wal-Mart have so many check out lanes.. Some stores have 40+.. ...but I've never seen more than half open at a time, and this includes the pre-Christmas shopping season.. Are they for show?

[WSUCougar]

Same here. The emailer in the original post is overly concerned with lighting, the store's apperance, the clothes of the employees, the store's organization. I could care less. Walmart is for people who want to buy cheap stuff, and aren't looking for atmosphere.
We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. My blood pressure must double whenever I have to navigate through the horrors of a WalMart. I am physically ready to flee by the time I'm at the check-out. Target, on the other hand, is usually a pleasant experience (relative to other shopping).

[Swaggs]

I like Target for quick trips, as well. The only thing I would disagree with is that they are any better than Walmart as far as opening check-out aisles up when they get backed up. Ours is terrible for that. They must have like 25 or 30 and there are rarely more than 4-6 open. When I worked retail in college, we always opened up another register when the lines got more than 3 deep--not so at Target. Still, we probably go there for groceries or some other household items 3-4 times a month.

[Ryche]

We have a Target and Walmart across the street from each other, it's a very rare occasion that I'll go to the Walmart. They just upgraded it to a super Walmart, but there is still a major difference between the two in appearance. I just can't see myself spending enough time in Walmart to do actual grocery shopping.

Of course, both those stores blow Kmart out of the water. Had to go to one last week and felt repulsed pretty much the whole time.

[Izulde]

The Wal-Mart/Target comparison varies from city to city. So to me, this is just another blah, blah, blah letter.

"

[stevew]

Do you know how much cheaper groceries are at WalMart over a normal chain grocery store? I haven't done much of a comparison, but I'd believe it was worth some amount of extra money to not feel the need to shower for a week after leaving a WalMart.

Considering the types of things that I usually shop for, same items are usually a tad bit cheaper at WalMart, and sometimes up to a dollar or more for the same item. Meat being the wildcard, as a store sales are usually a lot better than the standard items. But after last weekends half hour in the checkout lanes, i am slowly reconsidering when and where i shop.

I like Aldi's if it is in your market. Cheap quality food, get in get out, the registers move pretty quickly.

[sachmo71]

This is why Wal-Mart is number one. Volume is king.

[Izulde]

Considering the types of things that I usually shop for, same items are usually a tad bit cheaper at WalMart, and sometimes up to a dollar or more for the same item. Meat being the wildcard, as a store sales are usually a lot better than the standard items. But after last weekends half hour in the checkout lanes, i am slowly reconsidering when and where i shop.

I like Aldi's if it is in your market. Cheap quality food, get in get out, the registers move pretty quickly.

Aldi's also employs scabs, so if there's a morality issue there, it's one to take note of.

[BrianD]

I have no clue. I haven't done an item-for-item check. What cost you're willing to pay is up to you. I haven't found WalMart to be a problem. I just know I couldn't imagine buying non-grocery items like razors, shampoo, detergent, etc., at a typical grocery store, because I know those items are way more expensive. And we don't have time to hit 3 or 4 different stores for the best deals on certain products. WalMart may be dirty (at least compared to Target; I haven't been grossed out by anything I've seen) and more crowded, but it saves us time and money.

I was just curious if you knew about any general trends. I'm sure WalMart is cheaper, but experiences/prices at Target or Copp's (which we have adjacent to each other) are good enough to make me happy to avoid the Ick-factor at WalMart. Everyone has a different cost/experience threshhold, and I know my threshhold is more in the Target range.

[Anthony]

some of that story is bullshit. the guy must've got pissed, so he hit on some of the common "must-haves" in a complaint letter:

1. everything is wrong w/ your store. your competition does everything right.

2. through the ineptness of your store you lost a purchase (and i conveniently would have purchased more had the experience been better)

2a. through the ineptness of your store your competitor gained the purchase

3. i will no longer be a customer of your store

3a. i will now be a lifelong customer of your rival


yawn. i love Target, but i know bullshit when i see it. anytime someone uses the word "sundries" to intelligencize their letters then i scrutinize the entire letter. the guy had a bad experience and realized someone buying a pack of lightbulbs isn't treated as well as the guy looking to buy a big screen tv, i will allow for that. but all the rest of that letter was just piling it on.

[stevew]

Aldi's also employs scabs, so if there's a morality issue there, it's one to take note of.

They may not be union, but they pay their workers pretty well.

[MacroGuru]

I have to say both our Target and Wal-mart are really clean and it depends on what I need for where I go.

I honestly get some of the electronics I want from Wal-Mart over Target, especially games and even my new LCD TV (I picked up the 32 in HD Polaroid).

As for Target, Clothes and home stuff is what we get.

We have a chain called Macey's we hit for Groceries, which is even cheaper than Wal-Mart.

[Ksyrup]

KSyrup, I agree with the sentiments on Publix, but have you ever visited a Harris Teeter? The HT is Ponte Vedra Beach is the nicest, but also most expensive standard grocery store I've ever shopped at. The floors are wood paneled for goodness sake, in the whole place.. And not the cheapy, fake wood looking stuff.. It's parketed, like the damn Boston Garden or something.

As far as the Lexington area is concerned, I actually like the Kroger stores.. My folks live over in the Heartland area, and I've been to the stores on Tates Creek and in Heartland. Nice places...

The Wal Mart Super Stores are cheaper, but goddamn, they are always packed. That's why I hate the place.. It takes foooooorrrrrrreeeeeevvvvvveeerrr to escape that place.

Also, I've never understood why Wal-Mart have so many check out lanes.. Some stores have 40+.. ...but I've never seen more than half open at a time, and this includes the pre-Christmas shopping season.. Are they for show?

We didn't have HT in Tallahassee.

I've shopped at Kroger and find it pleasant, but it's more expensive. It's just not worth the extra cost to me.

[WSUCougar]

Well, as I said in the initial post, true letter or not, it exactly captures how I feel. So calling bullshit on the letter is irrelevant to me.

[stevew]

All of the Target stores around Knoxville close at 10pm. So if she got to wal mart, around 9pm, and wasted more than an hour, Target would be closed at that point. So the letter writer is lying/exaggerating from the get-go here.

[rkmsuf]

We didn't have HT in Tallahassee.

I've shopped at Kroger and find it pleasant, but it's more expensive. It's just not worth the extra cost to me.

Do they have a lot of examples of early hungarian cabinet making at Krogers?


edit: duh, they have that only at Froegers.

[Klinglerware]

yawn. i love Target, but i know bullshit when i see it. anytime someone uses the word "sundries" to intelligencize their letters then i scrutinize the entire letter. the guy had a bad experience and realized someone buying a pack of lightbulbs isn't treated as well as the guy looking to buy a big screen tv, i will allow for that. but all the rest of that letter was just piling it on.

Or, it is some PR firm's attempt at viral marketing.

Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if the letter was legit, but it also wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't. The letter sounds suspiciously artificial to me...

[stevew]

KSyrup, I agree with the sentiments on Publix, but have you ever visited a Harris Teeter? The HT is Ponte Vedra Beach is the nicest, but also most expensive standard grocery store I've ever shopped at. The floors are wood paneled for goodness sake, in the whole place.. And not the cheapy, fake wood looking stuff.. It's parketed, like the damn Boston Garden or something.

As far as the Lexington area is concerned, I actually like the Kroger stores.. My folks live over in the Heartland area, and I've been to the stores on Tates Creek and in Heartland. Nice places...

The Wal Mart Super Stores are cheaper, but goddamn, they are always packed. That's why I hate the place.. It takes foooooorrrrrrreeeeeevvvvvveeerrr to escape that place.

Also, I've never understood why Wal-Mart have so many check out lanes.. Some stores have 40+.. ...but I've never seen more than half open at a time, and this includes the pre-Christmas shopping season.. Are they for show?
Harris Teeter, the home of the 2 dollar 2 litre of pepsi.

[Ksyrup]

I will say, the one thing we usually get elsewhere (in Florida it was at Albertson's, and in Kentucky it's Kroger) is meat - specifically, fish and steak. I've foudn WalMart to be less than adequate in these areas. Chicken and ground beef are usually OK, but the others we usuallyt get elsewhere.

[Izulde]

FWIW I shop at a couple of what I assume are regional grocery stores.

Quillin's two blocks away from the fraternity house for quick grab and gos. The bigger Festival Foods for everything else, particularly some stuff in their organic aisle I like.

[cuervo72]

Also, the idea of "helpful associates" I just don't get. I can't recall the last time I felt like I needed to ask for help in a store. They either have what I want, or they don't, and it's either in the area where it should be or it's not. I just shop, pay, and leave. The only person I come in contact with is the cashier - and that's only if we have too many items to go through self-checkout.

Our Food Lion recently turned into a "bloom", which is basically Food Lion's new high-falutin' brand. They are emphasizing the fact that they've reorganized everything to make things easier to find (I knew where everything was before, thanks), and that they are adding staff to assist you with shopping if you need them. Well, the only thing I'd need them for is to tell me where you hid things that I could find before, but other than that these folks only serve to get in the way and to make the store more crowded.

Also: Wal-Mart tends to be a bit of a pit (though Sam's Club I like). Target is much cleaner, brighter and well organized.

[st.cronin]

If you care about customer service at all, then you are not part of Walmart's demographic. Walmart exists because there are people who care only about prices, nothing else.

Lowes rocks.

[rkmsuf]

If you care about customer service at all, then you are not part of Walmart's demographic. Walmart exists because there are people who care only about prices, nothing else.

Lowes rocks.

Feels like Lowes is like Target and Home Depot is like Wal-mart...perhaps to a lesser degree though since I have little complaints about Home Depot service. Maybe it's because all the Lowes around me are really new.

[BrianD]

If you care about customer service at all, then you are not part of Walmart's demographic. Walmart exists because there are people who care only about prices, nothing else.


This is really what it comes down to.

Along those lines, I'm generally happy to avoid most of WalMart's demographic. Way too many rude and pushy customers.

[st.cronin]

Feels like Lowes is like Target and Home Depot is like Wal-mart...perhaps to a lesser degree though since I have little complaints about Home Depot service. Maybe it's because all the Lowes around me are really new.

Sort of, except that they don't carry a lot of the same products (at least here). And imo the products that Lowes sells are much more suitable for somebody like me, who is about as mechanically inclined as a 5 year old. Home Depot seems like it's more for the general contractor type.

[Ksyrup]

This is really what it comes down to.

Along those lines, I'm generally happy to avoid most of WalMart's demographic. Way too many rude and pushy customers.

Now, I realize there are some constants to the demographics of certain stores, but I have to wonder if some of what you are experiencing has to do with the location of the store, and not just the store itself. "Rude and pushy" customers? I've seen my share of freaks and scary individuals at WalMarts, but I can't say I've ever noticed a pattern of rudeness that didn't exist elsewhere (like in South Florida, where everyone is rude).

Very strange.

[rkmsuf]

Sort of, except that they don't carry a lot of the same products (at least here). And imo the products that Lowes sells are much more suitable for somebody like me, who is about as mechanically inclined as a 5 year old. Home Depot seems like it's more for the general contractor type.

could be. I haven't spent much time at Lowe's except to buy some paint. I was raised on the Home Depot.

I did learn painfully however that not all Home Depots carry the same stuff. Who knew? There's 3 within 15 miles of me and only one had the elusive picket fence material I needed.

[cuervo72]

And imo the products that Lowes sells are much more suitable for somebody like me, who is about as mechanically inclined as a 5 year old. Home Depot seems like it's more for the general contractor type.

One of the reasons why Lowes is more popular with women than Home Depot, from what I've heard.

[Kodos]

I love SuperTarget. Too bad we don't have one here in Connecticut. Or a Walgreens. :(

[BrianD]

Now, I realize there are some constants to the demographics of certain stores, but I have to wonder if some of what you are experiencing has to do with the location of the store, and not just the store itself. "Rude and pushy" customers? I've seen my share of freaks and scary individuals at WalMarts, but I can't say I've ever noticed a pattern of rudeness that didn't exist elsewhere (like in South Florida, where everyone is rude).

Very strange.

Freaks and scary individuals are in abundance, but I've seen plenty of people park their cart in front of mine, completely blocking the isle and then disappear while looking for other things. I've also seen lots of people pick up an item while they are walking, read something on the box and then deposit the item on whatever shelf they happen to be closest to (if they don't drop it right on the floor). I suppose it isn't major stuff, but it is just common store etiquette that seems to be missing.

[Ksyrup]

I see that stuff, too, from time to time, but I haven't been able to say that it happens in a particular store as opposed to another store. I definitely see a difference in the demographic between Target and WalMart, though. Although nothing will beat with Publix in Tallahassee that's closest to the FSU campus, I'm ppleased to say that the Target on Nicholasville Rd. has an abundance of UK coeds. I can't say the same for the WalMart just south of Target.

[Godzilla Blitz]

My only complaint against Target is that I always go in for about $10 worth of stuff, but end up spending over $50 because I always bump into cool stuff at cheap prices.

I agree with the sentiment against WalMart. I can only image what their job interviews are like. Seems like they just count appendages and offer you a job. I was in one the other day and two floor people were louding bitching--almost yelling, actually--about their manager in the middle of the aisle. Good humor.

That said, WalMart does serve a purpose. Once in a while, they'll have something that no other store does, and they're great for cheap toys. The other thing that I like about WalMart is that whenever you call them, a real person answers the phone to direct your call.

But Target gets $100 of our dollars for every $1 that WalMart gets.

[Schmidty]

This guy sounds like a justified prick, if that makes sense. He was justified in his complaints, but he also seems to come off as a bit self-absorbed.

[gkb]

I usually shop at Target and one thing I've noticed...they're seems to be inordinate amount of hotties shopping there whenever I go. I've also found the same to be true at King Soopers...

[Raven Hawk]

Aldi's also employs scabs, so if there's a morality issue there, it's one to take note of.

Only a morality issue if the union has good cause to strike. Not all strikes are for good causes, just like not all lockouts are for good causes either. And by refusing to shop at Aldi because they employ scabs also hurts the union employees that work there (providing they are not currently on strike). If the store location goes out of business, the union employees are then out of a job, too. I can understand the concept of not crossing a picket line to shop at a store, but to flat out refuse business to a store because they have hired scabs in the past seems silly to me. The labor dispute was resolved six years ago. I'd think the union would like for Aldi to do well so that they can hire more union employees and thus grow the strength of their union.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The Wal-Mart/Target comparison varies from city to city. So to me, this is just another blah, blah, blah letter.

Ding ding ding.

I have just such a situation in my (eventual) new town.
Pleasant employees, fully staffed, acceptably clean WM.
A rude bunch of ignorant bitches, shorthanded as hell, downright nasty Target.

I wouldn't say it's 50/50 which way that'll go, but it's definitely location by location as to which will be a better shopping experience.

As for how I decide where to go, basically everyday stuff WM has Target beat on price. For occasional purchases where you want a little better quality stuff (say mini-fridge, coffee makers, etc) then Target is the better of the two for me more often than not.

[JonInMiddleGA]

One of the reasons why Lowes is more popular with women than Home Depot, from what I've heard.

That is correct, at least in the demographic profile of customer preferences.
IIRC, men who had a strong preference were 3:1 for HD while women who had a strong preference were 3:1 Lowe's (or something like that).

Most of the research attributes the difference almost entirely on the way the stores are set up, basically it comes down to aesthetics. And both spend lots of time & energy trying to figure out how to steal customers from the other without turning off their existing base.

[Scholes]

If you can find a Target that's right next to a Wal-mart (usually within a mile) you'll find that that Target's prices are cheaper than a Target that is by itself. They're also very, very close, usually within pennies or nickels, to the nearby Wal-Mart's prices. Competition and all that.

[Grammaticus]

Well, I live in the Knoxville area and have shopped at all of the Target and Wal-Mart locations around town. Bottom line is Knox is like anywhere else. The Target stores are marketing to a different demographic, a more upscale "discount store" clientele. Their products are nicer and slightly more expensive. Sure many of the same products are sold at both stores. In that case Wal-Mart will have the cheaper price and Target will have the nicer environment. I choose Target for a more comfortable experience and generally better quality products regarding household goods, etc. But I certainly go to Wal-Mart when it is convenient. I do not like the large crowds (lots of people buying lots of stuff) at Wal-Mart and the clientele is generally not as pleasant (equals hotter chicks shopping at Target). Call it un PC to say that, but it is what it is.

As far as Wal-Mart being dirty and staff unkempt, can't say I really see that as an issue at Knoxville Wal-Mart locations. The Wal-Mart workers are presentable and polite. Although I will say that Target tends to hire employees that look better and dress better than Wal-Mart staff. I tend to see a lot of high school kids and college kids from my community at Target, but rarely recognize anyone that works in the Wal-Mart locations. Again, that may seem un PC, but it is what it is.

I know the existing Knox stores all went through a reorganization, moving the departments around this summer, so maybe the shopper hit one of those stores. In that case, yes it was pretty bad as you could see where isles were torn out and other construction mess. But that was temporary and the stores look much better afterwards. Had they closed the locations for construction, people would have just complained about stores being closed.


Aldi's also employs scabs, so if there's a morality issue there, it's one to take note of.
I assume you mean non union employees when you say scabs. If that is the case, I would support Aldi's as the moral champion. But, I'm guessing you may not agree with me on that one.

All of the Target stores around Knoxville close at 10pm. So if she got to wal mart, around 9pm, and wasted more than an hour, Target would be closed at that point. So the letter writer is lying/exaggerating from the get-go here.
It is true, the Target stores in Knoxville close at 10pm.

[kcchief19]

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. My blood pressure must double whenever I have to navigate through the horrors of a WalMart. I am physically ready to flee by the time I'm at the check-out. Target, on the other hand, is usually a pleasant experience (relative to other shopping).
Ditto. I fully realize that Wal-Mart has cheaper prices. For me, it's worth the money not having to navigate the poorly-lit stores, tight aisles and brain-dead clientele. Plus, when it comes to comparison products, there is no doubt in my mind that Target has better quality products. If I'm looking for a trash can, I'll find a better trash can at Target than Wal-Mart.

[kcchief19]

And imo the products that Lowes sells are much more suitable for somebody like me, who is about as mechanically inclined as a 5 year old. Home Depot seems like it's more for the general contractor type. Low-end general contractor types, to be more specific. Home Depot has a whole division for contractors like home builders and remodelers. I live in a starter home and to a tee every fixture in our house is the lowest-end fixture of its kind available at Home Depot. Any contractor who shops at Home Depot does so because are either too stupid not to use a professional supplier or too cheap. Those same fixtures in my house from Home Depot simply aren't available from most residential trade suppliers and subcontractors -- they aren't even available at Lowe's.

Granted, that doesn't mean that Home Depot doesn't carry high-end stuff. They do. It's just that they carry enough low-end stuff that if you don't know what you're doing you can end up with some really crappy products.

Once we got a Lowe's by our house, my Home Depot days were over. I think the stores are better organized, the employees a little sharper. I can't count the number of times I've walked out of a Home Depot because I can't find what I'm looking for and walk into a Lowe's and find it in five seconds.

Like Wal-Mart and Target, I think both companies know how to play to their bases. Home Depot goes for the "Tim Taylor"-types, Lowe's goes for the Michael Keaton-in-"Mr. Mom"-types.

[Ksyrup]

Glad to know that my builder bought everything from Lowe's.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Home Depot Blows. (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=51114)

[WSUCougar]

I love SuperTarget. Too bad we don't have one here in Connecticut. Or a Walgreens. :(
Huh. I think we could spare a Walgreens or two for you.

I'm beginning to think that they really are trying to take over the world, one corner at a time. :rolleyes:

[Marc Vaughan]

I hate all shopping stores to be honest, if it wasn't for my wife dragging me into them I'd do the entire thing online and save a fortune (taking 3 kids through a supermarket whether Target, Walmart or Tesco's (english place) costs a bomb because of all the extra junk they want.

[HomerSimpson]

Timing is everything. I will not go to my local Wal~Mart at night ever again. It is just liked you have described. An absolute nightmare.


I have learned that at Wal~Mart the early bird does get the worm. Show up at 6:30 AM and you will find a Spotless store full of Energetic Salespeople and plenty of elbow room.

It does not get any better then the fresh smell of Wal~Mart in the morning. :)

[cuervo72]

I live in a starter home and to a tee every fixture in our house is the lowest-end fixture of its kind available at Home Depot. Any contractor who shops at Home Depot does so because are either too stupid not to use a professional supplier or too cheap.

I wouldn't necessarily classify my neighborhood as "starter" homes, but I'm pretty sure that our builder (Ryan Homes) did this with quite a few things (outside light fixtures, kitchen ceiling light, sinks, etc.). It seems as though they are doing that less and less with newer developments (though our dev. is only 7-8 years old), as the home prices are rising to levels where I just don't think they can get away with it as much.

[Izulde]

The Wal-Marts I've been to are usually 24 hour ones and I go about 2-3 am, when it's not crowded.

It's rather pleasant then.

[Vince]

I don't have many experiences with Wal-Mart, but K-Mart sucks major amounts of ass. I very much prefer Target to K-Mart.

[Easy Mac]

KSyrup, I agree with the sentiments on Publix, but have you ever visited a Harris Teeter? The HT is Ponte Vedra Beach is the nicest, but also most expensive standard grocery store I've ever shopped at. The floors are wood paneled for goodness sake, in the whole place.. And not the cheapy, fake wood looking stuff.. It's parketed, like the damn Boston Garden or something.

Just thought I'd add, same here for me. The Teets is all wood by me. Of course, the closest to me is Teets (about 40 seconds). The closest to my fiancee is Teets and Publix. And I live in Downtown charleston, where prices are higher than they normally all. Needless to say I make my food last.

[Buccaneer]

I've probably been to Walmarts in about 10 states and have everyone to be dirty, cluttered, poorly organized and very bad checkout experiences. Target, on the other hand, have been exactly the opposite. My wife, who does 99% of the shopping, would not be caught dead in Walmart and locally, I've been to Walmart maybe three times in the last five years. Walmart is just a bad Kmart on steroids.

[Raiders Army]

Walmart is like the whore you'll find on the street. Target is more like the whore you have to call.

[Buccaneer]

and Kmart was like a heavily made-up 80 yr old whore.

[Grammaticus]

and Kmart was like a heavily made-up 80 yr old whore.
What does that make Big Lots?

[Raiders Army]

A whore with an adam's apple.

[Craptacular]

Before even reading this thread first, I'll tell you my opinion. Target is definitely superior to WalMart, but we're starting to dislike Target a bit as well. We used to have a Greatland (it's not a Supercenter with groceries, although they did have soda and snacks) that was built in the late 90s. They recently renovated, and made it look like all of their other stores ... which is not a good thing. The aisles got narrower, it seems more crowded, and we're just starting to get a somewhat negative vibe about the place. Plus they have a Starfux in it. The only good thing about it is that they added a huge section of freezers and coolers. The crowd is still a friendlier bunch, but we're wondering if she should start going to ShopKo more often ... or signing up for Amazon Prime permanently.

[Craptacular]

I love SuperTarget. Too bad we don't have one here in Connecticut. Or a Walgreens. :(

When the hell did you move to Connecticut?

[sterlingice]

In Kansas, we have these things called "grocery stores" where you can buy food. Buying food from a discount store just seems foreign to me even tho both the Target and WalMart in Lawrence have grocery sections.

SI

[Grammaticus]

A whore with an adam's apple.
LOL :D

[Galaxy]

In Kansas, we have these things called "grocery stores" where you can buy food. Buying food from a discount store just seems foreign to me even tho both the Target and WalMart in Lawrence have grocery sections.

SI

In upstate New York, you can't be Wegman's. The food is a little more expensive, but so is the quality. I've always been a little concern with the quality of food (such as produce, meats, ect.) with a Wal-Mart or a Target.

[Toddzilla]

In upstate New York, you can't be Wegman's. The food is a little more expensive, but so is the quality. I've always been a little concern with the quality of food (such as produce, meats, ect.) with a Wal-Mart or a Target.They have recently opened 2 Wegman's here in the Northern Virginia area and they were a sensation. The WaPo did an article about them as well as a price comparison between Wegmans, Safeway, and Giant. Surprisingly, Wegmans was the least expensive of the three.

[Galaxy]

They have recently opened 2 Wegman's here in the Northern Virginia area and they were a sensation. The WaPo did an article about them as well as a price comparison between Wegmans, Safeway, and Giant. Surprisingly, Wegmans was the least expensive of the three.

No clue what the last two chains are? I love the cheese selection they have.

Anyone here a fan of Whole Foods?

[Ksyrup]

In upstate New York, you can't be Wegman's. The food is a little more expensive, but so is the quality. I've always been a little concern with the quality of food (such as produce, meats, ect.) with a Wal-Mart or a Target.

Yeah, well, after I saw the 20/20 on the way Food Lion grocery store kept meat "fresh" (by soaking bad meat in bleach to kill the smell), I stopped thinking there was a huge difference between the two.

Heck, even back in high school, I worked for a grocery store and once had the manager tell me and another guy to use nail polish remover and a q-tip to remove the dates off of the milk because they wre short on supply and needed to sell the old stuff they still had.

[rkmsuf]

Yeah, well, after I saw the 20/20 on the way Food Lion grocery store kept meat "fresh" (by soaking bad meat in bleach to kill the smell), I stopped thinking there was a huge difference between the two.

Heck, even back in high school, I worked for a grocery store and once had the manager tell me and another guy to use nail polish remover and a q-tip to remove the dates off of the milk because they wre short on supply and needed to sell the old stuff they still had.

You little punks probably weren't rotating properly.

[Passacaglia]

At this point, my quick shopping trip had taken over an hour, and I had yet to complete a single purchase.

Did this guy expect to have made SOME of his purchases? I usually assemble all the items I want together, then buy all of them in one shot.

[Warhammer]

Last night, 1 AM, I go to Wal-Mart to pick up a gallon of milk. I got back to my car at 1:30 AM. Ugh.

[Noble_Platypus]

I hate Walmart and refuse to shop there

[sabotai]

Did this guy expect to have made SOME of his purchases? I usually assemble all the items I want together, then buy all of them in one shot.

That line jumped out at me as well. The author must not have thought the truth sounded bad enough, so he threw in nonsense "spin" lines like that. I wonder what politician the author works for.

[rkmsuf]

That line jumped out at me as well. The author must not have thought the truth sounded bad enough, so he threw in nonsense "spin" lines like that. I wonder what politician the author works for.

the guy must be totally clueless for it to take what 40 minutes to find whatever he went in there for? it's not like he was wandering around deciding what he should buy...I presume he knew what he wanted. Wal-mart is not a complex layout.

[sabotai]

the guy must be totally clueless for it to take what 40 minutes to find whatever he went in there for? it's not like he was wandering around deciding what he should buy...I presume he knew what he wanted. Wal-mart is not a complex layout.

No kidding. In the letter, he says he went out for 10 dollars worth of light bulbs and shaving supplies. And it took him 40 minutes to find that stuff in Wal-Mart? Yeah, ok...

[rkmsuf]

No kidding. In the letter, he says he went out for 10 dollars worth of light bulbs and shaving supplies. And it took him 40 minutes to find that stuff in Wal-Mart? Yeah, ok...


But it was a madhouse in there!

[WSUCougar]

Sure, it's probably an exaggeration, but the point is still dead-on. As I stated, I rarely go into a WalMart. The last time I did I was seeking a shop-vac. Easy enough to find, right? But between the vast stacks of things, the piles of product jammed into the aisles, the Night-of-the-Living-Dead clientele, huge lines, and the slow, ignorant employees, I wouldn't be surprised if it took me 45 minutes to complete the purchase.

[rjolley]

I hate all shopping stores to be honest, if it wasn't for my wife dragging me into them I'd do the entire thing online and save a fortune (taking 3 kids through a supermarket whether Target, Walmart or Tesco's (english place) costs a bomb because of all the extra junk they want.

Hey Marc, here's something to try next time you're in the store.


No.

Man, it works wonders. Kids have a short attention span, so they'll forget you said no and will be just fine. :)

Or, with an allowance, allow them to buy the extra stuff on their own dime. I've started that with my girls. Hopefully, they'll learn how to manage their money from it in the long run. I have final say on what they buy so there's not too much candy and junk, but I have them keep track of their accounts and make sure they do the math. Nice way to get the 6 and 7 year old working on addition and subtraction.

On topic, WalMart and Target have both been good stores. Target tends to be higher priced, but has better quality kids clothes and is usually less crowded. The WalMart in Olathe was crowded at 1 am quite often. The new one here in Midland is usually better, but it still has it's crowded moments. The best thing WalMart has done is open the self-serve line. Now, if they could have it open late at night, they'd be golden.

[sabotai]

Sure, it's probably an exaggeration

I'd say it's probably a total fabrication.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I'd say it's probably a total fabrication.

I'm going with slight fabrication with a heavy dose of exaggeration.

[gkb]

No clue what the last two chains are? I love the cheese selection they have.

Anyone here a fan of Whole Foods?

I am a big fan of Whole Foods and Wild Oats. I wish we had either one close to us.

[sabotai]

I'm going with slight fabrication with a heavy dose of exaggeration.

I think this calls for a poll.

[WSUCougar]

I'm going with "I don't care, the point is still spot-on."

[sabotai]

I'm going with "I don't care, the point is still spot-on."

Me too. Who needs points based on facts and actual events when you get perfectly good points based on lies and exaggerations?

[lynchjm24]

I love SuperTarget. Too bad we don't have one here in Connecticut. Or a Walgreens. :(


There is nothing in Deep River. There is a Walgreen's every 15 steps in the rest of the state.

[Buccaneer]

Anyone here a fan of Whole Foods?

More than you can possibly imagine. We only have one and it's on the opposite end of the city from where we live but my wife used to make a weekly trip there. I try to meet her there whenever I can over lunch and I (we) cannot rave enough about every single item they have there. From their bakery, desserts, meats, produce, etc., it's amazing that they can be much more eco-friendly and yet constantly bring in the crowds due to their superb quality. The greatest thing ever to come out of Texas.

[Izulde]

I am a big fan of Whole Foods and Wild Oats. I wish we had either one close to us.

I loved Wild Oats when I was in Princeton one summer. Is that a primarily East Coast store, or is it like just about every other worthwhile retailer, where the Midwest is the last region in the US to get it?

[Honolulu_Blue]

More than you can possibly imagine. We only have one and it's on the opposite end of the city from where we live but my wife used to make a weekly trip there. I try to meet her there whenever I can over lunch and I (we) cannot rave enough about every single item they have there. From their bakery, desserts, meats, produce, etc., it's amazing that they can be much more eco-friendly and yet constantly bring in the crowds due to their superb quality. The greatest thing ever to come out of Texas.

I agree with Buc. Whole Foods is pretty amazing. There isn't one too nearby where we live now, but we'd hit the one in D.C. one every two weeks or so. It's pricey, no doubt, but the quality of pretty much everything is second to none. The meat there was amazing.

[st.cronin]

Whole Foods and Wild Oats in this corner of the world are insanely overpriced.

[Buccaneer]

Wild Oats, I believe, is a Boulder, Co chain that ended spreading a little too fast. In smaller markets (as oppose to large metro areas) where Whole Foods has come into Wild Oats market, Wild Oats ended up moving out or down the scale mainly because of Whole Foods' far better supply chain and distribution system. Al of their stores now trade for wind power credits.

[WSUCougar]

Me too. Who needs points based on facts and actual events when you get perfectly good points based on lies and exaggerations?
Hmmm, puzzling. I don't remember you being this dense. Let me rephrase.

It doesn't matter whether the letter in question is real or not, because I could write a very similar one based on my actual experiences. The points he made have merit to me regardless of whether this guy made them up, whether a little bird told him, or whether mystical powers spelled them out in the toilet for him.

Capeche? Comprende? Verstehen sie das?

[Grammaticus]

Wild Oats, I believe, is a Boulder, Co chain that ended spreading a little too fast. In smaller markets (as oppose to large metro areas) where Whole Foods has come into Wild Oats market, Wild Oats ended up moving out or down the scale mainly because of Whole Foods' far better supply chain and distribution system. Al of their stores now trade for wind power credits.
I like Alfalfa's in Boulder. Best salad bar in the world.

And Whole Foods sometimes have a Jamba Juice in them. Jamba Juice = GOOD

[MacroGuru]

One thing I will say, Wal-mart is definately trying to shift focus in their electronics department. They are starting to bring in better products, and a different range depending on the market and what the store is traded at for their products.

The customer service aspect with the associates in that department should be increasing here soon as well, as they try to increase their knowledge within the products of their department.

[Galaxy]

Does WF carry a wide selection of the fancy foods (cheeses, seafood, ect.), or just better quality in terms of the basic stables? Didn't they stop selling lobsters?

[Grammaticus]

From what I recall a wider variety of fancy and health food items. Although it is more like a supermarket than a true specialty health food store.

[mgadfly]

I haven't had a need to go into either WM or Target in about five years. I'd rather my money stay in the community as much as possible and tend to shop at smaller businesses or local grocery chains as much as possible.

That started when my brother bought a small business and began competing with larger companies. Since then I took a job representing the Union that represents the grocery workers at the Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyers (Krogers), and Rosauers. Because I've seen the way each of the companies treat their employees I try to shop at Rosauers whenever possible. There is a perception that they are more expensive than the bigger chains but a local news agency did a series of reports a few years back and found that over the course of a year all four chains in town were within four or five bucks for groceries.

[TargetPractice6]

I see that stuff, too, from time to time, but I haven't been able to say that it happens in a particular store as opposed to another store. I definitely see a difference in the demographic between Target and WalMart, though. Although nothing will beat with Publix in Tallahassee that's closest to the FSU campus, I'm ppleased to say that the Target on Nicholasville Rd. has an abundance of UK coeds. I can't say the same for the WalMart just south of Target.I know exactly what you are talking about.

[Buccaneer]

Does WF carry a wide selection of the fancy foods (cheeses, seafood, ect.), or just better quality in terms of the basic stables? Didn't they stop selling lobsters?

To add on to Gramm, yes, their selection of cheeses and meats are beyond anything I've seen in a general market (as oppose to a cheese shop or a butcher). You get quantity with quality. However, not all WF are alike. They built a new one in Palm Gardens near where my in-laws live and that store is about half the size of ours, with less quantity. For the bigger stores, the quantity of produce is about the same, I think, but much better quality. And here's the key = They are not all shriveled, locally-growned organics (like Wild Oats) because WF does allow (and label accordingly) conventional growing practices, as long as they meet certain criteria.

[sabotai]

Hmmm, puzzling. I don't remember you being this dense. Let me rephrase.

It doesn't matter whether the letter in question is real or not, because I could write a very similar one based on my actual experiences. The points he made have merit to me regardless of whether this guy made them up, whether a little bird told him, or whether mystical powers spelled them out in the toilet for him.

Capeche? Comprende? Verstehen sie das?

Yes, I got it the first time, asshole. What I find puzzling is how you couldn't see how incredibly idiotic that sounded as you typed it.

[WSUCougar]

Yes, I got it the first time, asshole. What I find puzzling is how you couldn't see how incredibly idiotic that sounded as you typed it.
Oh, so I'm the asshole? When you continually pop off with your sarcasm and insistence about something that is completely irrevelant to the thread? Would we all better served to exalt you for your ability to sniff out a phony letter?

Forget you ever read that grossly exaggerated, fabricated letter that offends your sensibilities so much. Here's my statement:

I have found Target stores are entirely better shopping experiences than WalMarts. The former have nice, clean, wide aisles, well-stocked shelves, and generally good employees who provide quick checkouts and good customer service. WalMarts are dirty, cluttered messes where the staff and clientele generally suck balls.

Discuss.

[Klinglerware]

Oh, so I'm the asshole? When you continually pop off with your sarcasm and insistence about something that is completely irrevelant to the thread? Would we all better served to exalt you for your ability to sniff out a phony letter?


I wouldn't dismiss the genesis of the letter as completely irrelevant. Word-of-mouth and viral marketing are hot topics in the advertising and PR world these days. I don't know if the letter is such an attempt at said marketing strategy, but I have my suspicions.

Aside from the Target-Walmart discussion you are trying to foster, I do think the phenomenon of how a forwarded e-mail can engender such discussion is just as, if not more interesting to me. If the letter is an attempt at stimulating potential customers, I would say that it is doing its job.

[WSUCougar]

Point taken, but it could have been done without the 'tude.

[MJ4H]

The letter is obviously bogus. Target here is extremely subpar compared to Wal-Mart, but I do live in the heart of Wal-Mart world.

[MacroGuru]

The letter is obviously bogus. Target here is extremely subpar compared to Wal-Mart, but I do live in the heart of Wal-Mart world.

Thats right...I will be out in Bentonville from the 5th to the 29th....

[Raiders Army]

The letter is obviously bogus. Target here is extremely subpar compared to Wal-Mart, but I do live in the heart of Wal-Mart world.
Holey moley Batman. That letter could've been written in probably 90% of the continental US (sorry haven't been to Alaska or Hawaii). After having been all over the country (thanks to the U.S. Army), I have to say that Target is a head and shoulders above Walmart.

[MJ4H]

Thats right...I will be out in Bentonville from the 5th to the 29th....

sweet. drop me a line