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Across the Fence:  Trying to support smaller businesses, but...*vent*  |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 11:40:49 AM
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*I'm annoyed over this and it's mainly a vent*
I have to watch my money and go where the best deals are. So, I bought a printer with all the bells and whistles and even with an in-store rebate, it was still more than if I'd bought at Walmart. The ink was cheaper too at wmart.
Not that I want wmart to go belly up but I like to keep other stores going with my purchases.
How do you do that when you have to watch your dollars and wmart can almost consistently beat their prices?
Is this a question for the ages??
For some 'venting'-type of entertainment, please read my blog, http://lostadventuresintrucking.blogspot.com . Now with pictures!!
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 12:08:22 PM
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I live on a very tight buget since my husband passed several years ago, and even thou I raise and grow 99% of my food, I still have to go and buy things like sundrys and spices and T.P. etc, and no matter what , I have NO CHOICE but go where it is cheapest in cost, i.e. Wal-Mart and Cosco. I will not shy away from these stores, because I can't...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 12:50:08 PM
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These big box stores may not be small "Mom & Pop" businesses, but they do employ and pay many local folks. I'm not a Walmart fan, but with my limited budget, I have to purchase a few things there. Costco, I only go there about once a month. Small local businesses get my $$ too.
Betty in Pasco |
Edited by - Betty J. on Oct 09 2011 12:51:02 PM |
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 1:27:25 PM
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Sometimes you just have to go where it is better for you wallet, however, I have found that if you bring in the "competitions" ad and ask if they will match it- they normally will. Of course there are times that they cant- but it certainly doesnt hurt to try! Just a suggestion. I know that most of us prefer to support the "hometown" mom and pop store when we can, and I think that we should try to as best we can. Sometimes it just isnt feasable.
Smiles,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 3:06:27 PM
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That is part of my quandry. Wmart employs lots of people too and, well, everyone needs a piece of the pie. I'll do the best I can. Funny but I have done the price match thing long ago. May have to restart the practice.
For some 'venting'-type of entertainment, please read my blog, http://lostadventuresintrucking.blogspot.com . Now with pictures!!
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 3:36:03 PM
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Since I am one of those "Mom and Pop" businesses, I have to say, "Go by your wallet and by the quality." I am well aware that Walmart sells some of the things that I have carried or carry, but I always try to buy stuff that I can actually sell cheaper than Walmart and is better than Walmart's or I don't sell it. Also, one must focus on the unusual..those things that can't be purchased at Walmart or Cosco. For example, my sifters. They are the old time kind that are the best there is. Walmart has those cheap, awful kind with the fan in the bottom that just makes a mess.
I don't take offense at all that people go to Walmart. Heck, I go to Walmart!!! :-) Small businesses have to be smart, cutting edge and willing to change to stay in business. Otherwise, they will go out of business and it won't be Walmart's fault.
Mary Beth
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
www.Oklahomapastrycloth.com/blog
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 4:37:15 PM
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Mary Beth, I looked long and hard to find the type of sifter you are talking about. I finally found one, but it has been years ago. Martha (you know who I mean) just used a strainer and that is what I finally found works just as well. Good ones of those are also hard to find. I try to avoid, totally avoid, "Made in China" as much as I can. It is also hard to find clothes that are not made in foreign sweat shops.
Betty in Pasco |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 5:29:03 PM
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There is definitely a difference in the quality of what's sold at Walmart and what's sold in the Mom and Pop shops. Also, the Mom and Pop shops are so much more willing to work with you to find what you need. But sometimes, you've got to do what you've got to do! I shop as much as I can through the local people, but Walmart has its place in my life, too. :)
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com |
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 6:46:01 PM
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Walmart can only offer cheaper prices if and when they can call up a manufacturer and say; "Hey, we will buy 10 million units If you can provide it for Y Price. We don't care if you make it with cheaper materials, as long as you can sell it to us for our price."
Because of this, there are some things that no self respecting frugal farmgirl should buy, like that printed cheesecloth they call fabric. It all depends what you buy. I'll always stick with Walmart for dry goods, school supplies etc, but I have a really low opinion of their meat and produce. I've seen visibly moldy and stinky fruit out on the shelf, complained about it, come back a day later and it's STILL THERE! Also seen moldy bread on the day old bakery rack at some stores.
The one I shop at now, is excellent however. It's 5 minutes away from the distribution center and the stuff is always very fresh. Maybe not as nice as something I'd get at Safeway or Kroger, but fresh. The labor there is also a lot happier than corporate average, so I think it's worth supporting since they seem to be doing so much right at that specific store.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
Edited by - Dusky Beauty on Oct 09 2011 7:06:45 PM |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 6:56:44 PM
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May I also state that some "Niche" markets can offer much better customer service than the Walmarts can. We buy all our childrens supplies from a small store here that offers excellent customer service. The owner and I are friends, and I gladly pay a higher price for her stuff than Walmarts, because when I call her, she answers, and she knows what items I'm talking about, knows about my problems, and usually knows a solution! she's worth her weight in gold to me!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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MEWolf
True Blue Farmgirl
358 Posts
Margaret
Byers
Colorado
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 7:17:48 PM
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Since moving here to CO, we found a wonderful Mom & Pop hardware/dry goods store in town. The people are so wonderful. I now always go there first, if they do not have what I need, then will I go somewhere else. But I have also done a fair amount of research online to find "Made in the USA" products that I can order, to avoid driving many miles to buy buy sub standard stuff. Here is an awesome web site where everything on the site is American made. Buy American!
http://www.madeinusaproductsstore.com/
Margaret
“Kind hearts are the gardens, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the flowers, kind deeds are the fruits. Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds, fill it with sunshine, kind words and kind deeds.” ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1808-1882)
Farmgirl #3020
www.grey-wolf-farm.com |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2011 : 7:58:13 PM
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It seems to always be a compromise. Sometimes it's WM and sometimes a local store. I do not like buying clothes there. I actually consider them too expensive for some things. I'll patiently wait and scour the clearance racks at Target. I like local consignment shops and thrift stores otherwise. I don't like buying things from other countries because they don't have the higher regulations about what's in their products. Too many products are found to contain lead and other chemicals in dangerous amounts. It's a personal choice for me based on my circumstances.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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peafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
182 Posts
Penny
South Dakota
182 Posts |
Posted - Oct 10 2011 : 02:47:39 AM
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I won't say I don't shop Walmart, but very infrequently. I've had the same experience with the produce. GROSS! I don't trust the meat either. Probably because of the produce. If they aren't willing to throw out bad produce than what does that say for the meat case. I also don't like the lack of choices ... it's either the Walmart brand or one other name brand. But usually not the one that I want. And then there is the time. It's never a quick trip in Walmart when shampoo is on the opposite end as the milk. I can also get into that "while I'm here" attitude and pickup a couple of extra things that I don't need right now but will some time. So I say, I save money when I don't shop at Walmart. OK, so I didn't realize how I really am not a Walmart fan. At all.
Penny
www.444Farm.com |
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pnickols
True Blue Farmgirl
808 Posts
Patricia
Parma
Ohio
808 Posts |
Posted - Oct 10 2011 : 04:59:15 AM
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| I'd love to have more choice over where I shop but with limited funds you have to watch every cent. so it's walmart, Aldi and where ever i can save the most. |
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Oct 10 2011 : 4:47:57 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by peafarm
I won't say I don't shop Walmart, but very infrequently. I've had the same experience with the produce. GROSS! I don't trust the meat either. Probably because of the produce. If they aren't willing to throw out bad produce than what does that say for the meat case.
All the WalMart brand meat is injected with salt water to make it look bigger and better than it is, plus it's not cheap!
The only meat I buy at Walmart are the bulk bags of boneless chicken breasts. It's all just different brand families of Tyson chicken. I'm not a fan, but it feeds a lot of people well for cheap. I'll be happy to cut it out of the budget when I've got some a handle on raising enough meat birds to feed 8 heavy meat eaters <_<
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Oct 10 2011 : 6:06:24 PM
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Speaking of produce, I bought some sort of deep purple grapes, like small Concords, and am very disappointed in them. Already thay have a sliminess to them and taste a bit fermented. First time that has happened.
Going cross country in my big rig, wmart is one place I can shop without paying the sky high prices of a truckstop, if they even carry it. I'm glad for that, just when I'm home and I pay more ecause I want the mon&pops to survive. Que sera...
For some 'venting'-type of entertainment, please read my blog, http://lostadventuresintrucking.blogspot.com . Now with pictures!!
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Nanniekim
True Blue Farmgirl
206 Posts
Kim
Arizona
206 Posts |
Posted - Oct 12 2011 : 4:50:20 PM
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I do shop at Walmart occasionally but the last couple of times I was there I was hit up by too many pan-handlers in the parking lot so I am rethinking shopping there. I know times are tough but that is why I am at Walmart because I don't have the money to go somewhere else.
When I can, I do shop at the local stores.
Kim |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Oct 13 2011 : 08:17:18 AM
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I have found that WM isn't always the cheapest. If you are looking for electronics, often Amazon or NewEgg.com will beat them out on price. If you do have a smaller local store, sometimes they will meet the price if you ask. You can search online on Google Products and it will give you the price with shipping/tax for many stores, so that you can find the best price online, too.
As far as groceries, WM stinks, I think. And the prices are certainly not all cheaper, I promise you that! WM honors other grocery stores' flyers on most items, but they do not do the double/triple coupons.
No matter the grocery store, there is very little that we actually buy, because we have stopped getting most processed foods. Therefore, I tend to buy some meat (we butcher some of our own), some produce, and goods needed for baking....but it's usually at a small mom-and-pop store. Yes, I pay a little more for some of it (although they beat out WM on milk prices and they carry organic products...something that our own WM just did away with). I buy my spices at the MnP and they are sold in bulk, they are MUCH better quality, and I can buy them by the ounce. Usually only comes out to a few cents' worth!
And, as has been brought up, WM's product quality often is terrible. It's cheap, plastic junk that will just end up in the trash. I try to save up to buy better quality items that will last me years. That is, if I can't find them at a yard sale/Goodwill first! :0)
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Oct 13 2011 : 8:29:22 PM
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The Goodwill in my town wants an arm and a leg for their furniture. I like old, character-type furniture, with plenty of soul, if that makes sense. Went to GW and holy cow! the prices!! Found a second hand store and bought oodles of things. It's one of those consignment type store where people rent a booth. I pay more than if I went garage-saling but I don't have time to ferret out the good sales, so, this way, I can pick and choose and save time and gas money.
For some 'venting'-type of entertainment, please read my blog, http://lostadventuresintrucking.blogspot.com . Now with pictures!!
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Oct 14 2011 : 06:51:23 AM
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Wow, too bad about the furniture! Have you asked if they'll take less? I know I have and they were just happy to get rid of it. I got a sewing machine for 1/2 price just for asking. Also, they had an old organ for sale for 40 bucks, and I noticed that it sold for 20. Just a thought. :0)
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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one_dog_per_acre
True Blue Farmgirl
1572 Posts
Trish
Sandpoint
ID
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - Oct 14 2011 : 07:21:06 AM
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I find new clothes at penny's cheaper than at my goodwill and Walmart, and they are way better quality than Walmart.
Trish
Make cupcakes not war!
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Across the Fence: Trying to support smaller businesses, but...*vent* |
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Trying to support smaller businesses, but...*vent*
