🚀 go-pugleaf

Trevor Smithson wrote:
> At my local Wal-Mart SuperCenter within the last week, I have:
> 
> --grocery shopped
> --clothes shopped
> --housewares shopped
> --got an oil change for my car
> --opened an account at my bank
> --saw a pharmacist
> --ate at the in-store McDonald's (while waiting on the pharmacy)
> --bought gasoline at their attached Murphy gas station (also waiting
> for the pharmacist)
> 
> You can also:
> 
> --check out and bag your own purchases, if you want
> --get a haircut
> --have many other minor maintenance/repair jobs done to your car
> --see an optometrist
> --visit an arcade
> --have photos developed
> --get cash from an ATM
> --have your kid ride one of their mini-amusement rides
> --have their deli and bakery departments cater a party
> --win various contests (radio stations and other various businesses
> constantly have promos there)
> --cash payroll checks
> --buy money orders
> --buy stamps
> --send moneygrams to foreign countries
> --get a drink from their water fountain
> --buy guns and ammo
> --buy hunting and fiishing licenses
> --buy plants from their greenhouse
> --buy electronics
> --buy books and magazines 
> --buy almost anything else
> --talk to a cop; the local police have a substation there
> --ride two different bus lines there; they both have stops that are
> specifically for Wal-Mart.
> --work there, as they are always hiring
> --park your RV/semi in their parking lot
> --and, naturally, use one of their three sets of restrooms (a set for
> the McDonald's, service station, and front of the store)
> 
> It's like they are a small city now.  A bank, cops, groceries, gas, a
> restaurant...if only they sold liquor!  Only state law prevents that.
> 
> I will say I don't always shop there...Aldi is cheaper for groceries.
> Target has better housewares, usually.  This store is, I think, one of
> their stores that they try out new ideas on.  For awhile you could buy
> large appliances there.  Then large pieces of furniture.  They also
> have had a little bargain area where they resold some of the more
> expensive returned merchandise from many other area Wal-marts at low
> prices.  Lots of TVs, electronics, power tools, etc...
> 
> I also got to thinking about also of the permits that are required for
> the place...the pharmacist is licensed.  The bank is licensed.  The
> gas station's tanks and pumps are regulated.  The optometrist is
> licensed.  The car service center is required, by state law, to
> recycle used batteries, tires, and oil.  The gun and ammunition
> operation are regulated and licensed.  Of course the police are
> govenment employees.  Even the barber/stylist has a license.  Their
> was an big fight a few years ago fighting the initial real estate
> permitting process.
> 
> I worked part-time at a Wal-Mart DC (warehouse) back when I was in
> college.  That particular job paid fairly well but they worked you
> pretty damn hard.  The only job where I've been lectured about the
> evils of unions (one manager, no joke, said "unions nest with
> socialists") Some of my fellow "associates" regularly helped
> contribute to what Wal-Mart calls "shrinkage" (ie theft).  I think
> this is a problem in their stores too since they often pay low wages;
> the employees resent it, or just need the money,  and tend to help
> themselves...
> 
> I'd like to know the GDP for just this one store.  It must be bigger
> than some poorer, smaller countries...
> 
> 
> 
Too bad with all the money making services they still pay their 
employees like crap.Phil