I really have no option but to shop at wal-mart for most of the things I need. I bought a cake box from wal-mart bakery once, then I went in last month to buy another one and they refused to sell it to me.
When my son was an infant I was in the soda section in wal-mart and two teen boys were putting the really big power wheels on the top shelf above the sodas. Well, they dropped one and it fell onto my cart which my infant son was in. Luckily my son was not hurt, but the boys never apologized or asked if my son and I were o.k. In fact one of the boys actually laughed. When I got home, after I had some time to think about it, I called and spoke to the manager. The manager apologized and said that he knew who I was refering to and that he would no longer be working there.
In summary: I hate wal-mart but have to shop there.
I do like to shop at w-mart sometimes...but one thing I have noticed that in major metropolitan areas, where you are more likely to find walmarts closer together, they will be priced differently for products.
Example
I live in Hartland, there is a w-mart in Delafield (10-15 minutes away), one in Pewaukee (15-20 minutes away), and one in Waukesha (20-30 minutes away depending on traffic).
Delafield is cheaper to shop than Pewaukee, but Pewaukee's fabrics and craft area is bigger... and it also has an auto department in it (good price on oil changes)
Waukesha is cheaper than Delefield, but the drive is farther for me now.
Pewaukee is nicer and cleaner (they have 'wood' floors), but sine it is brand new, give it a year and I'm sure it will change.
I have found that if I am in a pinch and I need a cake box, I can go to my local grocer, Piggly Wiggly, and buy cake boxes from them. I just bought a really big one (fits the 11x15 sheet cake) and they only charged me a dollar for it 
Wal-Mart ...Grrrrr....The reason they gladly refund a few times per individual without a reciept has nothing to do with making us happy, they are such a mega billion dollar industry that if they lose your $20.00 on a purchase by refunding and in the process keep you happy enough to come back....it is on an item they most likely had $1.15 invested in that was made in some foreign country (taking work from american workers)...by and underage child in a sweatshop. So they make your 1.15 back X's 20 on the next person who doesnt get a refund on the same item!
I am not bashing ANYONE who shops WAL-MART let me make that clear before people start tearing my head off. I am guilty of doing so if I need cold medicine for my kids in the middle of the night and nothing else is open. But I do so grudgingly and I really do try to think ahead where I can someday say I NEVER go there..I am just not that organized yet! lol! But again some people dont have much of a choice..but we can do our best to shop around and try! We do need to spread our money around locally and support small business, sure it costs a few cents more but so do our cakes! And I expect these people to understand that it is worth it just like I do with their service.
I think the store old Sam started is a far cry from the mess we have now. I can also understand how they would be an awesome convenience to some..heck they would be to me..before I learned so much about them that I cant in good concience shop there! I see it as a huge machine that is swallowing all the customers from my local sweet hairdresser...and the local grocery store where they are always so kind and the grandpa opened said store 75 years ago..and also from us specialty decorators..I wont even go there about my nail tech as she succumbed and set up her shop IN the Mart! UGH! I resent the fact as a small business person that they gotta get their finger in everything..so that they cover every square inch of supply and demand to the point that as I have ranted before.. that at the MART you can get your prescription filled while buying new (poorly made) clothes and stop in and get your hair done and nails afterwards so that you can have your picture taken by their photog before you order a cake to go to a party ( that you take some of their deli food to of course.)..after they service your car and sell you new eyeglasses or contacts and a cell phone...taking work away from in one swoop ...your local people who make cakes, mechanic, do nails, photographers,restaurant owners,cosmetologists, etc. AND dont forget their cute lil garden center! We wouldnt want a local nursery to thrive...and on the way out remember to stop in their little kiosk and fill up your car with gas!..lol
Convenient? Maybe...killing small business ...absolutely! Treating their employees like garbage? Constantly!
EDITED like 100 times as I had no sleep last night and cannot spell..hehe
We will all hate Wal-mart when they run all the other smaller stores out of business, then raise their prices higher than ever! In my opinion, That is what is ahead. That is one reason that I try to stick with the smaller stores, other than the fact that like everyone else has said, customer service at Wal-Mart is lousey.
I was gonna say the same thing! I think it is a very possible scenario.
I've wondered what it was like to be an employee of Wal-Mart...I was surprised by the comments I've read...I thought Wal-Mart would pay more (being such a huge corporation and all) and have great insurance plans and treat their employees well. It's interesting to hear what former employees have written.
Steph
One more thing: Someone stated they like Target better because they give back to the local schools. Guess whose money is being given back? YOURS. They give a percentage to the local school based on what YOU spend on their credit card which charges a very high interest rate. Who's being generous? Target is...with YOUR money.
Imagine trying to compete w/7 SUPER walmarts w/in a 30 mile radius!!!! 
Plus we have another under construction right now!!! It's awful here. What's worse....they are ALL ALWAYS busy at all times of the day!! I try my hardest to shop other places, esp locally owned markets.....but sometimes I have no choice. But I always leave feeling mad, frustrated, and a nervous wreck!! I'd rather pay higher prices just so I don't have to deal w/them!!!
I think every place has its ups and its downs. I like WalMart for some things and hate it for others. Same with Target, Acme, SuperFresh, Giant, etc. It's just like a job. Mine isn't perfect but i've been places that make this place look like gold! Some of the other employees have been here so long they forget what it was like "out there" and do nothing but complain about it. Like I tell them ~ if you're that unhappy - go somewhere else! Complaining isn't going to make it any better. As for WalMart - like I said some things I like it for and others I don't but they must be doing something right for a lot of other people! Then too ~ if they are so bad to their employees why are they still there! A lot of the people that work there - not all of them - have no real job skills. I've met a lot of people that think they're worth $30,000 or $40,000 a year just for showing up and as for benefits - I'm in that field at work and they're not cheap! I've shopped them on behalf of the company I work for and it isn't a pretty site! That's my 2 cents!
Debbie
Not trying to be rude or offensive Debbie, but you answered your own question.
Then too ~ if they are so bad to their employees why are they still there! A lot of the people that work there - not all of them - have no real job skills.
Maybe they arent trained to do something else. As far as doing something RIGHT...because so many go there..other than one or two on this thread have said that while they werent HAPPY, that it was the only local place they could get what they wanted at an affordable price, to me that isnt RIGHT...it is simply having them by the short hair.
This has been moved the "The Lounge" since it seems more appropiate in here than in the cake areas.
BTW- Just want to thank everyone for being "kind" in the way you are posting your opinions...it makes the moderators' job much easier when we don't have to lock threads and watch them like a hawk because they start turning to the nasty side.
Not considering it rude KayDay. Not at all. Just making the point that a lot of people shop there - me included - even if we may not like it. Being big does have it's benefits. It does stink for smaller businesses that are forced out of business - I agree 100%. Competition helps keep things more in line but it's hard to compete when you're a little guy and they're so big. As for the employees - maybe they can use it as a stepping block to bigger and better things. My point was just that no matter where you work - you can find something wrong with it. Maybe they can count their blessings that they have a job at all! I do ok for myself - but I had to start somewhere too like most of us did for next to nothing. I didn't like it but I stuck with it and even though I'm still a "little guy" I've taken my experiences to help further my education and my job skills. If I hadn't started with that "cellar door" job I wouldn't be a contributing party of the family I have today and I wouldn't be able to do the things I do and like to do - like decorate cakes! 
Here's to having somewhere to start!
Debbie
Well I do have to say that I shop at Walmart as opposed the Albertsons, King Soopers etc. because I do like the convience of getting most of the things I need all in one place. Esp. since I am 40 miles away from the nearest store, including walmart. I do however have to say that as with any large corporation, which includes Albertsons, King Soopers etc. money and profit is the bottom line and normally treating employees etc. is not on the top of the list. My brother worked for Albertsons and was not treated well. Customer service is a thing of the past in my opinion. I have not been anywhere (including SOME small shops)in the last several years where I have felt like i have gotten good customer service and been treated well. We now live in a society where success and money it what is important and therefore all the really important things fall by the way side-like morals and values. Just my opinion.
AMEN! Debbie.....just having a job is something to be thankful for. And I hope everyone knows as long as my rants may be..I NEVER get mad here. I love hearing all sides of an issue and would never have thought of some of the points people bring up! Just like that 60.00 a serving cake thing..It never even occured to my feeble mind that the decorator wasnt getting all of that!.. 
till someone else mentioned it! And different opinions..one of the things that keeps our world exciting and from getting stale!
That's what makes the world go round! What would a day be without something to complain or talk about! 
Debbie
Here, here Subaru!!! I totally agree with you!!! Well said!! That's why I get all my cake supplies at my friends store. I like to buy from the Mom & Pop places. Walmart has put a lot of stores out of business. Especially in small towns. The town I'm from had a Kroger, Brookshires, & another grocery store (can't remember it's name), anyway Kroger & the other store went out of business within a year of Walmart opening. Brookshires is hanging on thank God!
You know I don't like WalMart and how they seem to be growing way too large. I recently went to local store that really helped the community after Hurricane Ivan and Dennis. Their prices are higher but with a card and coupons we can afford to shop their. It will take a little work but well worth it. I should also mention that I just love the local grocery store's variety and the freshness of the produce.
I wish that I could shop at all of the local mom and pop stores, but with two kids, one income and my husband and I both trying to further our education we can't afford to shop elswhere (the few places that are left). We barely make it living paycheck to paycheck right now. There is no possible way that we can afford to may more for anything.
However, hopefully once we get through school we will be able to shop at the little's guys and help them out. Hopefuly we will also be one of the little guys by then. We hoping to open a cafe/bakery/catering business.
Wal-Mart ...Grrrrr....it is on an item they most likely had $1.15 invested in that was made in some foreign country (taking work from american workers)...by and underage child in a sweatshop...
Sorry, no offense, but having travelled much to Central America and seen sweatshops first hand. I'll have you know that Big Companies do also hire adults to do the same work for very very little pay. Usually $5 a day for the highest paid people. They aren't as hidden as people think they are.
My point is that they are taking over along with other big businesses, because there is a demand. Even if they are pressuring you in to demanding ONLY from them, because they are the only one's around anymore. They will all use as cheap a labor as they can get away with. No matter the company name. Most if not all of the Levi's in the world aren't even made in the U.S. anymore and they're about as "American" as anything. But they still demand a much higher than cheap price. 
I can understand people dissing Wally World, but there's lots of other "bad" places too.
lotsoftots--
The point I'm trying to make is that Wal-mart professes to do lot for communities and the people in them, yet wouldn't even "sell" the boxes. I did not ask for them to donate them as other schools have asked, I asked to purchase them. When I worked there, they would lways let it be known to the public when they helped out a school or organization. In other words, if they can't benefit from the exposure, they don't do it.
I'm lost. I do not see how it was Walmart's reponsibility to provide boxes. I help out with a non-profit org and we are very grateful when a business donates something, but we certainly are not miffed if the business chooses not to donate. They don't owe us anything.
I used to shop at WM regularly and thought how nice it was to be able to get almost everything one could possibly need (and lots of stuff you'll never need) under one roof, with one stop. Then I realized that I was really not saving any money and that the quality of products, other than name brand food or name brand small kitchen/home appliances, was actually costing me more in the long run because they had to be replaced...bought TWICE. That's not saving money. And no one type of business can be good at everything. I use a jeweler because he's a jeweler, not a produce/nursery/butcher/electronics/crafts/pharmacy/deli person. He knows what he's doing because he has a focus on one thing and I know I will be getting absolutely the best value for my money from him. I go to a regular grocery because I know that there's a butcher on site there who is happy to cut a piece of meat for me exactly the way I want it, and not charge me extra, because that's part of his job and he knows his meat...therefore I get exactly what I am looking for, even if it isn't already in the meat case. I could go on & on with examples, but my general point is that I prefer to shop places that are good at what they do and don't try to do it all....it's like that saying 'Jack of all trades & Master of NONE'. That's what WM represents to me. The only times I shop there are for paper products when I don't have time to make a trip to Sam's Club to buy them in bulk, or for anything I need that I'm unable to find anywhere else at all. And we usually hit it once a year near Christmas for toys for the kids because we don't have a Toys R Us or any other toy store near us that offers such a variety. I've found that I actually spend less by shopping at the grocery and other regular stores...if for no other reason because I'm not being bombarded visually with everything under the sun that I could possibly find a use for at some point in life. 
Even the mom & pop stores has deals...sometimes it just takes asking about them. Or just paying more attention to what the local shops/stores around you are offering regularly in the way of sales or discounts. I also abhor the shopping experience at WM all together. With 3 children it's not fun having to park on the back forty of the lot on a rainy day and try to make it all the way to the door while making sure your walking children stay out of the way of traffic, etc. Not to mention all of the temptation for them which makes shopping extremely difficult & the lack of willing employees to answer a question or help you if needed.
I have a WM 20 minutes from me to both the north and the south. Now they're wanting to build ANOTHER about 8 minutes from my house....it's just plain UNECESSARY! Our town is a semi-small town with a thriving little downtown area. It was settled as (and is still) a single-tax colony and is very arts oriented. Southern Living has listed Fairhope as one of their top 5 places in the South to live or visit for many years going. We're on the water of Mobile Bay...a very picturesque, quaint town. The WM that's proposed would be built off the beaten path, out where people that have acreage would then be looking at the backside of a WM across their field, rather than the beautiful woodlands we all love so much around here. While I'm sure there are plenty of people here who drive the 15-20 minutes it takes to get to the closest walmart and do shop there, the majority of people DO NOT want one in our back yard. I don't really think they fear it would put others out of business everywhere, other than maybe 1 or 2 of the grocery stores, but we are all more concerned about the amount of crime and other things it brings to a community. People's cars are constantly broken into, traffic accidents increase in the surrounding area, the parking lots are always filthy eye sores, and at one of our WM's there was a woman who was abducted from there and then raped and killed(at the WM that's 20 mins from me in Daphne)...along with numerous assaults that take place on their property, etc, etc, etc. All of this in a community that has very, very low crime rates, on the whole. Fairhope doesn't want it brought 15 miles down the road to us. None of these things have ever occurred or been that way at other stores such as Target, Food World, Winn Dixie, Bruno's, Staples, Home Depot, etc. Just WM in Daphne & Foley. Our community is fighting WM building a store. Again, not only from fear of some business being forced out of business, but for the crime & filth it brings with it. The people who shop the Fairhope stores will continue to do so because WM doesn't compare in any way...subpar, infact.
It was not a donation. And to address a couple of other questions about this, I went to Kroger's first, they were willing but did not have boxes b/c Krispy Kreme furnishes packaged donuts. I did get them at Super 1 and Brookshires will also sell the boxes as does our little Mom and Pop donut stores, I just happened to be at Wal-mart's this AM and thought I would ask.
OK--I'm done. I was in the moment when I posted this topic. As DH was not here to vent to, I turned to CC. I am sorry that I opened a can of worms. And yes, there is good AND bad at all businesses, this just caught me on a particularely bad day. End of my part of the discussion. Talk amongst yourselves. And yes, I am smiling when saying that. Love you guys!
I have had the opposite situation at the Walmarts I go to. The bakery at the Super Walmart I shop at has always been very helpful from boxes to those little plastic graduation caps - they have either given them to me free of charge or charged me very minimally. (and that has been on more than one occasion)
I had the local Buehlers (this is the "local" store here in our town) do the complete opposite - they told me no way were they going to sell me their cake boxes - they didn't want people to think my cakes came from their bakery. We make goodie bags for the Senior citizens in a small town north of us, and they would not even sell me the plain white paper bags that they put baked goods in.
I realize everyone has different experiences with different stores, but I have been shopping at Walmart for several years now, and the only complaint I have is the Pharmacist is a jerk. The meat cutters have been good, the bakery has been VERY good to me - and I have just as good customer service there as I do at any place else I shop.
One thing that I always practice is to smile and treat the people that work there as though they are a person - you can tell they really appreciate someone who takes the time to smile and say hello. I think with the fast pace most of us live today - we don't always do that.
I like Walmart and shop there regularily.Since they came to our city about 10 years ago...(It was formally Woolco..if your'e Canadian you knew who they were...There really wasn't any big boxed stores of any kind like that before.People were excited to be able to get so much in one place.Prices were pretty low and the selection was great.Now having said that...I agree that the service isn't that great at times...okay most times...and maybe they don't pay their staff that well,I don't know I have never known anyone who worked there but it is affordable and with a family, that seems to attract us most.We all have our perks and pet peeves of where we will never shop,eat,visit and that is okay too.I shop everywhere....I just like to save money!!
I dont work for Wal-Mart but I do work at a local grocery store in the deli as a cake decorator and we used to be able to sell our cake boxes, but the company has recently stopped letting us sell any type of cake boxes, party trays, cupcake containers, etc (any supplies) because the company went to a new inventory system. Anytime we sell a cake and the printed label is scanned at the register the automatic inventory system deducts how much icing was used on the cake (there is a certain amount supposed to be used for different size cakes), the cake itself, the cake box, and even the label the price is printed on. Every item in the deli has a different PLU number that we can punch into our label machines and it automatically pulls up the item and we can print the price label out. But if there is certain things (such as cake boxes) that doesnt have a PLU number we cannot print a price label for it and if there isnt a label printed to scan at the register the automatic inventory system cannot automatically deduct that item from the inventory.
Sounds confusing I know and I have people all the time that ask to buy cake boxes and look at me like im crazy when I try to explain the inventory thing to them, and for some reason they must think I make the rules and get mad at me 
! Im not taking up for wally world (I dont even like to shop there) but maybe they are on an inventory such as my company?
I tried to exchange some of the baby formula for some gerber graduate toddler food(DD does not drink it anymore) and they would not let me do that. I just bought it maybe 2 weeks before. The date did not go out untill June 2007. Its not llike they were not going to be able to sell it again because the formula shelf is almost always empty. I don't know what there problem is.
Put me in the "I like Wal-Mart" category on this one. Wal-Mart is the ONLY place that I shop. Every supermarket around here is outrageous on prices and cannot compare to Wal-Mart. I hate having to carry a silly little card or key tag for every store around just to get a sale price. The Food Lion stores are just downright dirty and I've found many times that they do not rotate the cake mix stock. I've found expired boxes in the back too often. The Winn-Dixie stores have all gone out of business here, they were dirtier than Food Lion. Kroger, I can't seeing paying twice the price for everything. Then there's Ukrops (locally owned). This place is great, really. They are highly focused on customer service, and charge for it too. This grocery store is THE place for cake in this area. Before I started in this hobby/business, it's all I would eat too. Their bakery actually was started as a small local bakery and the company bought it out but kept the quality. The taste is still there, but they have gone the way of many supermarket bakeries with the quality of the work. Talk about sloppy now, due to the quantity that they have to produce.
I can understand and accept the opinions of all of you. I do not have kids so that's not a problem in stores. Customer service really isn't an issue with me. I'm not a very social person, so having every employee anywhere near me speaking to me is just annoying. I love being able to go to Wal-Mart at 6am when they open (or overnight on my nights off) when there isn't anyone in there to speak of. I can get my shopping done quickly and efficiently. BTW, I hate to shop for just about anything, malls are evil things to me. I'm a speedwalker when I shop... get in, get what I need, get out. Low prices are all that matter to me, I am the only income in this household.
And yes, for those of you thinking it, I DO live in a bubble. It's sad when I think about it typing this. There is not social interaction in my life aside from going to work every day. Work, eat, sleep, repeat!
Please pardon me, It's not often that I rant, guess I had to get it out. This was not intended to offend anyone.
Got a call from the manager at Wal-mart (Yes, I did email them about this) and she was very apologetic. She told me that the girl in the bakery did not have the authority and should have directed me to management. That I could have bought the boxes for a school project. Just anted to give you an update.
I saw a Frontline episode on Wal-Mart and my opinion about them changed drastically... It's not a good change either!! I haven't been shopping there since seeing the show!!
I did not see the Frontline episode but have read several articles in recent months on Walmarts unfair treatment of its employees- especially towards women and minorities. On moral grounds, I have taken a stand against the Walmart Corporations and refuse to shop at any of their stores.
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