Walmart

     One of my favorite stores at this point in time is Walmart. For the most part they carry everything that I need. As far as groceries go I feel that I work at a better supermarket as far as quality, selection and service. But we are a supermarket. Not a big box store. That out of the way.
     Most of the automobile things I need are availible at Walmart. Manitaniance items. Wiper blades, cleaning products. etc. I can get my oil changed and tires rotated while doing other shopping. As a bicycle commuter Walmart carries many of the basic products that are needed to maintain a bicycle. Over the past several years they have expanded their selction to be a viable choice for manitaining your bike. They do of course sell bicycles too. Bought a couple there several years ago. Did not really give them a chance to see if they would stand up as one was wrecked and the other stolen. I did however think that I seen the stolen one many miles from where I live. The reason I think it was my old bike was the tail light. Which I bought on Ebay and not seen in any local stores. So Walmart is good for basic car maintainance and many bicyle products.
     Clothing. Having to wear dress clothes years ago I liked Lands End, Jos. A. Bank, JC Penny, Kuppenhiiemers and also Rodes (in Louisville), Bacrachs (Evansville and Chicago). Now without any need for dress clothes I can find everything I need at Walmart. Mostly undergarments, socks and work clothes. I can actually use their brand on work shoes now. As any shoe that is called slip resistant is accepted by my company. Getting them wet everyday causes them to fall apart quickly in my job. If I could keep them dry they may hold up better. As far as jeans, shirts, and other clothing I can still wear jeans from 1978. As I do not wear heavy clothes. My shirt and jean supply will probably last the rest of my life.
     Hardware and tools. I have always liked Craftsman tools by Sears. I had a nice big Craftsman tool chest on wheels. Gave it to my neighbor when I moved to Florida. Have found everything I need to get my little jobs done at Walmart. Stanley tools I think. Not the best. But good enough. Having being able to find most of the hardware items I need. Good enough too. Sometimes you just have to go to Ace to find the little odds and ends.
     Electronics. My last four televisions are from Walmart. Nothing special. Just TV's. Now they even have computers, phones and games. So many accessories, cleaners etc. Most everything I would have to go to Radio Shack for. Radio Shack used to be a favorite store. All the little stereo, electronic, musical things, wires, pliars, other tools, parts, speakers, recievers, tape decks (tape decks?), turn taples, CD players. All the stuff I liked. it had that Radio Shack smell. Radio Shacks Mach One and Minimus 7 speakers were amoung the best I ever owned. Now Radio Shack is just like another phone store. No need to go there any more.
     Cleaning Products. Bathroom, kitchen, laundry, floor and other cleaning products. I like my store brand laundry detergent. I seems to do a good job. You can pay $10 for tide or $1 for an off brand. Tide may be much better. But $9 better? Somewhere in between is probably good enough. As Walmart is getting away from their Great Value and their prices have rised. My store is close on a lot of these prices. Walmart is losing ground on many of these staples. A Dollar Tree has many basic things that you can shop between my store and Walmart and come out ahead.
     Groceries. With the demise of the Great Value products I see that my store is close in price with many of the basic staples that one would buy. Our store bland products are high in quality and beat most other name brand prices. Our two fors and buy one get one free offsets most better prices at other chains including Walmart. Without Great Value our house products are just as good of better then name brands and saves money.
     Meats. I do not buy too many pre-packaged meats or cheeses. I usually get them from the deli I work at. I can estimate the amount I will need. If I can get it close I cut down on waste and have fresh products. Buying as I need. I also like our meat department. I can see the people cutting the meat. For the most part it doesn't come in already packaged.
     Produce. Nothing too stellar here. Just a decent selection and not anything special price wise. It seems most produce prices have and are rising.
     Household, kitchen, bath, small appliances. Seems to have all the selection that I want or need. A as good as of price. Better than the mall stores.
     Customer service. I am not the king of Siam. I do not expect anyone to tumble for me. It is a mixed bag at Walmart. I have seen people run if they think you may have a question or concern. Today I have two people ask me if I needed help within three minutes. Maybe they thought I was shplifting or something. But they did ask if I needed any assistance (maybe because I was limping).
     Credit. Walmart gave me a credit card. Has came in a pinch. My company does not extend credit. Why open up Pandora's Box?
     All in all it is was it is. I can find a lot of things that I cannot at my own store. In the beginning Walmart came to my little hick town in southern Indiana. It was something new. They sold these cheap jeans that I could wear to work. DC's  I think. Cheap two dollar watch. Eventually ran off a lot of local mon and pop business. Then they are a monster.
     I work at a better grocery store. But we do not sell clothing.tools or bike parts. Why are people always cutting on Walmart. They are good for what they do. I do not see them being mean to their employees. Maybe they are behind closed doors. If they don't want to work there then quit. I do not see them a a bad guy in retailing. If you have an issue with Walmart or any other store. Do the old fashioned thing. Don't go there any more. Go some where else.