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TETENAL · 07:35 AM

After 8 years of trying WAL★MART fails in Germany and had to sell all 85 stores to its competitor Metro. In 2003 WAL★MART made a loss of 487 million Euros. For every Euro sales volume that made a loss of 20 cent. Losses in the following years were kept secret.

(source in German)

The management totally misjudged Germany. Customers felt harassed by bouncers who had to "welcome" the customers at the doors, employees hated that they had to muster American style before work. Overall experience in the stores sucked.

Mastrap · Jul 28, 2006, 07:33 AM

Probably because the competition in Germany is long established. Aldi won't just roll over and die just because Wal*Mart comes to town.

scottiB · Jul 28, 2006, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

Probably because the competition in Germany is long established. Aldi won't just roll over and die just because Wal*Mart comes to town.

And here, Aldi keeps on trucking. I've recently moved to a somewhat rural area of Maryland, and an Aldi is opening--I was a bit suprised. They're all over Metro Detroit--from where I moved.

shabbasuraj · Jul 28, 2006, 08:31 AM

Made In China-mart

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 09:07 AM

Good, walmart sucks. It is full of mostly white trash and those greeters at the door are highly annoying. Nothing like treating every customer like a criminal the second they walk in the door with those stupid stickers that they want to seal your bag shut with.

All that aside they are also rotten to their employees.

Dakar · Jul 28, 2006, 09:18 AM

Yeah, does anyone actually like the greeters?

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by Dakar

Yeah, does anyone actually like the greeters?

I'm sure the manager does.

Nothing like having a 78 year old woman in a scooter act as door security.

Dakar · Jul 28, 2006, 09:23 AM

Well I think it started as a southern hospitality kinda thing.

Biggest thing I've noticed is how the greeters have pretty much all but stopped doing such in the 10 years they've been in my area.

Not that I care.

TETENAL · Jul 28, 2006, 09:24 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5223432.stm

Doofy · Jul 28, 2006, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Nothing like treating every customer like a criminal the second they walk in the door with those stupid stickers that they want to seal your bag shut with.

WTF?!?

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

WTF?!?

What WTF?

Doofy · Jul 28, 2006, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

What WTF?

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Nothing like treating every customer like a criminal the second they walk in the door with those stupid stickers that they want to seal your bag shut with.

That WTF?

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

That WTF?

Yes I get that thank you. Are you saying WTF because you don't know what I am talking about or because you are shocked that they do this.

Doofy · Jul 28, 2006, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Yes I get that thank you.

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Are you saying WTF because you don't know what I am talking about or because you are shocked that they do this.

I get what you're talking about. I think. Putting security seals over bags you've brought in from other stores you've previously visited on your shopping trip, I take it.

WTF = they'd get told exactly what to do if they did that here.

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

I get what you're talking about. I think. Putting security seals over bags you've brought in from other stores you've previously visited on your shopping trip, I take it.

WTF = they'd get told exactly what to do if they did that here.

Nothing like a 3cm long sticker to thwart those crafty shoplifters. When I walk in and they want to put stickers on my bags I say no and keep walking.

Sky Captain · Jul 28, 2006, 10:15 AM

What Kaufmart™ didn't buy them.

WalMart just got a beat down in Chicago also.

torsoboy · Jul 28, 2006, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Nothing like a 3cm long sticker to thwart those crafty shoplifters. When I walk in and they want to put stickers on my bags I say no and keep walking.

You people are jerks it seems. Those greeters are just doing their job. Walmart has a HUGE problem with theft... can't blame them for wanting to thwart it in any way possible. What would you like them to do... assign one sales-person to follow each person around to make sure they don't stick anything extra in their bags? It's not like you are in a tiny shop where everyone can see everything you do. And I know a lot of other big places don't do this, but I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Costco is way worse... they are at the top of my list for store harrasment in my eyes.

Oh no, they put a sticker on my bag!!! I will never go there again! /sarcasm

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by torsoboy

You people are jerks it seems. Those greeters are just doing their job. Walmart has a HUGE problem with theft... can't blame them for wanting to thwart it in any way possible. What would you like them to do... assign one sales-person to follow each person around to make sure they don't stick anything extra in their bags? It's not like you are in a tiny shop where everyone can see everything you do. And I know a lot of other big places don't do this, but I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Costco is way worse... they are at the top of my list for store harrasment in my eyes.

Oh no, they put a sticker on my bag!!! I will never go there again! /sarcasm

Ya problem is when I walked in with some GIFT WRAPED bags they wanted to slap Wal-mart shoplift stickers on it. Ya, that's a nice way to give a gift to someone.

Should they also have x-rays or sew our pockets shut?

If Wal-mart has a "huge" problem with theft then I guess the stickers are not helping. I am also willing to bet the employee theft is high as hell as they don't pay people enough.

jasonsRX7 · Jul 28, 2006, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by TETENAL

Overall experience in the stores sucked.

How is that any different than here

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by jasonsRX7

How is that any different than here

Americans are willing to put up with it to save money. I guess the germans are not.

I always buy from a store that has very good customer service and return policies, even if it costs more.

torsoboy · Jul 28, 2006, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Ya problem is when I walked in with some GIFT WRAPED bags they wanted to slap Wal-mart shoplift stickers on it. Ya, that's a nice way to give a gift to someone.

See, now that is something different than you saying:

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

When I walk in and they want to put stickers on my bags I say no and keep walking.

I can understand not wanting to put a sticker on something gift wrapped, but getting uptight about them putting a sticker on a sears bag or something is just ridiculous.

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Should they also have x-rays or sew our pockets shut?

If Wal-mart has a "huge" problem with theft then I guess the stickers are not helping. I am also willing to bet the employee theft is high as hell as they don't pay people enough.

There's quite a difference between putting a sticker on a shopping bag and sewing someone's pockets shut

And just because they still have a big problem with theft doesn't mean it isn't helping. It could be helping quite a bit. And not being paid "enough" is not a reason to steal. No one forces the people to work there, and they pay better than Wendys. Employee theft is high everywhere... some people are just dishonest.

The U.S Chamber of Commerce estimates that theft by employees costs American companies $20 billion to $40 billion a year. To pay for it, every man and woman working in America today contributes more than $400 per year.

The chamber also reports that an employee is 15 times more likely than a nonemployee to steal from an employer. Unfortunately, 75% of employee-related crimes go unnoticed.

Source http://www.inc.com/articles/1999/05/13731.html

BOT: I have nothing against Wal*Mart, but it's good to hear that one store can't dominate the earth.

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 10:56 AM

The last wal-mart place I worked they had higher employee theft than customer.

Now look up the reasons that happens.

torsoboy · Jul 28, 2006, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

The last wal-mart place I worked they had higher employee theft than customer.

Now look up the reasons that happens.

Dishonesty?

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by torsoboy

Dishonesty?

No, employee theft is created when the employer thinks that the company owes them something. Meaning they aren't getting paid well, treated well etc.

Look at companies where the employees hold their employers in high regard, the theft rates are much lower. Costco for example.

Doofy · Jul 28, 2006, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by torsoboy

You people are jerks it seems.

So, I'm a jerk because I don't like it when people automatically assume I'm going to steal something from them?

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

So, I'm a jerk because I don't like it when people automatically assume I'm going to steal something from them?

Apparently. I don't shop at a store that the second I walk in the door they consider me a thief. **** them.

Doofy · Jul 28, 2006, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Apparently. I don't shop at a store that the second I walk in the door they consider me a thief. **** them.

Exactly.

residentEvil · Jul 28, 2006, 11:48 AM

why the hell are you bringing other bags in from another store?

leave them in your car.

as far as purses for WOMEN, you don't need to take suitecase style purses with you.

why the hell are guys taking packages/bags into another store? it isn't like a mall where you go from one shop to the next. walmarts are their own buildings with their own parking lots.

Dakar · Jul 28, 2006, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

why the hell are you bringing other bags in from another store?

leave them in your car.

as far as purses for WOMEN, you don't need to take suitecase style purses with you.

why the hell are guys taking packages/bags into another store? it isn't like a mall where you go from one shop to the next. walmarts are their own buildings with their own parking lots.

Wal-Mart apologist! GET HIM!

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

why the hell are you bringing other bags in from another store?

leave them in your car.

So you are saying when at al mall between each store I need to unload it at the car. What if you use public transportation?

Gossamer · Jul 28, 2006, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

So you are saying when at al mall between each store I need to unload it at the car. What if you use public transportation?

You conveniently left out the last part of his post that mentioned malls and how it's not Wal-Mart.

residentEvil · Jul 28, 2006, 11:55 AM

no. i'm just not stupid.

do you make the decision as you leave your car, to grab the bag you got from best buy or target or whatever and go into walmart? hell, i wouldn't let you in at all. leave it in the damn car.

and why would someone taked gift wraped presents in there? where you taking it to a worker for a suprise party? not the place and you should be covered in "i'm an idiot cause i brought already purchased items into a store where they weren't purchased from" stickers.

Dakar · Jul 28, 2006, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

You conveniently left out the last part of his post that mentioned malls and how it's not Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart too good to live by the same set of circumstances as Mall stores?

Doofy · Jul 28, 2006, 11:58 AM

Actually... ...not every Wal*Mart, Tesco or whatever has its own car park here. Some of them *are* in malls. Some of them are popped into the row along with all the other high street stores.

residentEvil · Jul 28, 2006, 12:04 PM

well, then...i didn't know that. every walmart i've driven by or seen or shopped in was either an anchor store or all on it's own...not in a mall.

what about home depot and those type places? are they in malls too?

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

You conveniently left out the last part of his post that mentioned malls and how it's not Wal-Mart.

How does that make any difference if you have no car. You conveniently didn't think about it.

And there are Wal-marts in malls.

Gossamer · Jul 28, 2006, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

How does that make any difference if you have no car. You conveniently didn't think about it.

That was a separate point, to be addressed separately.

Dakar · Jul 28, 2006, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

what about home depot and those type places? are they in malls too?

Absolutely. Best Buys, Staples, etc. I've seen them all joined together.

TETENAL · Jul 28, 2006, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

why the hell are you bringing other bags in from another store?

leave them in your car.

This is Europe. Not everybody goes shopping with a car.

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Dakar

Absolutely. Best Buys, Staples, etc. I've seen them all joined together.

Yep, the wal-mart by my house has entrance from INSIDE the mall although it is accessible from the outside.

Either way who cares. It is a stupid ass point to tell someone they should drop bags off in the car before you walk into the precious wal-mart.

Makes you wonder how other stores survive without having to resort to stickers.

Doofy · Jul 28, 2006, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

what about home depot and those type places? are they in malls too?

Not that I've noticed. Home improvement stuff tends to weigh quite a bit, so they usually require a car park.

However, in rural towns there's loads of smaller hardware stores (i.e. just tools and small stuff like door handles) which don't have their own car parks because they're in the middle of town.

olePigeon · Jul 28, 2006, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by TETENAL

This is Europe. Not everybody goes shopping with a car.

Some people even *gasp* walk to the store. It's totally crazy, those Europeans!

smacintush · Jul 28, 2006, 12:32 PM

Anyone remember the South Park episode about WalMart? Pretty much sums it up for me.

If you don't like WalMart, look in the mirror asshole. If you aren't willing to stay out of the store then STFU.

Kerrigan · 12:50 PM

What is Wal Mart expecting those little stickers to do?

edited: dunno how i managed to leave out half of my sentence

::maroma:: · Jul 28, 2006, 12:42 PM

I'd just like to say that I think its pretty cool that you used the star in the name. Good show mate!

Landos Mustache · Jul 28, 2006, 12:49 PM

They are a monopoly.

smacintush · Jul 28, 2006, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

They are a monopoly.

They don't sell anything that isn't available in another store. In my area at least, there are other choices. They just aren't as cheap.

Which is the real issue isn't it?

Support the little guys.

Kerrigan · Jul 28, 2006, 12:55 PM

Technically a lot of those products are either a) name brand products which are altered to make them cheaper and b) some companies make products which are sold only to wal mart, because a contract with them is enough to make huge money.

Amorya · Jul 28, 2006, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Americans are willing to put up with it to save money. I guess the germans are not.

I always buy from a store that has very good customer service and return policies, even if it costs more.

Well, here, Aldi is cheaper than Walmart-owned Asda. As long as you don't mind brands you have never heard of, or ingredients in German, then Aldi is pretty good! (They're not nasty brands either - good quality, just not the brands I've heard of.)

Originally Posted by residentEvil

why the hell are you bringing other bags in from another store?

leave them in your car.

as far as purses for WOMEN, you don't need to take suitecase style purses with you.

why the hell are guys taking packages/bags into another store? it isn't like a mall where you go from one shop to the next. walmarts are their own buildings with their own parking lots.

Yeah, like everyone drives!

OK, the situation may be different in the US, but here there is an Asda in the centre of Stockport, and I am likely to walk in with other shopping bags if I have been shopping anywhere else and wish to visit Asda. They luckily haven't started the stickering things here yet.

Makes you wonder what all the other stores do, that don't require stickers. I don't mind having to show my receipts if I'm looking suspicious, but I think I've had to do that about twice ever.

Amorya

Demonhood · Jul 28, 2006, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by torsoboy

You people are jerks it seems. Those greeters are just doing their job. Walmart has a HUGE problem with theft... can't blame them for wanting to thwart it in any way possible. What would you like them to do... assign one sales-person to follow each person around to make sure they don't stick anything extra in their bags? It's not like you are in a tiny shop where everyone can see everything you do. And I know a lot of other big places don't do this, but I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Costco is way worse... they are at the top of my list for store harrasment in my eyes.

Costco is a club. it requires a membership. when you join you agree to abide by their terms of service. this includes showing your card at the door and having them check your receipt upon exiting. sure, it's annoying, but you did join.

wal•mart and best buy aren't clubs. they can't require the same sort of obedience. now, i don't shop at wal•mart, but the few times i've been to best buy, i've just walked right past the "guard" at the exit who asks to see my receipt. if they want to check my bag they can accuse me of shoplifting.