I have a love for Wal-Mart, well, specifically new Super Wal-Marts, with the faux wood floors and squeaky, hard to push carts. There’s something about being able to buy blueberries, an iPod and hard liquor while getting my oil changed that just screams LOVE to me. Hey, I’m all about convenience. And to top it off, they have Super Low Prices, Always. What not to love about Wal-Mart?
Well, it’s perfect if you can remove all of the angry employees, the loud, rude customers, the long lines and rotting produce and gray meat.
And because of those very negative reasons, I think we need to break up. But I need help. I have a very, very hard time going to a store and paying twice as much for the same box of Bug Bites. Seriously. I price check everything, everywhere I go, I know what the Wal-Mart price is and when I am at other grocery stores, I see the price difference and I refuse to buy anything that I can buy cheaper at Wal-Mart, even though it’s right there, in my hand.
Last week I was at Wal-Mart and I picked up a cantaloupe and my finger went through the skin. I almost threw up right there. And when I dropped the rotten, disgusting thing back in the massive box holding hundreds of cantaloupes, the fruit flies feasting on the rotten crap began swarming my head, millions of them, out of nowhere.
Know what that means? No more cantaloupe for me! For years to come! Thanks, Wal-Mart!
After the fruit fly - cantaloupe incident, I proceeded to shop the produce department while feeling nauseous (I’m serious!) and I had a hard time trusting anything, everything looked bad. It made me sad. it made me realize how unlikeable Wal-Mart really is and that the only reason why I shop there is for the price and the convenience. (which are two very important things, of course.)
So, I’m considering going to a regular grocery store, I just don’t know how I can go somewhere and pay twice as much, it’s going to kill me. Most importantly, though, it’s going to kill Brian, especially after buying this much larger, more expensive home.
Please tell me what I need to do to overlook the steep prices everywhere else or what I can do to combat them. (no, I do not have a super Target, thankyouverymuch ) I really do not want to shop ads, I do not want to spend my Sunday’s cutting coupons (although I will), I just need help letting go of Wal-Mart, I need help cutting ties, I want to write it a break up note and leave it in it’s locker and run away, but I’m afraid it’s going to be harder than that. I’m afraid of giving in and going back because it will lure me in with the $17.17 bottle of Jose Cuervo Golden Margaritas and the TWENTY DOLLAR oil changes. GAH. My heart (and my wallet) hurt just thinking about it.
Maybe rotten fruit isn’t that big of a deal. I mean, we could just switch to canned fruit, right?
July 30th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Do you have Meijer where you are. It’s kinda like a Super Walmart…but no oil changes.
Or you could get all your non-perishable shelf stuff at Walmart and get the fresh stuff at a real store.
Or not. Whatever. I still need to buy Bug Bites.
July 30th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I broke up with Walmart long ago. I’d rather pay a little bit more for better quality, better service, and a better attitude (from me!) on my way out. I do hope we get a Meijer around here soon- I do hear wonderful things about that place!
Steph
July 30th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
This is why Walmart is so evil—they lure you with their low prices and convenience even though you hate everything else about the place.
You might be able to save money by NOT going to Walmart because it’s easy to impulse shop there. If you have a strict list of items to get at the regular grocery store and don’t impulse shop you just might save money! Maybe?
July 31st, 2008 at 12:17 am
Don’t despair…don’t break up with Wal-Mart completely. Keep shopping there for non-perishables & such and so forth.
But, for produce, if you’re going to have to spend more money, your best bet is farmer’s markets (in season) and the next cheapest grocery (or organic) store in town during the winter.
For meat, if you’re going to spend more anyway, go to a local butcher, and buy a quarter or half a beef. Get a FoodSaver, and vacuum seal that stuff, and put it in a freezer (which you can probably find on Freecycle or Craigslist). You might even be able to get chicken, pork, and other yummy stuff there. If not, I’m sure they can refer you.
You might as well get the best thing you can for your money. Plus, look at it this way - spend more money on really truly quality food now, and you may be able to avoid HUGE medical bills later.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:30 am
I’ve been lurking around your Should be Folding Laundry site for a while. I like it. You make me laugh, you make me cry, you write really well. I’m not much of one to comment, but I had to comment when I saw this post though. I feel the EXACT same way about Walmart! I tell folks I have a love/hate relationship with that place. I had an experience with a bag of oranges similar to your cantaloupe story. If you figure out how to break up, please let the rest of us know….
July 31st, 2008 at 12:34 am
I say shop at Wally World for non-perishables and hit the grocery store for the rest. I have the same issue with my Walmart here in Texas. Great prices, crappy meat and produce. Living in a small town, there aren’t many choices and even the grocery store doesn’t have the best selection of produce, but it’s better. I usually buy organic produce which seems to be better, most of the time. Unless it’s been sitting there for ages because no one else buys it besides me. Gah. I don’t know what to say, but you know how I feel about Walmart. I’m just hopin’ and prayin’ someone builds a Super Target soon here. SOON.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:43 am
I, too, feel your pain. It is so dang cheap and convienient, yet soooo awful at the same time. However, i have a 2 year old who HATES to shop, so one-stop shopping is the way to go. I rarely buy produce at “the evil empire”, but get most of my other groceries there. I also go first thing in the morning, like at 8am, when it is all old folks shopping, and the help isn’t at their wit’s end yet….
July 31st, 2008 at 6:03 am
I flat out refuse to go to walmart. Will not and could not do it. The stores are cluttered, dirty and personally, I like being able to walk through the aisles without dodging product and the people shopping there.
Don’t even get me started on the disgruntled employees.
I too along with so many others would rather pay more for better service and product. I’m about to break up with my local strack and van til for the exact reason. (dirty dairy and meat aisles).
So walk away and never look back. You’ll love your self for it. Just think the bug bites would taste better coming from a place that has good produce.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:29 am
I’m with crookedeyebrow. I refuse to be within 100 feet of a Walmart (which is challenging considering their ubiquitousness.) They are dirty and dingy. Their blue and gray color schemes depress me. Their employees are angry. There is nothing in there that I can’t find at Target or my local grocery store, and I am sorry - but I don’t care how low their prices are - I will not deal with rotting produce and meat of suspect quality! I will gladly pay more for a pleasant shopping experience, happy employees that never fail to ask “Did you find everything you were looking for?” when I check out, and top-quality food.
Take the leap. Just walk away from Walmart. You won’t regret it!
July 31st, 2008 at 6:40 am
I know it’s nothing like Walmart, but I am an ALDI girl. You can google that. I spend about half what I would at a traditional store for most staples and then shop the real stores for the name brand stuff. For things like produce, I like a small local store, they have great produce shipped in, even better is a farmers market.
Good luck with it, shopping for groceries now is like lighting twenties and watching them burn.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:57 am
Well, I shop at the big, glamorous “regular” grocery store, and I have had plenty of rotten fruit too. For whatever that tells you! I thought your post was really ironic, because I’ve been debating switching TO Walmart. For me, I have a hard time getting past their business practices that are what keep the prices so low. Ironically, our local Walmarts often have better produce and meat. I think truly, there’s just no winning. Good luck!
July 31st, 2008 at 7:23 am
I also have a love/hate relationship with Walmart. What I can’t get past is how dirty my local one is - yuck. Could you shop for nonperishables there and go to a regular grocery store for produce and meat?
July 31st, 2008 at 7:29 am
I do have strong and specific thoughts on Walmart - and why I don’t think the store is good. I broke up with Walmart about 3 years ago and haven’t looked back. My decision was spurred after I watched the documentary Walmart: the high cost of low price. I suggest you watch it, and after that I assure you that rotten fruit and gross produce won’t be your only displeasure.
With that said, fortunately for me I do live in a large city with many awesome shopping choices, so it was a clean and easy break-up. I feel for you if your options are limited.
If you got some time and noting much to do on a Friday or Saturday night, rent the movie, you will be glad you did!
Ok, that’s my 2cent roll-back opinion!
July 31st, 2008 at 7:50 am
If you have an Aldi, that would be a great place to start. Sadly, we moved nearly 2 years ago and there are no Aldi’s where we live now. I broke up with Walmart a few weeks ago as well. Luckily, we’re military and I have the commissary option - which is a much better shopping experience on the whole (and just about the same price). So, I now shop at Target and the Commissary. I also started learning the art of couponing a few months ago and have been really satisfied with the deals I’m able to get on things we normally use at Walgreens and Target - it really might be worth looking into. CVS usually has super deals to combine with coupons - but we don’t have a CVS either….
Some of our local grocery stores are expensive unless you have their ‘club card.’ Then you get much better prices on lots of things. You might look into that.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:12 am
I HATE WALMART TOO!! I broke up with Walmart a little over a year ago. I understand the savings, but the savings aren’t worth putting up with rude people, rotten food and long unnecessary lines that you stand in longer then it takes you to shop. I now shop at Kroger and run to Walmart when I know that’s the only place to find something specific.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:13 am
I only shop at Walmart for stuff that I can’t get on sale anywhere else. My Publix and WinnDixie do Buy One Get One Free, all the time. Oh, and I NEVER buy produce from walmart. Yuck!! I would go ahead and keep buying your Bug Bites at Walmart if it’s cheaper, and buy your meats and fruits at a grocery store.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:04 am
Research their unethical business practices and it will help you leave and not look back. Of course all large corporations make decisions based on the bottom line, but Walmart is particularly bad. There’s a reason for all those disgruntled employees…
I have boycotted Walmart for years, and never once been tempted. You can do it!!!
July 31st, 2008 at 9:06 am
I had the same thought this weekend after dealing with a RUDE employees who spent the whole time mocking me for bringing my own bags and throwing everything into the bags with no care for anything… my poor bread. And bananas from Wal Mart… I swear they are rotten within 3 days
I will be back though. I can’t beat the prices and right now every extra penny saved helps for that trip to Disney in Sept.
I purchase all my non perishables and frozen items at Wal-Mart and then head to the local chain grocery store for my meats, veggies and deli items. Yes it takes a little longer and it costs a little more but the quality is worth it and I don’t feel so bad knowing that I only paid $1.98 for my Bug Bites.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:19 am
There’s rotten produce in every store. I used to shop at the Super Walmart back in Texas but up here they don’t have one nearby so I shop at the regular grocery store and it sucks because it’s so much more expensive! Like someone else suggested–at least keep going for the nonperishables! That way you can be “friends with privileges.”
July 31st, 2008 at 9:39 am
I *try* to use a couple of sites that match coupons to sales for the name-brand stuff we like, and to get great bargains. Most other things, I go with the store brands at Meijer. Although I am almost done with them due to their lack of real people manning the cash registers….in which case, then I will graduate to a real grocery store and really do the sales/coupons thing, and supplement w/Ramen when necessary…..(coupled with our weekly investment in Trader Joe’s for MAM) It is never easy, that’s for sure. Have you check for Bug Bites on Amazon?? I have a couple thing set up for subscriptions there, free shipping and awesome prices. AND they deliver
July 31st, 2008 at 10:12 am
I watched the same documentary as someone else mentioned, and it’s true, it almost makes you feel bad for shopping there. My husband doesn’t want me to shop there anymore after watching it. It’s a real eye opener.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:50 am
I have pretty much given up WalMart too. I live at Costco. It is more convenient for me because shopping with 3 kids is crazy and so if they have to make a choice on something there are only a handful as opposed to 20 options, and they usually have snacks to keep the kids happy. The only time I really go into WalMart is this time of year. I have an office supply addiction, and I have a hard time passing up $0.22 boxes of 24-count Crayola crayons. I get about 10 boxes. That and glue sticks. But I get overwhelmed in WalMart and forget where I”m going.
Shopping elsewhere might hurt a little bit at first with the prices, but I agree with others that you’ll feel better about the whole shopping process.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:23 am
Wise Way has the best produce, but don’t ask me about price, you know me. I haven’t a clue. I just buy it. So my suggestion - buy what you need for produce at Wise Way and then do the rest of your shopping at Wal-Mart. I also hear that Town & Country has a good meat section. Good luck!
July 31st, 2008 at 11:40 am
Maybe keep WalMart for your dry goods and find a good farmers market for your fruits and veggies. I know its an extra step but what kind of savings are you actually gaining when you are looking at rotten fruit and getting ready to hurl??
July 31st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Same problem with the Walmart down here in the south. I don’t shop there, I do prefer to go to Publix for my groceries, eventhough I know I am spending more - at least it is quality. Now I am on a new Whole Foods kick and am trying to buy things there because I figure if it is at Whole Foods it must be healthy, right!?!?!? (or maybe healthier?)
If you must shop at Walmart, just buy the non-perishables and get the produce/meat somewhere else.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Just buy your produce and meat somewhere else! I buy produce at the farmers market (cheap too and fresh and good!), I buy meat at Safeway, and everything else at Sams/Wal Mart.
You don’t have to break up, you just have to have an affair!!!
July 31st, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I do not buy any perishables at Wal-Mart. I, too, discovered how poor the quality is on those products. However, I can’t bring myself to completly break up with Wal-Mart. The price difference is HUGE on all the non-perishables and I’m always thinking about how much money I could save if I went to Wal-mart. With the cost of everything going up, I still have to shop there (even though I mostly hate the experience.)
An I’ll second what Mit said, just have the affair……………no one will know
July 31st, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I don’t really clip coupons. I don’t shop at Wal-Mart. I shop at Kroger, Alberston’s and Target. I look at the ads when they come (all on Wednesday here). I make my list for each store. I go in the evening when my husband is home and can watch the kids. I don’t know what you buy and what you normally spend, but I can buy groceries for a family of seven for about 10 days for around 150-170 dollars. That is meat, produce, and everything else and some of what I buy lasts longer than the 10 days. For example, if boneless/skinless chicken is on sell I might buy six packages, which will make meals for a long time. I could probably go a little cheaper at Wal-Mart, but because of the issues you mentioned I don’t shop there anymore. The only thing I buy at Super Target is Skippy Natural Peanut Butter. Otherwise I could do it all at the two stores. It is not as hard or time-consuming as I thought it would be.
You can break up with them!
July 31st, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I only go to Wal-Mart once a month for dry and canned goods. Maybe a few frozen things, but even then I’m nervous about how cold those freezers really area. So I stock up on household goods, cereal, and othersuch non-perishables once a month, sometimes even less often.
I then I hit my happy, fresh, CLEAN grocery store in the meantime. And if once in a while I have to pay extra for a box of Cheerios, I’m OK with that.
The cantaloupe story? Made me sick just reading it. And the sad thing is that I had the same scenario with some zucchini at a Wal-mart. Wal-mart and produce are a bad match.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I say go there for the non-perishables and somewhere else for fruits and veggies and you can still get your oil changed while there!
July 31st, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Well, I can’t break up with Wal-Mart. The nearest Target or Publix is nearly and hour away and it really doesn’t make much sense to pay over $4.00 a gallon for gas to drive my gas guzzling SUV to make a point with a corporate giant about their “business practices”.
There is a Kroger in town and two small locals grocers have managed to hang on and they have decent meat. I buy local produce when I can. I love Whole Foods, but that’s an hour and fifteen minutes away - that’s completely out of the question unless I have happen to been in the city for something else.
It’s just something that we’ve had to accept in our small community…
July 31st, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I haven’t spent money in a wal-mart in, I don’t know, 10 years at least? Their business practices drive me and I don’t want to support that. Things have low prices there for a reason - and generally, it isn’t pretty why the prices are low. If you can’t survive without the low prices, I guess you can continue to shop there - but then you keep the cycle of people being paid not enough to work so that you can buy things cheap. It’s a bad circle they have set up imo.
However, we do occasionally go to Sam’s club to buy in bulk (i.e. when we are going to have a party). And it leaves my stomach all in knots when we do nad I feel bad and I don’t enjoy eating the food as much.
If you go to http://www.thestoryofstuff.com and watch the consumption part (well, I think everyone should watch the entire thing personally) but that specifically distribution part ….
July 31st, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Am I the only one who loves WalMart? Honestly, I haven’t ever had a bad experience there! I actually hate TARGET, as their higher prices and lack of variety are a turn off for me. Each store and region is different, though.
I have actually had more bad experiences at some of the local grocery stores with produce. EW. FWIW, produce can go bad pretty dang quickly. What may look like good fruit when it’s brought in may become yucky before it’s had a chance to be re-evaluated.
And honestly, I have YET to find a store that has perpetually nice people working there!! People aren’t always happy when they’re working, especially if they’re doing a job they may not like.
My 2 cents.
August 1st, 2008 at 7:18 pm
COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE!!! There is a CSA in Westville and they have drop off points all over Lake and Porter Co. they are organic!!!! Buy a share and get the best fruits and veggies fresh and healthy. http://www.localharvest.org to find a local CSA, oh and for the other stuff grocery stores and not that much more expensive sometimes even cheaper. We buy mostly organic but even that is not THAT much more than the regular stuff at Walmart. This is your families health, cut back on quanity NOT quality.
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I don’t care how low the prices are, I’m not willing to support a company that has low prices for the reasons that Wal-mart does. Watch the documentary and then see how you feel about shopping there. I hate the place and all that it stands for so it wasn’t hard to break the habit.
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:42 am
Ahhhh….I am a Wal-mart junkie too! I shop there for all the “non produce” stuff because of the mear fact that their produce just sucks. So, I do a Wal-mart fun for the other stuff so I can savemoney on all of that then I go to the grocery store for the produce. Since we eat mostly organic produce the local grocery stores have a WAY better selections anyways…..Good luck!
August 4th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
This October marks hte 4th anniversary of my Walmart breakup. Yes, it’s been 4 years since I stepped foot into that awful place. And you know what? I am happy about it! I don’t like Walmart’s business practices, the customers, the crowds, the icky factor in the stores. I much prefer Target! (I wish we had a Super Target here!) You might find that you’d rather pay a little more for a better shopping experience.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Did you know that Walmart gets the “almost old” bread from other grocery stores? I heard this from a guy that knew a guy (you know how that goes) that works for the bread company. He takes bread from Publix and Winn Dixie (here in Florida) that hasn’t sold and takes it to Walmart for a quick sale. Explains why my bread is often on the brink when I buy it at Walmart!
August 6th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I have a love/hate relationship with WalMart and recently wrote about our nasty steak experience at my new review/giveaway blog (SavvyHousewife).
I really prefer Target, but sometimes WalMart is a necessary evil!
p.s. Why don’t they sell tequila at Tennessee WalMarts? WHY? Because that could swing me over to the dark side of Wally World.
August 9th, 2008 at 2:21 am
Don’t even get me started on the Walmartz, woman. You need to pay a little more for your sanity, and stop supporting the grossness and crabbiness of Teh Evil. Doesn’t it cost more to use gas to drive to several stores, anyway?
August 25th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Ohhh ho, but wait the meat is spoiled but not green anymore because they inject that stuff with carbon monoxide to keep that red color lasting and lasting long after that meat has become expired.
Poison. Its the fresh maker.
August 28th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Who knew there were so many of us contemplating the breakup?? Since the Olympics I’ve been thinking that my money would probably be better spent somewhere that wasn’t contributing to a communist country full of infantile gymnasts…but I may not have the guts. For me it’s gonna take some serious willpower to actually seal the deal.
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