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Thread: Snapper says No to Walmart

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    Veteran Member TarynJolie's Avatar
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    Default Snapper says No to Walmart

    The Man Who Said No to Wal-Mart

    Every year, thousands of executives venture to Bentonville, Ark., hoping to get their products onto the shelves of the world's biggest retailer. But Jim Wier wanted Wal-Mart to stop selling his Snapper mowers.

    edited to add: Casual included a link to the full story so I am removing the majority of my OP to save the site some bandwidth. Please click on the link in his post to read the full story .
    Last edited by TarynJolie; 01-18-2006 at 12:01 PM. Reason: to save bandwidth

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    God/dess Casual Observer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

    William F. Buckley, Jr.

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    God/dess Mastridonicus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    I am happy to see this, only because it was my forsight that walmart's command over the market was going to become synonymous with low quality product like K-mart. Not truly low quality but low budget maybe? I am not saying walmart is trash, but I am happy to see that the CEO isn't looking to make a quick buck, but is looking to preserve the image of his company that might be altered by putting his product on shelves to that do not push forth the company image.
    People are not ruled by their memories.

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    Veteran Member TarynJolie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    Quote Originally Posted by Mastridonicus
    I am happy to see that the CEO isn't looking to make a quick buck, but is looking to preserve the image of his company that might be altered by putting his product on shelves to that do not push forth the company image.
    I couldn't agree more with Mast. It's good to see a CEO that prefers quality over quantity. People with that theory sadly seem to be a dying breed these days. If dancing has taught me nothing else about life, it has taught me that greed really is the root of all evil.

    I won't be needing much lawn equipment where we are moving to ( thanks to zeroscaping) but if we ever move again to a more lush environment, I would be much more likely to buy a Snapper product.

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    God/dess Casual Observer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    People with that theory sadly seem to be a dying breed these days. If dancing has taught me nothing else about life, it has taught me that greed really is the root of all evil.
    Wonderful sentiment, but it's not about greed, and it's not about a lack of interest in quality. It's about catering to consumer demand. If WalMart's junk (and that's mostly what they sell, outside of their HBA/Household products) didn't strongly appeal to so many consumers, they wouldn't be the success they are.

    You can blame anyone you want--manufacturers, WalMart, GWB, the tooth fairy--but in the end, it's about the consumer. And the consumer in this country (and many others) chooses WalMart.
    Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

    William F. Buckley, Jr.

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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    I am as well for quality as I own a couple of troy-built products and they are built with product longevity in mind .I do buy things at wallymart as well we have a Supercenter a mile from my home and I appreciate the fact that they keep prices low for us the consumers I just dont like to see other busineses being shut-down due to Walmarts - sometimes impossible to compete with prices . We actually have a Albertsons that is closing in a week due to a 30% decrease in revenue - in large part to places like WM and Sams Club . I liked Albertsons although I paid a little more for groceries it was nice to be able to just browse the ailes without having a crapload of rude people in my way - I hate overcrowded stores ! Also however as I read the article snapper was not making any money on this deal anyway - so were they going to make a kind of sub-par mower just for Walmart ? In which Snapper refused to do ?

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    God/dess Deogol's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    If one can only get snapper's from another company, then Walmart falls off the choice list. So it is not just the consumers.

    I also think he is keeping his company from outside the demands walmart is known for making against their vendors.

    Walmart comes in, blows out the competition limiting the avenues vendors can sell their wares - what is left? Walmart's way or the high way. Some CEOs prefer to run their own companies instead of being a proxy for Walmarts management.

    This is an experiment, but being keeping snapper in Lowes and Home Depot should keep him in the marketplace even if Walmart destroys the local Ace Hardware.

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    God/dess doc-catfish's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    When shopping for a high-order good (cars, appliances, electronics) some folks are very loyal to a brand that has been very good to them in the past. Snapper is apparently counting on this.

    When a quality good has enough longetivity to it, it can also be the economical one for the consumer in the long run.
    Former SCJ now in rehab.

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    Featured Member Crystal_eyes's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    I hate walmart anyway ! They just try to rip their employes and sell a bunch of crap and is always crowded.

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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    Sorry but not selling it at walmart is going to hurt them. In the midwest walmart is the place to shop for a lot of people. Where I live if you have to buy something like this from somewhere else other than walmart than it's really going to cost you. Snapper is not any better than Craftsman etc. And walmart sells the same brand that Craftsman sells just under a different name. You can also cross reference the part numbers and still get what you need at walmart it just wont say snapper on the box. I for one am all for walmart, if it was not for walmart I know I would not have alot of the things I have now, food being one of them. There is only 2 supermarkets in my town and to buy what we buy a week in town it would cost us more than driving 45 mins to a super walmart. People should not bash walmart, I know lots of people who would could not put shoes on there kids feet if it was not for it. Just my $.02
    "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

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    God/dess Deogol's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    Because of Walmart a lot of pillowtex workers can't put shoes on thier kid's feet too. Walmart is leading the race to the bottom for the American worker.

    And business isn't about selling more - it is about making a profit. It is entirely possible that they won't make the profit through walmart they would through another retailer. Walmart asks and asks and asks for concessions in price. Pretty soon one company is outsourcing to China to make a profit that was whittled away by Walmart in concessions and taken by Walmart in their markup.

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    God/dess threlayer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    I'd rather buy it at Lowes or Home Depot anyway. At least you can find some people there who know something about products.
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    Pillowtex Textiles have been a pillar of the North Carolina economy for more than a century. However, in recent years the textile industry as a whole had faced declining employment, changes in automation and technology, new supply chain issues and vigorous price competition. Management mistakes, including excessive debt leverage, mismanaged systems and poor inventory control, made the finances of many firms problematic. Trade policy, which liberalized commerce in textiles, facilitated vigorous price competition from global producers with lower costs of production. All of this combined to characterize an industry in trouble.

    It don't sound like Walmart was their only problem.
    "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

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    God/dess Casual Observer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    Because of Walmart a lot of pillowtex workers can't put shoes on thier kid's feet too. Walmart is leading the race to the bottom for the American worker.
    WalMart had nothing to do with the simple fact that the US has no comparative advantage in the production of textiles for the mass market. People don't want to accept that--they believe that our economy should represent that of what it was in 1950. You can't go back home in a globalized market.
    Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

    William F. Buckley, Jr.

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    God/dess threlayer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    Textiles, even in New England, was big business back in the late 1800s. So were shoes. And steel. And electronics. Wake up, smell the coffee, and take a look around; someone painted the room.
    I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.

    Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.

    NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.

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    God/dess Deogol's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    Quote Originally Posted by threlayer
    Textiles, even in New England, was big business back in the late 1800s. So were shoes. And steel. And electronics. Wake up, smell the coffee, and take a look around; someone painted the room.
    Paris Hilton Leads The Way To Being Successful In America

    Education and skills mean less and less.

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    Veteran Member TarynJolie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Snapper says No to Walmart

    Quote Originally Posted by Casual Observer
    Wonderful sentiment, but it's not about greed, and it's not about a lack of interest in quality. It's about catering to consumer demand. If WalMart's junk (and that's mostly what they sell, outside of their HBA/Household products) didn't strongly appeal to so many consumers, they wouldn't be the success they are.

    You can blame anyone you want--manufacturers, WalMart, GWB, the tooth fairy--but in the end, it's about the consumer. And the consumer in this country (and many others) chooses WalMart.
    While I agree with you on that point Casual ( mostly anyway) I must correct one thing. I did not place blame on anyone , yet

    As was mentioned in the Snapper CEO article not everyone buys for example a Honda Civic or a Toyota Camry. Some consumers prefer a Lexus or BMW instead.

    Quote Originally Posted by Deogol
    Walmart is leading the race to the bottom for the American worker.
    Sad but so very true.

    But as you and Casual pointed out consumers share in the blame. Which brings me full circle because I refuse to shop at Walmart. However, I do realize that I am blessed to have that choice.

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