The more I shop at Wal-mart (and I must admitt it's often), the more I find myself almost depressed to walk into the place. I can't quite pinpoint it, but be it the white floors and bright-ass florescent lights or the evil spirit of Sam Walton haunting the canned goods aisles, I find myself migrating more towards going to Target. Yeah, they're both evil corporations looking to drain me of every obsessive-consumer buck I have, but Target seems to have more style, both in how their stores are arranged and how they present theirselves in commercials. Wal-mart seems so sterile and drab by comparison, but they certainly always have the lowest prices. I think the recent South Park episode prompted me to make this (probably pointless) post. How does one find the compromise between wanting low prices and not having to pay for it with a piece of their soul?
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Wal-Mart vs. Target
- Thread starter tedtropy
- Start date
- Status
ConfusingJazz
Member
I just prefer Target because they don't try to pawn themselves off as homely with old people or whatever. That, and Wal Mart seems to attract a more hickish crowd then Target, and I have no reason as to why this is.
heavy liquid
Member
Target is waaaaaayyyy better than Wal-Mart.
I prefer Target, though I think the difference comes down to the store's interior design and arrangement of aisles. Whenever I go into Wal-Mart I feel like the aisles have been deliberately arranged so that I can't find the thing I want without looking first at a bunch of other crap that's on sale.
FortNinety
Member
I will almost always go to a smaller store, even if I have to pay a higher price. I'd much rather support a mom and pop operation as opposed to some giant corporation.
Though between Target and Wal Mart, I think Target is better since they're no so hard up on forcing companies to produced censored version of thier products.
Though between Target and Wal Mart, I think Target is better since they're no so hard up on forcing companies to produced censored version of thier products.
FortNinety said:
I can't say I have any real romantic devotion to the old 'mom & pop' stores - they're basically non-existent these days anyways, but Wal-mart in particular bothers me. The whole place feels like a set from THX 1138 or something. Just straight-forward, sterile, heartless consumerism under the guise of a folksy 'look, we gave the old fart a job' image. Meanwhile, how many of their employees even have full-coverage insurance?
sefskillz said:
Yeah, that's true. When it comes to Target, I'm more relaxed when I step in there and actually like to look around at stuff. When it comes to Wal-mart, I want to get in there, get what I need quickly, and get the hell out of there. It's a hostile environment...
Spectral Glider
Member
I wish the Wal-mart here was sterile. The place is a pigsty. I try to avoid it at all costs.
Spectral Glider said:
Maybe it's because our SuperCenter is so new. If you stop by at like 2AM, it's incredibly errie - there's like a fleet of guys everywhere behind big floor-waxers with glassy looks on their faces. Children of the Wal-Mart.
The prices are comparable, but I definetly feel better while shopping at Target. When I walk into Target, I feel like I'm surrounded by mostly well dressed, white collar people who are picking up some groceries on their way home from work.. When I walk into Walmart, I feel like I'm surrounded by rednecks that are shopping for a 48 pack of Milwalkee's Best Light and a $199 big screen TV to watch the big NASCAR race on.
Whether that's a reality or just my perception, I don't really care. I don't feel like I have protect my wife and children from weirdos when I'm shopping at Target, so that's why I go there.
Whether that's a reality or just my perception, I don't really care. I don't feel like I have protect my wife and children from weirdos when I'm shopping at Target, so that's why I go there.
Spectral Glider
Member
tedtropy said:
Probably. They first built one here back in the early 90s. But some genius constructed it just feet away from the side of a mountain. Giant rocks began falling into the back of the building. :lol That building still sits there empty, there's a Wegmans a few yards away from it though.
They built another location across the highway a few years ago. Didn't take long however....and it started to look abused and dingy. Kinda reminds me of Ames now.
Spectral Glider said:
The Wal-marts I've been to kind of remind me of Disneyworld - throw a gum wrapper on the ground and some low-paid worker magically pops out of the woodwork to quickly brush it into a dustpan and then vanish again...
If I absolutely, positively need to go to a store like that, I always go to Target. The stores are *cleaner*, the staff and patrons not nearly as sketchy, there's actual room to move in the aisles - every empty spot isn't being taken up by a stack of shit to sell - and they haven't been publically chastized both officially and in opinion pieces about everything from poor treatment of employees to locking them in at night.
They're both soulless companies, most are. But at least when I leave the Target parking lot, I don't have this overwhelming feeling that I'm contributing to the complete downfall of the local economy. They just seem less..."ruthless."
They're both soulless companies, most are. But at least when I leave the Target parking lot, I don't have this overwhelming feeling that I'm contributing to the complete downfall of the local economy. They just seem less..."ruthless."
Coin Return
Loose Slot
Wal-Mart is always is a mob or angry people. Target all the way.
Alex Anderson
Member
Face it, you just like the girls wearing tight khaki pants. Target always seems to have at least one hottie employee struttin around. >
Forgotten Ancient
Banned
Meijer > Target >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Walmart.
It's too bad Meijer is only located in a few states. While their prices are a little higher than Walmart's, the people are generally much friendlier and people don't seem like zombies.
However...Meijer is starting to fall a bit due to increased competition. At several stores they no longer have baggers - the cashiers bag the groceries a la Wal-Mart.
I have fond memories of going to Meijer with my dad as a kid and spending literally hours there reading all of the awesome gaming mags while my dad read guitar mags. We would each generally only buy one, but the store never had a problem with it. We went to a Walmart ONE time, and an employee asked us to put down the magazines if we weren't going to purchase them. Fucking bitches - we had a cart full of items and we just left them there. FUCK Walmart.
They're opening one across the street from one of the local Meijer and they've already opened up 3 here in Kalamazoo in the last couple of years.
It's too bad Meijer is only located in a few states. While their prices are a little higher than Walmart's, the people are generally much friendlier and people don't seem like zombies.
However...Meijer is starting to fall a bit due to increased competition. At several stores they no longer have baggers - the cashiers bag the groceries a la Wal-Mart.
I have fond memories of going to Meijer with my dad as a kid and spending literally hours there reading all of the awesome gaming mags while my dad read guitar mags. We would each generally only buy one, but the store never had a problem with it. We went to a Walmart ONE time, and an employee asked us to put down the magazines if we weren't going to purchase them. Fucking bitches - we had a cart full of items and we just left them there. FUCK Walmart.
They're opening one across the street from one of the local Meijer and they've already opened up 3 here in Kalamazoo in the last couple of years.
Forgotten Ancient said:
Heh, I'll occasionally flip through the magazines at Wal-mart (with subscription cards dropping all over the place all the while), although none of the workers ever confront me for it. Most of the people working there are around my age and likely just don't care...
radios shipping overview
Member
Target, for all the reasons listed. It's cleaner, more spacious, has better selection, and somehow it seems slightly less evil than Wal-Mart. Also, it's more conveniently located for me than any Wal-Mart around here (though that's just an excuse, as I'll never again set foot in a Wal-Mart, period. ).
Wal-Mart seems designed to pressure me out of every dollar I have while I'm there, while Target seems designed to make me feel comfortable.
).Wal-Mart seems designed to pressure me out of every dollar I have while I'm there, while Target seems designed to make me feel comfortable.
Drinky Crow
Banned
Haha, someone else calls it "Tarzhay" as well.
Target is nicer because it doesn't sell: A) guns, B) ammo, or C) loads of auto parts. Also, the hot chicks in tight khaki pants thing.
Wal-Mart is an utterly abysmal experience, especially for professional snobs like me.
Target is nicer because it doesn't sell: A) guns, B) ammo, or C) loads of auto parts. Also, the hot chicks in tight khaki pants thing.
Wal-Mart is an utterly abysmal experience, especially for professional snobs like me.
Spectral Glider
Member
Alex Anderson said:Face it, you just like the girls wearing tight khaki pants. Target always seems to have at least one hottie employee struttin around. >
I believe this news.
Mermandala
Member
I didn't know that Target was becoming the Hooters of Retail! or Pooters more accurately.
Drinky Crow
Banned
AH SWEET JESUS TAKE MY EYES
Stuggernaut
Grandma's Chippy
I'll go to both, the WalMart near me is clean, and new, and HUGE and usually has way lower prices on stuff.
The Target is the same except more colorful. Prices are usually higher though on most stuff.
My money goes to the cheaper, whichever that may be on any given week.
The Target is the same except more colorful. Prices are usually higher though on most stuff.
My money goes to the cheaper, whichever that may be on any given week.
difference between the two is this
Walmart sells iron board
Target sells Iron board with a design on it for a couple of bucks more.
Now repeat for most other items sold between the two. Walmart has lower prices and if you know what you want, easy to shop and get out, also a great place to get video games, DVDs, electronics at a low price. Target has a nicer, more colorful layout but can't beat Walmart on price which is most important to me on most items.
Walmart sells iron board
Target sells Iron board with a design on it for a couple of bucks more.
Now repeat for most other items sold between the two. Walmart has lower prices and if you know what you want, easy to shop and get out, also a great place to get video games, DVDs, electronics at a low price. Target has a nicer, more colorful layout but can't beat Walmart on price which is most important to me on most items.
Jade Knight 08
Member
Questions are in Bold
My wal-mart is packed with people and it's hard to get around them. Electronic section is soooo crowed due lack of space limited.
What i hated about it is that when i want the game like FF:TA... once the employee get the game out of the glass compartment he or she (depending on the species working there) has to take to the register give it to the clerk for me to check out. They don't give it to you and let you take it out of the electronic section shop around before you check out for the day. That's what i hated about it!!! Some policy they made!
Super Target is so much simpler and vary.... more open space without being "confined" standing right next to people unlike at wal-mart, ugh. That's where i shop my video games at. Most of em'!
1.) Why are the CDs and DVDs aren't in the glass compartment like video games?
2.) Why don't the stores (Target, Wal-mart, K-mart...etc..etc..) let people have freedom to pick it up without asking the employee to get it for you?
Best Buy is the only store in my area don't have the glass compartment. All the video games are on the shelves and tables and i can pick one up and read it if i like it then i'll check out. If i don't it then i put it back. That's what i love about it. Kinda wish all other stores do that like Best Buy doing.
My wal-mart is packed with people and it's hard to get around them. Electronic section is soooo crowed due lack of space limited.
What i hated about it is that when i want the game like FF:TA... once the employee get the game out of the glass compartment he or she (depending on the species working there) has to take to the register give it to the clerk for me to check out. They don't give it to you and let you take it out of the electronic section shop around before you check out for the day. That's what i hated about it!!! Some policy they made!
Super Target is so much simpler and vary.... more open space without being "confined" standing right next to people unlike at wal-mart, ugh. That's where i shop my video games at. Most of em'!
1.) Why are the CDs and DVDs aren't in the glass compartment like video games?
2.) Why don't the stores (Target, Wal-mart, K-mart...etc..etc..) let people have freedom to pick it up without asking the employee to get it for you?
Best Buy is the only store in my area don't have the glass compartment. All the video games are on the shelves and tables and i can pick one up and read it if i like it then i'll check out. If i don't it then i put it back. That's what i love about it. Kinda wish all other stores do that like Best Buy doing.
Fragamemnon
Member
Wal-Mart is beholden to one thing-everyday low prices at all costs, including your shopping experience. I hate going to Wal-Mart with a passion-it's a place where everything wrong with unrestricted, exploitative free-market capitalism is mixed with the selfish American obsession with the accumulation of wealth and goods. Belief in things like quality of life and the good of man just disintigrate when you're walking in a store that is loud and unappealing to your eyes and ears, and unappealing to your heart if you know just why those goods and services are so cheap. It's just oppressive.
Target is a slightly better experience. The employees seem to be less dejected at their job (which means they are probably getting paid better), the goods feel higher quality (meaning that there was a consideration to quality and not final cost in the purchase deliberations), and the atmosphere is fairly clean and orderly-time and money were put into making the store more appealing.
Personally, I want a big box store that:
A) Has unionized employees.
B) Buys American goods, even if it means higher costs. Preferably from manufacturers with unionized employees, if possible.
C) Keeps the store attractive and clean.
Target's only 1/3 in that regard. I'd rather support a store where I pay for the welfare of the employees and their suppliers directly through patronage, and not through the backdoor of paying for their required social welfare through higher taxes to support the safety net they must fall back on because their employers worship a brand of capitalism that works against, and not for, the common citizen.
Target is a slightly better experience. The employees seem to be less dejected at their job (which means they are probably getting paid better), the goods feel higher quality (meaning that there was a consideration to quality and not final cost in the purchase deliberations), and the atmosphere is fairly clean and orderly-time and money were put into making the store more appealing.
Personally, I want a big box store that:
A) Has unionized employees.
B) Buys American goods, even if it means higher costs. Preferably from manufacturers with unionized employees, if possible.
C) Keeps the store attractive and clean.
Target's only 1/3 in that regard. I'd rather support a store where I pay for the welfare of the employees and their suppliers directly through patronage, and not through the backdoor of paying for their required social welfare through higher taxes to support the safety net they must fall back on because their employers worship a brand of capitalism that works against, and not for, the common citizen.
Drinky Crow
Banned
Ripclawe's a Wal-Mart fanboy. Go figure.
Brian Fellows
Pete Carroll Owns Me
Target the store is usually brighter and cleaner. They are always much less cramped than wal-mart which seems to try to stuff as much as possible into as little an area as possible. But most importantly Target guests(say customer there and you'll get yelled at) on average are much less.....skanky/redneck than Wal-mart customers.
Fragamemnon
Member
Yeah, it is kind of funny-in that Zell Miller going batshit on TV kind of way-to watch the true free-market believers applaud Wal-Mart as good for America because it reduces the cost of living for people who shop there. Rarely is that gain ever reconciled against the higher state sales/income and local property taxes that result when you pay your workers destitute wages with no benefits, having to rely on the social net.
Of course, they are usually Norquistian "kill the social net by flooding it" types too.
Fragamemnon
Member
I almost forgot the elderly greeters. Nothing says "Our society has failed" more than elderly people being forced to work past their retirement ages because we aren't good enough people to say "no, that's not right". I swear, going into a Wal-Mart is so terrible because it makes you face the failings of the society you've helped create in a visceral way that is only replicated/eclipsed by doing inner-city social work.
Sure, some of them work there because they are healthy, need something to do, and are in good shape of mind. Couldn't we have them mentoring kids afterschool instead, though?
Incognito said:
Target should counter Wal-mart's 'old farts in the front' policy by having previously mentioned cute-girls-in-tight-khakis greet people at the Entrance. The depressing face of imminent death versus cutie pretending to give a damn about me. I think the comparison speaks for itself.
- Status