We (my husband and I) do not shop at Wal-Mart. W live in a very rural area, where most (I mean most) people think it's the only place to find what you need.
Up until last fall, the Super Wal Mart 15 minutes from my house was the biggest one on the east coast. And of course, there's an empty old Wal Mart right across the street. This store pulls their business from approx. 5 counties with less that 15,000 people per county.
Today I need to buy some thermal underwear for my husband. He went to Dollar General yesterday, they were out. Today I'm going to the small clothing shop in town to buy them. Yes, they'll be more expensive. BUT, I'll spend less time shopping, and won't spend money on anything else. (and the people are pleasant, etc. etc. etc.)
Is WalMart really cheaper when people almost always buy stuff they don't need?
Besides all the reasons stated above by everyone else that I agree with, here are two specific, recent cases of why I can't stand Wal Mart.
1. Did any of you get the e-mail about Target being anti-military (and pro homosexual and French, etc.)? It's not true. It was a spin, smear campaign by Wal Mart, put out right after their fairly recent illegal immigrant workers bad press.
2. The "I have to shop at Wal Mart" mentality. Last week I was chatting with a lady in the line at the grocery store. She said she "had to go to down to WalMart" to buy some cedar bedding for her puppy. (Wal Mart was 20 miles in the opposite direction of her home). I asked her where she lived, and then reminded her that she drives past 2 farm supply stores on her way home that have bagged bedding. "Oh thanks honey, I forgot about those places, and it will save me time, and I won't buy a bunch of other stuff I don't need, tee hee hee"
People don't always want to shop there, but the marketing of Wal Mart that makes it instinctive in some people's minds is very bothersome.
By no means do I lump all Wal Mart shoppers in one category. But, the "I have to go to Wal Mart to get it" mentality really gets to me. I think the "sheeple" term applies.