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Black Friday Freak Out

December 14th, 2009

 
Thanksgiving night, lines out the door, why? Some deals are good, some are not worth it. Makes me wonder how many of these people actually would buy this stuff if it wasn’t on sale. One of my favorite things that I use to tell my husband when I buy something on sale is “it was 50% off, I saved you $20”. Of course he isn’t impressed and says “you could have saved me $20 if you didn’t buy it in the first place.” I don’t say that anymore. But I do admit I was in line Friday morning at 3:00 for a camcorder that I had talked myself into “needing” (60% off of original prices, it was a must have). As I stood there for two hours repeatedly asking myself why I was there with only five other people in line fighting to the death over the thirteen available camcorders, I was rather entertained by the Wal-Mart employees.

     As you walk into the store, you could feel the fear of the employees, as if it was the quiet before the storm. The store was mapped out. Each large sale item was marked by lettered balloon and two clueless employees. The balloons were spread across the store for flat screen televisions, Playstation 3, Blueray players, and this year’s popular item, a laptop on sale for $200. As I stood alone for the first hour in “line” for the most unpopular item manager after manager asked me what line I was standing in line for. They had no idea what was going on. Employees and managers even came up to me asking where the line for some desktop computer was. I was following their map and instructions that they didn’t even understand. The smaller sale items, such as movies, video games, and popular toys, were wrapped in plastic wrap and an employee guarded them like a hawk.

    Once the clock struck five the wild rumpus exploded. You could barely walk down the aisles and if you were pushing a shopping cart you were entering a death trap. Not to mention the frustrating older ladies that would stop and talk to their friends right in the middle of the traffic, while you stood behind them unable to move your cart around them as they talk about how many people are in the store.

    Something surprisingly impressive happened that day, something I never have seen and probably never will see again. Wal-Mart had all of their cash registers opened at the same time. Well done Wal-Mart!

    So next year as you are getting ready for the big sales I recommend Tyler TX Wal-Mart (especially on Troop hwy.) but make sure you know what you are doing because the employees are no help.

Serving your family at every stage of life

October 31st, 2009

Well here we were the day before Halloween and I had yet to decide on a topic on which to write that coincides with the season, but along came Walmart. Now I realize the retail giant gets a lot of undeserved criticism, but in this regard I find the critics to be constructive. The store announced that they will now be selling caskets and urns on its website. I believe in capitalism, the open market, and making a buck. I also believe in saving a buck as a consumer, but this is an example of a product whose price I am fairly indifferent about.

I confess that I’m not sure why this story bothers me so much. I just find it strangely depressing that the last purchase of my life would be made at the same place I buy diapers, food and everything in between. I guess it’s kind of a circle of life thing. I’m starting to feel like just another resource for the department store to tap. If a product called Soylent Green appears on the shelves, here’s a hint, don’t eat it! It tastes just like people. I think death and mourning is probably not a good product for whole sale retailers. Buying urns in bulk, or dropping off and picking up your dead at the drive through window could prove just a little dehumanizing. I can hear it already, “Will the Hague family please report to isle five for your father’s wake.”

In all seriousness, I understand that fraud and scams in the funeral services are very real mine fields for grieving families to navigate. Largely for this reason, my own father sees it as perfectly acceptable for the department store to offer the on-line products. By the way, the caskets actually have product names like; “the executive,” (almost sounds like something one might prefer to test drive prior to purchasing), and “Mom and Dad remembered.” There’s nothing like a little manufactured sympathy. It comes down to this, I just don’t want to be considering end of life options while in the middle of it. And Dad, I don’t care what you say; I’m not burying you in a Walmart casket!

Instead of turning to a department store in preparation for the life to come, I suggest simply planning ahead. Find a funeral home and director you know to be honest, and make your wishes known to your family not your local Walmart. As I finish this piece I am reminded that I need to head to Walmart for more Halloween candy. Hey! Maybe I should pick up an urn to put it in!

To see the on line listings follow the links below.

Walmart Caskets

Walmart Caskets link 2