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In reply to the discussion: McDonald’s Advice To Underpaid Employees: Sell Your Christmas Presents For Cash [View all]CoffeeCat
(24,411 posts)Thanks for your thoughts and for so cogently describing how hard it is to replace or buy items when you are poor.
I believe that Walmart (and stores like it, that sell cheap crap) help to perpetuate the cycle of poverty--because the quality of items is so inferior--that people must replace them so quickly.
I look at the clothes at Walmart. They look similar to what you might buy at the mall, or even at more expensive stores. Black pants or a navy sweater are similar across stores, right? Not really. If I buy a sweater or workout pants at Walmart--these items literally fall apart and are no good within a year. The clothes don't wash well. They stretch, fade and look horrible after one year. I remember my grandfather wearing quality flannel shirts that looked great--and were more than 30 year old!
Ten years ago, we purchased a coffee pot from a department store. It was $130. I had coupons and a great discount because I purchased it on Black Friday. I've seen this coffee pot regular priced for around $199.00. It still works well. I purchased a coffee pot from Walmart and it lasted six months. What happens, as you very well know--is that a person buying a $30 coffee pot at Walmart, has to buy a new one every year. In ten years, they've spent $300 on coffee pots. It's not fair.
Most of what you get at Walmart--from bath towels and comforters, to microwaves and shower curtains--it all goes to hell very quickly. Then, you're back at Walmart again, replacing it.
Yes, there are other stores that sell cheap crap, but Walmart is the worst. They force people to spend more disposable income just replacing things.