Why shop at Wal Mart?

[moviezzz]

Wal Mart seems to be a popular place to shop around here. Can I ask, why?

I went there today, looking for three DVDs out this morning, T3, King of the Hill season 2 and Three's Company.

They had a display of T3. Only, no prices on any of them. No sign on the display saying how much. No sticker on them.

And, they didn't have either of the other two.

So, I put T3 back and went to Circuit City and got all three.

I know it is a popular rant about how they don't carry NC-17 rated films or certain R rated films. At least in my area, they carry so few films that I can't see why anyone cares what films they don't carry since they carry so few. While other retailers have row after row of DVDs, the Wal Marts have one row of only the newest releases with various jumbled, disorganized displays of bargain titles.

Plus the whole thing of not having a price on the DVDs. Some of them have a sticker on the shelf below them saying how much they are, but for the majority, you have no idea how much they are. And the scanners they have placed around the store to check the price never work in the DVD area.

I can see if you are shopping for other stuff and you pick up a DVD there, but to go to Wal Mart instead of a Circuit City or Best Buy just doesn't make sense.

[larphillips]

Keep in mind that CC or BB aren't within a 30 mile radius of most people yet. For some, WalMart is the closest shopping option for them, and with the price match, it keeps them at the same savings advantage as anyone.

Remember, America may look like one giant strip mall/food court in most places, but there is still a LOT of space out there that hasn't been filled. If all a person has is WalMart, god bless 'em that they are still DVD fiends.

[Hollow Man]

I generally don't go to Wal-Mart unless I have some wacky fear that something might sell out on release day. If so, they open early, so I can stop there before going into work. Best Buy and CC don't open early enough for me to do that.

So last year I got Attack of the Clones from them for $9.99 using the Toys R Us circular. Also was going to match FotR:EE, but they already had beaten the Best Buy circular by around 25 cents.

This year I may do the same trick for TTT:EE, but since both CC and Best Buy have it for $25, the chances of both selling out of that by 5 pm are low.

-HM

[Sycowulf]

I dont do much dvd shopping at walmart, but every now and then you find a gem... such as I got .hack//sign vol 4 LE(w/soundtrack) for 18.99 there, intsead of 35-40$ like everywhere else

[tharapper]

Wuz up,

From my sources about walmart, they tell me that the reason some places don't have thier movies out by midnight to maybe around 8am is because the night crew could care less about the New DVD releases and they chalk it up as the Department manager responsiblity to do. The Managers over night will take out the displays and then it is the responsiblity of the Dept. Manager to put a price on it. So you might have gone in there before the Dept. Manager could put a price on it.

The reason I shop at Walmart is because they have the lowest price and they beat all the other peoples prices. You are right about one thing. There are some DVD's (and all my music) that I will buy at other stores because Walmart is a "Family" store and will not sell unrated DVD's, but I was wondering if that is going to change because they had the unrated version of "Charlies Angels". I am a little upset some times when they won't have some new releases because it was not popular. How can you beat the 5.88 bin and now the 8.64 bin. Some people have all the money in the world and can pay extra for DVD's, but I am not one of thoes people.

Tharapper

[sukr_4_dbldips]

Originally Posted by tharapper

How can you beat the 5.88 bin and now the 8.64 bin.

I haven't seen the $8.64 bin yet. Is that new?

I go to Walmart (sometimes) cause it's on the way home from work (BB and CC are both about 5 miles out of my way), and like it's been mentioned, they either have the lowest price for a new-release, or will pricematch. Of course, you have to be careful if a release is unrated, as Walmart will only be carrying the family-friendly one.

[SC_Trojan]

Well I've never been to Walmart. We haven't had any near my home until recently. And even then it's about 20-30 miles away. I have about 5 Best Buys and another 5 Circuit City in the same radius. Walmart to me is not worth going to since I can get DVDs closer or just order them online for about the same price. Maybe if it were closer I'd go. I didn't even know they didn't carry any unrated movies.

[Anti-Hero]

I really dont have much of a choice anymore, Wal Mart is pretty much the only place around here for DVD, since Sam Goody left town. As much as I dearly love Best Buy, I can afford to drive 2 and half hours to the nearest one every tuesday.

[AnimeFanBoy]

I think my area is great, my Wal-Mart and Best Buy are CLOSE together so i can just see which store has the best prices.

[PolloDiablo]

I usually work until midnight or 1am so when I get off Wal-Mart is usually the only place open, I don't shop there very often but when it's late and I want something it's always nice to have them there. I also love digging through the $5.88 bin, 99% of the stuff is complete crap but every once in a while you'll find something cool.

[tharapper]

Originally Posted by sukr_4_dbldips

I haven't seen the $8.64 bin yet. Is that new?

Wuz up man,

Yea, that is a new bin that all Walmarts should carry according to my sources. Now some rural areas may not have it and some non-super Centers may not have it. Depending on the dept. managers they may not put it in a bin, but they may put it on the shelf. I am going to give you a list that started out the bins last week. You can see if you local walmart has any of these titles.

$8.64 Dump bin

MVP Most Valuable Primate

Dennis the Menace SE

Dennis the Mence Strikes Again

Ace Ventura Pet Detective

Mr. Nanny

Wild America

Billboard Dad

X-Men: Mark the Spot

Tom and Jerry: Greatest Chases

Lord of the Rings (Animated)

Return of the King (Animated)

Theodore Rex

Surf Ninjas

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3

Lady Hawk

The Yearling

Never Ending Story

Secret Garden

A Little Princess

Power Puff Girls: The Movie

Alaska

Free Willy 2

Free Willy 3

Scooby Doo Spooky Tales

Veggie Tales Ultimate Silly songs

Shilon

Tom And Jerry: Magic Ring

Scooby Doo Orginal Mystery

There is a lot of Mary-Kate and Ashley Titles

Have a great Movie Day,
tharapper

[Hardcore Legend]

Just got back from a one of the 5 Wal*Mart's within 30 minutes (I kid you not) and it wasn't one I usually go to. Anyways, picked up T3 for $14.50. Not too shabby.

[PolloDiablo]

$8.64 for Neverending Story & A Little Princess isn't too shabby, I just may have to pay my Wal-Mart a visit tonight.

[SC_Trojan]

Maybe I should give them a try. See if I pick up on some good deals.

[wynterfire]

it's all about the $5.88 bin, to hell with everything else !!!

...nuff said!!!

[tharapper]

Originally Posted by wynterfire

it's all about the $5.88 bin, to hell with everything else !!!

...nuff said!!!

Wuz up,

Hey just to tell you that by Febuary of 2004 they are going to get rid of the $5.88 Bin. Unless something happens. They will probably have a $5.88 section like they did before they had a bin and like they do now.

Sorry

tharapper

[Unicorn]

Hmmm...can't think of too much to add here; it looks like all the high points have already been made:

1) No-hassle price-matching (price-beating, really) on new releases against advertised specials of nearby competitors
2) New releases put out promptly on Tuesday mornings before I get there in the 6AM-7AM hour (and occassionally earlier than that)
3) A selection of most major new releases that I want to buy (no, they don't carry everything, and not as much as Best Buy, but the most obvious new releases are usually there.
4) I can buy the widescreen version there, and noone tries to talk me out of it. In fact, yesterday I tried to talk another customer into buying widescreen (to no avail; she was unwilling to entertain the idea that the fullscreen version loses some of the picture...I wish I could have shown her this!
5) No-hassle customer service if I need to exchange or even return something for any reason...with all the stuff I buy, a few odd returns/exchanges is not out of the norm; other chains try to wiggle out of it where possible buy my local Wal-Mart never has.
6) MOST IMPORTANTLY! A core group of Electronics Dept. staff who know their merchandise pretty well, are friendly (now greeting me by name when I walk in! ), but most importantly are HELPFUL! They get up off their rears and help me find something, or look in the back for it, or whatever it takes to try to help me. They don't act lazy about doing their job. They are a great group of people...and I called their store manager and told him that last week. When someone takes care of me, I hope I can be good enough to take care of them back.


Obviously this isn't going to be the same at every Wal-Mart in the country. Get a bunch of lazy ignorants in the dept., and #6 is out the window. Get a manager who stresses the need to make sales and money over customer satisfaction, and #'s 1 & 5 go out the window. Get a bad overnight crew (like Tharapper points out) and #2 & 3 go out the window. Get someone who values their own opinions/preferences over those of the customer and you can kiss #4 goodbye.

In fact, my six points may not describe the local Wal-Mart in some corner of, say, Minnesota (someplace far away from where I live). It might describe Best Buy in that area much better, or Circuit City. It might describe the Wal-Mart across town better than the Wal-Mart up the block from you. That's the trouble...your milage may vary. It's so hard to find good help these days, right?

In stores where I have been disappointed, I have tried to communicate it with the management as best as they are willing to listen.

Fortunately for me, I have nothing but good things to say about my local Wal-Mart. I also buy groceries, toys, some clothing, etc. etc. there. You get the point: here the idea that Sam Walton had actually fulfills it's promise. I know from experience that this isn't the case at every store in the chain. If this doesn't describe your local store, then I'm afraid the most you can do is complain, and hope it gets better.

Any other thoughts about that?

[sukr_4_dbldips]

Originally Posted by Unicorn

I wish I could have shown her this!

Here's two more sites
The Widescreen Advocacy Page (Check out the examples)
Digital Bits

Both are great comparisons, and I just used them yesterday to convince someone at work here that widescreen is far superior.

The only problem I have with my Walmart (besides the obvious unrated thing) is they never have enough checkouts open. I hate standing in line 10 minutes to buy a DVD.

[Unicorn]

Originally Posted by tharapper

Wuz up,

Hey just to tell you that by Febuary of 2004 they are going to get rid of the $5.88 Bin. Unless something happens. They will probably have a $5.88 section like they did before they had a bin and like they do now.

Sorry

tharapper

Not sure why this would happen.

It's a huge draw that gets people shopping there. I don't think these are losing money on these for the most part, since they are old titles from major studios or built-to-be-budget titles from smaller studios (the odd "mistake" might be in there...I have to admit that I think "Black Sunday" was such an item). As time goes on, there are only going to be more and more older titles that are overstocked and need to be cleared out. Wal-Mart can keep on making special buys and throwing them in the $5.88 bin!

If this DOES go away, hopefully it's to clear the room for a $4.88 bin!


Alternatively, studios seem to like clearing out old stock/extra stock via the 2-pack Value Bundles (like American Beauty - academy edition/Almost Famous - barebones edition). Not a good plan when I already own one of the titles in the bundle!


Even if Wal-Mart stops selling items at $5.88, those bins have inspired their competitors to carry stuff in that general price range ($5.99-$6.99 stuff can be found at Target, Best Buy, and Circuit City easily). So it's in WM's best interests to go even lower, if possible.

[moviezzz]

Unicorn, I wish I had the Wal Mart you speak of near me. When I was there yesterday, at 10 am, they were only starting to put out the T3's on the shelves. They didn't have any other new ones as far as I can tell. Meanwhile, the Circuit City a half mile away had everything on the shelves.

As for pricing at Walmart, for most of the titles, they really aren't better. The $5.88 bin is good, but most of the titles they have aren't worth 58 cents.

As for the proximity of Wal Marts as opposed to the other retailers, where I live in the Northeast, there are two Circuit Cities, two Targets, one Wal Mart and one Best Buy. So they don't have a monopoly here.

[SharpShooter5]

i don't shop at wal-mart for 2 reasons


1. they always seem to only have Pan and scan versions out (or you have to look at the back of the shelf to find a WS version)

2. The wal-mart in my town is right next to a futureshop, so i just go there, because i like buying my DVD's at an entertainment/electronics store, not at wal-mart next to 33 cent cans of pickles and discount ladies underwear

[Dirty]

Yep. Most of their DVD's are full frame.

I bought the Hulk DVD there and just about every DVD of it was full frame. Thankfully I found a widescreen version in the back, which was one of the few ones left or then again there werent very many.

I mostly shop online though or I go to FYE, which is right across the street from my house. I know FYE doesnt have the best prices (like Walmart) but its right across the street so I dont really mind giving about 3 or 4 dollars extra.

[Unicorn]

Dirty, Sharpshooter...I'm sorry that your locations don't seem to be up with the widescreen versions. I hit Wal-Marts all over my city and have never seen a store without widescreen DVDs in-stock (when WS versions exist, of course).

[Alan Smithee]

I HATE the dump bins!! It's impossible to see everything that's in there, and sometimes there's ones near the bottom that you can't get to! It'd be alright to stock them like this if they were clearance items priced below cost, but list price of most of these is $9.99 and you can find them at other stores on a shelf without having to dig through them! Last time I tried to buy one out of there it rang up at $14.99 anyways- they said someone must've accidentally thrown it in there even though there were 3 copies of it there!
They had some Warner titles last year for $5 which was a decent deal, but most of the ones I got were scuffed up from being kicked around in the bins!

[Meloosh]

They carry DVDs there? I didn't even know...i go to Walmart for their stylish, name brand clothing and hip accessories for the home. Where else can you buy a hilarious "Budweiser Frogs" shirt or a 9-ball jacket? I also managed to snag a Cowboy Up tank top yesterday! Those things are hard to find these days

[limacharliewhiskey]

Here in So Cal, Wal-Mart is the newcomer, breaking into a market established by Target and K-Mart at least a decade earlier, along with Best Buy maybe 6 or 7 years ago, and Circuit City far longer, at least 15 years. There were also mall chains such as Sam Goody/Musicland/SunCoast, along with the Wherehouse and Tower Records who had a fair chunk of the market at one time. And we've also got Fry's Electronics here, which seems to be the regular leader in low prices each week for new DVD releases.

I don't know how DVD selections are at your local Wal-Marts, but here, they are pretty skimpy beyond the new releases for that week. On the few occasions I've visited Wal-Mart and picked up a new release on the 1st week, I've never picked up another title when browsing through the older selections on their shelves.

All of the options I have available to get DVDs makes me rate Wal-Mart near the bottom of the list.

[DVDAddict20]

I go to Wal-Mart because it's closest. They usually have good prices but Circuit City has the price match guarantee. I sometimes go to Blockbuster if I can't find what I want at Wal-Mart. Now that I'm working for Blockbuster I can get my DVDs at a discount.

[bjh_18]

I'll tell you why to go to Wal-Mart this week, at least the one closest to Clemson University in Seneca SC

The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers Extended Edition - $23.74
Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life - $14.25
The Santa Clause 2 - $14.25
Terminator 3 - still $15.18

Not to mention a slew of the Warner 2-Disc special editions for about $18.00 a piece including the new reissue of JFK, Casablanca, True Romance (Unrated), Citizen Kane, The Right Stuff, and quite a few others. These were all set up in a display case, so I don't think this is a local thing at this Wal-Mart like some of their other cheaper dvd prices tend to be.

I know not all Wal-Marts do this (I know the 4 closest to me back home don't), but some of them go incredibly cheap, below Best Buy and Circuit City, for the first week or two.