[Jewelry making - Article 00338] - Re: [Orchid] Weapons of mass-destruction

[Marty Reynard]

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    Glad to see I am not alone amongst the population who are, in
    general, supporters of Wal-Mart and numerous other big chains which I
    see to have ultimately benefited both consumers and economies in the
    long run.  The notion that all small independents are somehow more
    ethical and treat employees better is a total myth in my experience. 
    Here in Victoria, B.C. I talk regularly to Wal-Mart employees who are
    very happy in their jobs, feel they are paid sufficiently, and who
    are always prepared to go out of their way to help.  Identifiable
    minority groups (who are hard to find in this neck of B.C.) are often
    given high profile positions as customer greeters, customer service
    representatives, etc. 

    I read and do research regularly, and have come across some
    fascinating articles on those suppliers "squeezed to bring their
    prices down" for Wal-Mart.  Most have said that it greatly helped
    their businesses by forcing them to retool or find more efficient
    ways of operating their manufacturing without sacrificing quality. 
    Of course, not every business can do that, just as I, as the sole
    maker of my work could not meet certain prices for particular
    outlets.  Also, Wal-Mart has recently opened in Mexico and is doing
    of course a boom business--again, bringing low prices and quality to
    commodities that people need.  There is always room for the
    independents who are innovative and creative who will bring in the
    other products that people need and want--but who needs to pay double
    for a bar of soap?  Moreover, by reducing the price of so many
    products that are used in the sale/manufacture of other goods, I
    believe that ultimately this expands economies and allows more
    smaller businesses (at least in the larger municipal areas) to
    flourish--they can sell *their* products more reasonably. 


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