Reason Number 842 to Hate Wal-Mart
By L. Russell Allen - Nov 10th, 2008 at 11:30 amA lot of progressives don’t like Wal-Mart because they crush local business. Or because they offer laughably bad benefits. Or because of their record of crushing unions. Or because they’re the defendant in the biggest class action lawsuit in American history due to of accusations of rampant institutional gender discrimination. There are plenty of reasons to hate the Wal-Mart.
I hate Wal-Mart because two minutes ago, at 11:50 p.m. on Nov. 7, while I was watching a Led Zeppelin concert on VH-1 Classic, Wal-Mart just aired the first Christmas commercial I’ve seen in 2008.
I know complaining about how early Christmas commercials are aired these days is the grumpiest old man argument that can me made this side of the kids not wearing onions on their belt. But Nov. 7! We’re going to be sick of these ads by Thanksgiving. Why can’t they just give us a break?
Much to my greater horror, the much-desired Rock Band AC-lightning bolt-DC Rock Band add-on is only available at Wal-Mart. Ach. I have never shopped at Wal-Mart. Not ever. I was in one of their parking lots once after a NASCAR race (not a joke). That’s as far as my dalliances with Wal-Mart go. Now that they have an exclusive deal on a product I want, I feel compelled to buy nerd games there against my wishes.
Wal-Mart was a lot more tolerable when I lived in DC or Cape Cod, where there are few of the retail giants. I didn’t have to be confronted with Wal-Mart on a daily basis. Now that I live in Ohio, I’m preparing myself to actually go to the store and purchase something. I feel dirty.
If you dislike being confronted by Christmas this early, this year will undoubtedly be a tough one for you, as many retailers are aiming to create a longer Christmas shopping season to try and account for lower consumer spending (as I’m sure you’re aware). It hasn’t been particularly pleasant for me, either.
You know what makes me feel dirty? Being a Target shopper. I, too, have never purchased anything from a Wal-Mart and I even go so far as to implore friends and family to shop elsewhere. For a long time, I had myself convinced that it was because of business practices, many of which you listed above. Alas, Target shares many of these characteristics, so my continued support of the corporation is intellectually dishonest and down right hypocritical.
But hey - acceptance is the first step to recovery, right?
November 10th, 2008 at 1:04 pm