Monday, March 27, 2006
The Man Who Said No to Wal-Mart
I am not a wal-mart fan. I think it is clear that it will have a significantly more profound negative effect on our economy and morale in the long term, than the immediate benefits it brings to the individual shopper. I don't think it is likely to go away any time soon, but if there can continue to be companies like Snapper that can successfully resist the sirens call, then perhaps we can look forward to a little bit more of a balance between "low prices" and thriving communities. I know the other "Big Box" stores are not much better, but wal-mart seems to be setting the pace, and they are a lousy role model.
What struck Jim Wier first, as he entered the Wal-Mart vice president's office, was the seating area for visitors. "It was just some lawn chairs that some other peddler had left behind as samples." The vice president's office was furnished with a folding lawn chair and a chaise lounge...
Selling Snapper lawn mowers at Wal-Mart wasn't just incompatible with Snapper's future--Wier thought it was hazardous to Snapper's health. Snapper is known in the outdoor-equipment business not for huge volume but for quality, reliability, durability. A well-maintained Snapper lawn mower will last decades; many customers buy the mowers as adults because their fathers used them when they were kids. But Snapper lawn mowers are not cheap, any more than a Viking range is cheap. The value isn't in the price, it's in the performance and the longevity...
Grab yourself a coffee (or a scotch. Whatever) then click on the link at the top.
What struck Jim Wier first, as he entered the Wal-Mart vice president's office, was the seating area for visitors. "It was just some lawn chairs that some other peddler had left behind as samples." The vice president's office was furnished with a folding lawn chair and a chaise lounge...
Selling Snapper lawn mowers at Wal-Mart wasn't just incompatible with Snapper's future--Wier thought it was hazardous to Snapper's health. Snapper is known in the outdoor-equipment business not for huge volume but for quality, reliability, durability. A well-maintained Snapper lawn mower will last decades; many customers buy the mowers as adults because their fathers used them when they were kids. But Snapper lawn mowers are not cheap, any more than a Viking range is cheap. The value isn't in the price, it's in the performance and the longevity...
Grab yourself a coffee (or a scotch. Whatever) then click on the link at the top.
