The man who said "No" to Wal-Mart

[Seahawk]

Interesting reading...the most interesting aspects of the article:

Snapper's factory hums with discipline and focus and urgency. Even with no products at Wal-Mart, a company like Snapper has to compete psychologically, has to keep the price gap between the big-box lawn mowers and its lawn mowers rational. If it did not, its potential slice of the market would get smaller and smaller.

and

Sumners has to spur his factory on with the same tirelessness as if it were supplying Wal-Mart -- the efficiency of every factory worker measured every hour of every day -- because Wal-Mart sets the pace, even if you're not working for them.


impressed me with the wide reach of the Walmart model. Like it or not, they are the elephant in the room.

[masraum]

Originally posted by Drago
+1...and I was thinking John Deere was good.

My parents have a John Deere rider that they bought at an independent dealer. Then a Home Depot went up near their house. The last time I was there and I was walking into the HD with my mother she looked at the rows of JD mowers in the parking lot and said that my dad had checked them out and said that they were not the same quality as the one that they had. I believe it.

Great article, Thom. Thanks for posting. I may check out that book.

When I used to go shopping for sneakers, just plain Nike's or Reeboks my wife would always drag me to the discount shoe places. I'd try them on and felt like the sole was made of hard plastic with no padding and now insole. I'd inevitably end up at someplace like Dillards, Foleys, or Sears trying on shoes that looked identical but felt like the the sole was spongy rubber with padded insoles and arch support built in. I was certain that the discount places had a cheaper version that looked the same but was not.

The statement that Walmart Levis are cheap, crap compared to the regulars is scary too.

[Drago]

Originally posted by masraum
My parents have a John Deere rider that they bought at an independent dealer. Then a Home Depot went up near their house. The last time I was there and I was walking into the HD with my mother she looked at the rows of JD mowers in the parking lot and said that my dad had checked them out and said that they were not the same quality as the one that they had. I believe it.

So does this mean JD has an ecomony line being sold at HD but if you go to an independent dealer you get the "real" quality stuff?

[Craig 930 RS]

Try to sell to Costco.....sheer HELL for manufacturers with Costco's:
"No questions return policy"

[yellowline]

Originally posted by Drago
So does this mean JD has an ecomony line being sold at HD but if you go to an independent dealer you get the "real" quality stuff?

Yes.

Simplicity hasn't sold out to anybody, as the article said. They still make parts for my 40-year old restored tractor that belonged to my grandfather. (BTW, I'll take the bet that it'll outlast 90% of the power equipment Wal-Mart sells this year) Even John Deere doesn't support to that extent. Great company, still build tough, and there's service to match.

[slakjaw]

I say NO to walmart all the time.

I have done price checking. While a few items are ~ 2 bucks cheaper then other stores many items are ~ 2 bucks more then other stores.

[mattdavis11]

Great read, thanks for posting. Off to mow the yard with my 23 year old Snapper.

[slakjaw]

LOL my snapper is like 15 years old

[Drago]

Originally posted by slakjaw
I say NO to walmart all the time.

I have done price checking. While a few items are ~ 2 bucks cheaper then other stores many items are ~ 2 bucks more then other stores.

That's too bad...they have great prices on handgun ammo!

[RickM]

Originally posted by Drago
That's too bad...they have great prices on handgun ammo!

And Mobil 1...lol

[svandamme]

lol

for all those lawnmower fans out here

how many of you have a subscription to a fitness thing??



just get one of these puppies...


no more need to jog, tai-bo crapola, or what not
no maintenance required ( well, just a drip of oil perhaps)
no fuel required either...

[slakjaw]

Originally posted by Drago
That's too bad...they have great prices on handgun ammo!

We have this store here called Canfeilds. They are cheaper than Walmart, better selection too.

+ They are family owned. I could spend a lot of time in that store.

Either them or this other store called guns unlimited.

[slakjaw]

Originally posted by svandamme
lol

for all those lawnmower fans out here

how many of you have a subscription to a fitness thing??



just get one of these puppies...


no more need to jog, tai-bo crapola, or what not
no maintenance required ( well, just a drip of oil perhaps)
no fuel required either...

LOL

When I was a kid thats what we had. Man that brought back some memories.

[Tobra]

Interesting read. I used to shop at Walmart, back when they advertised that everything they sold was made in America. I appreciate the economies of scale, but I am opposed to their practices and tactics. I choose to shop else where

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by slakjaw
LOL my snapper is like 15 years old

I thought that was illegal?... Unless of course you are a pretty blond female member of the teachers union that is.

[slakjaw]

Har Har Har

LOL

[5axis]

I think I am going to have to buy that book. And I will also be buying a new lawnmower soon. I know where I will start my shopping. Thanks for this post!

[Gooch1971]

Growing up my dad was a warehouse/parts manager and later a salesman for a Snapper distributor starting in the mid 80's. About the same time my brother began using our dad's Snapper to mow lawns during the summer. It may be on its 2nd engine and 2nd grass collection bag but it's still doing a fine job at my house this year.

Someday I'll replace the mower and you can bet it will be a Snapper.

My dad eventually left the Snapper distributor and went to work for one of his former customers selling mowers and tractors to the public. FWIW: he still thinks Snapper makes a really nice product.

Side Note: He bought a Snapper snow blower about 10 years ago and gets disgusted every winter when he barely gets to have fun using it.

[Cornpanzer]

I choose not to shop at Wal-Mart. I have heard too many stories of how product venders are told what they wll price their goods at and quite often that price is less than it costs to produce the item. The Wal-Mart response is always the same - cheapen the product or have it made overseas.

If things continue as they are we will lose the option of purchasing quality products in the next decade.

Its amazing how the Wal-Mart mentality has affected other businesses and people in general. I used to sell Industrial Forklift batteries. The warranty period of an industrial battery is 5 years. I had a customer call me and complain abou how his batt was no longer performing. After checking his battery, I explained exactly why it was no longer performing - it was 14 YEARS OLD! I gave him a quote for a replacement and a week later he purchased a battery from another company who is well known for making the worst battery on the market. He saved 5%........... He will probably only get 6 years of life from the other battery, but he saved $200.00........what a deal!

Thats the Wal-Mart mentality. Dont buy value, just buy price. When I bought a lawn mower a few years ago, I didnt buy a new mower. None of them are built like they used to be built. I bought a 1977 Cub Cadet. Needed some work, but it sure is a tank.

When I shop I try to shop specialty stores. Sure I spend more, but I have options. If I need cheap and disposable, I can get it. If I want long lasting quality, I have that choice too.

[pwd72s]

My lawn is roughly 1/3 acre in size. I figure I "use up" a mower at least 5 times as rapidly as a city lot homeowner. My most recent Snapper mower is from their "commercial" line. A 21" self propelled with a Honda engine, designed primarily for the landscaper/lawn service industry. It's been beefed considerably beyond even Snapper's high standards. Some might think I'm crazy for having spent North of $600 for a walk behind rear bagger. Despite the heavy use I give it, it's been a very reliable machine. If you're shopping mowers, you might ask the dealer for a brochure on the commercial line of Snapper...Toro used to be competitive with Snapper...until they chose to make the box stores happy with price.