The Big Two?

[Aurel]

Why does everything in this country end up being a choice of only two options? The examples are numerous: republican or liberal, coke or pepsi, MacDo or BKing, Lowes or Home depot, Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme, Corvette or Mustang, Barnes&Nobles or Borders, etc, etc...Did anyone notice that too?

Aurel

[Rick Lee]

Originally posted by Aurel
Why does everything in this country end up being a choice of only two options? The examples are numerous: republican or liberal, coke or pepsi, MacDo or BKing, Lowes or Home depot, Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme, Corvette or Mustang, Barnes&Nobles or Borders, etc, etc...Did anyone notice that too?

Aurel

I never noticed it because it's not true.

I'm more libertarian than rep. or dem., I like Dr. Pepper or Mr. Pibb best, Wendy's is far better than McD's or BK, I like Lowe's more than HD, but there's a killer mom and pop hardware store here than crushes them both, Wegman's bakery is better than DD or KK, I hate all American cars and I buy my books used at half.com. Call me crazy.

[tdatk]

POO POO all you want about American cars, most are crap, but I've owned my 2000 F350 dually diesel for 6 years and it has been hands down the best ,most reliable, durable,comfortable truck I have ever owned. Looks good and pulls terrific. Sorry I ain't jumping on this bandwagon.

[Rick Lee]

Ok, I stand corrected. I WOULD own an American pick-up truck. No question. I just don't have space or need at the moment. I will though.

[Z-man]

Originally posted by Aurel
Why does everything in this country end up being a choice of only two options? The examples are numerous: republican or liberal, coke or pepsi, MacDo or BKing, Lowes or Home depot, Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme, Corvette or Mustang, Barnes&Nobles or Borders, etc, etc...Did anyone notice that too?

Aurel

I disagree:

- republican, democrat, or independant
- coke, pepsi, snapple
- McDee's, BKing, Wendy's
- Corvette / Mustang / Viper
- Barnes & Noble, Borders, Walden Books

Others:
Starbucks, Borders Seattle's Best, Dunkin Donuts
Sears, Macy's, JC-Penny's
Wilson, Prince, Head (Tennis)
Drag racing, Ovals, Road racing
Baseball, Basketball, Football, Soccer (HS and college sports)

I'd say things come in three's, not twos.

-Z-man.

[Rick Lee]

Life is all about choices....

Barely Legal, Leg Show, Penthouse

Chinese, Korean, Filipina women

SIG Sauer, H&K, Glock

Maker's Mark, Jack Daniels, Knob Creek

I dunno, somehow I get by.

[the]

Daimler's acquisition of Chrysler was a huge mistake from Day 1.

I never, ever understood why Daimler would have wanted to do that. I think part of the problem is the decision makers were in Germany, and therefore didn't really understand American cars or the American car market.

I thought it was really stupid from the beginning. In the early years, Chrylser was bleeding BILLIONS per QUARTER for Daimler. They did manage to turn it around a bit, but I think they've finally realized the dog they bought has fleas, big time.

[widgeon13]

All this shlt does is make the M&A lawyers richer than they already are and gives the CEO's the chance to say they are merging to remove duplicity and reduce cost. It doesn't work. It's also a short term distraction from the fact that both GM and Chrysler are both doing poorly with very little hope of recovery. They have one of the best economic markets going today and still can't make any money.

I was in a dealership the other day looking for a new Tahoe and the asshat salesman wouldn't even go outside and look at cars with me, he sent me out on my own and told me if I found something I liked to come back and we could discuss it. Fuch him, I'm out of there.

The problems start in the showroom and go all the way to the CEO's. These idiots still haven't gotten the message that the American consumer can live without them and has been for years.

[jorian]

"...They have one of the best economic markets going today and still can't make any money."

Yeah, why is that?

Disclaimer - I own an F150 which I like to drive.

[cairns]

"POO POO all you want about American cars, most are crap, but I've owned my 2000 F350 dually diesel for 6 years and it has been hands down the best ,most reliable, durable,comfortable truck I have ever owned. Looks good and pulls terrific. Sorry I ain't jumping on this bandwagon."

I don't disagree with that. Trucks and the SUVs based on them (along with fleet sales) are the only thing that's keeping the American companies afloat. Too bad they don't put that money into development and improvement instead of the pockets of the already overpaid management and employees.

And unfortunately for them, the Japanese have discovered this market too. Ford and Chevy both make darn nice pickups- but will they hold up next to a Tundra?

BTW I drove a Four Runner the other day and it BLEW AWAY the Trail Blazer I had the week before. In looks, handling, brakes, quality....I needn't go on.

[Superman]

Originally posted by Rick Lee
Yeah, Wal-Mart is a real monopoly. Somehow they've managed to keep their prices lower than everyone else. That's the kind of monopoly I like! Still, I go to Target, which is right nextdoor to WM because it's less crowded and a nicer place, though a tad more expensive. Oh, and the other stores right next to that monopoly are Best Buy and BJ's.

That's a good idea, Rick. Pretend there is no problem and just scratch your head when you read articles or overhear discussions between people who do understand. Frankly, Wal-Mart is starting to get to the size where it can dictate (and does dictate) whether your products, which they have agreed to carry, can also be in competitors' stores.

Rick......do yourself a favor and just talk with someone who has had a dialogue with Wal-Mart about placing their product in WM stoares. It's just a matter of time, Rick. Wal-Mart will need some anti-trust attention. Their agenda has to be stopped. That's, frankly, the nature of capitalism. It cannot be allowed to reach its final stages. Same with the auto makers. You are hearing talk about monopoly and anti-trust.

There is a reason for this, Rick.

[Rick Lee]

Well, as long as I can shop at any big box store I want and have plenty of cars to choose from, I don't see the problem. The only problem I have with Wal Mart is that they are starting to bow to PC pressure and stop selling ammo and Target hasn't started selling ammo yet. Oh well, I'll just buy it online or at gun shows. What will I do if they go messing with Mobil 1 next?

[thrown_hammer]

[Superman]

That Mobil-1 stuff will remain cheap at Wal-Mart stores.....as long as Wal-Mart says. If there were fewer alternative big-box variety stores, then Wal-Mart would be able to sell it just a tad under the Auto-Zone price. The reason it is so far below the Auto-Zone price is because that's how you drive Target out of business. Once that has been accomplished, Wal-Mart can sell you Mobil-1 at any price at or below the Auto-Zone price.

Competition requires choices. Alternatives. Wal-Mart is actively and purposefully reducing those choices.

[cmccuist]

There is nothing wrong with Wal-mart! Competition is overrated.

Sincerely, Bill Gates