[V8] Ever wonder why the newer Audis (and other cars) are sooo heavy?

[Ed Kellock]

Let's face it folks, the chain stores are a commodity, a known entity.  For
the most part, you can go into Wal-Mart in Prairie Du Chien, WI and find the
same products and pricing as you will in Pueblo, CO.  And you can get
everything from socks, diapers, and hemmorhoid cream to grass seed, motor
oil, sewing needles and a TV.

I shop at WM for specific items that I use frequently that I know they have
and will probably on average have the best price.  However, if I only need
one of whatever item, unless I'm nearby and it's not prime time, I'll go
elsewhere.  Whenever I go to WM, I try to check out in the Garden Center or
better yet at the sporting goods counter so as to avoid the masses at the
front of the store.  That combined with the only times of day that I'll
accept to go shop there have resulted in a pretty decent buying experience
with good in/out access times.

If I need information about anything I'm considering buying I go and
buy elsewhere.  If I can later find it at WM, so be it.

I treat Sam's Club the same way.  I _use_ them I do not shop at them nor am
I a "customer" in terms of loyalty of any sort.  They serve a purpose.

I go to True Value or Ace to find something I need for a specific job.  I go
to CarQuest if I need a part right now or I shop online.  I only take my car
to a shop for things that I cannot perform at home and I will go to great
lengths at times to work around this.

Also, there's a know level of service at the big chains.  Something you can
can't on, for better or worse.  Independents vary all over the page.  Some
are excellent dedicated and will stand behind their work.  Some see nothing
but dollar signs instead of a customer's eyes.  Depending on what it is and
how much it will be, it can be one helluva gamble.

I wonder how many Wal-Mart haters get their daily java at Starbucks or those
of similar ilk.

My point here is not to defend Wal-Mart or the WM phenomenon, but to point
to it realistically and say, it's a reality and it's probably not going
anywhere anytime soon.

Ed