Growing culture or sign of future?

[BroncoFan]

I'm trying to figure out how to call non-preppers "Big Mac ers" in print. When you write "Big Macers" or "BigMacers" it looks more like someone with a huge can of bear spray. "BurgerKinger?" That just doesn't have the right sound to it.

Been chewing on this (no pun intended). "Mcfailuretodelaygratification" just doesn't really roll off the tongue...

 

[9MilMan]

"The only reason Wally world stocks anything is that they see a profit in it. "

It is a growth industry. It may wax and wane, and there was a similar movement in the 70s, but the internet makes it easy to reach a target market and deliver products discretely. I think some of the discount stores realize that they are missing out on a growing revenue generator. I've been looking at this trend and wondering if there is a good stock market play on this.

 

[mjbskwim]

"The only reason Wally world stocks anything is that they see a profit in it. "

It is a growth industry. It may wax and wane, and there was a similar movement in the 70s, but the internet makes it easy to reach a target market and deliver products discretely. I think some of the discount stores realize that they are missing out on a growing revenue generator. I've been looking at this trend and wondering if there is a good stock market play on this.

The big box stores can afford to carry large quantities of these sizes and get away with it financially .No big deal .If they sell great,if they don't ,ah well discount them and get rid of them.Only double the profit.

But I believe a lot of people will be getting back to what my mom did and have supplies on hand. Mostly because that's what she had learned in the Depression and then it was in case someone happened in for dinner.
Gotta feed everyone who comes to the house!!

But it just makes sense to have stores available in the event of any disaster. I think we claim the depression but I think people always kept extras around for emergencies.If they could afford it.

The we became the 'here and now' society. We became the sheep and started thinking everything will always be on the shelves.
Now the last few years,we have had some devastating storms that have ruined crops world wide,making it a little tougher and more expensive to have all the goodies that were always just there at the store.

I think it will continue for another decade or so.Then it will get better or a lot worse.

 

[knuckle Head]

You can stockpile and when needed mix in either the commercial freeze dried water or do-it-yourself dehydrated water. The commercial stuff costs more of course, in either case, at least you are prepared.

 

[knuckle Head]

Well Walmart nor any other company does anything unless their is profit or ahigh potential to make a profit in it, nor should they, after all they are a business, their job is to make money.

With that said, I welcome the competition as long as it is U.S. Canadian or Israeli product, I do not want lead in my food from china socialistic food from France or Venezuela

 

[9MilMan]

The big box stores can afford to carry large quantities of these sizes and get away with it financially .No big deal .If they sell great,if they don't ,ah well discount them and get rid of them.Only double the profit.

But I believe a lot of people will be getting back to what my mom did and have supplies on hand. Mostly because that's what she had learned in the Depression and then it was in case someone happened in for dinner.
Gotta feed everyone who comes to the house!!

But it just makes sense to have stores available in the event of any disaster. I think we claim the depression but I think people always kept extras around for emergencies.If they could afford it.

The we became the 'here and now' society. We became the sheep and started thinking everything will always be on the shelves.
Now the last few years,we have had some devastating storms that have ruined crops world wide,making it a little tougher and more expensive to have all the goodies that were always just there at the store.

I think it will continue for another decade or so.Then it will get better or a lot worse.

Mjbskwim's comment reminds me of my own mother (now 86), who was both Italian, and lived throught the depression and WWII. Waste was not tolerated and the food was always good (I blame her for being slightly pudgy). I used to laugh at how much food she used to stock......"Mayonnaise is on sale, let's get three". But now I see the wisdom and am doing the same (on a lessor scale). But she was also the greatest environmentalist on the planet and she didn't give a crap about pollution. Huh?, you may ask. Because she reused EVERYTING and bought things that lasted (best you can afford or don't bother) and she took care of everything so that it lasted forever, and never wasted anything. Old sheets became curtains, and turkey bones became soup. Margerine containers were reused, etc. The environment didn'e even enter her mind, but that woman had a microscopic carbon footprint compared to most who think they are "green" today. The elder generation has some things to teach us....if we will listen.

 

[Grunwald]

An older friend at work has a son who is quite well off. He deals in commodities trading all over the world - actually goes to China, Japan, Europe to make deals. Anyway a couple of years ago when things were going south he pulled his money out of the stock market and bought a huge chunk of land (hundreds of acres) as well as some gold. He has since built a cabin on that land (it is not his primary residence) and I just learned very recently that he has also stocked it with a year's worth of food for him and his immediate family.
I don't know the guy, but I do know his father who is very grounded, so I don't think that the son is some sort of a paranoid nut.
However he does travel the world and sees first hand how the economy is doing world wide.

..and he also owns gold.

 

[EZLivin]

I don't know the guy, but I do know his father who is very grounded, so I don't think that the son is some sort of a paranoid nut.
However he does travel the world and sees first hand how the economy is doing world wide...

Having traveled the world he must have a pretty good idea where the safest places would be too. So that says something that he chose here at home (assume his property is in the US). I have always maintained that the US is not as likely to go Mad Max as many other places, plus it has the ability to bounce back from a crisis quicker than many other countries. Overall I think the US and Canada could be a lot better off than many other countries as things deteriorate.

 

[Grunwald]

Having traveled the world he must have a pretty good idea where the safest places would be too. So that says something that he chose here at home (assume his property is in the US). I have always maintained that the US is not as likely to go Mad Max as many other places, plus it has the ability to bounce back from a crisis quicker than many other countries. Overall I think the US and Canada could be a lot better off than many other countries as things deteriorate.

His safe place is in Washington state, somewhere in the Cascades.

 

[ThinkingMan]

I think that it is a sign that times are changing because of HOW walmart decides to start selling products. They sell based purely on a supply and demand standpoint. If you want organic and local and there is a high enough demand at the local store, walmart will make it happen. This is a really a decision that is based upon number. Being that I represent a local prepping merchant here in Portland I can say that walmart getting in the prep game is both good and bad.. Good because as another commented "Lower prices" which is great.. But also bad, it kills us local people and we are just trying to get by, also I can tell you things about every product in our store, which products are low in sodium, gluten free and GMO free and even if any of the items are organic. This is something that the average wallyworld employee is NOT going to know. So its great for established and self educated preppers.. NOT so good for people starting out.. and REALLY not good for the local merchant.

 

[Hamilton Felix]

Good observations. Always be SURE what you're buying at Walmart. We've all heard how they get major electronics companies to build Chinese factories to make Walmart versions that carry the big brand name but are cheaper. They follow this plan with just about everything.

If you buy at Weaselmart, be sure it's something they can't screw up. I don't think Remington or Ruger will make a cheapo model just for them, so you're probably safe there -- but don't expect knowledgeable sales people. I don't think they can screw up ammo, and unless they have their own brand you're probably safe with motor oil and oil filters.

I noticed one of their T-fal cookware displays shortly after we'd bought a few T-fal items at Kohl's. I looked closely and found the Walmart versions were similar but more cheaply made.

Once I bought a battery for a Subaru, then had to buy another identical one for a similar Subaru a week later. First one was from Costco. Next week, they were out of stock on that one, so I went to Walmart. Same price, their "top of the line," but less cold cranking amps and less reserve. Both were manufactured by Johnson Controls, but one was made to Walmart specifications.

I think you're wise to look at country of origin. I'd be especially spooky about "MRE's" from Walmart, because there are a handful of different "civilian MRE's" and they vary widely in nutritional content.

When it comes to preparedness supplies, there's a lot of value in a knowledgeable seller, who can help you avoid costly mistakes. You're not likely to find that at Weasel World.

 

[A.I.P.]

Large retailers routinely have thier products made to spec, purchasing at a particular price point.
Sears had an ongoing policy of ordering so much that it overwhelmed the production capacity of thier supplier. After a few years they would demand that the producer sell thier company to them or they would cancel all orders and bankrupt the company. That's how Sears gained control of Craftsman Tool and several other Companys over the decades.

I agree, it is vital to be wary of imported foods and anything that comes into contact with your skin. The Chinese products should be banned but they are importing mega tons of foods used by the resturant trade (Sysco Foods)

 

[Hamilton Felix]

That sounds a lot like Walmart. They have ruined small suppliers. They almost killed Vlasic Pickles. They buy more and more and more, while negotiating lower and lower prices, and retailing the product for less and less so customers flock to their store. Finally, when they have the majority of the supplier's market, they demand a price so low it kills the supplier to comply -- or they walk when the supplier turns them down, and let the supplier die without a market.


BTW, Craftsman tools of the past were very good. Craftsman tools today are bulkier and cheaper than the old ones, sold by a company that decided they can afford to replace a few tools now and and then in return for huge profits. After all, most customers don't use them all that much...

 

[Grunwald]

Large retailers routinely have thier products made to spec, purchasing at a particular price point.
Sears had an ongoing policy of ordering so much that it overwhelmed the production capacity of thier supplier. After a few years they would demand that the producer sell thier company to them or they would cancel all orders and bankrupt the company. That's how Sears gained control of Craftsman Tool and several other Companys over the decades.

I agree, it is vital to be wary of imported foods and anything that comes into contact with your skin. The Chinese products should be banned but they are importing mega tons of foods used by the resturant trade (Sysco Foods)

They actally teach in business schools that growing your business based on demand from a single buyer is undesirable. You are bettr of giving up the growth, because growth that is dependent on a single customer puts your future at risk.

I have never heard that stuff about Sears, but I do know that in the somewhat distant past they were very demanding as far as quality of the products. A friend of mine worked for a company that was making something for Sears and actually decided to giveup the business because the quality requirements were so high. That was some 30 years ago.

 

[knuckle Head]

They actally teach in business schools that growing your business based on demand from a single buyer is undesirable. You are bettr of giving up the growth, because growth that is dependent on a single customer puts your future at risk.

I have never heard that stuff about Sears, but I do know that in the somewhat distant past they were very demanding as far as quality of the products. A friend of mine worked for a company that was making something for Sears and actually decided to giveup the business because the quality requirements were so high. That was some 30 years ago.

That 100% correct over the long haul, short term it can be a business advantage to increase revenue for other business ventures, but long term it will destroy a company, it gives them leverage over the business and can demand very unreasonable concessions, I know of a couple companies that went out of business that way, the customer had too much leverage and they got to where they were operating at loss vs a 15% annual profit.

 

[Thebastidge]

I recently checked out the "most wished for" list on Amazon.com and it was about 60-75% survival items, particularly water filtration and long term storage food items.

 

[A.I.P.]

I recently checked out the "most wished for" list on Amazon.com and it was about 60-75% survival items, particularly water filtration and long term storage food items.

When you comming home? I wanna buy some shelving from you!

 

[Gunner3456]

FWIW Sears is on the verge of bankruptcy and I don't expect them to be around long. I wouldn't buy anything from them counting on a long term warranty. (like maybe an expensive riding lawnmower with an extended warranty...)

I don't know where my food comes from any more. In the winter our fresh veggies don't come from here. Who knows about the summer? Companies can buy ingredients anywhere, make a product, and not have to label where all the ingredients came from. My Folgers Coffee has only the Ohio address on it, for instance.

 

[A.I.P.]

FWIW Sears is on the verge of bankruptcy and I don't expect them to be around long. I wouldn't buy anything from them counting on a long term warranty. (like maybe an expensive riding lawnmower with an extended warranty...)

I don't know where my food comes from any more. In the winter our fresh veggies don't come from here. Who knows about the summer? Companies can buy ingredients anywhere, make a product, and not have to label where all the ingredients came from. My Folgers Coffee has only the Ohio address on it, for instance.

They grow ALOT of coffee in Ohio!

 

[Gunner3456]

They grow ALOT of weed in Ohio!

There. Fixed it for you.