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Just got back from the local Walmart and Target and i am astounded. I can't believe the technical winter wear that they have this year. Last year i scoured both stores and couldn't find anything. So I bought more expensive stuff online.
Several months and hundreds of $$ later, they are getting with the program. I did go ahead and pick up a slightly heavier balaclava and some nice lightweight fleece gloves at Target.
Walmart.
Carrying synthetic Wool/Polypro LS undershirts and pants. Rated for high intensity workouts. (says on package) $14.95 each.
Target
Light weight fleece Balaclavas $8. Midweight balaclavas, $8, Heavy (and i mean heavy) weight balaclavas. THese heavy things prob not great under helmet. They also have fleece neck gators, and lots of fleece gloves etc.
Also carrying wicking, 0 cotton, Long Underwear for around $14 i think.
A person could get some pretty decent cycling gear for little money. Too bad I already have too much stuff. :mad:
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Just got back from the local Walmart and Target and i am astounded. I can't believe the technical winter wear that they have this year. Last year i scoured both stores and couldn't find anything. So I bought more expensive stuff online.
A person could get some pretty decent cycling gear for little money. Too bad I already have too much stuff. :mad:
It depends on the time of the year you shop. Sept, Oct, and Jan seem to be the best times to get stuff...They tend to run out fast too.
I think it is great to shop at Target & Walmart for winter clothing that will be used for cold weather cycling. I do it. But keep in mind because it is often made with lower quality materials it will wear out faster then the more expensive stuff you find online, etc. Despite the fact it does a good job of keeping moisture wicked away from your body, etc.
The only time I ride in cold weather is if it is a ride I paid to participate in or I am riding as a volunteer for/in something. This year that total was 3 times. So for me at least it is no big deal to buy cheaper cold weather riding clothing at a Target or Walmart.
But if you do a lot of riding in cold weather you may want to spend a little more at a better store for higher quality clothing. Because in the long run you'll find it would have been cheaper to do so after you start replacing the cheap clothing bought at a discount store over & over again with more cheap clothing.
It's probably worth experimenting with the cheap stuff. If it works, great, if not, you haven't lost much. But some things are worth paying more for, especially if you commute through a cold winter. My $35 Mountain Hardwear Balaclava got my down to 7F last winter. I woundn't trust cheap fleece in those conditions.
Check out Sierra Trading Post (I think it's www.sierratradingpost.com) for cheaper, high quality winter riding clothing. They have fantastic bargains sometimes, and I frequently get my stuff there. If you use the Bargain bin area they have, it can be up to 80% off.
Target and Walmart is nice for the short term, but I find the clothes just don't last as long as the stores where they specialize in name brand exercise clothing. :(
Koffee
I think it is great to shop at Target & Walmart <snip>
I think you're wrong. Those are both horrible places to shop.
i don't shop at walmart because they destroy mom & pop operations by undercutting. they also are the largest retailer on planet earth and have the power to help labour exploitation (including child exploitation) in less fortunate countries, yet do nothing about it but grow their bottom line. but that's just the opinion of this left-wing vegetarian socialist. and i don't shop at target because i've never seen one.
i don't shop at walmart because they destroy mom & pop operations by undercutting. they also are the largest retailer on planet earth and have the power to help labour exploitation (including child exploitation) in less fortunate countries, yet do nothing about it but grow their bottom line. but that's just the opinion of this left-wing vegetarian socialist. and i don't shop at target because i've never seen one.
Whatever. :rolleyes: I seriously, doubt that you are going to make much of an impact. You only hurt yourself by paying higher prices than you would have to but whatever turns your crank.
You only hurt yourself by paying higher prices than you would have to
Well, now that's just not true.
My local Wally has been fairly well stocked with the Starter DriStar / DriFit apparel. They've shifted the inventory more towards cool / cold weather stuff of late (mock turtlenecks, long sleeve wicking, pants, etc).
As for the WalMart detractors, tough tittie...........
Well, now that's just not true.
Right, paying more than you have to is smart. I often pay more then list. Why pay $20 for some UnderArmour Coldwear Leggings on EBay when I can shop locally and pay $55.
Heck, I should just give the local merchant a blank check.
Needed some long pants to ride in. All my normal pants are just too baggy. Stopped by and got the starter wind pants. Thanks for the heads up.
Boo on Walmart. Shop at Target, same stuff but it's not Walmart. =p
Right, paying more than you have to is smart. I often pay more then list. Why pay $20 for some UnderArmour Coldwear Leggings on EBay when I can shop locally and pay $55.
Heck, I should just give the local merchant a blank check.
You inferred my point incorrectly. What I was getting at was that you hurt other people by shopping at Walmart. Yes, it costs more to not shop at Walmart. But it's better for your community, better for your conscience, and ultimately better for people all over the world. As for it costing more, tough tittie.
The argument that "I should pay as little as I have to" is overly simplistic. With that justification you might as well just steal things. "Why pay more? I can get it for free!" I'm not saying that any of us would really use that justification to steal things. I'm just saying that it's too simple and economics and human rights are not that simple.
In short: there are many reasons to pay more than you need to.
I don't know how your ebay example is relevant here. And I apologize for hijacking this thread with my opinions... but hey, isn't that what internet message boards are for? ;)
You inferred my point incorrectly. What I was getting at was that you hurt other people by shopping at Walmart. Yes, it costs more to not shop at Walmart. But it's better for your ;)
Arguing Wally-World is like arguing chain lube.
Arguing Wally-World is like arguing chain lube.
Actually, it's nothing like arguing chain lube. To my knowledge, chain lube hasn't been accused of destroying small independent business or contributing to labour exploitation, bordering on slavery, world wide.
Actually, it's nothing like arguing chain lube. To my knowledge, chain lube hasn't been accused of destroying small independent business or contributing to labour exploitation, bordering on slavery, world wide.
You obviously haven't been using the correct lube...
You obviously haven't been using the correct lube...
lol
Actually, it's nothing like arguing chain lube. To my knowledge, chain lube hasn't been accused of destroying small independent business or contributing to labour exploitation, bordering on slavery, world wide.
Perhaps those small independent buisness owners should be a little more competitive, either on pricing or sevrvice. And what would the supposedly exploited labourers be doing otherwise?
PS: I like to lubricate my chain with a blend of mineral spirits and motor oil. I wear a helmet but do not go commando in my riding shorts.
Perhaps those small independent buisness owners should be a little more competitive, either on pricing or sevrvice. And what would the supposedly exploited labourers be doing otherwise?
PS: I like to lubricate my chain with a blend of mineral spirits and motor oil. I wear a helmet but do not go commando in my riding shorts.
Indie stores can't touch them on price because of buying power. In my experience, I've seen better service provided by the smaller stores. The supposedly exploited labourers would quite honestly probably be doing nothing otherwise. That's what makes the issue so tough. From a business standpoint, it does not make sense to pay a worker more, when you know that there is a line-up outside your door of people willing to do his job for his current wage (or even less). From a moral standpoint, it would be nice to pay them a wage that is representative of the gain you make off of them. Having said this, I'm not going to stand in front of a wal-mart and tell a struggling family that they should go next door to pay more. I have friends and family who shop there because if they didn't they wouldn't have new school clothes, new bikes, new whatever they need. I empathize with them, believe me. I'm fortunate enough to have found myself in a situation where I'm able to vote with my wallet, and therefore do so, much to the critisism of those around me. I don't want this to come off as a "I'm right, you're wrong" thing. Knowledge is power, and the power I gained from the above, I've altered my spending habits.
And what would the supposedly exploited labourers be doing otherwise?
They'd be working at indie stores....
They'd be working at indie stores....
Thousands of indie stores all over the place with enough business to support themselves huh...
I've noticed in my area that Target often has better deals on many things than Wal-Mart does. However, when you work a wacko schedule like I do and don't get off work til 2am, where else is there to shop after work? Wal-Mart and not much else. In most cases, wal-mart is generally the last place I check for anything I want as mediocrity seems to be the norm there. When I buy things, I prefer higher-quality stuff that wal-mart just does not and never will carry. Hence, my shopping there is limited, though not for the reasons those of you have given above. Wal-mart has always just been the "jack of all trades, master of none" as far as I'm concerned. I'd rather shop for cold weather clothing at a local sporting goods store or outdoor outfitter type store (River Sports Outfitters is one of our better ones).
Check it out (www.walmartwatch.com)
It affects you, and the luxury of deniability get slimmer every time wal mart metastasizes.
Check it out (www.walmartwatch.com)
It affects you, and the luxury of deniability get slimmer every time wal mart metastasizes.
This is a thread about buying Winter cycling clothes at Walmart and Target. Your opinions of either of these companies have nothing to offer that is helpful. Please limit your replies to the subject and quit being self righteous.
The initial post was talking about how wonderful and cheap their clothing is, if some of us want to point out that it ain't so wonderful and that the cheapness comes with a caveat, that's not being self righteous, it just isn't part of your tunnel vision. Go find an internet forum where everyone agrees with you, if you think that's possible. (If you DO think that's possible, I've got a bridge you might be interested in...) Just trying to inform people, because I think that's why these places stay in business in the first place, is because people are either unaware or don't want to be aware of how they do business. If you don't like people throwin' in their 2 cents, turn off the computer and watch TV! I've said all I need to and won't post again on this thread, so everybody can go back to talking about how great Walmart is!
Right, paying more than you have to is smart. I often pay more then list. Why pay $20 for some UnderArmour Coldwear Leggings on EBay when I can shop locally and pay $55.
Heck, I should just give the local merchant a blank check.
look, the way you view things would be perfectly fine if you where the only one who thought that way...but reality check there are a million other people out there that think the same way. Even if you yourself dont make a impact of the ecomomy its people like you in general that are screwing the small business.
Even if shopping at local business cost more at least those local shops put money back into the local economy, EBay sure as hell doesnt put any money back into it. A Wal-Mart might put a little money back in by paying its workers but most of the money is sucked out of what ever town its in and shipped off somewhere to buy supplies from places that have no affect on you, therefore hurting the local economy
Even if shopping at local business cost more at least those local shops put money back into the local economy, EBay sure as hell doesnt put any money back into it.
Ebay may not keep money in your local economy, but it does a lot to keep money out of big corporation's hands. If I buy a frame from someone in California, the money will be spent in their twn, not going into the pocket of some big-wig...
And, yeah, superstores are evil.
Well, perhaps.. unless the person in question goes and buys winter gear at Wal-mart. ;)
Thousands of indie stores all over the place with enough business to support themselves huh...
If there wasn't Wal-Marts then yes. Think that each department in Wal-Mart represent a single indie store...
This is a thread about buying Winter cycling clothes at Walmart and Target. Your opinions of either of these companies have nothing to offer that is helpful. Please limit your replies to the subject and quit being self righteous.
How is talking about the companies at hand not helpful? I think it's right on topic. If someone posts something like "Check out this bike" is it off topic to submit criticism to the thread? Hardly.
Just trying to inform people, because I think that's why these (Target, Walmart, etc) places stay in business in the first place, is because people are either unaware or don't want to be aware of how they do business.
Hmmmmm... it's a nice fantasy, but the reality is most americans want as much as they can get for as little as possible and they are not concerned where they get it.
Hmmmmm... it's a nice fantasy, but the reality is most americans want as much as they can get for as little as possible and they are not concerned where they get it.
We should just steal stuff then!
Even if shopping at local business cost more at least those local shops put money back into the local economy, EBay sure as hell doesnt put any money back into it. A Wal-Mart might put a little money back in by paying its workers but most of the money is sucked out of what ever town its in and shipped off somewhere to buy supplies from places that have no affect on you, therefore hurting the local economy
Somebody needs to repeat Economics 101
One fine day, George W. Bush, found himself confounded. So he called in three of his most trusted scientific advisors.
"What is 2 plus 2?" He asked the mathemetician of the three.
"Well, Mr. President, In my estimation, most assuredly the answer is a number in betwixt 3 and 5."
Next he calls in the statistician.
"What is 2 plus 2?" He said, still flummoxed.
"In a recent poll, handed out to first graders across this great land, the answer seems to be somewhere above three, and somewhere below 5, with only a tiny margin of error."
Stymied yet again, at last he turned turned to the economist,
"What is 2 plus 2?"
The economist raced over to the window, immediately drawing the curtains closed, beads of sweat beginning to stand out on his forehead,
"Why, Mr. President, what would you LIKE it to be?"
One fine day, George W. Bush, found himself confounded. So he called in three of his most trusted scientific advisors.
So you've just managed to refute your previous argument, wait it wasn't an argument, it was a regurgitation of the same old Wally-World whine.
Okay, I laid out reasons why I don't support Wal-mart and Target. Links have been provided for further research if you're interested. I understand it's not a popular topic with most people. I also understand that most people aren't aware of the negative impacts a big box store like Wal-mart can make. I'm better off for having learned it because I care about who/what I support, and I don't support the actions and attitudes displayed in this thread. I don't buy into the "you aren't going to make a difference" argument, because I do make a difference. Buy taking my money, whether it's $5 or $5000, to a store that is not associated with Wal-mart, I am affecting their bottom line. That is money that is not going into their till. It's money going into the till of someone or some business who's actions I approve, because of what I believe in. I get told everyday that being a vegetarian doesn't make a difference and everyone around me is always going to eat meat. Fine, I'm satified knowing that I've saved the lives of hundreds of animals over the last 8 years being a vegetarian. I don't want to you to be a vegetarian, I don't want you to boycott Wal-mart. I want you to be informed of the situation so you can make a decision that is best for you. I'm thankful to whoever it was, who first educated me about the practices of big box stores. I'm thankful to whoever it was, who first showed me how factory farms operate. I doubt I'm going to convince anybody with the back-and-forth arguments, typical of online forums, to change. That why I laid out the facts to let people soak it in. It's not a matter of self-righteousness, it's not a matter of taking a higher moral ground, it's a matter of personal choice.
Thanks to everyone for posting.
edit: grammatical error
Oops. You're right! I just saw the mention of economics and wanted to share a joke, forgetting I'd already posted on this forum. I'll let dobber resume dropping his little pearls of wisdom, if he doesn't have a heart attack first! (Calm down, it's just the internet. You don't have to defend them if they don't pay you for it.)
Oops. You're right! I just saw the mention of economics and wanted to share a joke, forgetting I'd already posted on this forum. I'll let dobber resume dropping his little pearls of wisdom, if he doesn't have a heart attack first! (Calm down, it's just the internet. You don't have to defend them if they don't pay you for it.)
And you're welcome to piss away your cash supporting the local merchant
It's trickle-down at its finest:
My boss pays me as little as he possibly can and still retain me.
I, in turn, pay as little as possible to local/national/global merchants for as much value as possible.
I understand this argument as a quality vs quantity and I admit that in an ideal world that quality should win every time. The 150 USD Italian loafers will last me 5 times as long as my 50 USD Chinese loafers. But this ain't an ideal world. It's a capitalist world- where profit margins are the fuel to the machine that keeps this world spinning.
sad but true.
Somebody needs to repeat Economics 101
Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,
Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101,Economics 101.... ;)
It's trickle-down at its finest:
My boss pays me as little as he possibly can and still retain me.
I, in turn, pay as little as possible to local/national/global merchants for as much value as possible.
I understand this argument as a quality vs quantity and I admit that in an ideal world that quality should win every time. The 150 USD Italian loafers will last me 5 times as long as my 50 USD Chinese loafers. But this ain't an ideal world. It's a capitalist world- where profit margins are the fuel to the machine that keeps this world spinning.
sad but true.
Such defeatism, that's what's sad. Believe that you can make a change and you will. It's taken a lot of work to make the world what it is today, it will take a lot to make it what it will be in the future. Don't let em roll over on ya.
Boo on Walmart. Shop at Target, same stuff but it's not Walmart. =p
At least Target doesn't build at the base of ancient Aztec pyramids. (http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041105/ap_on_bi_ge/mexico_wal_mart_ruins_3)
Right, paying more than you have to is smart. I often pay more then list. Why pay $20 for some UnderArmour Coldwear Leggings on EBay when I can shop locally and pay $55.
Heck, I should just give the local merchant a blank check.
Be sure to never shop at your LBS either then. They're obviously just *******s out to rip you off if they're selling anything at > eBay / grey market price.
Be sure to never shop at your LBS either then. They're obviously just *******s out to rip you off if they're selling anything at > eBay / grey market price.
When he sells me DA hubs on OpenPro rims for $200, he's the one getting my money. When he sells me BlackBottom bibs for $40, he's getting my money. When the cost + shipping + waiting exceeds the convience of paying a bit more for something I need right away, he gets my money. He's getting my money cause he's the best price in town and/or he's the only one carrying said item.
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