Wal Mart Poll

[haertig]

I personally don't care for WalMarts very much. I buy things there infrequently, and those rare occassions are for targeted purchase of an item I know is good quality at a good price. i.e., the Spyderco Native.

It's within the realm of believability that WalMart could put pressure on Spyderco to lower prices (and quality?) to better target WalMart's clientel. And Spyderco could look at the bottom line (money) and decide that's exactly what they want to do. Many companies have gone from "high quality + limited market = good reputation" to "low quality + mass market = higher profits". Hopefully not for Spyderco, but it's a plausible scenerio.

Or, it could play out that the typical WalMart shopper will stop by the knife counter, see the $39 CPMS30V Native, and decide to buy the $7.95 Wham-Bang-O "High Quality Steel (TM)" model sitting next to it. Eventually we'll hear of a WalMart clearance on all their unsold Natives on these forums, there'll be a massive traffic jam of BladeForums members in the WalMart parking lots, and each of us will end up owning 50 of these things to give away as gifts.

I personally think the second scenerio is more likely to unfold. I do not think the typical WalMart shopper is after quality. Nor do I think they would recognize it if they saw it. I'm not trying to insult WalMart customers. That's just an opinion I've formed based on the few visits to the store I've made. While people on these forums may look at a Native for $39 and marvel at the excellent quality for that dirt cheap price, the average WalMart shopper would probably faint at the "outrageous price" for "just a knife".

 

[pricecw]

I've made about 3 Wal-Mart purchases over the past 15 years. The Spyderco Native brought me to Wal-Mart for a fourth. I think it's fantastic that Wal-Mart can offer a quality, American-made knife and sell it for a terrific price. Even better that Spyderco can take a design that didn't sell well through their usual channels, and give it broad exposure.

I hope that as more users get used to quality knives, the market expands and American knifemakers benefit as a result. Many people I know have just never been exposed to quality knives and don't know any better. I hope Wal-Mart changes that and gives people a taste for better steel, design, and craftsmanship.

From what I've read about Wal-Mart, I will not even enter one of their stores. This was sealed for me when the lawsuits a few years back when Wal-Mart would come into a community, sell prescription drugs below cost until all the local pharmacies were out of business, then jack the prices above what they locals used to charge.

From this reading, if you think that Spyderco will be an American made knife very long, it probably won't be. Wal-Mart gets a manufacturer online, then puts pressure on them to outsource to third world countries to get prices down. This was one of the big reasons that Levi's, Buck, etc started to outsource. You can even find things during the transition of a company that looks the same in Wal-Mart and traditional outlets, but the Wal-Mart special will be of lower quality. In time, the companies will lay off their US workers and outsource all of their product, all to keep the Wal-Mart contract.

This nations addiction to Wal-Mart will probably be what helps send us into the next depression.

An interesting read about why snapper wouldn't deal with Wal-Mart

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/102/open_snapper.html

If you work for Wal-Mart, this isn't directed at you, but rather the company you work for. From what I also read, Sam Walton wanted a company to promote and sell US, he must be spinning in his grave seeing what his company is doing.

--Carl

 

[shark tooth]

I normally hate WallyWorld, but hey that's a great deal for a native. I definately would try a local Cutlery first.

 

[redhawk44p]

Lest we forget who guards the door at Spyderco.

 

[meshmdz]

i prefer the local shops to walmart myself, every time i go into walmart the darn knife counter is deserted and no one will help me :grumpy:

couldnt have said it better. my thoughts exactly!:grumpy:

 

[Jubei]

I had to vote that I hate it.

As Wally World demand increases, quality is usually the first thing to slip. I have the utmost respect for Sal and for Spyderco, but all the integrity in the world can't stand up to the legal/political power that Wal-Mart can muster.

I shudder to think that Sal might eventually be forced to decide between letting QC slip, giving up control of Spyderco, or shutting the doors. I know that is the worst-case scenario, but in todays world, it's often true.

Jubei

 

[TFin04]

I Think Stores Like Wal Mart Are Ruining This Country. Wont Buy Anything From Them...

This is my view as well.

I refuse to buy anything from Wal-Mart. I have seen what Wal-Mart can do to small companies (face it, Spyderco is a drop-in-the-bucket sized company compared to Wal-Mart).

I DO believe Sal is too smart to get sucked in that bad, but companies like Rubbermaid, Vlasic and Huffy weren't so lucky. I can see where Sal wants to get his products to more Americans simply to spread the Spyderco name, but I lost respect in him and his company that he chose Wal-Mart to fill that gap.

I don't know what I would have done in his position. I will not buy a Native from Wal-Mart, but I wasn't planning on buying one anyway. I respect the fact that Sal comes on these boards and does whatever he can to give his customers the product they want. I hope he sells millions of the things at Wal-Mart, I just hope that he doesn't get sucked in.

I think his actions and the way he carries himself on these boards level out the respect I lost for joining the Wal-Mart bandwagon. I will still continue to buy Spyderco, based on that fact alone. Had it been Benchmade who sold out a knife to them, when BM has next to no representation on this board, I would have probably stopped buying BM. That said.... I edc a Mini Griptilian.

I think Sal is trying to do what is best for his company, and I cannot fault him for that. I did vote for "hate it" though.

 

[jdennen]

I bought a Native. It's the only thing that I have bought there since it opened. Less than 40 bucks! How can you say no? There isn't a place, where I live, where I can even buy a knife within 75 miles, other than to pay retail for a Benchmade. I've bought a dozen BMs, though. All on the internet.

 

[TFin04]

How can you say no?

Pretty easily, actually.

You could find a repuatable seller online (perhaps even one who is a Bladeforums member/advertiser) and find a Native for about the same price. You're helping a company who actually has some integrity.

The only downside is not seeing the knife in person. From the dozes of BM's you've bought online, has that ever been a problem?

Just my view.

 

[spoonrobot]

uh...

Wal-mart pressures Spyderco for cheaper, more knives. Spyderco says no; Wal-Mart pulls gun, shoots Spyderco in kneecaps and asks again for lower prices, bitch.

is that what happens?

You guys are ridiculous, screaming bloody murder and beating the horse forever when a knife specifically designed to be sold at Wal-Mart finally is.

How is Leatherman doing after being sold at Wal-Mart for years and years?

Maglite? SOG? Victorinox?

With the exception of post #2 this thread is worthless regurgitation of buzzwords and hysterics.

 

[TFin04]

With the exception of post #2 this thread is worthless regurgitation of buzzwords and hysterics.

Or just our opinions on who/where we want to shop. This is America isn't it? Am I not allowed to shop where I please?

Spyderco is a company founded on American principles. High quality, good customer service, and reasonable prices. Much like Sam Waltons original store was advertised. Wal-Mart is about the most Un-American company there is today.

Only time will tell what happens with Spyderco/Wal-Mart, but Wal-Mart most definately doesn't need my money. I can find a good company with some backbone selling the same product for about the same price. I'll gladly pay a few dollars more from a good knife shop with employees who actually know what type of blade steel it has without reading the box first.

 

[redhawk44p]

Thanks for all of the replies. This poll has me riveted. It is very revealing.

God bless our soldiers who give us the right to have lively debate.

 

[nmayeux]

Good for Spyderco if they can turn a nice profit due to sales volume. If they take a lower margin to get the WM account, but the increase in sales justifies the move, then what could be better. Also, if those who buy these knives at WM and decide they want more, then good for the independants also. Win-win, by the looks of it!

 

[Simon Yu]

From what I've read, originally the plan was to have some of the lower cost Byrd models be sold at Wal-Mart but Wal-Mart wanted something higher quality. If pressure gets put on for something lower, I suspect that they'd just switch to the Byrd line like originally planned.

 

[sdb777]

Anyone have a link to show these knives at WallyWorld? All I can find is this one: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/sear...y=Spyderco&ic=20_0&Continue.x=33&Continue.y=6

Thanks in advance
Scott B

 

[TFin04]

Select Wal-Mart's are selling the Native (2nd gen) at their retail outlets.

I believe the Delica's are only available online. I could be wrong though.

 

[Simon Yu]

Anyone have a link to show these knives at WallyWorld? All I can find is this one: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/sear...y=Spyderco&ic=20_0&Continue.x=33&Continue.y=6

Thanks in advance
Scott B

The Native is only offered in about a third of all Wal-Marts IIRC. Since to the best of my knowledge Wal-Mart only wants to stock one model from a brand for simplicity, any place that doesn't carry the Native will only have Delicas, including the online shop.

 

[frank k]

I think it's a good thing when wal-mart gives their customers a selection of quality made in the USA products. I would much rather see someone buy a Native than a Chinese POS.



- Frank

 

[Gryffin]

But how many people want to see Spyderco selling Wal-Marts? A Wal-Mart with a pocket clip and one-handed opening would rock!

Your pockets must be larger than mine.

While I despise Wal*Mart for all the reasons listed above, they certainly aren't going away anytime soon. So as long as the existence of, and America's addition to, Wal*Mart is an accepted fact, I'm glad to see good knives made available to Joe Six-Pack who might otherwise buy a cheap Chinese POS to replace the one that broke on him. Ol' Joe just might come to appreciate the difference a well-made knife from a US company offers, think twice before buying the crappy ones in the future, and perhaps even spread the word to his buddies.

Hey, I can dream, can't I??

Spyderco is privately owned, and Sal is a sharp businessman; I don't see him getting sucked into the commercial vortex that other "victims" of Wal*Mart have fallen into. So long as they can walk away if Wal*Mart gets too demanding, I'm glad to see Spyderco make some extra money off The Beast.

 

[Suerte]

I get "Voters: 62. You may not vote on this poll"

But I like Walmart. You try to by evaporative air conditioner parts in Podunk on a Sunday without one, and see where you get.

Wrangler Carpenter Jeans, Rustlers, Puritan button shirts. All good and affordable.

Want to pick up an affordable .22 or shotgun for varmits raiding the chicken coop or garden? It ain't too bad a place.

Sure you can't buy a good straw Cowboy hat there or a decent Airgun {or even a decent hoe for chopping cotton}, but for razors, bottled water, and even electronics, especially in Podunk, it's great.