Papal indulgences, retail-style
Bashing Wal-Mart is a beloved pastime for many. There are numerous reasons for doing so:
- Using predatory pricing tactics to undercut other retailers;
- Selling poorly made and dangerous merchandise from China for that low price;
- Forcing employees to work overtime without extra pay;
- Not paying employees a decent wage or providing health care;
- Creepy, revival-style shareholders meetings;
- Charging at least $35 just for the right to walk into Sam’s Club;
- etc.
But sometimes you just can’t escape the Walton Empire’s gravitational field, like when you have to buy individually packaged snacks for a class of 32 kids. Sometimes, Sam’s is the best option for stuff like that.
But I’ve found a way to help relieve the guilt and shame of going there:
Much to my surprise, the last time I was at Sam’s I found Fair Trade Certified coffee beans. So while I’m selling out the American worker by shopping at the Walton Empire, I can at least ease my bleeding little heart by helping small farmers receive a fair price for their goods, which are produced using environmentally sustainable methods.
Plus, those beans make an excellent cup (or 12) of coffee.
