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Post by abbey1227 on Aug 19, 2021 13:45:41 GMT
How dollar stores scammed America to become worth more than Coca-ColaSurprise—the too-good-to-be-true store is exactly that By Andrew Paul This way to scams, son. If you have driven more than approximately 2 miles anywhere in America, chances are you’ve come across a Dollar General, Dollar Store, or Family Dollar. If you happen to drive 3 or more miles, then you’ll most likely see all 3. It doesn’t take a trained economist to understand how these so-called “bargain” outlets have spread across the U.S. landscape—it’s psychologically comforting to know the apparently cheap price of everything in a given store without needing to give it much thought. Throw in a crumbling American Dream, and you got yourself a recipe for business success. It’s also a recipe comprised largely of opportunistic scamming, as a recent infographic by Zachary Crockett over at The Hustle makes very plain. After all, you don’t reach 34,000 stores across the country (with a new location opening roughly every 6 or so hours) by operating at a net loss. You do so by tricking your customers into believing they’re getting great, cheap deals on name-brand items, when in fact they’re simply paying more for less product. “For every $1 in sales, Dollar General and Dollar Tree earn an average gross profit of ~$0.30,” reads Crockett’s report. “That’s more than rivals like Target ($0.28) and Walmart ($0.24).” These stores also buy bulk surplus and discontinued items, further increasing their overall profit margins. “That $1 Old Spice deodorant might seem like a good deal. But at 0.8 oz., it’s less than one-third the size of the standard 3 oz. stick—and on a per-unit basis, it’s significantly more expensive than the larger-sized offerings at other retailers.” Okay, so you’re technically paying more for the convenience, right? That’s not terrible, given that these outlets are essentially, well, “convenience stores.” But here’s where it gets particularly gross: dollar stores are targeting demographics who either aren’t educated enough to spot the scam or who don’t make enough to have much choice in where and when they buy their household necessities. “The core demographic of dollar stores—lower-income families who earn less than $40K per year—are often living paycheck to paycheck and can’t afford to buy in larger quantities, even if it means getting a better deal,” Crockett explains. Desperation breeds profit for these dollar stores, and it’s a business model that has, perhaps unsurprisingly, proven extremely successful—there are more of these stores than all the Walmarts, CVS, Walgreens, and Targets combined. So yeah, you might wanna consider buying your pool floaties and Chef Boyardee Spaghettios somewhere more ethical like... well... um... damn.
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Post by Prometheus on Aug 20, 2021 5:27:37 GMT
The people who make less than 40k a year ARE the people who "aren’t educated enough to spot the scam."
Just about every major problem in the US could be fixed by offering the same high-quality education to every student.
No wonder neither party ever really tries to make it happen.
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Post by abbey1227 on Aug 20, 2021 13:49:05 GMT
The people who make less than 40k a year ARE the people who "aren’t educated enough to spot the scam." Just about every major problem in the US could be fixed by offering the same high-quality education to every student.No wonder neither party ever really tries to make it happen.
Would that include me? I haven't looked close enough when in one of those $Dollar Stores.......but I know all of my grocery stores usually have little tags with prices and often the "Price per Ounce", too.
I agree on one hand.........but I also know it would be a complete kerfuffle and waste of resources for millions of people.
Keep them stupid.......it makes them better slaves?
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Post by mrright on Aug 20, 2021 19:42:42 GMT
good..coke went woke..i hope they go broke
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Post by Prometheus on Aug 21, 2021 3:13:10 GMT
The people who make less than 40k a year ARE the people who "aren’t educated enough to spot the scam." Just about every major problem in the US could be fixed by offering the same high-quality education to every student.No wonder neither party ever really tries to make it happen.
Would that include me? I haven't looked close enough when in one of those $Dollar Stores.......but I know all of my grocery stores usually have little tags with prices and often the "Price per Ounce", too.
I agree on one hand.........but I also know it would be a complete kerfuffle and waste of resources for millions of people.
Keep them stupid.......it makes them better slaves?
"Keep them stupid.......it makes them better slaves?"
I wouldn't use the word "slaves" but I might use, "pliable" or "easily manipulated."
"Would that include me?"
Sometimes, I think, "yes" and other times I think you earn less than your potential out of spite.
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Post by abbey1227 on Aug 21, 2021 12:06:15 GMT
"Keep them stupid.......it makes them better slaves?"
I wouldn't use the word "slaves" but I might use, "pliable" or "easily manipulated."
"Would that include me?"
Sometimes, I think, "yes" and other times I think you earn less than your potential out of spite.
You may be onto something there, pal.
But remember what they say "Money isn't everything."..... I also notice that most of things people want or need require money.
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Post by Prometheus on Aug 22, 2021 10:18:48 GMT
"Keep them stupid.......it makes them better slaves?"
I wouldn't use the word "slaves" but I might use, "pliable" or "easily manipulated."
"Would that include me?"
Sometimes, I think, "yes" and other times I think you earn less than your potential out of spite.
I also notice that most of things people want or need require money. And some people think that those "needs" shouldn't be beyond the reach of any citizens of the richest, most powerful nation on the planet. |
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Post by abbey1227 on Aug 22, 2021 13:55:16 GMT
I also notice that most of things people want or need require money. And some people think that those "needs" shouldn't be beyond the reach of any citizens of the richest, most powerful nation on the planet.
For such a rich and powerful nation..........we sure put a lot on the old 'credit card' and seem to really suck at winning any wars.
Maybe it's all smoke and mirrors?
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Post by Prometheus on Aug 23, 2021 1:32:05 GMT
And some people think that those "needs" shouldn't be beyond the reach of any citizens of the richest, most powerful nation on the planet.
For such a rich and powerful nation..........we sure put a lot on the old 'credit card' and seem to really suck at winning any wars.
Maybe it's all smoke and mirrors?
Yup. We put unwinnable wars on the credit card so big corporations get rich and pay less taxes. When an economic downturn comes, we bail out the big corporations and put the bailout on the credit card so the corporations can make even more money off the downturn and still pay less taxes. And Republicans don't say, "Boo."
But try to put some money in the hands of the citizenry and Republicans freak out about how much Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Whiteperson... ummm... Taxpayer have to shell out for all those ni... ummm... other people.
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Post by abbey1227 on Aug 23, 2021 9:08:28 GMT
Yup. We put unwinnable wars on the credit card so big corporations get rich and pay less taxes. When an economic downturn comes, we bail out the big corporations and put the bailout on the credit card so the corporations can make even more money off the downturn and still pay less taxes. And Republicans don't say, "Boo."
But try to put some money in the hands of the citizenry and Republicans freak out about how much Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Whiteperson... ummm... Taxpayer have to shell out for all those ni... ummm... other people.
That first part had a few good points.
1. You actually believe I don't wanna defend actual tax paying black, brown and red, etc people?
2. You actually believe the majority of welfare spending isn't on white people?
Stop allowing your news sources to influence your stereotypical view on people who hold different views from yours.  |
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Post by Prometheus on Aug 24, 2021 2:05:39 GMT
Yup. We put unwinnable wars on the credit card so big corporations get rich and pay less taxes. When an economic downturn comes, we bail out the big corporations and put the bailout on the credit card so the corporations can make even more money off the downturn and still pay less taxes. And Republicans don't say, "Boo."
But try to put some money in the hands of the citizenry and Republicans freak out about how much Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Whiteperson... ummm... Taxpayer have to shell out for all those ni... ummm... other people.
That first part had a few good points.
1. You actually believe I don't wanna defend actual tax paying black, brown and red, etc people?
2. You actually believe the majority of welfare spending isn't on white people?
Stop allowing your news sources to influence your stereotypical view on people who hold different views from yours. 1. I honestly don't think you want to do anything that might help anyone to have what you have unless they have to go through all same hassles you went through. You refuse to acknowledge that they already have hassles, but since they are different hassles, they don't count.
2. I never said any such thing. I simply suggested that the Republicans will shit on any idea that benefits POC even if it shits on white people too. And why wouldn't they? Most of the white people on assistance probably vote Republican and have a way easier time applying for and getting more benefits.
The news doesn't affect my thinking or beliefs, Abs. Years of observation, reading, research, and thinking deeply on issues inform my beliefs.
You might want to try it.
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Post by abbey1227 on Aug 24, 2021 2:24:48 GMT
1. I honestly don't think you want to do anything that might help anyone to have what you have unless they have to go through all same hassles you went through. You refuse to acknowledge that they already have hassles, but since they are different hassles, they don't count.
2. I never said any such thing. I simply suggested that the Republicans will shit on any idea that benefits POC even if it shits on white people too. And why wouldn't they? Most of the white people on assistance probably vote Republican and have a way easier time applying for and getting more benefits.
The news doesn't affect my thinking or beliefs, Abs. Years of observation, reading, research, and thinking deeply on issues inform my beliefs.
You might want to try it.
1. I really see it differently than you do here. People keep insisting certain things can not be done. All I usually do is give examples of how it has been done. How different are the hassles? Poverty? Location? .........I do not embrace the 'systemic racism' argument. I guess I foolishly believed we were well on our way to a colorblind society until yet another group of race hustlers have had their way in recent times.
2. An easier time? And that's a positive?
We must just have very different observations. And we'll just have to continue to disagree on the depths of the thinking when it comes to people in general.
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Post by Prometheus on Aug 24, 2021 3:09:29 GMT
1. I honestly don't think you want to do anything that might help anyone to have what you have unless they have to go through all same hassles you went through. You refuse to acknowledge that they already have hassles, but since they are different hassles, they don't count.
2. I never said any such thing. I simply suggested that the Republicans will shit on any idea that benefits POC even if it shits on white people too. And why wouldn't they? Most of the white people on assistance probably vote Republican and have a way easier time applying for and getting more benefits.
The news doesn't affect my thinking or beliefs, Abs. Years of observation, reading, research, and thinking deeply on issues inform my beliefs.
You might want to try it.
1. I really see it differently than you do here. People keep insisting certain things can not be done. All I usually do is give examples of how it has been done. How different are the hassles? Poverty? Location? .........I do not embrace the 'systemic racism' argument. I guess I foolishly believed we were well on our way to a colorblind society until yet another group of race hustlers have had their way in recent times.
2. An easier time? And that's a positive?
We must just have very different observations. And we'll just have to continue to disagree on the depths of the thinking when it comes to people in general.
1a. You keep assuming that because "you did it" that everyone must be able to do it to. You simply can't see - we''l talk more about your blindness later - that not everyone is starting at the same point. Not everyone has the same advantages or disadvantages. Not everyone has the same exact level of access to jobs, to property, to mortgages, to....
When everyone has this same level of access and they don't take advantage, then you can bitch and I'll be right there with you, but until then you can't tell a guy with no legs, no insurance, and no charitable investors, that he can run a marathon the same as you... even if it takes you 15 hours.
1b. Let's talk about "color blindness." I'm guessing that "color blindness" for you is about not treating people differently due to skin color on a personal level. That's a good thing. You want to judge a person by the "content of the character not the color of their skin." Good! HOWEVER, it doesn't mean that you turn a blind eye to the fact that because of the color of their skin they have certain disadvantages. They are always under heightened scrutiny whether it's walking through a mall, driving down the road, or applying for a home loan (and more). They are far more likely to get maximum prison sentences even for first time offenses or even for incidents where white people get a warning or a talking to. They have less access to even Public Defenders than white people. They have less access when it comes to posting bail. THAT is exactly the meaning of "systematic racism."
I'm guessing you would say, "But they still have access!"
And the guy with no legs can still crawl the 26 miles, right? Where there's a will, there's a way, right?
2. Yes... for Republican politicians.
3. I'm not sure that our observations are so different, but I'm certain that we have reached different conclusions. You think everyone needs to work hard and that figure out how to surmount obstacles on their own.
That sounds great... when there's no one at the top of your obstacles trying to knock you back down....
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Post by abbey1227 on Aug 24, 2021 5:26:40 GMT
1a. You keep assuming that because "you did it" that everyone must be able to do it to. You simply can't see - we''l talk more about your blindness later - that not everyone is starting at the same point. Not everyone has the same advantages or disadvantages. Not everyone has the same exact level of access to jobs, to property, to mortgages, to....
When everyone has this same level of access and they don't take advantage, then you can bitch and I'll be right there with you, but until then you can't tell a guy with no legs, no insurance, and no charitable investors, that he can run a marathon the same as you... even if it takes you 15 hours.
1b. Let's talk about "color blindness." I'm guessing that "color blindness" for you is about not treating people differently due to skin color on a personal level. That's a good thing. You want to judge a person by the "content of the character not the color of their skin." Good! HOWEVER, it doesn't mean that you turn a blind eye to the fact that because of the color of their skin they have certain disadvantages. They are always under heightened scrutiny whether it's walking through a mall, driving down the road, or applying for a home loan (and more). They are far more likely to get maximum prison sentences even for first time offenses or even for incidents where white people get a warning or a talking to. They have less access to even Public Defenders than white people. They have less access when it comes to posting bail. THAT is exactly the meaning of "systematic racism."
I'm guessing you would say, "But they still have access!"
And the guy with no legs can still crawl the 26 miles, right? Where there's a will, there's a way, right?
2. Yes... for Republican politicians.
3. I'm not sure that our observations are so different, but I'm certain that we have reached different conclusions. You think everyone needs to work hard and that figure out how to surmount obstacles on their own.
That sounds great... when there's no one at the top of your obstacles trying to knock you back down....
That's sorta my point.......cuz I've seen handicapped people succeed........so able bodied people with so called functioning brains claiming to not be able makes me highly suspicious.
There are always outliers and legitimate handicaps....... bot mostly I see people being their own biggest hindrance.
But I'm not expecting everyone to succeed at the highest corporate levels or in other areas some may deem 'being successful'......... I'm just talking about very basic expectations of being employed, balancing your own finances and slowly making progress.
Your conclusions seem to suggest I'm looking down on other races......when for the most part I'm just thinking of people in my own extended family. Same family. Same environment. Same opportunities, etc etc
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Post by Prometheus on Aug 24, 2021 11:40:30 GMT
1a. You keep assuming that because "you did it" that everyone must be able to do it to. You simply can't see - we''l talk more about your blindness later - that not everyone is starting at the same point. Not everyone has the same advantages or disadvantages. Not everyone has the same exact level of access to jobs, to property, to mortgages, to....
When everyone has this same level of access and they don't take advantage, then you can bitch and I'll be right there with you, but until then you can't tell a guy with no legs, no insurance, and no charitable investors, that he can run a marathon the same as you... even if it takes you 15 hours.
1b. Let's talk about "color blindness." I'm guessing that "color blindness" for you is about not treating people differently due to skin color on a personal level. That's a good thing. You want to judge a person by the "content of the character not the color of their skin." Good! HOWEVER, it doesn't mean that you turn a blind eye to the fact that because of the color of their skin they have certain disadvantages. They are always under heightened scrutiny whether it's walking through a mall, driving down the road, or applying for a home loan (and more). They are far more likely to get maximum prison sentences even for first time offenses or even for incidents where white people get a warning or a talking to. They have less access to even Public Defenders than white people. They have less access when it comes to posting bail. THAT is exactly the meaning of "systematic racism."
I'm guessing you would say, "But they still have access!"
And the guy with no legs can still crawl the 26 miles, right? Where there's a will, there's a way, right?
2. Yes... for Republican politicians.
3. I'm not sure that our observations are so different, but I'm certain that we have reached different conclusions. You think everyone needs to work hard and that figure out how to surmount obstacles on their own.
That sounds great... when there's no one at the top of your obstacles trying to knock you back down....
That's sorta my point.......cuz I've seen handicapped people succeed........so able bodied people with so called functioning brains claiming to not be able makes me highly suspicious.
There are always outliers and legitimate handicaps....... bot mostly I see people being their own biggest hindrance.
But I'm not expecting everyone to succeed at the highest corporate levels or in other areas some may deem 'being successful'......... I'm just talking about very basic expectations of being employed, balancing your own finances and slowly making progress.
Your conclusions seem to suggest I'm looking down on other races......when for the most part I'm just thinking of people in my own extended family. Same family. Same environment. Same opportunities, etc etc
1. How many, Abs? How many did it and with zero help from anyone else or the ADA? Now compare it to how many "handicapped" people there are.
2. Let us know when your self-help book gets published
3. There you go: assuming employers are just walking up and down the streets begging people to come work for them.
4. When the proof is all around you that certain people are being blocked from having the same access that you and I enjoy, and you continue to ignore it... yeah. I think that makes you racist.
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