Is the sale really worth it?

During the holidays, everyone embarks on the treasure hunt for the best prices.  When you find that super low price, it’s satisfying, it’s gold; you have won the game that is gift shopping.  Your friend will love the gift you’ve bought and your wallet hasn’t been slimmed down in the process.

For such magical savings, herds of penny-pinchers run to the supermarket monster, Wal-Mart.

Who can blame them?  Wal-Mart has bargains down every aisle, unmatched prices, and everything your heart could ever desire all under one roof.

But at what cost?  The bright yellow Wal-Mart smiley face hides many scandals.

According to www.makingchangeatwalmart.com, the company’s income for 2010 was $408.2 billion.  That’s a lot of money; they are America’s largest retailer.  So, why then, would they keep the annual pay for an astounding 1.3 million ‘associates’ below $25,000? In fact, the majority of hard-working Wal-Mart ‘associates’ – who, bear in mind, have families, and are working 34 hours a week, (“full time,” as Wal-Mart calls it) –are paid just $15,576 annually.

For a family of four, www.familiesusa.org sets the national poverty line is at about $23,550 a year.  As the numbers show, these employees aren’t even making enough to survive.  And that’s from an 11 billion dollar corporation.

Are those unbeatable prices looking any less attractive?

Wal-Mart is also responsible for participating in the horrendous working conditions in China.  The New York Times reported that in 2007 Wal-Mart was accused of

 

using child labor.  And to insure the Wal-Mart family’s place in the top one percent of the nation’s richest citizens, the company hires Chinese laborers to work for 55 cents an hour.  But it’s okay; the workers will rake in the cash as they are forced to work more than 16 hours a week.

This information isn’t being used as a guilt trip.  It’s important to know where you’re shopping and who you’re supporting.  After all, without your money, stores simply wouldn’t be able to exist.  Use your power as a consumer to support places that treat their workers kindly.  Money is fun to have; spend it on those you love during this season.  Just don’t forget the true cost of low prices.