Sams club closing.

[starmac]

Every sams club in the state will be closing, ALL 3 of them.
In fact they are supposedly closed today to announce they will be closing the 26'th, makes sense to me.
I am not a huge fan of Sams or wallmart, but I hate to see any businesses leaveing.

It sounds like they are giving all employees 60 days pay, so better than a lot of businesses, just telling their employees that are unemployed when they show up for work.
On the bright side, they announced they want to sell everything, and sales will be up to 75% off currant prices.

[MyFlatline]

I have been seeing that but also hearing , they are increasing the starting wages and giving bonuses in the WalMart stores. Maybe they are closing the non profit stores. IDK

[fcvan]

I guess Walmart will just resort to servicing AK customers utilizing their online delivery program. Probably cheaper for them to sent products already sold rather than stocking inventory. Even though there is a Walmart in the small town in Nor. CA where I lived, many folks picked up orders at the P.O rather than go to the store for pick up. With all of the increases lumped on business, this must be a strategy for trimming overhead.

[1911sw45]

Just on the news closing 63 sams clubs.

[white eagle]

Every sams club in the state will be closing, ALL 3 of them.
In fact they are supposedly closed today to announce they will be closing the 26'th, makes sense to me.
I am not a huge fan of Sams or wallmart, but I hate to see any businesses leaveing.

It sounds like they are giving all employees 60 days pay, so better than a lot of businesses, just telling their employees that are unemployed when they show up for work.
On the bright side, they announced they want to sell everything, and sales will be up to 75% off currant prices.

let the stampede begin

[rancher1913]

Ever since Sam died their prices have risen to normal prices, we used to go twice a year and stock up, now its cheaper to watch sales and stock up localy

[M-Tecs]

Competing with Costco is hard on them.

[Hannibal]

I suppose it's a sign of the times. I've no idea what the situation is like in Alaska, but when I can order something online and have it show up on my doorstep in 2 days, often as cheap or cheaper than I can buy it in a 'brick -n- mortar' store when said store is 30 minutes one-way from my house at minimum, I'd be foolish not to take advantage of the service, IMHO.

Last time I tried to buy a doggone dishwasher, I could not find any store that had what I wanted on-hand and had to have it delivered, anyway. What's the point of a 'brick -n- mortar' store if you have to ring-up your own purchases, waste time and gas or have stuff delivered?

[Down South]

Every sams club in the state will be closing, ALL 3 of them.
In fact they are supposedly closed today to announce they will be closing the 26'th, makes sense to me.
I am not a huge fan of Sams or wallmart, but I hate to see any businesses leaveing.

It sounds like they are giving all employees 60 days pay, so better than a lot of businesses, just telling their employees that are unemployed when they show up for work.
On the bright side, they announced they want to sell everything, and sales will be up to 75% off currant prices.

There is a Sam's Club about 4 miles from me that I frequent often. Actually I was there yesterday. I was surprised to find out early this afternoon that it was one of the stores that closed today, bummer.

I haven't heard anything about the 75% off sales but on the other hand, I wouldn't want to fight the crowd either.

[marlin39a]

They're closing my local SAMs in Prescott Valley Arizona. That leaves me with Flagstaff or Phoenix . Too far. I will have to go with Costco in Prescott.

[Boaz]

Sams does a heck of a lot of business here . I buy a lot of supplies for the shop . Can't believe they would close but they are probably just cutting loose the looser locations . Many chains are tightening up ..online is hurting all the brick and mortar stores .

[Finster101]

We ditched Sam's a few years ago when our store got junky and the quality in the grocery dept. really slid. We have been going to a BJ's warehouse and it has been much better.

[starmac]

It seems like Costco has better prices here anyway, But it is 370 miles to Costco. I am not much of an online shopper, but Sams did not stock anything that can not be bought in other places here, and I compared prices between them and wallmart, most items were exactly the same per unit, so you were not actually saving anything buying the bulk packages at Sams.
It may be different in other areas.

[starmac]

OH yea, they did mention something about raising starting wages at wallmart to 11 bucks and change, whooptedo, I here Micky dee's starts out better than that.

[1911sw45]

Guess since sams is closing all the store in AK. They need to refund all the members that live in AK.

[RedlegEd]

Guess since sams is closing all the store in AK. They need to refund all the members that live in AK.

Hi. According to Business Insider, people affected by the closings will receive a refund on their membership fees. Ed

http://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-suddenly-closes-sams-club-stores-2018-1

[buckwheatpaul]

I have been seeing that but also hearing , they are increasing the starting wages and giving bonuses in the WalMart stores. Maybe they are closing the non profit stores. IDK

Spoke with a cashier at Wal-Mart this a.m. and she said that they were getting a raise and also getting their hours cut....go figure....If Sam was still alive he would be ashamed of the way mgmt treats their employees!

[MyFlatline]

That could have to do with O Care,,,I sure hope they can come up with a fair and affordable plan for everyone. I see more and more corporations cutting hours but hiring more people. Makes you wonder..

[Finster101]

That could have to do with O Care,,,I sure hope they can come up with a fair and affordable plan for everyone. I see more and more corporations cutting hours but hiring more people. Makes you wonder..

I think you nailed it. The next time the dems get a president and a majority, we will have single payer.

[Hannibal]

One of the biggest fiascos that has ever ensued is having healthcare become an employer benefit. The employer does all they can to hold the monthly premiums down, meanwhile the coverage drops to the legal requirement while the co-pays and deductibles skyrocket. Care to take a guess what your auto insurance coverage would look like if it were up to your employer to buy it for you?

People are SO naïve . . . .

Healthcare will ONLY become affordable and satisfactory when it becomes susceptible to free market forces. That means when you, I and everyone else can shop around for the coverage that best suits us and our family WITHOUT the involvement of our employer and government.

Yeah I know. . . . https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. 5S3X7K7A0GdsdjJenqEqvgEnDT%26pid%3D15.1&f=1

[MyFlatline]

One of the biggest fiascos that has ever ensued is having healthcare become an employer benefit. The employer does all they can to hold the monthly premiums down, meanwhile the coverage drops to the legal requirement while the co-pays and deductibles skyrocket. Care to take a guess what your auto insurance coverage would look like if it were up to your employer to buy it for you?

People are SO naïve . . . .

Healthcare will ONLY become affordable and satisfactory when it becomes susceptible to free market forces. That means when you, I and everyone else can shop around for the coverage that best suits us and our family WITHOUT the involvement of our employer and government.

Yeah I know. . . . https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. 5S3X7K7A0GdsdjJenqEqvgEnDT%26pid%3D15.1&f=1

I agree with you Sir..

[Finster101]

Hannibal, I don't think it's anyone's job to take care of me but me..there sure are a lot of people who want to stand in the way of that though. Time to quit the thread hijack. My apologies.

[MaryB]

I can buy from Walmart online for less than it would cost me to make the 200 mile round rip to the nearest Sam's Club. Bulky stuff(bale of toilet paper, paper towels...), and things that weigh a lot like cat litter and food I have been buying online. I don't have to drag it around the store, then load it in my truck, then unload and carry it in my house. Instead it gets deposited in my front porch and all I have to do is unpack it and put it away. Compared prices and it cost me $4 more last week because the cat food was a little higher than in store price.

[Hannibal]

Allowing employers to become involved with healthcare coverage is one of the all-time biggest scams ever. Allegedly, the benefit to employer-sponsored healthcare was that by buying as a group, the benefits were bigger and the costs less. Horse hockey! The employer does all it can to keep the monthly premiums down while the coverages stay at legal minimums and the co-pays and deductibles skyrocket.

The ONLY was healthcare will EVER become affordable AND acceptable is when it is subjected to free market forces. Which means when you, I and everyone else can sit down and call healthcare insurance providers ourselves and purchase what makes the most economic sense for ourselves and our families WITHOUT the interference of our employers or government.

Yeah, I know . . . https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. 5S3X7K7A0GdsdjJenqEqvgEnDT%26pid%3D15.1&f=1

[starmac]

I seem to remember when Sam was alive and running wallmart, nearly all of their employees were considered part time, only managers actually worked 40 hour weeks. They were kind of famous for that for several years.

[6bg6ga]

I went into Sam's once and wasn't thrilled with the idea of purchasing a membership simply to purchase in bulk. My line of thinking here...unless you have a very large family or your purchasing for an institution there is no need for them. Alter all who needs a 36oz container of Red Pepper flakes or Garlic powder?

[Down South]

I noticed where they were closing 3 of them in the Houston area. I'm not familiar with 2 of them, but the 3rd one, I've been there a couple of times over the years. It's the one located near where AstroWorld used to be. Even back then, it seemed a bit run down and then there were the street bums that hung out near there and other criminal elements of that part of town that made it less desirable. The news article I read said that they would possibly be converting some of them into stocking warehouses / distribution centers for Wal-Mart's new online shopping thing.
That's the club that I go to. I have no idea where the other stores are in Houston either.
I guess that I'll have to start using Costco over in Surgarland more often now.

[Wayne Smith]

Allowing employers to become involved with healthcare coverage is one of the all-time biggest scams ever. Allegedly, the benefit to employer-sponsored healthcare was that by buying as a group, the benefits were bigger and the costs less. Horse hockey! The employer does all it can to keep the monthly premiums down while the coverages stay at legal minimums and the co-pays and deductibles skyrocket.

The ONLY was healthcare will EVER become affordable AND acceptable is when it is subjected to free market forces. Which means when you, I and everyone else can sit down and call healthcare insurance providers ourselves and purchase what makes the most economic sense for ourselves and our families WITHOUT the interference of our employers or government.

Yeah, I know . . . https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. 5S3X7K7A0GdsdjJenqEqvgEnDT%26pid%3D15.1&f=1
Nope - the origin of employee health care was during WWII we had price and wage controls. The auto companies wanted to increase the wages but weren't allowed to - wage controls. So they started adding benefits - including health care. All of the rationalizations about cost benefits came later.

[Petrol & Powder]

Regardless of the forces at play, it's a natural part of the free market.

If particular Sams' club facilities are losing money then those facilities need to go. If Walmart can turn them into distribution centers and utilize the building that way, so be it. If not, they need to stop the bleeding and more forward with what is profitable.

Frankly, I gave up my Sams Club membership years ago. It wasn't worth the annual fee for the savings on what I was buying. On top of that, the location wasn't convenient and the cost in fuel and time made it even less attractive. I suspect I wasn't the only one to come to those conclusions.
The concept of the warehouse type store isn't new and there are times when that model can be competitive. However, markets change and the rest of the retail establishments caught up to Walmart & Sams Club. I think Walmart is acting responsibly by staying profitable.
Companies that didn't change or couldn't change, didn't stay around. Sears/K-Mart paid the price for poor leadership and outdated business models.
I think Walmart is still healthy overall. It's far better to change and survive than to be dogmatic and die.

[Down South]

I don’t have a decent Walmart close to me except for Walmart Markets. There are some items I buy in bulk and Sams has a great price on the bulk items.

[popper]

Sam's was originally free - had to have a free membership. Then the competition was loosing business and got the law changed. Kmart tried it and failed.

[am44mag]

OH yea, they did mention something about raising starting wages at wallmart to 11 bucks and change, whooptedo, I here Micky dee's starts out better than that.

I used to work at Walmart. Starting pay was $9. I wouldn't do it again for $15 an hour.

[Hannibal]

Nope - the origin of employee health care was during WWII we had price and wage controls. The auto companies wanted to increase the wages but weren't allowed to - wage controls. So they started adding benefits - including health care. All of the rationalizations about cost benefits came later.

Never heard that before. I'll check into it. Thank you for the information.

[DerekP Houston]

I have been seeing that but also hearing , they are increasing the starting wages and giving bonuses in the WalMart stores. Maybe they are closing the non profit stores. IDK

This is most likely correct, closing non-profitable stores and relocating. I've never understood why they competed against each other and had stores side by side.

[smokeywolf]

One other thing I'll miss when we leave Kali; a Costco close by. For store-bought, it's hard to do better than Costco's meat.

[marlin39a]

I went to SAMs in Prescott Valley, Arizona today. I could not find a parking spot, and there was a line going around the building to get in. I don't know what these dopes were thinking, but I got out of there fast.

[starmac]

I remember going to a globe store when they closed down and had the huge closeout sale. I do not know if they all turned out like the one in Pasadena, but shoppers totally destroyed that place, when I went in all the products were mostly pulled off the shelves and thrown in the floor, I could not hardly believe it, and this had to have been in the late 70's, early 80's at least.

[starmac]

Well it seems like everybody thinks they need to go to Sams before they close, one lane blocked, police turning folks away, the fire marshall has shut it down a couple of times today from what I understand. lol
Maybe they should just stay open and announce they are closing every couple of months. lol

[Artful]

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[Thin Man]

We live 20 miles from a Sam's Club, and there is a Costco within 4 miles of that Sam's. Our community has 2 Walmart stores. About 4-5 years ago a block of land barely outside our city was bought with the announcement we were going to see a Sam's Club on that property. All this makes one think the locals like the wally-world experience. The Sam's that is 20 miles away will not be closing, and we have not heard anything about a local Sam's for a long time (that decision probably has changed). I usually enjoy getting into the Sam's store but won't buy their membership (daughter has one). That's probably a good thing since I usually over-shop when I go there.

[lead-1]

The two Ohio closings are only 25 minutes apart and are only two of the six or so in the Cincinnati area.

[bdicki]

Well it seems like everybody thinks they need to go to Sams before they close, one lane blocked, police turning folks away, the fire marshall has shut it down a couple of times today from what I understand. lol
Maybe they should just stay open and announce they are closing every couple of months. lol
Like the furniture stores do.

[Mr_Sheesh]

Looks like all 3 near me are closing.

[Handloader109]

Shame that they are closing a bunch of them, I live only a few miles from Walmart central, and nothing else seems to have a chance. They opened up a sams last fall fairly close but I don't buy from them Walmart is cheaper and I don't have to buy a year supply at one time..

[bruce drake]

Its also occurring in their Walmarts (closing and restructuring)
A friend of mine in East Tennessee who has been with Walmart for more than 20 years from a stockboy all the way up to a co-manager of a Walmart store which included moving his family 3 times to stores out of the state of Tennessee has been told this week that his position is being phased out and he's getting a 2 month severance check shortly.
Walmart may have overextended themselves over the last decade with so many stores opening up in many other countries and expanding into grocery stores also.
Add that into forcing high wages and bonuses?

[Artful]

Post removed by user

[bruce drake]

Bruce, I think they are affording the increased wages and bonus pkg for walmart employee's by eliminating Sam's Club's and their employee's.

Agreed. My friend and two other store co-managers in the area are being replaced by one guy on a regional coverage approach. Walmart just saved 6 figures easily by eliminating those three spots in TN alone.

[starmac]

They cited transportation cost as one of the reasons for closing the 3 in Alaska, no problem believing that, but then again the very same trucks deliver to the 4 wallmart stores, HMMM.

[Elkins45]

Sam's was originally free - had to have a free membership. Then the competition was loosing business and got the law changed. Kmart tried it and failed.

The one here (an hour away) sent a representative to meet with teachers in our small rural school system when it opened in the early 90’s. They gave us all free memberships, but we had to pay a 5% upcharge when we shopped there. I think my card eventually wore out.

I was a Costco member for a year because I bought my Rhino safe from them. At the time the closest store was in Louisville so I only went 2-3 times. I remember they had great apples.

[dverna]

One near me has 25% off. We spent $500 on Sunday. Some great values.

Even their alcohol is discounted.

[Plate plinker]

Walmart inc. is trying to catchup in the online market place. We shall see how this pans out.