You all might want to read the L.A. series mentioned in the initial post. The newspaper found that Wal-Mart has a profound adverse impact on the economy here in the U.S. and worldwide. And woe to you if you happen to be one of their suppliers. I urge you all to become informed by reading the series. Their treatment of foreign countries is reason enough to stop shopping at Wal-Mart.

Now then, as for price, check this out: I recently had a prescription filled twice ... first at Wal-Mart and second at Walgreen's. I almost fell over. The Walgreen price was about half the Wal-Mart price. Same medicine, same quantity. Moral: Wal-Mart has created a fiction that it's always low price, and most people buy into it and don't even bother to keep track of prices.

Alternative buying: If price is crucial, use coupons, keep track of Walgreen's and Rite-Aide, etc., specials and become a frequent Big Lots shopper. Big Lots cereal prices can't be beat by anybody, including Wal-Mart. There really are alternatives to Wal-Mart, even though Wal-Mart doesn't want us to think so.

I urge you to read the L.A. series. And share the information with friends.

I don't mean to sound like an alarmist, but Wal-Mart is destroying our economy. And if you don't believe it, talk to a supplier who has struck out on Wal-Mart's "vendor's alley."