Complaint Review: Wal-Mart - Roanoke Virginia

The VA has agreed to take care of my knee, with my Doctor's appointment set for February 27. Isn't that great? I'll be getting the hook-up on the backs of the taxpayers, too. YAY! I'm eligible for cash and prizes in addition to medical treatment. I hope your taxes go up for this. FYI Naoma, I was one of "those guys", as the VA rep put it, so my SRB is unavailable to the VA, and I carried my medical records in with me. "Those guys" are the ones who do the stuff people like you don't like reading or hearing about, because our jobs were dirty and we were "mean" to other people. In lieu of a DD214, the VA was sent a "certificate" showing I was a good Marine and got out with an Honorable Discharge. You have fun with that. My wife has fun with her "sissy", as you put it.

As an insurance agent for the past few years i hear people all the time complain about the rising cost of insurance. If your insurance plan was not discussed fully to you before you signed on the dotted line then file a complaint with your State insurance board and have them start an investigation. We must all follow our state guidelines. I have never heard of not being able to use your insurance for 13 months after you sign up but if you would list the insurance company i would be more than happy to look into it and let you know. It will say on your certificate who the insurance is underwritten by you will only hold a certificate as Wal-Mart holds the Master Policy.

Robert, you are one poster that can make another poster reconsider their position. Don't ever feel you are hated or that your opinion is hated. You are a member of a great debate team. Everything you offer to this site is of value. It is nature for us to argue because to argue makes us happy, as long as you win. that's a jodi-ism. Good Day Good Friend Robert.

Robert, I couldn't help but notice that Naoma never bothered to answer your question about which branch of the service they put in 20 years for. Sheesh, I did 6 years in the Air Force, and the only reason I got out was that my AFSC (that's MOS for you Army brats) was dissolved. See, I was a German Cryptologic Linguist back in the late 80's, and then this president by the name of Reagan went and convinced Gorbachev that communism was not working, and they tore down the wall in Berlin in 1990, and Poof!, no more need for German Linguists. However, I don't consider myself any less of a patriot for not staying in. Hell, I wish I had, I would have had 20 last December! Oh well. And, I don't mind agreeing with you. Hell, I'm already on James' list as it is, siding with you can't be any worse.

Robert, I couldn't help but notice that Naoma never bothered to answer your question about which branch of the service they put in 20 years for. Sheesh, I did 6 years in the Air Force, and the only reason I got out was that my AFSC (that's MOS for you Army brats) was dissolved. See, I was a German Cryptologic Linguist back in the late 80's, and then this president by the name of Reagan went and convinced Gorbachev that communism was not working, and they tore down the wall in Berlin in 1990, and Poof!, no more need for German Linguists. However, I don't consider myself any less of a patriot for not staying in. Hell, I wish I had, I would have had 20 last December! Oh well. And, I don't mind agreeing with you. Hell, I'm already on James' list as it is, siding with you can't be any worse.

Robert, I couldn't help but notice that Naoma never bothered to answer your question about which branch of the service they put in 20 years for. Sheesh, I did 6 years in the Air Force, and the only reason I got out was that my AFSC (that's MOS for you Army brats) was dissolved. See, I was a German Cryptologic Linguist back in the late 80's, and then this president by the name of Reagan went and convinced Gorbachev that communism was not working, and they tore down the wall in Berlin in 1990, and Poof!, no more need for German Linguists. However, I don't consider myself any less of a patriot for not staying in. Hell, I wish I had, I would have had 20 last December! Oh well. And, I don't mind agreeing with you. Hell, I'm already on James' list as it is, siding with you can't be any worse.

If you agree with ANYTHING I write, you'll get a bad reputation for hate mongering. I'm just saying...

As someone who does suffer from anxiety and yes, has had plenty of panic attacks. I know that you do NOT need the medication. There are other things you can do that can help with it. Robert did mention one, and that is exercise. If you have no time to do that, then always schedule so me time in during night. (I've done it at 1AM before when I had to work at 6AM but I knew without it I couldn't function.) That is when you do (without interruptions) whatever makes you calm down. For me it's reading. (And sometimes reading while taking a bubble bath.) Trust me, it works. I was diagnosed with the disorder at 18, I am now 30. (And yes I do have children, and yes, I was a single mom with my son.) You can also look online for different relaxation techniques (and at home exercises). Don't pay for medication, that you probably don't need. (Especially since they're so expensive.)

I worked at Walmart for only a few months in 2001. My starting wage was $10.00, which I considered adequate at the time. I did read the insurance, and it is better than some, worse than others. And my friend still working at Wal-Mart makes $19 per hour (15 years of service). About 50K per year, including overtime. So, like any job, Wal-mart rewards many employees, especially those that work hard to exceed expectations.

I worked at Walmart for only a few months in 2001. My starting wage was $10.00, which I considered adequate at the time. I did read the insurance, and it is better than some, worse than others. And my friend still working at Wal-Mart makes $19 per hour (15 years of service). About 50K per year, including overtime. So, like any job, Wal-mart rewards many employees, especially those that work hard to exceed expectations.

I worked at Walmart for only a few months in 2001. My starting wage was $10.00, which I considered adequate at the time. I did read the insurance, and it is better than some, worse than others. And my friend still working at Wal-Mart makes $19 per hour (15 years of service). About 50K per year, including overtime. So, like any job, Wal-mart rewards many employees, especially those that work hard to exceed expectations.

I worked at Walmart for only a few months in 2001. My starting wage was $10.00, which I considered adequate at the time. I did read the insurance, and it is better than some, worse than others. And my friend still working at Wal-Mart makes $19 per hour (15 years of service). About 50K per year, including overtime. So, like any job, Wal-mart rewards many employees, especially those that work hard to exceed expectations.

'For those of you who don't know, any servicemember who serves for at least 20 years retires from the military with full medical benefits.' Try telling that to my bro-in-law who served 27 years. Of course highest rank he attained was Lt. Col, so that may make a difference. Robert--you make so much sense, it's scary! What gets me is the people who 'doctor shop' until they find one who will prescribe, prescribe, prescribe. My cousin has Rosecea--certainly a non-terminal condition. She'll stick with one doctor until s/he tells her she's taking too many antibiotics. Then she goes to another who will start her on a new regimen of antibiotics. One of these days if, God forbid, she develops a truly complicated infection, because her body has built up such an immunity to the drugs, they'll do her no good. D, stop looking for a handout. If WalMart is such a horrid place to work--go where your many talents(?) will be recognized by paying high wages with plenty of bennies.

'For those of you who don't know, any servicemember who serves for at least 20 years retires from the military with full medical benefits.' Try telling that to my bro-in-law who served 27 years. Of course highest rank he attained was Lt. Col, so that may make a difference. Robert--you make so much sense, it's scary! What gets me is the people who 'doctor shop' until they find one who will prescribe, prescribe, prescribe. My cousin has Rosecea--certainly a non-terminal condition. She'll stick with one doctor until s/he tells her she's taking too many antibiotics. Then she goes to another who will start her on a new regimen of antibiotics. One of these days if, God forbid, she develops a truly complicated infection, because her body has built up such an immunity to the drugs, they'll do her no good. D, stop looking for a handout. If WalMart is such a horrid place to work--go where your many talents(?) will be recognized by paying high wages with plenty of bennies.

How many years did you serve in the Marine Corps, or any branch, for that matter. You must either be a complete idiot, or just a blithering dumbass. People get out of the military for any number of reasons. Very few go to retirement. If you did even a seconds' worth of research, you would know this. Why I got out is simple...there is more money in the civilian world. I had three reenlistment contracts open that were all approved, and I chose to get out. My knee didn't hurt when I got out, fourteen years ago. Now it does, and has been for about two years. The knee in question is the same one that is documented in my records. I can go to the VA and have it taken care of, along with a review for disability payments. Would you, as a taxpayer like me to do that? Or are you not a taxPAYER? Do the world a favor and keep your opinions to yourself. Many people are incapable of forming a cogent thought on their own, you remove all doubt when you open your mouth.

Robert, you stated that you pay for all of your medical expenses 100% out of pocket. You also said that your knee pain was courtesy of the USMC. Well, if you have to pay for medical out of pocket you obviously didn't do your 20 for the Corps. This makes you a sissy: either you quit or you couldn't hack it and they discharged you. For those of you who don't know, any servicemember who serves for at least 20 years retires from the military with full medical benefits. BTW, I doubt that Robert's knee pain is all that serious. If it were, he'd have medical benefits even without doing a full 20.

D. My girlfriend works for Wally World and we went round-n-round in the perscription issues. File a claim for the perscription, they will pay 50%, but be warned, buy them at Walmart and get the discount, anywhere else they will only pay the amount Walmart would have charged you. All the best

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to address your comments and issues. I decided to go ahead and read D. from Virginia's reply. Here's the thing. It appears there has been a misunderstanding or two concerning my message to the rude, lazy and cocky employees of lowes and home depot. I want to let you all know a little more about myself since several of you have posted your assumptions which you have made in regard to my education, profession, monetary spending habits and of course my philosophy, etc. But first, I would like you to notice I never stated in any of my postings whether or not I had attended a university or college nor did I indicate my profession. I did not make any statements to my actual personal spending habits or my philosophy towards the under privileged. The three individuals with rebuttals to my comments were either current employees of walmart or other retail chains or they were employees of the same in prior years. Although I'm not at all clear as to why anyone who is neither rude, lazy or cocky would ever want to defend the rude, lazy and cocky, I have found some of your comments interesting and worthy of further discussion. For instance. I believe you folks somehow managed to read my message as stating all uneducated people are rude, lazy and cocky and working at either walmart, home depot, lowes or any other big box store chain. It also seems to be you folks somehow managed to read my message as stating all low income workers are rude, lazy and cocky and working at either, walmart, home depot, lowes or any other big box store chain. It also seems to be you folks somehow managed to read my message as stating all uneducated people are stupid and rude, lazy and cocky. It also seems to be you folks somehow managed to read my message as stating all educated people are intelligent, kind, hardworking and humble. It also seems to be you folks somehow managed to read my message as stating all wealthy people are intelligent, kind, hardworking and humble. And definitely you folks somehow managed to read my message as stating all people who work at walmart, home depot, lowes and any other big box store chains are rude, lazy, cocky and uneducated. It also seems to be one of you folks somehow managed to read my message as stating no one has ever made a dime off of the walmart stock and gave me an example about a few employees who invested in walmart twenty years ago and hit it big. I believe she was referring to the same people who I was referring to who worked hard building the company up from it's beginning. It also seems to be one of you folks somehow managed to read my message as stating all the big box store chains pay for their employee's educations. With all that out of the way I would like to let you all know that although I am mostly retired, most of my time is now spent building non-profit rental cottages for the low income and under privileged so that the proceeds from the rents can go to animal shelters and humane societies. By the way D. we never go out to eat. But thanks for your concern. Again, I can't imagine why anyone would want to take up for the rude, lazy & cocky people of the world no matter where they work. But next time someone is being rude to me I'll make sure I ask them if it's because they need to go to the bathroom. Better luck next time trying to twist my words. I bet compared to you most people don't seem rude, lazy or cocky. That's the problem. You did get one thing right D. I do have a trust fund but don't worry, I won't be spending a dime at walmart. By the way, if you didn't like that message about lowe's, please don't look at my message to the catholic Church. P.S. Maybe you haven't heard. Fisherman work really hard. They are definitely not lazy. Maybe you should take the time to learn more about the occupation. Get some help D. Don't you think you're getting a little obsessed. Patrick, Patrick, Patrick. My GOD! No not really. But either way, with all that hard work you claim you've put in, honey you never learned to read. Maybe you should have done better in school so you could have gotten into college. Please quit trying to act like you're a big shot in Gilbert, Arizona. You are what? Thirty something now. Lord have mercy, you should have a little office and a view. I'm sure your view out your window is beautiful. I hope you're ok when you realize who you ran your mouth off too. Sorry Patrick, I'll be everywere. It's all about money to you isn't it Denny. People like you can't be reasoned with. So sorry. Special thanks to you three for proving "common sense and kindness can not be taught or bought." By the way, there was no misunderstanding, you three are the kind I was talking about. Thanks for stepping up to me to identify yourselves. Let me tell you about my husband. He literally didn't have a dime to his name when I met him. He didn't have a home. He didn't have family who gave a damb about him. He didn't have any education at all worth mentioning. This world had beat him down as far as it could. Luckily I found him and saved his life. Don't worry D. from Virginia. You won't ever have to get to know us. By the way, my husband's from Virginia. Tootaloo. Sorry, I won't be replying back to anyone else. I have bigger fish to fry. No offense.

we all start somehwere. I bet that Alaska didn't get out of high school and start in a $120,000 a year job right! The freaking hypocrite! I had to pay my own way through college. Guess what? I had to work in retail to do so. In fact, I started in retail when i was 16 and finally GOT my "good" job when i was 27. 11 years of putting up with the bull from @$$es like Alaska. You know, Janitors actually have the best job in the world! And most "people' would think this is a "lowly" job that "anyone" can get. Dont need a "good" education to do so, but hey, its all about enjoying what you do right? those like alaska live in a snow globe, thinking that all right in "their world" and have no concept of reality. Best to let these "people" deal with their own little pathetic lives, as they only find entertainment picking on others.

D, Thank you so much for putting down exactly what I was thinking. For the past few days, I have been dying to write almost the exact same response to "So Sorry", but have not had the time. Look also at all the other Home Depot/Lowes/Wal-Mart reports. This person has also posted pretty much the same bitter diatribe there. And now for my 2 cents. So Sorry, I too have worked in retail and fast food. I did this because I decided to serve my country for 6 years in the Air Force uopn graduating from High School, instead of going to college. 15 years later, I have a high-paying 9-5 job in a nice office with a view, and am respected by my collegues and clients. How did I get here? By working my butt off in retail until I was in a position to work my way up in the coporate world. No, I do not have a degree, but that does not make me any less capable in my career. Nor does it make me "lazy". And when I go and shop in the big box stores like Wal-Mart, Lowes and Home Depot, I treat the employees with courtesy and respect, unless they give me reason not to, because I've been there and I know what it is like. I hate people like you who have a "holier than thou" attitude, and who treat people like trash because you think you are in a higher class of society because you have money. If anyone ever treates me with disrepect, I'll tell them where they can stick it. As D said, you cannot apply blanket statements to everyone in these jobs. Take D's advice, stay in Alaska. We don't want your kind down here in the lower 48.

D, Thank you so much for putting down exactly what I was thinking. For the past few days, I have been dying to write almost the exact same response to "So Sorry", but have not had the time. Look also at all the other Home Depot/Lowes/Wal-Mart reports. This person has also posted pretty much the same bitter diatribe there. And now for my 2 cents. So Sorry, I too have worked in retail and fast food. I did this because I decided to serve my country for 6 years in the Air Force uopn graduating from High School, instead of going to college. 15 years later, I have a high-paying 9-5 job in a nice office with a view, and am respected by my collegues and clients. How did I get here? By working my butt off in retail until I was in a position to work my way up in the coporate world. No, I do not have a degree, but that does not make me any less capable in my career. Nor does it make me "lazy". And when I go and shop in the big box stores like Wal-Mart, Lowes and Home Depot, I treat the employees with courtesy and respect, unless they give me reason not to, because I've been there and I know what it is like. I hate people like you who have a "holier than thou" attitude, and who treat people like trash because you think you are in a higher class of society because you have money. If anyone ever treates me with disrepect, I'll tell them where they can stick it. As D said, you cannot apply blanket statements to everyone in these jobs. Take D's advice, stay in Alaska. We don't want your kind down here in the lower 48.

Thanks D. for proving my point. I had to stop reading your reply after a couple of sentenses though because you are clearly disturbed. I'm glad you read mine though. Please work on your jealousy issues while you keep up the good work at walmart. Have a nice day, D.

"The fact is you only apply for jobs in those huge box chain stores so that you can spend alot of your time getting away with only appearing to be working really hard all the time while you're really goofing off. You don't want to work for a mom and pop store because you know the mom and pops are always there watching their stores like protective parents." No, we don't work for "Mom and Pop" stores because most of them cannot afford to pay more than minimum wage. I personally did work for a genuine "Mom and Pop" store but the one that I worked for was plain nasty, like carrying items that were more than 10yrs old and refusing to clean the store. Or setting out pots of water next to the coffee makers to use for coffee in the morning when the water was nice and rancid because to the owner, it was more convenient. Because of course, the 4 people working the first shift couldn't take 2 minutes to actually walk 8ft to the sink, fill up the coffee pot with fresh water-ewww. Or not protecting themselves by cleaning the front doors of the store so that if someone robbed the store, you could have alteast a chance of getting fingerprints off the door. I was actually yelled at for cleaning the front door because to her it wasn't important and I was wasting time. "Most of you do in fact try your best to avoid eye contact with the customer in hopes the customer will not ask for help. The rare times you do offer assistance prior to being asked is usually when you think the customers looks like they have found what they need and are on their way out of your departments." No, I religiously practice the rule of saying hello to all customers that I come in contact with. I have had customers stop me to ask for assistance even when I was off and in the store doing my own shopping. I understand that I am a representative of the store and I will ablige. And here is the kicker-I have never worked in a department-I am customer service and a cashier. Is it still "my job", yes as a matter of fact it is! As I said, you represent the store no matter what your title. "Or my favorite is when someone asks if you need assistance and as soon as you say yes they inform you it's not their department but they will call someone for you." Okay, here is just a thought, maybe the person you are asking works in Lawn and Garden and is walking by to go to the bathroom, or for a break. You stop them in Fabrics and Crafts and ask them to cut fabric. Well, they are not authorized to do that. Or a personal experience, I was on a register for the last 3hrs and really REALLY had to get to the bathroom. A customer stopped me in the Furniture Dept. and asked for assitance with a dresser in a box. I did ask them to wait and I hurriedly grabbed someone else (happened to be the Pet Dept. associate) because I was about to burst. Aren't we human? Don't we have personal needs? I understand that customers come first, but d**n! Customers can sometimes forget to take into consideration that maybe we really DON'T know where something is. Or, maybe we really do need to pass you off to someone else for another reason. "You avoid going down isles when you see someone who looks like they are looking for something and most definitely you try to pick and choose who you offer your assistance to. Some of you apparently prefer dealing with types you perceive to be equal to yourselves and others of you prefer to suck up to whoever looks like they may be spys from corporate (secret shoppers)." Funny, I have had more of these experiences at Belk, JC Penney and upper level stores such as those I listed. I am not saying that this doesn't happen, but that is a pretty large blanket you just drapped over us all with that statement? You are truely biased and someone has fooled you into believing that you are somehow superior to us lowly retail workers. Let me burst that bubble-you are no better than we are. Your pants still go on exactly the same way in the morning! BTW, you can't tell a Secret Shopper/Mystery Shopper from other customers-I have done that job too. You don't know if it is the person in the business suit or the man whose drunk and coming in acting like he is going to buy some more beer just to see if you will sell it to him. Or the mother with 3 children who are running all over the place and in her attempt to round up her children, stops you and asks you to please bring an item to the front of the store or go retrieve an item from the shelf for her. "The fact is you people also have to get jobs at places like Lowe's and Home Depot because you did not apply yourselves enough in high school to be able to get into legitimate university's where better paying company's recruit their employees from. Apparently most of you also failed to take the time to learn a specific trade or better yourself in any way professionally." WOW! So what you are saying is that anyone who works for a retail chain does so because they are uneducated and can't do any better for themselves. Here we go with the blanket statements again! You should go to work for a retail chain just for a few months, you might gain an outlook on the world that is missing from your pampered, sheltered little bubble of an existance. I am not even going to entertain that rediculous of a statment. "Instead you decide to take the quickest and easiest job you can find so you can continue on your same path of not having to do much for yourself or anyone else." "Okay, I'll bite...Hmm, could it be that there are people out there that are in fact working this type of job to get through school, or to support a family until their children are old enough to start school and they will be more able to take a 9-5 job? Could it be that they are military and working this type of a job between deployments? Could it be that they DO have a career, and they want to start putting back a little nest egg, or they are trying to get out of debt, or get a child finacially ready for college? Do they also deserve to be treated like s**t by their company-or people like you? "So instead of bettering yourselves and getting higher paying jobs you all slep it out at the box stores and take you hostilities towards the company you work for out on the customers by being short,interupting the customer while they are trying to speak, often rude and basically showing your complete lack of regard towards how you treat the customers by taking your sweet time getting around to helping them,standing around chit chatting with your fellow sleppers in departments other than your own while the customers are having to hunt you down and practically beg you to do your jobs." Maybe you come to the store with the same Holier Than Thou attitude you have while you are writing this? You get what you give! "Basically in a nut shell it means that you are who you are and your behavior is not going to change just because you are paid what you want to be paid. You are not going to all of a sudden become a better person who is willing to treat people the way you would like to be treated just because you are paid more." Was this a personal statement? You don't sound like anyone I would want to know. "In plainer terms, once an a*s, always an a*s. Common sense and kindness can not be taught and it sure as hell can not be bought." LOOK EVERYONE...IT'S AN a*s! Hey lady...if sense was so common everyone would have it...you are proof that that isn't so. Whose the idiot here anyway, we are talking about Wal-Mart and you are talking about Lowe's and Home Depot! Let's see if you could handle my job: Could you pass 800+ items per hour passed a laser and make sure that they are put in appropriate bags so the customer gets out of the store with their items in the condition they need? Could you deal with verbal confrontations with customers that are angry at the store and you are a representative of the store, and so they are hell bent on getting what they want no matter what it may be. Could you deal with a thousand or more people just like YOU for 8-12hrs a day, day in and day out without becoming hardened to all of the jerks (like you) out there? "I say this all mainly because of your pathetic attitudes. You folks get what you deserve and maybe one day you will realize how what goes around truly comes around." Honey, you better take that piece of advice to heart because one day you may find yourself in our shoes and you know what I would love to have all of us MORONS there to see that. Remember what goes around truly does come around! "That's just some bullshit gimmick the idiots at Walmart started in order to try to motivate their even dumber employees who actually bought it hook line and sinker. Sinker being the key word because that's what's sinking the big box store's ship. You are small time investors, that's all." It was Wal-Marts "small time investors" that made the company what it is now! And there are a good number of Door Greeters that were made filthy rich by buying into the stock option back in the 80's when it started. Have you ever seen a Stock Holders Meeting? A&E and CNBC had reports on Wal-mart...check into it! There is a segment on one of those documentary that showed last years Share Holders Meeting and the number of people that were there is just a small representative of the number of "small-timers" there are at Wal-Mart and they are extremely dedicated to their company almost to Cult status. Wal-Mart isn't going anywhere! "If they really wanted to go to school they could find a way to pay for it themselves." Sorry, but our stores don't pay for our education dumb a*s. Maybe you should dig a little deeper into Daddy's wallet or your trust fund and get an a education in how people live in the real world. No, actually stay up there in Alaska...you don't need neighbors, nobody is as good as you anyway! What do you think of the fisherman. I guess they head out on the crab boats a couple times a year to risk their lives to make sure you can go out to your ritzy resturants because they weren't smart enough to become doctors or lawyers, right? You are proof that education doesn't make you smart! Please lady crawl back into your little hole in the snow and don't come back out!

So in conclusion, here's a word or two to the home depot and lowes employees who are pleading for the customer's sympathy in respect to their hardships involving low pay, low hours and to much work......etc., oh and let's not forget all the complaints about those horrible rude customers who work hard in their own jobs so they can go into these stores and give their money in exchange for merchandise so these company's can pay you people. First, where do I begin. My GOD. Truly. I could start by bashing your corporate leaders but to tell you the honest truth I have come to the conclusion that it's the employees who are bringing the companies down almost single handedly. So with that thought in mind, those of you who can't handle the truth should really stop reading my message now because, believe me you're not going to be happy with what you're hopefully about to absorb. The fact is you only apply for jobs in those huge box chain stores so that you can spend alot of your time getting away with only appearing to be working really hard all the time while you're really goofing off. You don't want to work for a mom and pop store because you know the mom and pops are always there watching their stores like protective parents. Most of you do in fact try your best to avoid eye contact with the customer in hopes the customer will not ask for help. The rare times you do offer assistance prior to being asked is usually when you think the customers looks like they have found what they need and are on their way out of your departments. Or my favorite is when someone asks if you need assistance and as soon as you say yes they inform you it's not their department but they will call someone for you. You avoid going down isles when you see someone who looks like they are looking for something and most definitely you try to pick and choose who you offer your assistance to. Some of you apparently prefer dealing with types you perceive to be equal to yourselves and others of you prefer to suck up to whoever looks like they may be spys from corporate (secret shoppers). The fact is you people also have to get jobs at places like Lowe's and Home Depot because you did not apply yourselves enough in high school to be able to get into legitimate university's where better paying company's recruit their employees from. Apparently most of you also failed to take the time to learn a specific trade or better yourself in any way professionally. I know this is true because a great percentage of you have not even bothered to learn proper grammar when English is obviously your language. Instead you decide to take the quickest and easiest job you can find so you can continue on your same path of not having to do much for yourself or anyone else. All the while you whine and moan and groan and beg for sympathy from the very people you treat like s**t when they try to do business with the company you work for so you can earn a living and try to pay you bills. Let me get this straight. Most of you complain about the low pay and not having enough fellow employees. So instead of bettering yourselves and getting higher paying jobs you all slep it out at the box stores and take you hostilities towards the company you work for out on the customers by being short,interupting the customer while they are trying to speak, often rude and basically showing your complete lack of regard towards how you treat the customers by taking your sweet time getting around to helping them,standing around chit chatting with your fellow sleppers in departments other than your own while the customers are having to hunt you down and practically beg you to do your jobs. It's obvious you people would act the exact same way even if they doubled or tripled the number of workers in each store. I know it's hard for you little brains who haven't bothered to learn much on your own to understand, but there is something called research that proved long ago that no matter how much someone is paid, their attitude and quality of work and dedication to the company they work for, etc. remains the same. It is called innate behavior. Basically in a nut shell it means that you are who you are and your behavior is not going to change just because you are paid what you want to be paid. You are not going to all of a sudden become a better person who is willing to treat people the way you would like to be treated just because you are paid more. You people's claim that you don't like having to work hard because you're not paid much is bogus at best. The fact is, you're not paid much because you're not willing to work hard. In plainer terms, once an a*s, always an a*s. Common sense and kindness can not be taught and it sure as hell can not be bought. Face it, you all are not mad at Lowe's and Home Depot, you're mad at yourselves for not getting off your lazy butts and bettering yourselves so you could have a better life. So please quit your bullshit sessions and either do your jobs or wait to get fired. As far as expecting you to ever show sincere kindness to the people who shop in your stores, I won't hold my breath. But for your own sakes since many of you invest in the stock option plans your company offers, get a grip and realize you are the ones driving the stock prices down Home Depot folks because you are the ones running the customers away who the original founders of Home Depot obviously worked their butts off to draw in. Doesn't it make more sense that instead of half of you trying to bury your brown noses up Nardelli's a*s and the other half trying to cut him down to size why don't you do something yourselves and quit making excuses for your own lack of self motivation. Instead, consider this thought. It has taken thousands of you losers to tear apart what just a couple of intelligent, hardworking and focused individuals built. I'm talking about Home Depot for all who can't figure it out but Lowes's is not far behind Home Depot's demise by the way. So next time you hear a customer say I hate Home Depot or Lowe's please feel free to correct them and suggest that they hate the employees of Lowe's and Home Depot instead. After all let's put the blame where it really belongs because quite frankly I believe there are plenty of employees in your stores to take care of the customers provided the employees are willing to actually get their act together and stop pretending to be as overworked as they claim. As far as pay, from what I've seen you people are paid to much as it is. I say this all mainly because of your pathetic attitudes. You folks get what you deserve and maybe one day you will realize how what goes around truly comes around. Good luck keeping your stock prices up. I noticed one employee stated the upper management at Home Depot is cashing out and not reinvesting in the company. WONDER WHY ! I find it hysterical though that a employee really wants us to believe he/she would be privy to such info but that's beside the point. Probably a good guess. Last but not least. Millions of people purchase stock in company's like Home Depot and Lowe's but they don't go around diluting reality by actually considering themselves as part owners of the company. That's just some bullshit gimmick the idiots at Walmart started in order to try to motivate their even dumber employees who actually bought it hook line and sinker. Sinker being the key word because that's what's sinking the big box store's ship. You are small time investors, that's all. But notice it's mainly Walmart, Home Depot and Lowe's who are having the same type of problems with cocky, lazy, stupid and rude employees. It's because you morons really bought into the crock concept that the stores belong to you and so you don't hesitate to give the customer attitude reflecting your stupid notions that losing one customer's business here and there won't hurt you any. Guess what stupids, it seems you kept that attitude up so long that word has really gotten around. Home Depot - $39.95 per share. HAHAHA. And that concept is exactly what's going to sink all the big box ships because that's exactly what drives the cocky dumb a*s attitudes you people exhibit when you deal with the customers. One last thing. Many of you big box employees seem to think all wealthy people run around like Puff Daddy and JZ flashing their wealth and spending big. NEWS FLASH: The really wealthy manage their money very well and are usually not interested in trying to impress the morons who like the flash. So the next time you feel the need to rebut a report from a customer and put the customer down for appearing cheap, remember that misconception is what helps to keep you being a loser. A customer in your store buying a 24.00 item today may very well be back tomorrow with a 3,000.00 or more order. I could go on and on but I don't really have time. So my best advise to Home Depot corporate is save the money you spend on your employee's education because I don't think it's helping much. If they really wanted to go to school they could find a way to pay for it themselves. The messages left from many of your employees speaks volumes towards their intelligence potential. Final fact. Most people have jobs alot harder than yours. Granted there are exceptions to the above but they are very very very few and far between so if you think you are one of the exceptions you are probably insulting your own intelligence once again. HAVE A NICE DAY! Isn't that what you all like to smile and say to the customers after you know you have treated them poorly. I guess the notion misery loves company is true. You guys prove that. But just think, Home Depot & Lowe's & Walmart might have been ok places to work if it were not for the repulations you people have earned for the stores and yourselves. Again, Have a nice day!

I am a mother of five children and I completely understand the difficult situation that you are in. The gentleman, who seems to have nothing better to do with his time but rant and rave against the plights of people who for no fault of their own find themselves in a bad situation, is quite misguided. It is very important to have a good insurance plan that includes prescription coverage especially when you have children. I am not a "dependant" wife. I am a very hard working mom and although I stay home with my children because the cost of daycare outweighs the benefits of employment at this time does not undermine how hard I work. It was described in a previous comment about this lady situation that we do not understand what it is like to have bullets whizing by our heads and the extreme terror of being in the trenches. And while I have the utmost respect for the military I dont believe that war is the only battlefield that we have to face. If you are a parent you understand the pure terror that a four year old boy can give you at 3 o'clock in the morning when he wakes you up with the most horrible wheezing sound and when you look at his face it is blue. So with no insurance what do you do? you rush him to the ER anyways. 500 plus dollars and six hours of intense breathing treatments later they send you home with a little slip called a prescription. This little slip of paper will help your child recover from his episode but low and behold the actual cost of this prescription is $98.71. Your child almost dies and you have to pay over 600 just to make him able to breathe one more day. Now times that terror by 5. Not having good insurance coverage can cause one to have anxiety attacks. The cost of medicine for.. what did you call them..."colds" and scraped knees.....is intense. Never once have I taken my child in for a sniffle. The last child I had to bring into the ER had a 105.3 degree temp that would not go down after three hours of home treatments. He just turned two. Working out at a gym has not increased my endorphins enough to not carry insurance and prescription coverage for my children and me. It is hard. We can barely afford it, but don't put down what you don't understand. I am happy you can have all that extra money and be so healthy. Not all of us are that lucky. Afer recieving hubbies paycheck that he works 48 hours a week for and taking out the cost of food, shelter, and utilities and of course clothing five children is not cheap....even if you are and avid bargin shopper like my self. After all those "minor" deductions and even if we were to have the extra $250 we pay for insurance a month there is no way we could afford to take our children to the doctor for a checkup let alone when stuff like what happened with my son happened. I do not sit around all day and watch the idiot box. i home school my kids and we are very active, but they still suffer from asthma and allergies. Not having insurance is not an option. So I offer my smpathy for this young lady and hope things get better! I just wish that there was a program that would help offset the cost for people who are struggling to just make ends meet. It cost us 20,000 for each birth....how do you make payments on that?

Robert - I'm self-employed and paying way too much on monthly health insurance premiums that I NEVER use. I really want to protect my assets (real estate) and based on what you wrote, catastrophic coverage would be ideal for me - I don't mind astronomic deductibles - it would be cheaper than paying my montly premiums. How do you suggest I go about researching this? I know there is tons of info on the internet, but don't want to get ripped off. Any suggestions off hand?

Robert - I'm self-employed and paying way too much on monthly health insurance premiums that I NEVER use. I really want to protect my assets (real estate) and based on what you wrote, catastrophic coverage would be ideal for me - I don't mind astronomic deductibles - it would be cheaper than paying my montly premiums. How do you suggest I go about researching this? I know there is tons of info on the internet, but don't want to get ripped off. Any suggestions off hand?

Robert - I'm self-employed and paying way too much on monthly health insurance premiums that I NEVER use. I really want to protect my assets (real estate) and based on what you wrote, catastrophic coverage would be ideal for me - I don't mind astronomic deductibles - it would be cheaper than paying my montly premiums. How do you suggest I go about researching this? I know there is tons of info on the internet, but don't want to get ripped off. Any suggestions off hand?

Robert - I'm self-employed and paying way too much on monthly health insurance premiums that I NEVER use. I really want to protect my assets (real estate) and based on what you wrote, catastrophic coverage would be ideal for me - I don't mind astronomic deductibles - it would be cheaper than paying my montly premiums. How do you suggest I go about researching this? I know there is tons of info on the internet, but don't want to get ripped off. Any suggestions off hand?

I work for a medical billing company taking calls from patients about their er dr bills. The amt that the insurance is billed is the same amount that the pt is billed. If there is a contract with the insurance then the company will adjust an amount off as per the negotiated contract. If not, the pt is billed the balance. This is much like a contract a store may have with a business. For example a computer company may sell a large amount of computers to a University for a smaller price per unit than the amt they sell 1 to a individual. Some medical companies will make a courtesy discount to people without insurance. Not all will. The amount charged is based on federal and state guidelines. People though seem to forget that health companies are just that: companies out to make money. Why should they be any different from any other company. As for walmart and the prescription problem, I have never heard of having to wait that long to get prescription benefits. That is outrageous to me.

Robert said get healthy and go without health insurance and I don't remember who said something about seeing their Explanation of Benefits and no way they would be able to afford what the charges were before the insurance paid? Guess what, what they bill insurance companies and what they bill self pay people are TOTALLY DIFFERENT. Self pay billing is usually around what the insurance company "allows" on an insurance pay billing. I went three years without health insurance and self paid. Trust me, I saw the way it worked. Therefore, what Robert has suggested isn't totally off the mark here.

Taking good care of yourself has MANY benefits. And lacking care for yourself has none. I have three children and wondered how I would have time to "take care of myself". Then I found that American Idol isn't MANDATORY. You can make the time if you TRULY evaluate your lifestyle, to take good care of yourself. I am also posting as an Ex-Employee. I worked at Wally World for three years. It was HARD work, BUT, it was a good steady job. And if you prove yourself, you will advance. I sure did. And frankly, I found their benefits to be awesome, I left with a nice chunk of stock for a young person and a great deal of experience. And before you say I didn't have to pay daycare, I most certainly did. I also went to school full time and worked another part time job, what I wouldn't do to have all of that energy back... Bottom line though, you didn't get ripped off, you just failed to read your paperwork...

What I offer are called parables. They are stories that make a point, if you are smart enough to catch them. You are the one who brags about your car...before you blew it up(mine all run just fine)...and at what point have I ever bragged about my military exploits? The woman asked if I ever experienced anything like hers. My answer was simple. No...she has never experienced anything like mine. Getting antsy at the cash register is not a medical emergency like she thinks. The fact that I have shown it would be less expensive for her and most people to pay as they go instead of wasting the money on insurance seems to be lost on you. The less you make, the more you save, as a percentage of income. Ever watch TV at night? Every other ad is for some wonder drug that will cure this or that. They also give you a whole slew of adverse side effects that are usually worse than the problem you thought you had. "Have gas really bad? Try this new pill. Side efeects include death or maiming". Great choice...fart or die. Try going to the bathroom. Eating a well balanced diet and getting regular exercize will prevent most ills. Do any of you think these commercials are coincidental to the drug companies and politicians telling everyone they have to have insurance? Before these ads, healthcare was cheaper and insurance was non-existant, or is it the other way around? Insurance companies drive up the costs, which is why I pay less for a doctor's visit than someone with insurance. I also don't see a commercial and run down to the hospital demanding this new super-drug. Get rid of the drug ads and/or make the individual file his/her own insurance claim, and you will see healthcare costs drop dramatically. Just making the individual file their own claim will eleiminate most claims. It won't be worth their time or effort to do it. Think of it this way Troy. The money you will save can be spent on your Neon.

It comes down to half-assed covereage that bottom of the barrell employers like Walmart use. There is a choice to take it or leave it, but do you honestly think that the average Walmart employee can afford to take their chances by denying medical coverage? The only thing that I will agree with is the problem of people abusing the system and running to the ER ever time they get a cough. Maybe it's time to take a little advice from Canada (Sorry for using the C-word Bobby) I often question your motives for posting here, because you rarely offer rational and contructive advice. This seems to be more of a platform for you to boast about your military adventures and how fast your car is. What an embarassment to the USMC. You sometimes head off on tangents that confuse the topic at hand and end up leaving me confused as to what the original topic was. Anyways keep up the Google searches, and copy and paste away so we can all revel in your superior knowledge, military experience and physical prowess. What do you want, a cookie? I have a couple star stickers in my desk if that's what you're after.

First, you say you're depressed and then go on and describe an anxiety attack. The two are at opposite ends of the spectrum. So much for the argument there. As for whether I have ever experienced anything like you described, let's see. How about being in the middle of an artillery barrage from your own regiment that is hitting your position by mistake and can't be lifted because the rounds are dropping so close to you that you can't even scream loud enough into the radio handset to have a "check-fire" ordered. Live through that for 5 minutes while the earth explodes as you move from crater to crater trying to escape the incoming rounds. Is that heart-pounding enough for you? How about having bullets whiz past your head so close that you think they're flies buzzing untill you feel the heat from them. Is that enough to get the juices flowing yet? Don't whine about being depressed, especially when you don't even describe it properly. Next to my experiences in life, I think you freaking out while doing your job in a completely safe environment is pathetic at best. I notice nearly all depression cases are women. This is simple. It's because men are too busy doing stuff to be depressed. The more you sit watching the idiot box or doing a job you hate, the more depressed you'll be. I also notice that people who are in fairly good physical shape don't pay out big $$ in healthcare costs. Here's another tip. Going to the gym and working out for 30 minutes/day, 3 times/week is a medically proven way of beating depression. Why? Because, as I have said before, you are DOING something instead of sitting around whining. Actually, it's the endorphins that are released during the workout, but it does take care of that nasty "got nothing to do" issue. The point is still as I said before. Pay as you go is finacially better for most people. Going to the doctor for every little ache or sniffle is idiotic. I used to have to put up with all the little dependent wives/kids when I was in the Marines. They'd tie up the hospital resources for colds and scrapes that didn't even shed blood. Meanwhile, the active duty personnel were pushed to the back even if they were bleeding to death. I know, I brought one in with massive head trauma. He passed out from loss of blood after sitting there for nearly 10 minutes while the nurse took all the little darlings first. After getting into a shouting match with the stupid _itch, a doctor came out and saw the PFC dying in the waiting room. All of this occurred because everyone thinks they have to run to the doctor for everything instead of taking care of it themselves. The few times I have gone to a doctor as a civilian, I see the same thing. Johnny has the sniffles or Betsy scraped her knee. These are the geniuses that drive up the cost of health insurance. They could all go to Walmart and buy bandaids, robitussin and alcohol but, NOOOOOO. They'd rather go to the doctor and have the insurance company pay for it. They need the cash for the chips and dip they'll be chowing down on when they get home. You're spending over $2000/year on insurance premiums not even counting the co-pay or deductable. The average FULL cost of Zoloft, Welbutrin, etc is roughly $100/month. Add in the doctor visits and the normal once or twice the kids may actually require a physician along with their meds, and you have SAVED almost 1/2 of what you are currently paying in premiums and deductables alone. DUH! That $150/year catastrophic policy looks sweeter all the time. I can always make payments to the hospital for the few thousand I'd be responsible for. This is just too easy. My wife thought we HAD to have "normal" insurance or the world would end. She now has alot of extra money to spend. Enough to pay for the gym dues and shopping when she wants. Have fun.

First, you say you're depressed and then go on and describe an anxiety attack. The two are at opposite ends of the spectrum. So much for the argument there. As for whether I have ever experienced anything like you described, let's see. How about being in the middle of an artillery barrage from your own regiment that is hitting your position by mistake and can't be lifted because the rounds are dropping so close to you that you can't even scream loud enough into the radio handset to have a "check-fire" ordered. Live through that for 5 minutes while the earth explodes as you move from crater to crater trying to escape the incoming rounds. Is that heart-pounding enough for you? How about having bullets whiz past your head so close that you think they're flies buzzing untill you feel the heat from them. Is that enough to get the juices flowing yet? Don't whine about being depressed, especially when you don't even describe it properly. Next to my experiences in life, I think you freaking out while doing your job in a completely safe environment is pathetic at best. I notice nearly all depression cases are women. This is simple. It's because men are too busy doing stuff to be depressed. The more you sit watching the idiot box or doing a job you hate, the more depressed you'll be. I also notice that people who are in fairly good physical shape don't pay out big $$ in healthcare costs. Here's another tip. Going to the gym and working out for 30 minutes/day, 3 times/week is a medically proven way of beating depression. Why? Because, as I have said before, you are DOING something instead of sitting around whining. Actually, it's the endorphins that are released during the workout, but it does take care of that nasty "got nothing to do" issue. The point is still as I said before. Pay as you go is finacially better for most people. Going to the doctor for every little ache or sniffle is idiotic. I used to have to put up with all the little dependent wives/kids when I was in the Marines. They'd tie up the hospital resources for colds and scrapes that didn't even shed blood. Meanwhile, the active duty personnel were pushed to the back even if they were bleeding to death. I know, I brought one in with massive head trauma. He passed out from loss of blood after sitting there for nearly 10 minutes while the nurse took all the little darlings first. After getting into a shouting match with the stupid _itch, a doctor came out and saw the PFC dying in the waiting room. All of this occurred because everyone thinks they have to run to the doctor for everything instead of taking care of it themselves. The few times I have gone to a doctor as a civilian, I see the same thing. Johnny has the sniffles or Betsy scraped her knee. These are the geniuses that drive up the cost of health insurance. They could all go to Walmart and buy bandaids, robitussin and alcohol but, NOOOOOO. They'd rather go to the doctor and have the insurance company pay for it. They need the cash for the chips and dip they'll be chowing down on when they get home. You're spending over $2000/year on insurance premiums not even counting the co-pay or deductable. The average FULL cost of Zoloft, Welbutrin, etc is roughly $100/month. Add in the doctor visits and the normal once or twice the kids may actually require a physician along with their meds, and you have SAVED almost 1/2 of what you are currently paying in premiums and deductables alone. DUH! That $150/year catastrophic policy looks sweeter all the time. I can always make payments to the hospital for the few thousand I'd be responsible for. This is just too easy. My wife thought we HAD to have "normal" insurance or the world would end. She now has alot of extra money to spend. Enough to pay for the gym dues and shopping when she wants. Have fun.

First, you say you're depressed and then go on and describe an anxiety attack. The two are at opposite ends of the spectrum. So much for the argument there. As for whether I have ever experienced anything like you described, let's see. How about being in the middle of an artillery barrage from your own regiment that is hitting your position by mistake and can't be lifted because the rounds are dropping so close to you that you can't even scream loud enough into the radio handset to have a "check-fire" ordered. Live through that for 5 minutes while the earth explodes as you move from crater to crater trying to escape the incoming rounds. Is that heart-pounding enough for you? How about having bullets whiz past your head so close that you think they're flies buzzing untill you feel the heat from them. Is that enough to get the juices flowing yet? Don't whine about being depressed, especially when you don't even describe it properly. Next to my experiences in life, I think you freaking out while doing your job in a completely safe environment is pathetic at best. I notice nearly all depression cases are women. This is simple. It's because men are too busy doing stuff to be depressed. The more you sit watching the idiot box or doing a job you hate, the more depressed you'll be. I also notice that people who are in fairly good physical shape don't pay out big $$ in healthcare costs. Here's another tip. Going to the gym and working out for 30 minutes/day, 3 times/week is a medically proven way of beating depression. Why? Because, as I have said before, you are DOING something instead of sitting around whining. Actually, it's the endorphins that are released during the workout, but it does take care of that nasty "got nothing to do" issue. The point is still as I said before. Pay as you go is finacially better for most people. Going to the doctor for every little ache or sniffle is idiotic. I used to have to put up with all the little dependent wives/kids when I was in the Marines. They'd tie up the hospital resources for colds and scrapes that didn't even shed blood. Meanwhile, the active duty personnel were pushed to the back even if they were bleeding to death. I know, I brought one in with massive head trauma. He passed out from loss of blood after sitting there for nearly 10 minutes while the nurse took all the little darlings first. After getting into a shouting match with the stupid _itch, a doctor came out and saw the PFC dying in the waiting room. All of this occurred because everyone thinks they have to run to the doctor for everything instead of taking care of it themselves. The few times I have gone to a doctor as a civilian, I see the same thing. Johnny has the sniffles or Betsy scraped her knee. These are the geniuses that drive up the cost of health insurance. They could all go to Walmart and buy bandaids, robitussin and alcohol but, NOOOOOO. They'd rather go to the doctor and have the insurance company pay for it. They need the cash for the chips and dip they'll be chowing down on when they get home. You're spending over $2000/year on insurance premiums not even counting the co-pay or deductable. The average FULL cost of Zoloft, Welbutrin, etc is roughly $100/month. Add in the doctor visits and the normal once or twice the kids may actually require a physician along with their meds, and you have SAVED almost 1/2 of what you are currently paying in premiums and deductables alone. DUH! That $150/year catastrophic policy looks sweeter all the time. I can always make payments to the hospital for the few thousand I'd be responsible for. This is just too easy. My wife thought we HAD to have "normal" insurance or the world would end. She now has alot of extra money to spend. Enough to pay for the gym dues and shopping when she wants. Have fun.

Okay, it seems to me that most of the posters on this report are missing the point. Maybe most of you have never had to work to support children on a meager wage. Yes, I did accept the wage, but it was better than good at the time $8/hr when everyone else was offering $7 or less). Bring home pay was approximately $535/bi-weekly. That sounds good right? Well, then take $240 out of that daycare, and then a further $80 for insurance. That leaves $215. Now pay electric, mortgage, gas, phone and car insurance. Oh, by the way if you recieve food stamps, Wal-Mart conveniently reports straight to the welfare authorities so that your food stamps fluctuate every month. So you could get $200 in food stamps (to feed 4 people) one month and $0 another month. Solutions: Drop the insurance?...not an option. Get another job?...I spent 6mos trying to find another one. There weren't any. There is NO WAY OUT! Yeah, $8/hr sounds pretty good until out try to live on it. No, it was not a pre-existing condition problem. I had NO medical problems until I worked Customer Service and ended up working 10-15hr days not ever knowing when your breaks will be, because the computer system that is made to lock you out after you have been on for 4hrs so that you are assured our lunch break. When you are left to handle customer service with a line of 20+ people that keeps on growing and you never get that break because they won't send anyone to take over for you. The lock out is overrode by a manager who comes and puts their numbers in so that you can keep working. Nevermind bathroom breaks. The stress of the constant confrontations with angry customers, being verbally assaulted and threatened while the managers who are supposed to be there to back you up and assist you in a hostile situation just make you look stupid by allowing the customer what they want even if that may be something that is against FCC laws, nevermind company policy. Then they call you difficult. I ended up having full blown anxiety attacks every morning that I got up to go to work. So Robert, let me bust your bubble, depression is not a self-managable "get a hobby" problem. It is real, and very scary. Do you know what it is like to feel your heart start racing, can't catch your breath adrenaline running...kind of like you are about to fall off a building? I do! I live with it every day and yes I have been rushed to the hospital by ambulance because my heart was pounding more than 200bpm-and I thought I was having a heart attack. I ended up on Wellbutrin and BuSpar after a few months doing this job. Now lets get back to that $215/bi-weekly and take out $175/mo for drugs!?!?! CAN'T HAPPEN! Don't take the drugs...? Not an option when you have to be able to function on a daily basis. I have had insurance through other companies, 2 of my own and 1 of my husbands-his was changed 3 times by the company and I have never ever seen a policy where you had to pay for it for over a year before you could even use it. I also worked for American Electric Power in their insurance department. Believe me, I am not a moron when it comes to insurance policies. I took the only insurance that was offered. The information about the policy (atleast not the important parts)was not made available until after I accepted and paid for the policy. It came with the cards.

Robert, way great for you that you have $5K to drop. the point is THE ORIGINAL POSTER WORKS AT WAL-MART AND DOESN'T. this post isn't about people that sit around and "eat fatburgers and gobbling chips all day." who the hall are you directing that comment to anyway? this is about Wal-Mart having shitty benefits for those who are "lucky" enough to even get benefits. do you always takes posts off into your own world just to post ignorant offensive comments?

Well, there's one more reason why Florida is better than Indiana. I had to go through around seven different doctor's offices before I found one that would take my uninsured wife. I think your economic analysis is valid, and for some people your plan may be great. Alot of people probably could do well to compare how much they spend on medical insurance, including copays, with how much they would otherwise be spending. I've got a great plan through the university and I don't pay squat for it (I probably would be paying in the form of high tuition if I was actually paying tuition, but that's beside the point). If I were to be paying out of pocket for my care, however, I could guaruntee you that it would be far less than what I would be paying for insurance. So, for you and I, for the time being, no insurance is the better financial option. And I'm sure that such would be the case for MOST people. Insurance companies would be in dire straits if it were otherwise. Add the catastrophic insurance in there and you've got a pretty good plan. Hopefully. I'm not persuaded to believe that having a quality, low cost insurance plan isn't better for most people, however.

I did as you asked Tim. I told them I pay in cash, and they all said come in. That took care of that problem. As for being a health nut, I don't think I am. I just don't live off of Fatburgers and sit around gobbling chips all day. Has it occurred to any of you that you can purchase a "catastrophic" insurance policy? You pay about $150/year and it will cover everything after the first few thousand($5K isn't too bad) up to 1Million. That's a health insurance policy that makes sense. Wait...you didn't know about those policies? Of course not...your insurance company doesn't tell you about them because the agent makes little to nothing in commission off them. Have fun wasting your money. I'll keep investing mine.

Good plan, convince yourself you always be healthy .. "Sorry Jodi, your remarks shows that you absolutely know nothing about how Walmart institutes their Medical program or "exactly" why only 40% of their employees qualify. Well, let's see, maybe because the OTHER 60% of their employees are PART TIME EMPLOYEES?" Denny, you is so s-m-o-t-t. Exactly, Wal-Mart employees people struggling to earn a living on a part-time basis in order to not provide them with a decent benefit package. That's what has the entire country in an uproar over Wal-Mart and communities are voting against allowing them to build. We don't need any more Wal-Marts who's only goal is to line their pockets and provide nothing but the bare minimum for it's employees. I don't shop at Wal-Mart. And, I'd NEVER work there. And Robert? Are you for real? Hope to read about an a*s in Florida that was a health freak who thought he knew everything who dropped dead after a "good run." If you seriously think "healthy" people don't need insurance, well, that's not even worthy of a response because it is such a stupid comment in the first place. But good luck to ya!! PS, remember the pre-existing clause? Wait until you are blind sided with a serious health condition and see what insurance you can get. But for you, convincing yourself it won't happen to you is the smarter plan. You s-m-o-t-t too !!

Good plan, convince yourself you always be healthy .. "Sorry Jodi, your remarks shows that you absolutely know nothing about how Walmart institutes their Medical program or "exactly" why only 40% of their employees qualify. Well, let's see, maybe because the OTHER 60% of their employees are PART TIME EMPLOYEES?" Denny, you is so s-m-o-t-t. Exactly, Wal-Mart employees people struggling to earn a living on a part-time basis in order to not provide them with a decent benefit package. That's what has the entire country in an uproar over Wal-Mart and communities are voting against allowing them to build. We don't need any more Wal-Marts who's only goal is to line their pockets and provide nothing but the bare minimum for it's employees. I don't shop at Wal-Mart. And, I'd NEVER work there. And Robert? Are you for real? Hope to read about an a*s in Florida that was a health freak who thought he knew everything who dropped dead after a "good run." If you seriously think "healthy" people don't need insurance, well, that's not even worthy of a response because it is such a stupid comment in the first place. But good luck to ya!! PS, remember the pre-existing clause? Wait until you are blind sided with a serious health condition and see what insurance you can get. But for you, convincing yourself it won't happen to you is the smarter plan. You s-m-o-t-t too !!

Good plan, convince yourself you always be healthy .. "Sorry Jodi, your remarks shows that you absolutely know nothing about how Walmart institutes their Medical program or "exactly" why only 40% of their employees qualify. Well, let's see, maybe because the OTHER 60% of their employees are PART TIME EMPLOYEES?" Denny, you is so s-m-o-t-t. Exactly, Wal-Mart employees people struggling to earn a living on a part-time basis in order to not provide them with a decent benefit package. That's what has the entire country in an uproar over Wal-Mart and communities are voting against allowing them to build. We don't need any more Wal-Marts who's only goal is to line their pockets and provide nothing but the bare minimum for it's employees. I don't shop at Wal-Mart. And, I'd NEVER work there. And Robert? Are you for real? Hope to read about an a*s in Florida that was a health freak who thought he knew everything who dropped dead after a "good run." If you seriously think "healthy" people don't need insurance, well, that's not even worthy of a response because it is such a stupid comment in the first place. But good luck to ya!! PS, remember the pre-existing clause? Wait until you are blind sided with a serious health condition and see what insurance you can get. But for you, convincing yourself it won't happen to you is the smarter plan. You s-m-o-t-t too !!

Good plan, convince yourself you always be healthy .. "Sorry Jodi, your remarks shows that you absolutely know nothing about how Walmart institutes their Medical program or "exactly" why only 40% of their employees qualify. Well, let's see, maybe because the OTHER 60% of their employees are PART TIME EMPLOYEES?" Denny, you is so s-m-o-t-t. Exactly, Wal-Mart employees people struggling to earn a living on a part-time basis in order to not provide them with a decent benefit package. That's what has the entire country in an uproar over Wal-Mart and communities are voting against allowing them to build. We don't need any more Wal-Marts who's only goal is to line their pockets and provide nothing but the bare minimum for it's employees. I don't shop at Wal-Mart. And, I'd NEVER work there. And Robert? Are you for real? Hope to read about an a*s in Florida that was a health freak who thought he knew everything who dropped dead after a "good run." If you seriously think "healthy" people don't need insurance, well, that's not even worthy of a response because it is such a stupid comment in the first place. But good luck to ya!! PS, remember the pre-existing clause? Wait until you are blind sided with a serious health condition and see what insurance you can get. But for you, convincing yourself it won't happen to you is the smarter plan. You s-m-o-t-t too !!

Once again, Robert, your over-simplification and your "it works for me, so it will work for everyone else too" attitude has led you to the wrong conclusions. But I've gotta hand it to you, you have a good way of ALMOST making me agree with you, sometimes. The main idea behind any kind of insurance is protection from UNEXPECTED events, calamities if you will. The economic justification is that the premiums represent a relatively minor affect on your finances, whereas an uninsured calamity could completely destroy you. And, if you believe that healthy living is some sort of panacea, then you've been watching too many vitamin infomercials. On Tuesday, call around to some doctors and ask them if they are accepting new patients. I'll bet you that, in over half of the calls, the first question the receptionist will ask is "what insurance do you have." Tell them that you have none. Most of them won't even take you as a patient without insurance. Then call around to some hospitals and tell them that your doctor wants to run an MRI on you. You'll probably have the same results as with the doctor's offices. Health insurance is not a luxury item, it's a necessity. A quick look at my wife's credit report will tell you that.

Every time insurance companies or government agencies get involved, the price goes up. Body shops charge more for the repair if insurance is covering it, my shop charges more for engine replacements, doctors do too. We all spend large amounts of time trying to collect the money owed us, and we pass that directly to the insurance companies. They pass it on to you in the form of higher premiums. When I go to the doctor, I tell them the bill will be paid in cash. I get the same care(maybe better) for a bunch less $$ because the doctor knows he has his money right then. Hospitals will let you make payments. I always opted to take the $$ instead of the health insurance when offered by an employer. The vast majority of people will never need the cost of their premiums in actual health care expenditures. I know people who pay over $3K/year for it and go to the doctor about once or twice. That's brilliant. $3K for less than $200 worth of office visits. And they got to pay for the vists due to the deductable. Good thinking on their part. Maybe I could start up a car-repair insurance scam and pull in the fat $$. Pay me $200/month and I'll cover all of your repair needs, after you meet the required deductable of $500/year. Too funny. My yougest boy was in the hospital every 6 months for the first 5 years of his life getting patched back together. He liked to do stuff he shouldn't have and it almost always included stitches. I paid the hospital every month whatever I could afford. They never had a problem with the arrngement. You can say it's unrealistic if you want, but I, like millions of others who CHOOSE not to waste our $$ on health insurance, will continue to put that money to better use. I can't even remember the last time I needed a doctor for anything but a physical or eye exam. Hmmmmm. What am I thinking? That's right...I'm thinking that NOT eating a load of deep fried fat and getting regular exercize might keep me from having to go to the doctor in the first place.

Every time insurance companies or government agencies get involved, the price goes up. Body shops charge more for the repair if insurance is covering it, my shop charges more for engine replacements, doctors do too. We all spend large amounts of time trying to collect the money owed us, and we pass that directly to the insurance companies. They pass it on to you in the form of higher premiums. When I go to the doctor, I tell them the bill will be paid in cash. I get the same care(maybe better) for a bunch less $$ because the doctor knows he has his money right then. Hospitals will let you make payments. I always opted to take the $$ instead of the health insurance when offered by an employer. The vast majority of people will never need the cost of their premiums in actual health care expenditures. I know people who pay over $3K/year for it and go to the doctor about once or twice. That's brilliant. $3K for less than $200 worth of office visits. And they got to pay for the vists due to the deductable. Good thinking on their part. Maybe I could start up a car-repair insurance scam and pull in the fat $$. Pay me $200/month and I'll cover all of your repair needs, after you meet the required deductable of $500/year. Too funny. My yougest boy was in the hospital every 6 months for the first 5 years of his life getting patched back together. He liked to do stuff he shouldn't have and it almost always included stitches. I paid the hospital every month whatever I could afford. They never had a problem with the arrngement. You can say it's unrealistic if you want, but I, like millions of others who CHOOSE not to waste our $$ on health insurance, will continue to put that money to better use. I can't even remember the last time I needed a doctor for anything but a physical or eye exam. Hmmmmm. What am I thinking? That's right...I'm thinking that NOT eating a load of deep fried fat and getting regular exercize might keep me from having to go to the doctor in the first place.

I have health insurance through my company. I have a rather high deductible in order to keep the cost of the insurance plan down. I don't go to the doctor unless I HAVE to, but when I get the Explanation of Benefits from the insurance carrier, I know how much I would be paying out of pocket with my health coverage. The same goes for any prescriptions that I might HAVE to have (and I hate taking pills!). If I had even one child that had medical problems I would be in debt big time without healthcare coverage. In case you hadn't been reading up on insurance coverage, a large percent of the American population does not have it because they can't afford it. If I go to the emergency room, I pay my copay and any deductible amount. In our area, a few simple stitches in the ER can cost over a grand. It is unrealistic and unfair for you to say that people don't need health care insurance. My father had a massive heart attack at age 51. My mother had cancer in her early 60's. My father had great coverage and his month long stay in the hospital cost him very little. If he had not had that coverage he would still be paying those bills (I saw the bills...I know how much they were) 20 years later.

Pay for it out of your own pockets. Costs too much? Gee, I wonder if that has anything to do with businesses not wanting to pay for it. Amazing how man had survived these thousands of years with no "health insurance". Call the waahbulance. If you need to choke down huge amounts of drugs to stay alive, maybe you've made some really bad choices in life. People start getting aches and pains as they get older. That's normal. High colesterol or Blood pressure? Excersize and stop chowing down so much. Depressed? Find a hobby or get a job you actually like to do. ADHD? Try a little discipline. Can't get an erection? Your wife knows what to do...she just won't do it to YOU. By the way...I follow my own advice every day. I am in great shape and the only parts that hurt are my knees, courtesy of the USMC. I get no disability and have never tried to get it. I pay for everything out of pocket, 100%. A vitamin and Glucosamine every day are all I take. My vision at 43 is nearly perfect, something the eye doctor himself was rather shocked by. He said it was so close, he couldn't even come up with a prescription that would matter. Stop watching all the ads on television claiming you need every drug made and try living healthy. It works every time it's tried.

Sorry Jodi, your remarks shows that you absolutely know nothing about how Walmart institutes their Medical program or "exactly" why only 40% of their employees qualify. Well, let's see, maybe because the OTHER 60% of their employees are PART TIME EMPLOYEES? That means, they wouldn't be entitled to any benefits whatsoever (beyond the store discount). They are also one of the nations leading employers of Senior Citizens, so the need to provided medical insurance to them is redundant ( ie, they are ALREADY covered by Medicare or Medicaid ). WalMART can dictate what they wish to cover, as outlined by their benefits package information. Dont like it? DONT WORK THERE! Wow, so d**n easy to figure out. You expect medical benefits to be given to someone who only works 10 hours a week? Or less than 20 ? Why should Part time workers benefit from the same benefits as those who put in 40 hours a week?

unbelievable. I'm in HR and enroll employees in our self-funded insurance plan and can't believe that. that's the epitome of cruelty. I read that only about 40%(ish) of Walmart's employees are even eligible for health benefits. they obviously don't care about the health of their employees.

Jodi, It's not a pre-existing clause that D is referring to. At Wal-Mart, you have to be enrolled in their health insurance for an entire year before you get prescription benifits.

Jodi, It's not a pre-existing clause that D is referring to. At Wal-Mart, you have to be enrolled in their health insurance for an entire year before you get prescription benifits.

Jodi, It's not a pre-existing clause that D is referring to. At Wal-Mart, you have to be enrolled in their health insurance for an entire year before you get prescription benifits.

Jodi, It's not a pre-existing clause that D is referring to. At Wal-Mart, you have to be enrolled in their health insurance for an entire year before you get prescription benifits.

D, I would advise reading your insurance contract to see if this is in fact the policy outlined therein. If it isn't, try to fight the enforcement of this non-clause informally, and if that doesn't work get a lawyer. If a clause such as outlined by Danny is in your contract, I would recommend a consultation with an attorney to see if such a provision is actually legal. Just because something is in a contract does NOT mean that it is legal. Which brings me to my second point . . . Danny, implied assent does not negate a ripoff. To say definitively "you were NOT ripped off," and then support that conclusion by pointing out the initial disclosure of the policy's shoddiness is just plain naive. This holds especially true when the contract at issue is what the law would call a "contract of adhesion," which, in laymen's terms, is a contract wherein one party was given a "take it or leave it" option and no opportunity to negotiate terms. And ESPECIALLY true when the contract is for a necessary service or product. Why is it not a ripoff for a low paying employer to provide its employee with a bottom of the barrell insurance policy that doesn't even cover anything for more than a year after enrollment? This employee did not simply choose an inferior product among many superior products, or a luxury item, or some get rich quick scheme, she bought the medical insurance that her company offered! She had NOOOO other option! NOT a ripoff? Yeah right. You're right D, Wal-Mart does want to keep you poor. If you're not poor, you'll spend less money at Wal-Mart. Believe me, if I could afford to shop elsewhere, I would NEVER go to Wal-Mart. I'd be perfectly willing to pay 20% more to avoid spending time in that sh*thole.

D, I would advise reading your insurance contract to see if this is in fact the policy outlined therein. If it isn't, try to fight the enforcement of this non-clause informally, and if that doesn't work get a lawyer. If a clause such as outlined by Danny is in your contract, I would recommend a consultation with an attorney to see if such a provision is actually legal. Just because something is in a contract does NOT mean that it is legal. Which brings me to my second point . . . Danny, implied assent does not negate a ripoff. To say definitively "you were NOT ripped off," and then support that conclusion by pointing out the initial disclosure of the policy's shoddiness is just plain naive. This holds especially true when the contract at issue is what the law would call a "contract of adhesion," which, in laymen's terms, is a contract wherein one party was given a "take it or leave it" option and no opportunity to negotiate terms. And ESPECIALLY true when the contract is for a necessary service or product. Why is it not a ripoff for a low paying employer to provide its employee with a bottom of the barrell insurance policy that doesn't even cover anything for more than a year after enrollment? This employee did not simply choose an inferior product among many superior products, or a luxury item, or some get rich quick scheme, she bought the medical insurance that her company offered! She had NOOOO other option! NOT a ripoff? Yeah right. You're right D, Wal-Mart does want to keep you poor. If you're not poor, you'll spend less money at Wal-Mart. Believe me, if I could afford to shop elsewhere, I would NEVER go to Wal-Mart. I'd be perfectly willing to pay 20% more to avoid spending time in that sh*thole.

D, I would advise reading your insurance contract to see if this is in fact the policy outlined therein. If it isn't, try to fight the enforcement of this non-clause informally, and if that doesn't work get a lawyer. If a clause such as outlined by Danny is in your contract, I would recommend a consultation with an attorney to see if such a provision is actually legal. Just because something is in a contract does NOT mean that it is legal. Which brings me to my second point . . . Danny, implied assent does not negate a ripoff. To say definitively "you were NOT ripped off," and then support that conclusion by pointing out the initial disclosure of the policy's shoddiness is just plain naive. This holds especially true when the contract at issue is what the law would call a "contract of adhesion," which, in laymen's terms, is a contract wherein one party was given a "take it or leave it" option and no opportunity to negotiate terms. And ESPECIALLY true when the contract is for a necessary service or product. Why is it not a ripoff for a low paying employer to provide its employee with a bottom of the barrell insurance policy that doesn't even cover anything for more than a year after enrollment? This employee did not simply choose an inferior product among many superior products, or a luxury item, or some get rich quick scheme, she bought the medical insurance that her company offered! She had NOOOO other option! NOT a ripoff? Yeah right. You're right D, Wal-Mart does want to keep you poor. If you're not poor, you'll spend less money at Wal-Mart. Believe me, if I could afford to shop elsewhere, I would NEVER go to Wal-Mart. I'd be perfectly willing to pay 20% more to avoid spending time in that sh*thole.

Is what you are trying to say but leaving out the important terminology, that there is a "pre-existing condition" clause and they will not cover treatment including RX for your pre-existing condition for a period of 13 months? That sounds like the only logical explanation for your situation and if that is the case, your lucky the period is only for 13 months. Some insurance plans will not cover a pre-existing condition period. Unfortunate but not uncommon what you are faced with here.

Is what you are trying to say but leaving out the important terminology, that there is a "pre-existing condition" clause and they will not cover treatment including RX for your pre-existing condition for a period of 13 months? That sounds like the only logical explanation for your situation and if that is the case, your lucky the period is only for 13 months. Some insurance plans will not cover a pre-existing condition period. Unfortunate but not uncommon what you are faced with here.

Is what you are trying to say but leaving out the important terminology, that there is a "pre-existing condition" clause and they will not cover treatment including RX for your pre-existing condition for a period of 13 months? That sounds like the only logical explanation for your situation and if that is the case, your lucky the period is only for 13 months. Some insurance plans will not cover a pre-existing condition period. Unfortunate but not uncommon what you are faced with here.

I'm not sure exactly why you're mad at Wal-Mart for your failure to read your Benefits Book before you signed up for the insurance. The costs that you described are not out of line with most other companies. And just like 99.9% of other companies, you can only drop coverage during the enrollment period. I know Wal-Mart doesn't pay much, but that's the job and wage you agreed to. I went through the same thing until I received my Bachelors degree and moved onto bigger and better things. The health insurance and other benefits Wal-Mart offers are sub-par at best regardless of the cost. The only decent benefit Wal-Mart offers is their Employee Stock Ownership program, and I'd highly recommend you take advantage of it. My advise to you is to still get all your prescriptions at Wal-Mart and use your Associate Discount. It's only 10%, but better than nothing. You also might be able to claim all your out of pocket prescription costs against the deductible on your health insurance. Check into this. And finally.....read before you sign, and take responsibility for you own actions.

I'm not sure exactly why you're mad at Wal-Mart for your failure to read your Benefits Book before you signed up for the insurance. The costs that you described are not out of line with most other companies. And just like 99.9% of other companies, you can only drop coverage during the enrollment period. I know Wal-Mart doesn't pay much, but that's the job and wage you agreed to. I went through the same thing until I received my Bachelors degree and moved onto bigger and better things. The health insurance and other benefits Wal-Mart offers are sub-par at best regardless of the cost. The only decent benefit Wal-Mart offers is their Employee Stock Ownership program, and I'd highly recommend you take advantage of it. My advise to you is to still get all your prescriptions at Wal-Mart and use your Associate Discount. It's only 10%, but better than nothing. You also might be able to claim all your out of pocket prescription costs against the deductible on your health insurance. Check into this. And finally.....read before you sign, and take responsibility for you own actions.

I'm not sure exactly why you're mad at Wal-Mart for your failure to read your Benefits Book before you signed up for the insurance. The costs that you described are not out of line with most other companies. And just like 99.9% of other companies, you can only drop coverage during the enrollment period. I know Wal-Mart doesn't pay much, but that's the job and wage you agreed to. I went through the same thing until I received my Bachelors degree and moved onto bigger and better things. The health insurance and other benefits Wal-Mart offers are sub-par at best regardless of the cost. The only decent benefit Wal-Mart offers is their Employee Stock Ownership program, and I'd highly recommend you take advantage of it. My advise to you is to still get all your prescriptions at Wal-Mart and use your Associate Discount. It's only 10%, but better than nothing. You also might be able to claim all your out of pocket prescription costs against the deductible on your health insurance. Check into this. And finally.....read before you sign, and take responsibility for you own actions.