Poll: What did you think of this year's downtown Lawrence sidewalk sale? / LJWorld.com

Previous poll Next poll

Response		Percent	Votes
I’m not going		57%	473
It was OK		14%	118
I haven’t gone yet		12%	102
I expected better		12%	100
The best ever		3%	30
Total	823

Delicious
Digg
Tumblr
Wordpress
Reddit
Copy and paste the link:

LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.

texburgh (anonymous) says…

Every year the merchandise gets crappier. You're just tempted to buy junk you don't need - like at a big garage sale.
July 16, 2009 at 7:52 a.m.
gsxr600 (anonymous) says…

Already went. Found some awesome movies for $2.79 each. Did I need to buy them? Meh
July 16, 2009 at 8:02 a.m.
Raider (anonymous) says…

This poll is up a little early, considering Sidewalk Sale just started 30 minutes ago. This poll should be tomorrow instead. LJW = brilliance!
July 16, 2009 at 8:06 a.m.
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…

Only went once and wasn't impressed. The things I did see I can get cheaper at Wal-Mart so why go broke getting something downtown when I can get it cheaper elsewhere? Sidewalk sale is a waste of time far as I'm concerned. Besides I work all day - don't have time for it.
July 16, 2009 at 9:06 a.m.
consumer1 (anonymous) says…

There is only one reason to go downtown today.

Hot Girls in cutoff jean shorts.

end of statement.
July 16, 2009 at 9:12 a.m.
sally87 (anonymous) says…

Reasons to go downtown instead of Walmart
-Quality of products downtown are always better than walmart. (Walmart clothing is sketchy at best)
-Supporting your local businesses
-Keeping your money in local circulation
-Cheap prices! woohoo
-Avoiding the horribly overcrowded, noisy, and obnoxious Walmart crowds
July 16, 2009 at 9:44 a.m.
ErnestBarteldes (Ernest Barteldes) says…

Interesting how many people said they were NOT going...
July 16, 2009 at 10:05 a.m.
ylime3499 (anonymous) says…

um for the reasons to go... I disagree. Maybe specialty items, but clothes I buy at department/local businesses crap out after a few months. I have the same pair of pants from WalMart that I bought almost two years ago, and they still look great... I'm not saying WalMart is the greatest place on earth, but Downtown isn't either.
July 16, 2009 at 10:08 a.m.
woodenfleaeater (anonymous) says…

If you're going to shop at Wal-Mart, why don't you just move to Bentonville? You think money spent at Wal-Mart stays here in Lawrence? Wrong. The money spent at Wal-Mart is used to feed the economy in Bentonville. If you're going to feed Bentonville's economy, cut out the middle man and just move there.
July 16, 2009 at 10:33 a.m.
Phogfan86 (anonymous) says…

Does anyone really still shop at Francis Sporting Goods?
July 16, 2009 at 10:37 a.m.
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…

I'm not concerned where my money goes after it leaves my hand. I don't spend needlessly - I spend to get something I need. If they want downtown stores to survive they are going to have to be more competitive, because I see no point in spending more for something I can buy at Wal-mart or Target or online cheaper at the same quality. I can't afford novality items and I usually make gifts out of materials I can get at the $ store. So to me downtown is a farce. That is why it is losing ground to restaraunts and bars.
As for clothes: You can buy clothes anywhere and they can crap out on you or last a long time - it all depends on how you treat them, wash them. Not all clothing should be washed in a machine and put in the dryer. I never put new things in the dryer the first couple times I wear them - I hang them on a hanger to air dry. Jackets or lined clothing I take the the dry cleaners. I always hang my clothes up after I take them off - not throw them in a pile on the floor unless they are to be washed. I never put underwear or bra in dryer- they air dry and they last. I have clothes that I've had for 10 years and they look like new and I bought them at Wal-mart. It all depends on how you take care of clothes how they will last.
July 16, 2009 at 10:46 a.m.
MeAndFannieLou (anonymous) says…

I used to just love the sidewalk sales, but now I'm older and have some mobility "issues" so I don't want to be shoved or jostled. I'd go if they would close Mass. street to cars for the day, so there would be enough room for all the foot traffic. But I don't think they'll ever do that.
July 16, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
Irish (Leslie Swearingen) says…

This overweight woman buys all of her clothes at Walmart and I don't consider them to be sketchy.
As for the horribly overcrowded, noisy, and obnoxious Walmart crowds?
No, I don't think so.
July 16, 2009 at 12:43 p.m.
MeAndFannieLou (anonymous) says…

Roger, are you talking to me? If so, I'm not overweight and I don't use a scooter or a wheelchair either. I probably do a lot more walking than most people. And I don't smoke.

But I am older, and that probably disqualifies me from mattering.
July 16, 2009 at 1:21 p.m.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…

If you hang with people who scope out the brand of jeans you are wearing before they determine your worth as a human being or community member, by all means stay away from Wal-Mart, that will make one less person I'll have to stand behind in the checkout line.
July 16, 2009 at 1:38 p.m.
AreUNorml (anonymous) says…

consumer1 (Anonymous) says…

There is only one reason to go downtown today.
Hot Girls in cutoff jean shorts.
end of statement.
****************
I had resigned myself to staying out of downtown today, until i read this. now i say.. WOW! A sidewalk sale?! sign me up.
July 16, 2009 at 2:48 p.m.
AreUNorml (anonymous) says…

for those of you who are bashing not only Wal-mart, but the people who shop there; what the hell? Just because the profit from Wal-mart goes to Bentonville, doesn't mean squat. What about the hundreds of employees here and from the distribution center in Ottawa that rely on shoppers for their paychecks? Wal-mart also does a lot for communities. from the recycling centers they operate, to the grants they provide. And for those who are too good to wear Wal-mart clothes. well good for you. that is just wonderful that you can afford to shop at the name brand stores. If you need a $100 pair of jeans, or a $30 t-shirt to feel great about yourself, then so be it. There is no reason for you to be looking down your self-conscious noses at everyone else.
July 16, 2009 at 2:56 p.m.
woodenfleaeater (anonymous) says…

Wal-Mart has it made. The wages they give their employees get put right back in the store. Wal-Mart is not helping the community, they are hurting it.

Slam-dunking Wal-Mart! : how you can stop superstore sprawl in your hometown (1999)
by Norman, Al

Wal-Mart : the high cost of low price / [DVD] (2005)
by Greenwald, Robert.

Is Wal-Mart good for America? / [DVD] (2005)
by WGBH

Wal-Mart : the face of twenty-first-century capitalism (2006)
by Lichtenstein, Nelson

Read or watch all or just a few of these, and let me know if your opinions change.
July 16, 2009 at 3:28 p.m.
merrill (anonymous) says…

http://wakeupwalmart.com/facts/
July 16, 2009 at 3:39 p.m.
jumpin_catfish (anonymous) says…

I think Walmart is great and I will shop there today and I won't waste my time downtown. So there!
July 16, 2009 at 3:45 p.m.
merrill (anonymous) says…

Let's reorganize a little = make it crazier and even more fun.

Block off Mass between 7th and 10th.

Have musicians play from 11 til ?

Invite local nurseries and local farmers to set up in the street

DO two sidewalk sales:
The first Saturday after April 15th

The second Saturday in October

Why two at those dates:
KU and public school is in session = more people available locally and from surrounding communities
( folks are back from vacations)

Have items inside the stores marked down some as well.

Adios
July 16, 2009 at 3:57 p.m.
AreUNorml (anonymous) says…

merrill (Anonymous) says…

http://wakeupwalmart.com/facts/
***********************************
The thing about Wal-mart wages is, those $7-$8/ hour jobs are pretty easy work. in fact, they are often jobs done by high school and college kids, or retirees. people who need supplemental income. If you are a sole provider for a family of 4 or 5, working an $8/hour job, then maybe you should have made better choices in life. At least Wal-mart has plenty of advancement opportunities to take advantage of. There are a lot of $8/hour jobs in this part of the country. What makes Wal-mart the bad guy out of the group?
July 16, 2009 at 4:45 p.m.
jengaman (anonymous) says…

Enough with the Wal-Mart blasphemy. Give it up already. I think it goes without saying that all of us are tired of hearing about it over and over and over again. This story could have been about declining fruit fly populations in Africa and y'all would somehow blame Wal-Mart.

news flash people...Wal-Mart isn't going anywhere!!!
July 16, 2009 at 5:14 p.m.
cj123 (anonymous) says…

i go to consignment shops! nothing wrong with used clothes (except maybe underwear!)
July 16, 2009 at 5:15 p.m.
none2 (anonymous) says…

jengaman (Anonymous) says…

Enough with the Wal-Mart blasphemy. Give it up already. I think it goes without saying that all of us are tired of hearing about it over and over and over again. This story could have been about declining fruit fly populations in Africa and y'all would somehow blame Wal-Mart.

news flash people…Wal-Mart isn't going anywhere!!!
==================
We aren't all tired of hearing about it. Personally, I prefer Walmart over CostCo or Kmart. However, Walmart isn't as wonderful on pricing as its proponents claim.

Truthfully, they should put a Walmart downtown. That way people shopping downtown can buy overpriced, unusual, unnecessary stuff or low priced junk in weird quantities. Then everybody would be happy. I know I miss Walmart already, where else can I get something like a box of 17 trash bags. Is 17 some lucky number in 3rd world manufacturing shops?
July 16, 2009 at 5:36 p.m.
sally87 (anonymous) says…

The more money recirculated into our local economy, the better our town becomes. It's like spending nearly the same amount of money to not only get the product you want but improve the strength of local economics. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself how Walmart is able to offer its low prices? It's not because they're this charity organization who brings cheap things to the masses. They aren't being generous. If small businesses could offer those same prices they definitely would. Perhaps if you lost your grocery store business due to a new Super Walmart you would understand.

-Oh and consignment shops are great! It is great for recycling unique clothes for a cheap price.
July 16, 2009 at 5:43 p.m.
dpickman (anonymous) says…

-jengaman-
Wal-Mart isn't going anywhere because people like you are apathetic. You do not care that people are suffering because of every dollar you spend at Wal-Mart. Every dollar you spend at Wal-Mart a person is that much closer to shutting the doors of their own business and being forced to work at Wal-Mart for horrible pay. Which brings me to AreUNorml.
You have possibly posted the most offensive thing I read on this board. Working at Wal-Mart and trying to raise a family does not mean you made bad choices in life. It means that that person lacks opportunities that would or could be provided if everyone was not shopping at Wal-Mart. If everyone was buying groceries from a grocery store, hardware from a hardware store, clothes from a clothing store, toys from a toy store, electronics from an electronics store, furniture from a furniture store, (i think you get my point) then more people would be given opportunities to flourish other than the Walton family. Let's strengthen our community by supporting local business. It will benefit everyone in the long run.
July 16, 2009 at 6:01 p.m.
dpickman (anonymous) says…

I understand times are tough and my argument is not specifically for today, but instead for all times. My argument is intended to show how wal-mart is a strong contributing factor for our hard times. There is a point when competition cannot lower prices anymore and are forced to close down. That is what Wal-Mart's intentions are. They have unfair advantages to offer lower prices than local businesses. With every local hardware store, clothing store and so on that closes Wal-Mart grows that much stronger and the community that much more dependent on it. There is more to Wal-Mart than just low prices. It comes at a cost.
July 16, 2009 at 6:49 p.m.
none2 (anonymous) says…

sally87 (Anonymous) says…

"The more money recirculated into our local economy, the better our town becomes. It's like spending nearly the same amount of money to not only get the product you want but improve the strength of local economics. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself how Walmart is able to offer its low prices? It's not because they're this charity organization who brings cheap things to the masses. They aren't being generous. If small businesses could offer those same prices they definitely would. Perhaps if you lost your grocery store business due to a new Super Walmart you would understand..."
=======================
But one should ask themselves just how many businesses are local? For instance, lets take grocery stores. We have Dillons, HyVee, Walmart, Checkers, and the Merc. Dillons in the 80's was a Kansas company. However, Krogers bought them out. HyVee is a chain even though they brag about workers being part owners. We already know about Walmart. Checkers has a local owner. Likewise, the Merc is membership owned. I do like Checkers, and the Merc. Those two (plus the newest Dillons) are my favorite grocery stores. Nevertheless, could those two stores handle all the town's business?

On other topics, where do franchises fall? Are they considered locally owned, non-locally owned, or something in between?

I'm not a Walmart supporter, especially after a rude awakening on how two nearby stores can have completely different prices on non-sale items. However, the secret is to used your energy to shop around as opposed to just writing about the evils of Walmart. I've found other grocery stores (ie Checkers) with comparable prices. Even with the new store, I rarely go there once I saw that Dillons had a cheaper price on things that matter to me.
July 16, 2009 at 7:02 p.m.
lllwll (anonymous) says…

Supporting Mass. street shops is like throwing part of your money out the car window as you are driving to get downtown.

It just doesn't make alot of sense.
July 16, 2009 at 7:07 p.m.
merrill (anonymous) says…

The importance of keeping dollars in the local economy =
dollars spent in locally-owned businesses have three times the impact on your community as dollars spent at national chains.

Let’s all support our community by supporting our local merchants.

Locally owned and operated businesses build strong neighborhoods by sustaining communities, linking neighbors, and by contributing more to local causes.

Some understand the importance of building and strengthening a vibrant local economy. Shopping locally provides the positive economic impact of keeping dollars circulating within the local economy.

When shopping locally, you simultaneously create jobs, fund more city services through sales tax, invest in neighborhood improvement, and promote community development.

The importance of keeping our dollars in our local economy cannot be emphasized strong enough. The more dollars kept in the community = more dollars available for financing locally owned business.

We know that making spending decisions is getting tougher, but as those decisions get made, buying and shopping locally is imperative.

Act Locally Your Dollar Is Your Vote
July 16, 2009 at 9:44 p.m.
pace (anonymous) says…

What did you buy downtown today, and what did you think of the prices? Would of been a good question. I am interested in those answers.
Less cars would be great, but I don't know how that would be achieved.
O by the way, to characterize the handicapped as overweight smokers , well your mother was probably like that, my friend using an electric cart is a better person than you and contributes more to the community and adds to it's wealth. You should get out more.
July 16, 2009 at 10:57 p.m.
AreUNorml (anonymous) says…

"Which brings me to AreUNorml.
You have possibly posted the most offensive thing I read on this board. Working at Wal-Mart and trying to raise a family does not mean you made bad choices in life. It means that that person lacks opportunities that would or could be provided if everyone was not shopping at Wal-Mart. If everyone was buying groceries from a grocery store, hardware from a hardware store, clothes from a clothing store, toys from a toy store, electronics from an electronics store, furniture from a furniture store, (i think you get my point) then more people would be given opportunities to flourish other than the Walton family. Let's strengthen our community by supporting local business. It will benefit everyone in the long run."
********************************
ya that's what we should do. drive all over town to 100 different places to get our consumer needs met. and of course all those specialty shops aren't at all really really expensive. If that type of service benefits everyone in the long run, then how did Wal-mart get a foothold in the marketplace? they didn't start out as the worlds largest chain.
July 17, 2009 at 7:13 a.m.
larryville5 (anonymous) says…

I was not impressed with this year's sidewalk sale. Except for the usual KU t-shirts, there wasn't much there that I couldn't find at a garage sale or in my mother's basement.

As far as the Walmart bashing going on, the money spent at Walmart is subject to the same city and county sales taxes as the money spent downtown. Does anyone think that shopping at Gap and American Eagle is buying local?
July 17, 2009 at 9:16 a.m.
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…

donald dear: FYI I don't wear jeans, not even to do gardening. I don't wear sweat pants either. I happen to dress better than most people here do in town, because most people here look like they just got out of bed. I may not dress as classy as I use to when I was younger, but what I do wear doesn't look like trash even if I did buy it at Wal-mart or Target. I've paid $60 for a shirt and it didn't hold up as well. Like I said it all depends on how you take care of your clothes. Oh, and I iron my clothes too - I don't wear them wrinkled.
July 17, 2009 at 9:18 a.m.
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…

Well if downtown would lower their prices people would buy more and if they bought more they would build their profit in a small way but still. If you get too greedy you turn people away and lose in the long run. Of course part of the problem is that Downtown charges too much rent for their building for small business to thrive.
As for Wal-mart they aren't #1 on the Forbes list anymore and that is because they raised prices the past 2 years - they got greedy since Ole Sam passed. I knew that would happen - now they've dropped down the list.
It's in quantity not numbers that matter.
You people can bash Wal-mart all you want becasue you don't hold my skimpy wallet when I have to make a choice to buy there for less or buy downtown for double the cost for the same item. Sorry, I live on a strict budget, most people in this town do. Sure Wal-mart has that over us - that is how they've made their profits - a little at a time.
July 17, 2009 at 9:49 a.m.
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…

OMG Pickman - you don't get it. The reason dept stores like Wal-mart came about is because people DO NOT have the time to run around town to different speciality stores to buy what they need. I want a one-stop shop myself. I barely have enough time to eat a regular meal then I'm off having to do other things. The quicker I can get my necessary shopping done in less time the better I am - less stressed - save on gas, etc. You must not work a full-time job. Glad you have all the time in the world. This is the a new time kiddo. Times have changed. This is reality. This is why microwave was invented and fast-food.
July 17, 2009 at 9:55 a.m.
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…

I do say that I do not shop groceries at Wal-mart because Checker's has better prices.
July 17, 2009 at 9:58 a.m.
kmat (anonymous) says…

Here's some basic info to help you understand what kind of quality products you are getting at Walmart and why you should by less, but better quality stuff.

You can purchase a pair of cheap leather loafers at Walmart each year, let's say for $15. Those loafers will last you for the year, maybe. Or, you can buy a good quality pair of leather loafers elsewhere for $80. Those $80 loafers will last you for years and years. By the time they wear out, you've paid more for all the low quality shoes. And the better quality shoes are usually more comfortable. I have some good quality shoes from almost 20 years ago. I've had the soles replaced, but they're still in great shape. No pair of shoes from a cheap retailer would still be lasting, looking good and comfortable.

You can buy no name compact fluorescent light bulbs at Walmart. They won't last very long, but are much cheaper than the better name brand bulbs. The cheaper bulbs are cheap because the manufactures don't use good components, which causes them to short out early.

If most people would step back and look at what they really get from the cheap retailers, they'd realize they'd be better off buying better quality, higher priced items that will last a long time. People tend to look at the short term, not the long term.
July 17, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…

NOT so I have a pair of Dr. Scholl's shoes I purchased at Wal-Mart for $12 3-4 years ago and they are still in good shape. It all depends on how you take care of your things how long they will last.
July 22, 2009 at 10:07 a.m.
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…

If most people had more disposible money to buy higher quality items that would make a different, but when you get paid $7-$9.00 an hour and food prices and utilities on the rise. Companies complain about paying their employees more and retailers complain they need people to buy more than raise their prices. It's a no win situation. Someone needs to give in and start giving the consumers a break. I still say lower prices - people will buy more - more money coming in, more money circulating into the economy. But people are just too greedy to let up. We will be our own doom one day. In any case I will buy cheap on most products because I do take care of my things which makes them last longer so I always feel I get what I paid for. Most people lack either common sense, lazy or don't care about things to take care of them so they have to buy more expensive for them to last. Whatever!
July 22, 2009 at 10:14 a.m.
dandelion (anonymous) says…

http://www.ncrp.org/blog/2005/10/walt...

I don't shop at WalMart, because I don't want to pay for the granddaughter's party lifestyle. Why did she bother going to college? She's set for life anyway. What deserving student got rejected by this college, so she could "attend"?
July 22, 2009 at 10:26 a.m.