On Demand
Smackdown in Aisle Four: Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart was the top music seller in the country until recently. But the retail chain is still selling CDs at a steep discount and cutting exclusive deals with artists like AC/DC and the Eagles. In the second of a four-part Smackdown on music buying, we debate Wal-Mart's music power. We're joined by Ron Galloway, director of the documentary "Why Wal-Mart Works and Why This Makes Some People Crazy" and Robert Greenwald, director of the documentary "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price."
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on buying music at Wal-Mart
Tell us: Have you bought music from Wal-Mart? Are you an AC/DC fan? What do you think about their deal with Wal-Mart?
(Stay tuned for Part Three: iTunes and Part Four: iPod vs. Zune.)
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You're title makes no sense. Maverick as in Sarah Palin? Monster of what? Clever alliteration has its limits...
I'm to believe someone was found to actually argue in favor of Walmart? I never thought WNYC would stoop to career-ending blackmail...but I see no other explanation.
Walmart is the most unhip place to buy music in the entire universe! How 1979 retail! I see the Walmart circular with the AC/DC concert tee shirts and it makes me cringe!
I have largely shifted to an internet music consumer in my old age.
People should not buy music from Walmart, period. Fishing lures yes. Art no.
well, what's nice about itunes...for everyone, is that there's no packaging. it's better for the planet.
walmart...well, not so much.
it's too bad that these bands and labels just refuse to innovate. it is disapointing.
I'd rather starve to death than work for Wall Mart
Now as things get bad it is most important for us to make ethical choices as the economy realigns itself.
say no to wall mart. life is more than job creation
I like AC/DC, but nothing will ever make me set foot in a Wal-mart store or use their website.
We would rather support local businesses even if it costs more. We treat Walmart as if it simply doesn't exist.
I'm a HUGE fan of Mr. Greenwald's but I'm not sure there is any argument here. Clearly the artist could step in and make a decision here. Walmart is not strong-arming anyone like they may do in say the plastics industry.
In more defense of Walmart, Apple also holds a monopoly over at iTunes. iTunes often times have unique singles you can only get there from artists. Apple may be a fantastic company but it still has to bow to it's shareholders.
walmart has helped to destroy thousands of smaller, family-owned businesses across the country--to say nothing of manufacturers they have destroyed in ordering changes in manufacturing capacities and narrowing margins for their suppliers. is offering all these "jobs" to former business owners a nice thing on their part?
walmart will soon put themselves on that "too big to fail" list. to compare themselves to target (whose business practices are less impeachable) is pointless. soon the jobless won't be shopping there, let alone anywhere else.
i wouldn't dream of buying music, OR anything else from wal-mart.
Wal-Mart comes into a town, shuts down the mom and pop businesses, and drives down wages so its employees can only afford to shop at Wal-Mart. It's a vicious circle.
unless they dug up bon scott who really cares?
Your panelists aren't talking about the music, it's just one pro and one anti Walmart dude having what sounds like the same tired debate they had three years ago. Lame, get some actual critics on there John.
OY VEY!!! Walmart has created more jobs and done more to make goods affordable to the poor and working class than ANY Government program EVER. And you all have the gall to sit and pontificate on how odious Walmart is and how much money they make and blah blah blah. No one is forcing you to spend money there, and you should not try to force your view on how others spend their money. Maybe they might want to buy a CD by the Osmonds, God Forbid! And buy it at Walmart!
You can shop where you want (and pay more) and work where you want, just let others do the same.
I am originally from Massachusetts, south of Boston. In my hometown suburb, Wal-mart is the place to be. I can't tell you how many family members/friends have said, "I LOVE Wal-Mart." They go to Wal-Mart for EVERYTHING including music, DVDS, photos, everything. It may be different here because we have an array of enlightened consumers who know better or are too hip to enter a Wal-Mart but in Suburbia, Wal-Mart is King and ignorance is bliss. They are devoted and almost addicted to Wal-Mart and defend it vehemently.
I absolutely HATE Wal-Mart and I strenuously avoid this monopolistic, anti-democratic behemoth wherever I travel in the U.S. I only hope that New York City and other cities across the country can continue to resist the strong-arm tactics of this retailer with the well-informed support of the public.
David Savage
I'm not a fan of Walmart, but I have no problem with what AC/DC is doing. They're maximizing the revenue from their work, which is what almost all of us do everyday. They've also rejected iTunes because they want their work to be heard as a whole, not split up into singles as would be the case with iTunes or Rhapsody. Honestly, for anyone who grew up outside a major urban area, it's no different than being a slave to Sam Goody when I was a kid.
excellent point, birder!
What a great justification to steal it! No guilt there.
I'm fine with them employing people...with them helping Americans to find jobs and well priced goods. But-- why don't they make anything in the USA?? There were certainly more than a few jobs lost when they started buying more imports.
Please tell Mr. Greenwald to lighten up. Poor Mr. Galloway has to play devil's advocate against such a humorless, hack in Mr. Greenwald. He showed go back to directing, as the NY Times put it, commercially repectable B-list movies.
To Betty: The artists aren't strong armed by Walmart, the listener is. Walmart censors music plain and simple. AC/DC chose to sell their album to Walmart knowing that, possibly even altering their music to do so.
excellent case in point:
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html
Jayd,
How nice it must be in your world. Your relatives aren't "addicted" to Wal-Mart. It's a lot cheaper than most other retailers. When you have a family, that may affect where you shop.
Walmart is not a cool place to buy music, but let's be honest, AC/DC isn't that cool either. Mr. Schaefer you're right, a couple of dinosaurs.
Should we be giving ATT the same hard time abolut its exclusive agreement with the I phone? This is business!!! it is a business decision!!!
Anyone who can't find "Black Ice" should just go out and buy any of AC/DC's last 5 albums, as they all sound the same. Win-win.
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