Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Bus Wal-Mart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bus Wal-Mart. Show all posts

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Walmart Corporate - Fact Check: The New York Times "The Corporate Daddy"

Walmart Corporate - Fact Check: The New York Times "The Corporate Daddy"

"By  David Tovar, Vice President, Walmart Corporate Communications
June 20, 2014"


We saw this article in The New York Times and couldn't overlook how wildly inaccurate it is, so we had some fun with it. I hope you will too. ...

Here are the links we mentioned in our edits:
'via Blog this'
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Walmart's Response to the New York Times Was Brilliant | LinkedIn

Walmart's Response to the New York Times Was Brilliant | LinkedIn

June 26, 2014

Once in awhile I come across a PR tactic that makes me shake my head and think, “I wish I thought of that.”

My company doesn’t represent Walmart, sadly, and the retail behemoth probably spends more on public relations and crisis communications than the GDP of some third world countries, but if we did I’d like to think I’d handle things like Dave Tovar, their VP of corporate communications.
In case you’re unaware, last week Tim Egan, writing in The New York Times, drew a contrast between Walmart and Starbucks with regard to how they treat their respective employees and their contributions to society and the economy. Needless to say, it got into some serious bashing of the much-maligned retailer, however this time, Walmart fought back in the most clever of ways.
Posting the story on its blog, Tovar took a red pen like many a school teacher and systematically “edited” the article. Beneath a note that said “Tim: Thanks for sharing your first draft.
https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140626193320-16793149-walmart-s-response-to-the-new-york-times-was-brilliant?trk=tod-home-art-list-large_0

'via Blog this' 
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Thursday, November 17, 2011

SCHUMER REVEALS: NEW LAYAWAY PROGRAMS OFFERED BY RETAILERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON COULD HIT SHOPPERS WITH MORE IN FEES AND INTEREST THAN THE HIGHEST- INTEREST CREDIT CARDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 14, 2011
SCHUMER REVEALS: NEW LAYAWAY PROGRAMS OFFERED BY RETAILERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON COULD HIT SHOPPERS WITH MORE IN FEES AND INTEREST THAN THE HIGHEST- INTEREST CREDIT CARDS

Schumer Calls for Retailers to Prominently Display Interest Rate Equivalents of Layaway Fees, Which Can Exceed 81% on a $100 Purchase; If Retailers Fail to Act, Will Call on FTC to Look Into Whether Programs are Deceptive or Misleading

Wal-Mart, Toys “R” Us, And Sears Are Bringing Back Layaway Programs to Entice Shoppers to Purchase Big-Ticket Items Without Using Credit Cards, But High Fees Leave Consumers With A Raw Deal

Schumer: Layaway Programs Shouldn’t be Used to Hide-a-Way Excessive Fees

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed that fees associated with recently reinstated holiday shopping layaway programs for popular retailers can exceed even the highest interest rates charged by credit card companies. Citing the prospect of layaway fees that are the equivalent of an 81% credit card APR for a $100 purchase, Schumer called on the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and the National Retail Federation (NRF) to work with member stores to clearly and prominently display the sky-high interest rate equivalent of the fees these programs charge so that consumers are better informed about the total price they’re paying.

Christmas layaway programs allow shoppers to effectively enter into a payment plan with stores in order to make holiday purchases by making an initial down payment and paying a service fee, then paying the rest of the bill over a period of time, picking up the item when the bill is paid in full. These layaway programs, however, charge fees that when calculated as an interest rate, would far exceed even the highest rates charged by credit card companies – and in many cases would violate state usury laws. At Toys ‘R’ Us for example, consumers will pay the equivalent of at least an 81% annual percentage rate (APR) for a $100 purchase they put on layaway today. Because stores refer to these charges as ‘fees’ instead of interest rates, it is difficult for consumers to compare the effective cost of layaway programs to the cost of using a credit card. To add insult to injury, when a customer wants to cancel a layaway purchase, retailers often do not refund service fees and also charge additional cancellation fees of $10 or more.

“These layaway programs are nothing more than hideaways for sky-high interest rates that consumers would never tolerate with a credit card,” said Schumer. “Retailers know this is going to be a difficult Christmas shopping season for families who are having a tough time making ends meet. The holiday season is supposed to be about giving and not taking, but these layaway programs are taking advantage of people and charging them outrageous interest rates, under the guise of making it easier and more affordable to shop.”

Schumer today said that these sky-high fees should be prominently disclosed in their APR equivalent so consumers can easily determine the most cost-effective method of making large purchases. Schumer also made clear if retailers fail to act, he would ask the Federal Trade Commission to look into whether the programs are deceptive and misleading.

Layaway programs offer customers the ability to make purchases over a period of time, usually weeks or months, with a down payment and service fee. While attractive for consumers who do not have enough money to make large purchases in time for the holiday season, these programs actually end up costing consumers far more than credit cards with the highest interest rates, and in many cases exceed state interest rate caps. New York’s usury laws, for example, prohibit interest rates above 16%, and many other states cap interest rates at 35%. The national average APR for a credit card in the United States is currently 14.99%, according to Creditcards.com. The highest average APR for those with bad credit is 24.96%. Layaway programs almost always end up costing consumers far more than that.

Here is a breakdown of the layaway programs being introduced at three major retailers in the United States and what the equivalent APR would be for three popular gift purchases this year:

Walmart: The layaway program offered by Walmart requires a $5 service fee for a payment plan, a 10% down payment, and requires final payment and pickup by December 16. Walmart also has a layaway cancellation fee of $10.

·      A shopper who purchases a $69 Let’s Rock Elmo doll today will pay fees equivalent to interest payments for a credit card with a 105% APR
·      A shopper who purchases a $99 Leapfrog Leap Pad today will pay fees equivalent to interest payments for a credit card with a 71% APR
·      A shopper who purchases a $199 NOOK Color today will pay fees equivalent to interest payments for a credit card with a 34% APR

Sears: The layaway program offered by Sears requires a $5 service fee, 20% or $20 down payment (whichever is higher), and requires final payment by Christmas. Sears also has a cancellation fee of $15.

·      A shopper who purchases a $69 Let’s Rock Elmo doll today at Sears will pay fees equivalent to interest payments for a credit card with a 136% APR
·      A shopper who purchases a $99 Leapfrog Leap Pad today at Sears will pay fees equivalent to interest payments for a credit card with a 81% APR
·      A shopper who purchases a $199 NOOK Color today at Sears will pay fees equivalent to interest payments for a credit card with a 39% APR

Toys ‘R’ Us: The layaway program offered by Toys ‘R’ Us requires a $5 service fee, a 20% down payment, and requires final payment/pickup by Christmas. Toys ‘R’ Us also has a cancellation fee of $10.

·      A shopper who purchases a $69 Let’s Rock Elmo doll today at Toys ‘R’ Us will pay fees equivalent to interest payments for a credit card with a 120% APR
·      A shopper who purchases a $99 Leapfrog Leap Pad today at Toys ‘R’ Us will pay fees equivalent to interest payments for a credit card with a 81% APR
·      A shopper who purchases a $199 NOOK Color at Toys ‘R’ Us will pay fees equivalent to interest payments for a credit card with a 39% APR

In his letter to retailers, Schumer called on the major retail associations to work with their member stores to ensure that they prominently display the APR equivalent of the fees at the point of sale and provide consumers with comparisons. Schumer noted if they don’t voluntarily implement such a program, he would ask the FTC to open an investigation into whether the fee structure is deceptive and misleading.  Schumer said that these layaway programs often deceive consumers by referring to the program in terms of fees instead of interest rates, making it difficult to compare to interest rates consumers are familiar with on their credit card.

“Retailers have a responsibility to be forthright about the fees associated with layaway and should prominently display them in terms the consumer understands, so they can make informed decisions about the best way to pay for holiday shopping this year,” continued Schumer.


November 13, 2011

Sandy Kennedy
President
Retail Industry Leaders Association
1700 N. Moore St., Ste. 2250
Arlington, VA 22209
Matthew Shay
President & CEO
National Retail Federation
325 7th Street, NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20004

Dear Ms. Kennedy and Mr. Shay,

I am writing to express concern about holiday layaway programs at some of your member stores.  Specifically, I am concerned that the fees charged in connection with these programs, which are very similar to short term loans, can add up to the equivalent of interest rates well above standard credit card interest rates, and in many cases higher than state usury laws would permit were these technically deemed to be credit transactions.

Recent reports indicate that Wal-Mart, Sears and others have recently reinstated layaway programs for the Holiday shopping season.  These programs typically require a down payment of 10% - 20%, together with an upfront service charge – generally five dollars.  Customers pay the balance over time, and pick up the item when the balance is paid in full.  In many cases, stores are charging hefty cancellation fees if a customer changes his or her mind, and do not refund the service fee.  With Christmas just over a month away, many of these loans will be extremely short term loans, as most of the programs require customers to make final payments and pick up the goods prior to the Holidays.  This means that even a seemingly small $5 service charge can be the equivalent of interest rates well above standard credit card interest rates. At Wal-Mart, for instance, consumers will pay the equivalent of at least a 44% annual percentage rate (APR) for a $100 purchase, according to one recent report.

I respectfully request that your organizations work with all your member stores with layaway plans to clearly and predominately display the annual percentage rate equivalent of the fees for each program, both at the point of sale and on any website or other promotional material advertising these programs.  While I understand that the APR-equivalent would vary based on the length of the layaway and the amount of the unpaid balance, stores could still materially aid consumers by providing APR-equivalents for representative transactions.  This would allow consumers to compare the cost of using a layaway program with the cost of using their credit card.

If stores do not voluntarily adopt clear disclosure practices, I will request that the Federal Trade Commission adopt rules requiring such disclosure in connection with any layaway.

With unemployment still above 9%, and middle class families already struggling to stretch their paychecks, the last thing they can afford is to pay unnecessary fees for layaway programs that trap them into buying items by charging even higher fees if they want to change their minds.
I look forward to working with you and your member stores to ensure consumers are able to make well-informed decisions when shopping this Holiday season.
###
http://schumer.senate.gov/Newsroom/record.cfm?id=334750
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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Kevin Dayhoff - The Tentacle: Celebrating Atlanta and Georgia Tech, A Refreshing Change

May 11, 2011

A Refreshing Change
The fourth chief executive officer of Walmart, and Georgia Institute of Technology graduate Michael Terry Duke has challenged the Spring 2011 graduating class of Georgia Tech to follow three key ingredients to leadership and use three guideposts as they embark on their lives and careers.

Last Sunday I had the privilege of witnessing 2,300 proud graduates of Georgia Tech receive their diplomas in the midst of approximately 10,000 of their closest family and fans at the Georgia Dome in downtown Atlanta...  http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4394

[...]

I was particularly impressed with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) mass transportation system, which easily and efficiently gave me access to downtown Atlanta and all my destinations and appointments throughout the week from my temporary headquarters at a “gateway” hotel and conference center complex adjacent to the enormously busy Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

According to information found on the MARTA Facebook page, the transportation system is the ninth largest transit system in North America. It serves a population of 1.65 million in the City of Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb counties and provides service for nearly half a million passengers each weekday.

MARTA, which has its roots in the 1950s, continues to expand and plan for the future – but most importantly, it is actually in the business of moving citizens to places they want to go. I mean, like you can actually travel easily from the airport throughout the downtown and out to the outskirts of the metropolitan area on a train. What a profound idea!

According to its website, the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport dates back to 1925. Today it has a direct economic impact of more than $32.5 billion for the metro-Atlanta area economy and is the largest employer in the state of Georgia.

[...]




Dayhoff Media The Tentacle, Colleges Universities Georgia Tech, US st Georgia, US st Georgia Atlanta, Bus Wal-Mart
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Thursday, November 05, 2009

Shop With A Cop starts another season

Shop With A Cop Angel Tree to be unveiled Nov 5, 2009
WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
36 LOCUST STREET
WESTMINSTER, MD 21157
410-848-4646

JEFFREY SPAULDING
CHIEF OF POLICE

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
http://tinyurl.com/ylonx69 Also http://tinyurl.com/yzfyobe
November 3, 2009

Help others have a Brighter Holiday Season!

The Westminster Police Department, Westminster Wal-Mart and other sponsors will be seeking donations for the Shop With A Cop Angel Tree again this year.

The unveiling of the tree will be on November 5, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. at the Westminster Wal-Mart, located on Woodward Drive in Westminster, Maryland. The tree will be decorated with gift tags to help less fortunate local residents have a brighter holiday season.

The gift tags range in price from ten dollars on up and shoppers are asked to selected a tag from the Shop With A Cop Angel Tree as they enter the Westminster Wal-Mart.

Local families experiencing economic hardships can’t always provide their children with their own celebration of Christmas.

The Shop With a Cop program joins these underprivileged children with Westminster Police Officers, providing the children with money to shop for Christmas presents for their families.

The Westminster Police Department provides breakfast, shopping at Wal-Mart, and then the children go to the Westminster Senior Center to wrap their gifts and enjoy lunch with their family.

For more information please contact:
Sgt. Keith Benfer, Westminster Police Department 410-857-9282
Linda Knott, Westminster Police Department, 410-848-4646
Karen Bullock, Westminster Police Department, 410-857-9821
Related – also see:

Westminster Police Chief Jeff Spaulding joined Wal Mart store manager Harry Anuszewski and Wal Mart employee, Debbie Sabock on Friday, November 16, 2007 to kick off the 4th annual "Shop With A Cop" Christmas program. http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h8-UCXul1I

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Mediaite: Wal-Mart to Get Homeless Elle Intern’s Trailer Out of Impound


Wal-Mart to Get Homeless Elle Intern’s Trailer Out of Impound by Tommy Christopher 4:21 pm, September 15th, 2009

http://www.mediaite.com/online/wal-mart-to-get-homeless-elle-interns-trailer-belongings-out-of-impound/

On September 3, I
filed a story about Brianna Karp, the homeless blogger who was thrust into the national spotlight when Ell’s E. Jean Carroll offered her a prestigious internship. I spent a good part of the rest of that day reading every word of Bri’s gripping, thoroughly entertaining blog.

That’s how I learned that, on August 23, her truck and trailer had been
impounded from a Wal-Mart that had given her permission to park there, and that she was accruing impound fees that included an $80 a day storage fee.

I called Wal-Mart’s media relations department that day to see what they had to say about it. They said they would get in touch with Brianna to find out more, and to work on a resolution.

I’m happy to report that Brianna emailed me last night to tell me that Wal-Mart officials will be meeting her…

[…]

Things are definitely looking up for Bri, who
appeared on CNN and the Today Show last week. Every step of the way, however, she reminds me that she wants to continue to focus on, and advocate for, the homeless.

[…]

Read the entire post by Tommy Christopher on Mediaite here: http://www.mediaite.com/online/wal-mart-to-get-homeless-elle-interns-trailer-belongings-out-of-impound/


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My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Monday, July 06, 2009

A strawberry blonde was weed-eating her yard and accidentally cut off the tail of her cat

A strawberry blonde was weed-eating her yard and accidentally cut off the tail of her cat which was hiding in the grass.
She rushed her cat, along with the tail, over to WAL-MART!
Why WAL-MART??
HELLOOOOOOOOO!
WALMART is the largest re-tailer in the world!!!

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