I keep it simple - go for cheapest if comparable quality.
If the same goods - I go for cheapest price if convenient and people are friendly.
Shop at Kroger, Publix and WalMart for groceries on a weekly basis.
Kroger has the least friendly so I go through self-check to not deal with those jerks there.
Shop at Dilliards for clothes and housegoods usually at 50% or more off.
Gas - at Sam's. Usually 7-8 cents less per gallon and at Kroger where I get 10 cents off per gallon based on what I bought the previous and this month.
Mostly buy if I can off the Internet where things are generally cheaper, no taxes and usually no shipping.
What amazes me is the old arguement that union always costs more and there may be times where this might be true. But in a real world experience for me Kroger (which is union) I find our total grocery bill much cheaper than Publix (strong non union) and yes compared to Publix, Kroger employees not the most engaging but then I'm there to buy food and not socialized so there you go.
Walmart? I got nothing against them regarding union policy but I typically (not always) avoid Walwart because of their brazen policy of using gov't and emient domain abuse to spread their market position. I'm sure many other various large scale and even medium scale chains do similar but Walmart has been the most bold IMO. But if gov't did it's job!
Walmart is also notorious for making huge promises to local officials for community improvements in exchange for favored status at zoning and council meeting only to renig on those promises once the store goes up.
Hoax, as someone who spoke up
for the Barrett Parkway Walmart at the County Commission meeting, I'd be happy in a pm to tell you about the broken promises to the county that Walmart made. And in their (Walmart's) defense the county has made no effort to hold them to the promises either so there you go. 2 way street!
I've not read this whole thread but what does this really have to do with UPS specific? Should this be in the "Current Events" of "Life After UPS" forum?