I think the question Rehan was trying ask was

"All things being equal, would you shop Canadian?"


The store being dirty, messy, more convenient, or too far away is irrelevant IMHO. Does the fact that it's Canadian and/or sells Canadian-made goods make a difference in your shopping decisions?

Originally posted by brash They also sell a lot of cheaply made c**p, like clothes made by children in third world sweatshops.

Unfortunately, they're not the only ones...

This site (of an organization based in Toronto) has information about sweatshops, and there's one section dedicated to the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC -- owners of Zeller's and The Bay) also.

Originally posted by GoldfishLegs The store being dirty, messy, more convenient, or too far away is irrelevant IMHO.

Yes, but he also asked...

If something is available for the same price at Wal-mart and at Zellers, which one would you choose and why?

I didn't tell him why I would choose Zellers, I told him why I would not choose Wal-mart. He asked why and I told him why. Is this a guys only thread?

Originally posted by brash They also sell a lot of cheaply made c**p, like clothes made by children in third world sweatshops.

You think Walmart is the only place that does this? Do your research you'd be amazed at how many large, well known and 'respected' stores and brands have their stuff made in sweatshops all around the world!

Originally posted by Rehan Unfortunately, they're not the only ones... This site (of an organization based in Toronto) has information about sweatshops, and there's one section dedicated to the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC -- owners of Zeller's and The Bay) also.

Thanks for the link I will pass it on to be sisters who both work for HBC they seem to have their heads in the sand when it comes to who is making they product and at what price!

Originally posted by karenmaraj You think Walmart is the only place that does this? Do your research you'd be amazed at how many large, well known and 'respected' stores and brands have their stuff made in sweatshops all around the world!

Not at all, lots of stores do it. But let's remember Walmart is the world's largest retailer, and competition from them has been a major factor in pushing other stores to sell similar "cheap" imported goods.

Unfortunately, most people are more in love with getting a cheap shirt than the quality or how it was made. I believe competition from Walmart has increased the number of these products throughout retail. So I personally believe Walmart carries more of the responsibility than other companies.

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Added note: Reading some of the information linked above indicated that HBC has taken steps to reduce (not eliminate, unfortunately) the products they carry from third world sweatshops. Something which I have yet to see any indication that Walmart has done.

Originally posted by brash Unfortunately, most people are more in love with getting a cheap shirt than the quality or how it was made.

I'm not in love with the cheap shirt - I can't afford the expensive one! However I do my part, I shop a second hand stores so i can get the quality without the price however, Walmart does have the cheap shirt,whenever I go in and see 20 on a rack, they look so cheap and tacky I'd rather go to the second hand store

Recent Canadian opposition to Wal-mart in:
Vancouver, and
Guelph (a city with still no Wal-mart!)

Originally posted by GoldfishLegs Made this into a poll -- I've been curious about this myself. I submit that... o I buy from whoever is cheaper -- US or Canadian doesn't make a difference to me. o If they're the same price, I buy from the Canadian shop. ...aren't mutually exclusive. In my case both apply. (Unless the difference is trivial, or the extra hassle of dealing with a US supplier is non-trivial.)