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| The Cafe - 'TC' So? Your daughter wants her belly pierced? Your cat keeps using the couch as a litter box? Your husband taped the Hockey game over your wedding video? Your neighbor has a gnome collection and it makes you mad? Pour yourself a cup of coffee and come on in to The Café! Talk amongst yourselves...discuss, question, reply, or respond to many subjects! |
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ah...the ever famous question LOL I don't shop there for lots of reasons. I don't like their business practices pretty much sums it up in one sentence. No business is perfect but I really feel that WM is worst offender. I like this story: Wal-Mart You Don't Know | Fast Company Also, they *cheat* distributors so they can make more money. Our good friend used to work for a company that supplied products to WM. One day he was overlooking the invoices for WM when he noticed that WM shorted each invoice's payment by 10-15% for "damage". He asked his manager about it because EVERY invoice was marked that way and looking in the history, it appeared that it's always this way. His manager told him that WM automatically takes that discount "because they can". If you say you want full payment, they will told "fine...then we wont' carry your product on our shelves". Well, where they are at, you can't not have your product on a WM shelf as it's all there is there. I also know many people who have worked there and gotten cheated on their wages or forced to contribute to things they did not want to. Did they hold a gun to their head? No. But if they didn't, they were put on shifts they couldn't work (ie: night shift for single parent with no babysitter) or bathroom detail until they did contribute. I know many people say they LOVE their WM and hey, that's good for them. I choose to take a stand and show people that YES...you can live in the USA and NOT shop at WM AND save just as much money (not to mention feeling better about yourself). So, there are a few reasons. They are more but really, it just all boils down to their business practices
__________________ Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003 |
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__________________ Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003 |
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I don't have first hand knowledge of their business practices, but, I dislike that they have gone to selling so many things that are "made in China". I know.....things are cheap that way, but, I still think they can sell more "made in the USA stuff".....I remember their big "MADE IN THE USA" advertisements.... BTW, I think Target smells like peroxide. Does anyone else have a scent to describe Target??
__________________ Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing. |
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While I don't work for Wal-Mart, I do work in a field that provides me the unique opportunity to interact w/ Wal-Mart associates. From the hourly associate who pushes your buggy/cart back into the store from the parking lot, to salaried members of management, all the way to management at the home office level. I don't think Wal-Mart is by any means perfect, I do not think they are the spawn of Satan. Wal-Mart is the biggest kid on the block, and easy to place blame on them when something happens. I have seen managers from home office demand medical care for an injured associate--even though by the letter of the law, the associate was not entitled to them. An employer is only as good as it's worst employee---Unfortunately, Wal-Mart will provide almost anyone the opportunity to work. Whether those less than honorable employees take advantage of the good aspects of Wal*Mart or exploit the bad tells the real tale. You only hear the horror stories in the media--I've had the opportunity to hear and see the good that Wal*Mart does.
__________________ Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" |
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marilynk, I am glad you have seen the opportunity that WM does. I have not. We have 4 Super WM within a 10 mile radius. That is simply ridiculous. I know quite a few people who work there and no one..and I mean no one has ever had a positive experience working there. They work there because it's the only place they could find work with their experience and schedule. I know the media does it's own spin thing. I take my opinion from I have personally gathered from people who have worked there, people who have worked for distributors who supply them or mom & pops who have been put out of business by them. That's enough for me. I'm sure they do some good, but I just don't see it personally and honestly, I don't care too. I think once Sam Walton died, WM went to crap
__________________ Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003 |
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Here are some good reasons not to shop at WalMart Wal-Mart Watch Walmart Class WakeUpWalMart.com - Join the fight to change Wal-Mart and change America Attorney: Wal-Mart Collected On Deaths WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price Wal-Mart Loses Unpaid Overtime Case, Separate Trial Will Be Held To Determine Damages For Employees - CBS News When WalMart moves into a community for every two jobs they create three jobs that already existed are lost. WalMart boasts "low prices" however most of the low priced items are cheap foreign made products that break and aren't worth the money you paid for them. And I can't help but looking around the store and feeling I don't belong. (I have gone in with friends who insist on shopping there out of stubbornness.) The customer service sucks. They are constantly having problems with coupons and pricing. They are so anti union that when one WalMart store many years ago voted to go union in the butcher's shop the company abolished in store butchers at all their stores now they only get meat that is already processed. A Canadian WalMart voted to be union they closed the store. WalMart keeps its employees just below what they need for benefits (unless you are a manager). In communities where there is a large WalMart the food stamp and welfare payments are higher than in communities without a WalMart. Most of this can be attributed to WalMart employees who make so little they are also receiving some kind of aid from their local county or state. I have noticed that prices on mainstream items are the same as other stores. The "cheap" stuff is just that--items made shoddily. Also WalMart squeezes their suppliers forcing companies to make the decision to either close down or downsize to supply the item at the price WalMart wants or or risk them going to a foreign supplier for the same items. Value is not just based on price. Value is getting something that is worth a lot at a low price. Buying junk at WalMart is not value. I can always tell when something is cheaply made it looks it and never lasts long. WalMart makes me vomit.
__________________ The political system is broke and it's a joke. |
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In Hawaii there was big controversy that the WM site in Honolulu had over 42 sets of remains found during contruction. Proper protocol was not followed in their reburial. My issue with WM and also Sam's Club is more than just saving $$$.
__________________ "Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness." ~ Earl of Derby |
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I very rarely shop at crap-mart. I go maybe twice a year and mostly just to see what I can get for free/pennies by using coupons. I'd say I spend less than $50 a year there. There are so many shoppping options in my area that no one has to rely on crap-mart. We have Target, Kmart, Big Lots, Aldi, Giant Eagle, Tops, Wegmans, Save-A-Lot, Quality Market, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, and CVS in addition to all the stores at a huge shopping mall. All the major grocery stores offer double coupns everyday. We didn't have Wal-Mart in this area until about 1993 or so. I never saw a Wal-Mart until I went to State College in the fall of 1991 to go to school. My personal shopping habits wouldn't change at all if Wal-Mart disappeared.
__________________ Jesus SAVES by shopping smartly and using double coupons! |
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| Yes, and the funny thing is that even tho this was the case, SO MANY people flocked there. There were pickets and protests and everything, yet, people still shopped there. Granted, the choices in Hawaii are limited, and prices are quite a bit higher. It is tough to make a stand when you are in that kind of position. There is/was a K-mart on Oahu, and MANY military shopping facilities, so Wal-Mart is not the only place to shop.
__________________ Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing. |
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The WalMart in my town does not smell bad. It is clean and neat. I have never had any problems with them. I don't buy "junky" items in ANY store. I only know one man who has worked there and he never had any horror stories to tell.
__________________ Square dancing is friendship set to music! |
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I respect sexysmurf because she has actually put her money where her mouth is. It tinkles me off to no end for people who whine, cry and complain about how "bad" Wal-Mart is, but turn around and shop there, with the caveat of "well, there's no where to shop". If Wal-Mart bothers you so badly, then you should quit shopping there!
__________________ Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" |
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To each their own but I am a WalMart shopper. The 3 (out of 4) stores that I have or do regularly shop at do not smell. I also find their prices lower compared to Kroger, BTW a union double coupon store. While yes the customer service lines can be long perhaps if they stopped cashing payroll or personal checks it would speed up. As for complaints - they don't have enough price scanners around the store. Then again I take great joy in having the cashier scan the price and refusing the product if I don't like the price. Last edited by LBeadle; 10-09-2008 at 02:49 PM. Reason: bad spelling |
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It bothers me when people complain about something yet continue to do business with them. Heck, I know people who b*tch about Starbucks prices yet go once or twice a day My stand against WM is my little stand. Losing my business won't effect them. I don't tell people not to shop there...I could care less. My stand doesn't have to be everyone's.Happy Shopping!
__________________ Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003 |
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__________________ Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003 |
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Ahhhh....talk about it all you want, just perhaps accept that there won't be much mind-changing on this subject!!! Walmart- Love it or Hate it! I also put my money where my mouth is and do not shop there. I would much rather spend 10% more at Target for the same merchandise, than spend my dime in that store. cj/
__________________ I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips |
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My issue (yeah, I know I have many! ) is outright lies, or twisting of 5-9 year old statistics.For example: The whole there are no butchers in Wal-Mart. Maybe not back in 2000, but there are now! So to propagate falsehoods and/or untruths wrong! How do I know they have butchers without working for them? My company does their work comp claims! They have butchers! They have butchers who get injured! I know how much associates make (which varies from region/area to region/area). I looked at the sites that anna posted. They say that a family of 3 can't make it on the annual salary---well, of course not! Those sites only consider if one person in the family is working! (at Wal-Mart or anywhere else). I do not know many one income families anymore--do you? I know what kind of benefits and bonuses the associates pay for and are given (each quarter if their store/club qualifies)--and it isn't anything to scoff at! How many people do you know that can qualify for up to a $1000 bonus quarterly?? And of course Wal-Mart "squeezes" their suppliers! So do K-Mart, Target, Costco, Shopko, Lowes, etc. Dislike Wal-Mart, have very strong opinions--I don't care, but at least try to base your dislike on some glimmer of the truth. I'm the first to admit that about 10 years after Sam Walton died--His children damned near destroyed the company. They no longer run the company--I believe they sit on the board of directors, but have very little input (that's assuming the one adult child is out of detox/rehab--she has a drinking problem. She was pulled over for DUI in NW Arkansas and spit and slapped the arresting officer. She went to jail and was treat like any other drunk!)
__________________ Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" |
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Marilyn, I love that saying "tinkles me off" LOL..... how can you be angry and verbalize that saying? It makes me laugh ![]() I agree, if people don't like a certain company, they should not support them, wether it's Wal Mart or any other company.
__________________ Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing. |
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I have stopped going there but the main reason was because I would come out having spent over $100 even if I was just going in for milk and I had nothing to show for it. Some people say they save money going there, but I see all of these things I "need" and my saving money cost me a fortune! My inlaws go there at least twice a week and I can just imagine how much they spend on crap! And they also don't support our local schools which really irks me.
__________________ "A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer |
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| Actually, most of the families I know are single income families. I am one of the rare moms I know who work (although I have a business I run out of my home so I am *at* home). Most are SAHM's. Not that it has anything to do with WM but you asked, so I answered
__________________ Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003 |
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There's a regular Target store opening Sunday in the next town, however, it will be a 20-25 minute drive while my local Wal-Mart is only an 8 minute drive. |
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| I do love my Wal-Mart. And, NO, I can't not shop at Wal-Mart and save just as much money. In my town there are only 2 locally owned grocery stores with prices that are much higher than Wal-Mart. In the last 2 years I have started going to the 2 locally owned stores when I need an item or two because the drive to Wal-Mart just isn't worth the gas money. In my town the other store to shop at is Wal-Greens. That's it, there's no other national chain grocery stores or drug stores!! There's a regular Target store opening Sunday in the next town, however, it will be a 20-25 minute drive while my local Wal-Mart is only an 8 minute drive.[/quote] true if I remember right on what town she lives in there's not that much there, or maybe I'm thinking of Marilyn hummm one of you live in a town that starts with an A hehehe. Hard to imagine there not being a CVS or Rite Aid on every corner like here, there's 4 pharmacies within a 5x5 block of my house
__________________ Books just wanna be FREE! See what I mean at: http://bookcrossing.com My other favorites www.paperbackswap.com www.wheresgeorge.com www.geocaching.com |
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__________________ Books just wanna be FREE! See what I mean at: http://bookcrossing.com My other favorites www.paperbackswap.com www.wheresgeorge.com www.geocaching.com |
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And I have heard they do which is why I question the fact that they don't contribute one penny to our school? It was very disappointing to hear and I don't know why.
__________________ "A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer |
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I find that odd as well....However, generally local Wal-Mart's are alotted a certain amt. of money for charitable donations. Maybe your local Wal-Mart has already committed their charitable dollars. Wal-Mart/The Walton Foundation are extremely generous when it comes to education. I can't imagine too many legitimate reasons why a local level Wal-Mart would not be supportive of a local school.
__________________ Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" |
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I had forgotten about the year that Wal-Mart partnered with the AR Arts & Education and paid for the state touring plays. Usually the cost is about $800, maybe $900. This has been a few years ago and I was the one that coordinated it but I just don't remember. Wal-Mart paid all but about $200 of the cost. However, they did it only for 1 school year as they had an overwhelming response. I took advantage of that offer twice, one a Christmas play and the other an educational play about Abraham Lincoln. |
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I'm not aware of a CVS or Rite Aid in the entire state of AR. But we do have a Wal-Greens on several corners. There's 10 Krogers in Little Rock/North Little Rock, 2 in Conway and Russellville and none in the Fayetteville or Fort Smith area. Plus I saw at least 4 others scattered across the state just not in Northwest or West Central AR. |
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here there's rite aid and CVS not sure whats in NWA now havent lived there in years not sure of grocery stores either, remember going to IGA and Food 4 less as a kid
__________________ Books just wanna be FREE! See what I mean at: http://bookcrossing.com My other favorites www.paperbackswap.com www.wheresgeorge.com www.geocaching.com |
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That's in addition to the hubby, dog and cat. I keep thinking Super Nanny would have a field day LOLOops...sorry to get off topic
__________________ Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003 |
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Count me in as one who is very pleased with our local WalMart. Ours is always extremely clean and well-kept. They are very generous with local projects, programs, and schools. They were one of the first businesses to step up and help when another business - a locally owned one - was destroyed by fire. They hire teachers in the summer and college kids in the holiday season. Sometimes they're cheapest, sometimes they're not. Because they are a national chain they seem to have access to produce our two locally owned stores do not, so if I want something unusual I know to check our Super WalMart. In our small town there are a number of things I simply couldn't buy anywhere else locally... like socks and undies for my kids! We do have a Walgreens and it's closer to my house, so I go there just about as often as WalMart. I'd say 60% of the time I go to a state chain (there are four of this store in our state, and it's not found in any other states) and the rest of the time I make the trek out to SWM. While I think Target somehow has a more *fun* feel, I assume that they, too, squeeze their suppliers for the best possible deal and also sell cheap "Made in China" stuff. That Dollar Spot isn't exactly filled with designer plastic junk. I like Target a lot, don't get me wrong... but I don't see them as any more or less virtuous than WalMart.For us, the location of our WalMart is a plus. We are along an interstate and the presence of the WalMart at our intersection, open 24 hours/day, pulls people off in a way we wouldn't be able to otherwise. It's a few miles into town-town from the interstate exit and people wouldn't bother to come all the way into town... but they definitely stop at our SWM and when they spend money, our tax receipts go up. It's a win-win. |
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I shop at WalMart and although I complain all the time about the fact that they seem to be slow at restocking their shelves.....I am sure I will return. I actually shop at both WalMart and Target. I stopped shopping at Target for a while because of a run in I had with their poorly run customer service department, but I gave in and started shopping their again. I shop where I can get the best bang for my buck. Those of you who do not shop at Walmart, do you shop at Sams Club, or do you avoid that store also?
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Sams Club is 10 minutes away from me. I have not shopped at Sams Club probably longer than WM. I drive 45 minutes to the nearest Costco once a month or more. They are going to build a Costco about 15 minutes away from me in the next 2 years (hopefully sooner) so that will be REALLY nice!
__________________ Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003 |
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I DON"T shop there and I only posted facts. The other stores are NOT as BAD and LAW BREAKING as WalMart. I'm sorry you took this as a personal insult you must have otherwise why would you call it "whining"? I am simply answering the OP's question of why not to shop at WalMart. Don't worry we won't judge you for loving it so much.
__________________ The political system is broke and it's a joke. |
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You posted lies (the stores do have butchers/meat cutters), links to pages with half truths or information based on years old statistics, and your opinions. I don't "love" Wal-Mart, I'm a realist. Wal-Mart, like most retailers have their "dark side"--but I can guarantee you this, of all the retailers we do work comp for (currently we handle claims for Target, Sears/KMart, Costco, Home Depot, Coca-Cola Industries, PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, Professional Baseball, Hershey, Gap, etc.) Wal-Mart by and far treats their injured employees the best! I know what these injured associates make hourly, and what they pay for private insurance, what their bonuses and profit sharing are--So you can spout whatever you want from disgruntled workers or anti-Wal*Mart groups, I know a lot of that to be twisting the truth, out and out lies/misrepresentation or based on facts and figures from 5-9 years ago. Oh and don't even get me started on the story about the lady who was injured, won a settlement from her injuries and her private health insurance (through Wal*Mart) sued for reimbursement for the money they had paid out! That is a standard insurance practice Wal-Mart involvement not withstanding. *sigh*, isn't it possible to defend something based on facts, not because you "love" the company? All I have ever said and will continue to say is this: Wal-Mart gets beat up a lot in the media for things that aren't necessarily true. They are not the evil corporation that some people make them out to be. They have issues, but so do most retailers. The following is just my opinion--Wal-Mart ends up getting a bad rap because often times people see them as a cash cow. These people will file claims against Wal*Mart simply in the hopes that Wal*Mart will pay them off. I know, I've seen it. Most disturbing example was the family who sued Wal*Mart because their mother had a massive heart attack in the store and died (in the store). The lady had walked into the pharmacy to fill some medications, gave the Pharmacist her prescriptions, sat down on the bench to wait and fell over dead. 2 Wal*Mart associates attempted CPR with no results. Keep in mind this woman had just come from her doctor's office! But the family got an attorney, threatened to file suit--and yes, Wal*Mart paid because paying the small amount they paid in settlement was cheaper than fighting it in court.
__________________ Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" |
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__________________ Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" |
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I don't shop there. We call it Scum Mart. There are several within a short distance here, and they are always gross. The customers are foul-mouthed and not people I care to be around. I tried it a couple of times when they came to town, and will not go back. My opinion, my choice. |
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We had Krogers and Safeway and even a Piggly Wiggly. However, they were all long gone before SWM came along. Now it's just IGA and Price Cutter which doesn't do double coupons while her sister store Harp's does. Harp's is also a 20 minute drive and the doubles are lower priced only if the item is on sale. |
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![]() cj/
__________________ I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips |
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What really irritates me is when people say they love "their" Wal-Mart. If you're not Sam, Sam's wife, Sam's child (legitimate, or otherwise), a stockholder in the company, etc. etc. etc., then it is not yours. And that brings me to my next point...why would anyone want to claim it as their own anyway? Rebecca |
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Take a chill pill.My local WM might as well be mine as much money as we spend there!! This is no different than saying the school teachers are my employees as is the police dept. I pay my taxes which in turn helps to pay their salaries. Same thing with WM, I spend my shopping dollars there which in turn helps to pay the employees salaries, the utility bills, etc, etc. so yes, it is my WM. ![]() And, it's a whole lot easier and shorter to say "my WM" instead of saying "the WM that I shop at". To answer the other question.....there's no where else to shop in town except for WM, WG, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Fred's. I don't shop Fred's because they usually don't have what I need so why waste my time and gas money. There are a few items that I buy regularly at Dollar General. I go to Dollar Tree maybe once a month. So, yeah, it's my Wal-Mart. |
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oh, and I'm pretty sure Mr. Sam did not have any illegitimate children. His lovely wife Alice would have killed him! Now, his own children aren't the most delightful of human beings--but that's another story.
__________________ Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" |
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Thread closed....post limit reached
__________________ PM's are the quickest way to contact me I can also be reached at MapleLaine@gmail.com Live for today * Cherish Yesterday * Dream of Tomorrow |
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