Walmart Holds Invention Contest

Finally! by gciochina · 2012-01-19 22:46 · Score: 5, Funny

I'll be able to show my all in one toilet!!! http://i.imgur.com/fdJDV.jpg See you there! :D

Re:Finally! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 00:54 · Score: 0

And I'll have to license that for my invention - I've added a beer cooler, Cheetoes bag holder and cigarette lighter and cigarette dispensor.
This is for Walmart and their customers.
Re:Finally! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 01:50 · Score: 0

This is for Walmart and their customers.
Oh, good point. If this is for Walmart customers, then this idea certainly isn't going to work. There's no way any Walmart customer could be expected to pedal for themselves.
Re:Finally! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 02:25 · Score: 0

No article about Walmart is complete without this link.
Just remember, you can't un-seeeeee....
Re:Finally! by macraig · 2012-01-20 03:45 · Score: 1

Making people pedal backwards is da shit.
Re:Finally! by GrumpySteen · 2012-01-20 05:15 · Score: 1

Don't forget the song!
Re:Finally! by oldmac31310 · 2012-01-20 06:17 · Score: 1

That song is bad. Couldn't stand more than about 20 seconds.

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http://www.acetonestudio.com
Re:Finally! by Marxist+Hacker+42 · 2012-01-20 09:12 · Score: 1

And as soon as you win, you'll be forced to find a manufacturer in China to make it, no matter how much you want to make it in the United States.

--
SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
Re:Finally! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 10:28 · Score: 0

No, the video says "if" you're a small business or just a single person, they'll help with marketing and manufacturing.

You can be a Snapper and say, "they voted for this the way it is".

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/102/open_snapper.html

Re:FR1ST PS0T by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-19 22:50 · Score: 4, Funny

Is this you first time FPing? Overall, you did allright. You did use the term "FRIST", to parody the typical slashdotter's lazy, cheeto and cum-stained keyboard hand, as well as the word "nigger", as referring to darkie-americans. However, notably absent are 1.)the GNAA recruitment blurb, and 2.)sexism in any form whatsoever. You have much to learn, young AC.

7/10

The prize... by koan · 2012-01-19 22:50 · Score: 1

A lobotomy and shopping spree at...you guessed it!!! Walmart.

--
"If any question why we died, Tell them because our fathers lied."

Re:The prize... by ByOhTek · 2012-01-19 23:05 · Score: 4, Funny

Yep, and given that it is WalMart, the winning entry will be...
A coffee table shaped like a car from nascar, which only holds the cheapest, nastiest bears (destroying all others) and has a built in remote that automatically switches the TV to nascar or wrestling and maxes the volume.

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Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
Re:The prize... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-19 23:36 · Score: 5, Funny

Yep, and given that it is WalMart, the winning entry will be...
A coffee table shaped like a car from nascar, which only holds the cheapest, nastiest bears (destroying all others) and has a built in remote that automatically switches the TV to nascar or wrestling and maxes the volume.
Hey, a bear destroying coffee table would be awesome. I'd put it in the middle of the bear pit at the local zoo. I'm not too sure what I should imagine when you talk about the "cheapest" nastiest bears. I didn't really know nasty bears came in cheap and expensive variations. Do the more expensive ones not hibernate or something? Maybe it's longer claws.
Re:The prize... by ByOhTek · 2012-01-20 00:02 · Score: 1

Ghaaa. I am the typo king. I meant "beer"

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Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
Re:The prize... by ByOhTek · 2012-01-20 00:03 · Score: 2

* beers, not bears.

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Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
Re:The prize... by CadentOrange · 2012-01-20 00:48 · Score: 1

You have to admit, bears was funnier.
Re:The prize... by kae_verens · 2012-01-20 01:15 · Score: 1

to be honest, a coffee table that destroys bears would be pretty awesome!
Re:The prize... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 02:03 · Score: 1

Hey, a bear destroying coffee table would be awesome.
Yeah, but does Colbert even shop at Walmart?
Re:The prize... by macraig · 2012-01-20 03:48 · Score: 1

I bought one of those last month. Looks great in my basement cave at my mom's house.
Re:The prize... by forkfail · 2012-01-20 04:14 · Score: 2

I'm betting on a wireless taser system for zapping their wage slaves remotely, with a motion sensor that detects when they're not moving for more than a few minutes, a microphone for listening in and a camera.
The whole thing will be fashioned to look like a big smiley face button.

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Check your premises.
Re:The prize... by mcgrew · 2012-01-20 04:26 · Score: 1

Ghaaa. I am the typo king.
That's what you get for eating Klingon food!
But actually, considering we're talking about rednecks, "Hay, thar, darlin, get me a bear" is no typo. Maybe you should have another serving of Ghaaa? (actually I think Ghaaa isn't spelled quite like that).
I got a humorus birthday card last year, a redneck translator. One was Rat -- example: "It's rat past the bait shop!"
Jim Morrison: "I am the typo king. I can misspell anything!"

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Free Martian Whores!
Re:The prize... by ByOhTek · 2012-01-20 04:27 · Score: 1

Problem is, it's not the executives or management, but those same wage slaves, that tend to shop there.

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Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
Re:The prize... by sgt+scrub · 2012-01-20 04:41 · Score: 1

I think you have to be Canadian to know what a cheap and nasty bear is. Be sure to avoid the pimp.

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Having to work for a living is the root of all evil.
Re:The prize... by dbialac · 2012-01-20 05:03 · Score: 1

And the prize will be a shit job with poor benefits. Look around at what Walmart does for people and you'll realize the only way to win this contest is not to enter in the first place.
Re:The prize... by forkfail · 2012-01-20 05:05 · Score: 1

It's the company script model, scaled up.
Keep 'em poor so they need the Walmart prices to be able to buy stuff, so they buy en masse at Walmart... it's a vicious circle.
Note that I've nothing against leveraging the economy of scale. I do have a problem with a corporation that treats it's employees like pondscum and that acts as a pipeline of US wealth to China. In this day and age of too many people and not enough resources, it may be that we need to have the efficiency of the mega-box stores. But the avarice of Walmart is "doin' is wrong".

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Check your premises.
Re:The prize... by mcgrew · 2012-01-20 05:19 · Score: 1

Well, now, look, y'all city slickers, don't yew know how ta talk? I went ta that thar s'loon and drank six o' them bears next ta the winder, an' almos' got a buzz!
Um, where are all those young people who want to change written language so words are spelled like they sound to defend this poor guy's typo?

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Free Martian Whores!
Re:The prize... by Ihmhi · 2012-01-20 06:14 · Score: 1

Yep, and given that it is WalMart, the winning entry will be...
A coffee table shaped like a car from nascar, which only holds the cheapest, nastiest bears (destroying all others) and has a built in remote that automatically switches the TV to nascar or wrestling and maxes the volume.
The coffee table should be able to fold out into a wrestling ring. You then can use the included luchador masks to have your toddler elbow drop your chihuahua/rotteweiler/pitbull mutt. Fun for the whole family!

--
Random Thoughts From A Diseased Mind (Not For Dummies)
Re:The prize... by Marxist+Hacker+42 · 2012-01-20 09:13 · Score: 1

And is built in China!

--
SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.

Fine Print... by saccade.com · 2012-01-19 23:13 · Score: 5, Insightful

Be very careful to read the fine print on contests like this. I looked into one a few years ago (run by Hammacher Schlemmer, I think), and by entering you essentially wound up giving them your IP at pretty unfavorable terms. If you have a good idea, something like KickStarter is a much better bet.

Re:Fine Print... by furytrader · 2012-01-20 00:04 · Score: 4, Informative

In looking over the terms of the contest, they are offering what they say they are offering: the chance to SELL your product on Wal-Mart's shelves, which is essentially access to one of the largest retail distribution systems in the world. They are not offering to manufacture your product, they are not offering to market your product, they are offering to put in on their shelves. That's what you're winning ... which is precisely what they said the contest is about. If you went ahead and read the rules of the contest, you'd see that. But because it's Wal-Mart, let's all just bury our heads in the sand and assume the worst, right?
Re:Fine Print... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 00:28 · Score: 5, Insightful

Wal-Mart is a historically very dangerous partner, especially for small companies. Their high volume and low pricing come at the cost of any slack for their partners, who wind up on a treadmill of lowering per unit costs, and wind up "making up in volume what they lose on every sale". I've seen several smaller companies with products sold there start out very excited, but go very bankrupt within 5 years because they can't keep the prices down low enough to match Wal-Mart's demands without firing the staff who came up with the product.
It's a very dangerous tiger to grab the tail of for a small business, especially a small patent holder. If the patent will help pad your resume, I could see it, but don't rely on Wal-Mart to help you make money with it.
Re:Fine Print... by WillAdams · 2012-01-20 00:51 · Score: 5, Interesting

Yep. Everyone should read:
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/102/open_snapper.html
Or look up the history of what happened to the Etch-a-Sketch:
http://www.peoplesworld.org/etch-a-sketch-and-the-wal-mart-phenomenon/
William

--
Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow.
Re:Fine Print... by JoeMerchant · 2012-01-20 04:13 · Score: 1

the chance to SELL your product on Wal-Mart's shelves
Incase anybody doesn't know: this ^^^ can be worth more than your weight in pure Platinum.
I was sort-of nearby when BreatheRight did their launch. More important than NFL players wearing them on camera was the shelf space in the drug stores, they didn't say what all it took to get that shelf space, but it was implied that there were blood sacrifices...
Re:Fine Print... by JoeMerchant · 2012-01-20 04:21 · Score: 1

Wal-Mart is a historically very dangerous partner, especially for small companies. Their high volume and low pricing come at the cost of any slack for their partners, who wind up on a treadmill of lowering per unit costs, and wind up "making up in volume what they lose on every sale". I've seen several smaller companies with products sold there start out very excited, but go very bankrupt within 5 years because they can't keep the prices down low enough to match Wal-Mart's demands without firing the staff who came up with the product.
It's a very dangerous tiger to grab the tail of for a small business, especially a small patent holder. If the patent will help pad your resume, I could see it, but don't rely on Wal-Mart to help you make money with it.
Or, just take this for what it is, a fun come-on that might feel like a lottery win for some schmo with a better beer holder who wouldn't otherwise be able to do anything with his idea. If you've got a valid going concern of a business, this contest is probably not for you. If, on the other hand, you're a typical WalMart shopper, this could be very much like American Idol for otherwise hopeless inventors.
Re:Fine Print... by Toonol · 2012-01-20 05:10 · Score: 1

Nobody should ever read anything printed in Fast Company. It's the worst magazine ever published. It lowers reader's IQ faster than Cosmopolitan.
Re:Fine Print... by tlhIngan · 2012-01-20 05:36 · Score: 1

Yep. Everyone should read:
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/102/open_snapper.html
Or look up the history of what happened to the Etch-a-Sketch:
http://www.peoplesworld.org/etch-a-sketch-and-the-wal-mart-phenomenon/
William
You missed nearly bankrupting Vlassic as well
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html
The TL;DR version of all these articles is basically that Walmart demands suppliers hit a price point ("We'll pay you $x for each one"). Great if you can hit it, but if you can't, you have to do special "walmart production runs" which use lower quality materials in order to hit that price point - different accessory kits, cheaper lower end materials, maybe even a whole walmart-specific product line.
If you're not careful, this can easily lead to a tarnishing of your brand
Another tactic is the consolidation route - you get the shelf space, but walmart only pays you when someone buys it - so if it doesn't sell, it's up to you to either move it or retrieve the product.
It makes for a more interesting time shopping at walmart though. You can tell which items are high-margin because walmart offers some really good deals (e.g., toys 40-50% off regular). Which items are built to a price (e.g., tools) and which items warlmart has no pricing control over (e.g., electronics - games/dvds/etc - you'll find walmart's price is cheapest, but only by 16 cents or so).
And you can also tell what suppliers cut in order to meet the price - perhaps a smaller amount of consumables, or lower value per dollar (e.g., less pickles per jar). Or even note down part and model numbers and see which are "walmart specials".
Re:Fine Print... by dgatwood · 2012-01-20 05:58 · Score: 3, Insightful

You do have the right to refuse such deals, you know. You can always tell Wal-Mart, "Sorry. We can't hit that price point without compromising quality, and we won't do that."
Wal-Mart might decide to drop your product, or they might not. If they don't, you've won. If they do, you can tell the world (on your website) that your products are no longer sold at Wal-Mart because they tried to force you to compromise on quality, and you said, "No". Then provide a list of alternative retailers that do carry your product. By so doing, you turn lost sales into increased customer loyalty.
Wal-Mart only screws businesses who are so desperate for Wal-Mart to carry their products that they will compromise their integrity just to stay on their shelves. If you ask me, the fault lies equally with both parties. Just saying.

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Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.
Re:Fine Print... by operagost · 2012-01-20 07:06 · Score: 1

And no one sees the connection between the obstruction caused by union bosses in conspiracy with local law enforcement and the eventual closing of the Ohio Art factory? Who wants to do business in the US when the police keep a company from doing business because its workers are on strike? We call the workers crossing the line "scabs" when they're blue-collar folks like the rest-- they just aren't in that mob called the union. The modern union isn't pro-worker, it's pro-union.

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Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
Re:Fine Print... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-21 00:42 · Score: 0

So? They already have my IP when I go to their site.
(You didn't mean that Mafia propaganda term, did you? Cause that one thankfully is a mere illusion, which only the dumbest or retards fall for. I mean, "owning ideas"... how fuckin' stupid can one be. LOL!)

Free Research for them at your expense. by sethstorm · 2012-01-19 23:20 · Score: 4, Insightful

While it might sound altruistic, it isn't.

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Twitter supports and protects racists - by smearing their critics with the "Hate Speech" label.

Re:Free Research for them at your expense. by ByOhTek · 2012-01-20 00:04 · Score: 1

Nothing with WalMart *ever* looks altruistic. They are all about finding every way to shovel cost on to other people. I'd hate to see what would happen when they run out too much competition on a large scale instead of just locally - I suspect their prices will go through the roof.

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Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
Re:Free Research for them at your expense. by furytrader · 2012-01-20 00:05 · Score: 1, Insightful

Yes, because everyone assumes that Wal-Mart is a charity, right? Clearly, this is a way to generate interest in order to get people to come into their stores. Just like American Idol is about generating interest in a musician to get people to buy their music. Oh, the horror!

I'd rather sell my soul... by vikingpower · 2012-01-19 23:29 · Score: 1, Flamebait

...to Microsoft or Oracle than my invention to Wallmart. There, I've said it.

--
Religous speak to God. Insane are spoken to by God. When all shut up, one can finally hear Shostakovich in peace

Re:I'd rather sell my soul... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 04:14 · Score: 0

You're so knowledgeable about the evil of Walmart yet you can't even fucking spell the name.
Never mind that they have a fucking awesome IT and stock management system that notices trends and automatically orders stock (and it works), they're just shit evil fuckers right?
As a foreigner I've shopped there and taken multiple rest stops over night in an RV (because I knew they'd have a big fuck off carpark which would be easy to find). They're cheap and have stuff I want to buy. What's the problem again? I wish Australia had a real Walmart equivalent.

Huh ?! by Taco+Cowboy · 2012-01-19 23:53 · Score: 1

Clicked that link, saw that pic but still, I don't get it.

How are you gonna handle that roll of soiled toilet paper?

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Muchas Gracias, Señor Edward Snowden !

Re:Huh ?! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 00:50 · Score: 0

Clicked that link, saw that pic but still, I don't get it.
How are you gonna handle that roll of soiled toilet paper?
Let it dry and peddle the opposite direction next time?
Re:Huh ?! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 01:08 · Score: 0

Clicked that link, saw that pic but still, I don't get it.
How are you gonna handle that roll of soiled toilet paper?
Let it dry and peddle the opposite direction next time?
Eww.
Re:Huh ?! by SomePgmr · 2012-01-20 09:53 · Score: 1

It's the green thing to do. Why do you hate mother earth? ;)

The white trash polar bear perhaps? by SmallFurryCreature · 2012-01-20 00:05 · Score: 0

Or (if I didn't want to be torn limb to limb, the black ghetto bear? Meanwhile the asian honey bear is taking all the jobs and education out of the US of A...

Some say the best defence against the cheapest nastiest bears is a desert eagle. I don't see it, you are being charged by trailer trash bears, how is having a large angry bird on your arm going to help? Now some kind of big hand gun. That would be useful. Although how you load a gun with bear(s you) shot without first shooting some bears I just don't get.

I apologize for the above jokes, but how often do you have a change to use them on slashdot? And I am dutch, the closet we in the EU get to hunting jokes is telling the waiter what lobster we want.

--

MMO Quests are like orgasms:

You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

Re:FR1ST PS0T by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 00:11 · Score: 0

In my day, we had frosty pisses, and we liked it that way!

Cheaper than cheap by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · 2012-01-20 00:22 · Score: 3, Informative

So essentially, they buy the stuff they sell from China because it's super-cheap, and now they're trying to get people to give them product ideas because designers and engineers are too expensive, to save on the cost of product development.

No way I'm giving the cheap bastards any of my brainpower so they can make even more profit.

(Mind you, that's exactly what Google does too...)

--
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash

Re:Cheaper than cheap by Registered+Coward+v2 · 2012-01-20 01:15 · Score: 1

So essentially, they buy the stuff they sell from China because it's super-cheap, and now they're trying to get people to give them product ideas because designers and engineers are too expensive, to save on the cost of product development.
No way I'm giving the cheap bastards any of my brainpower so they can make even more profit.
(Mind you, that's exactly what Google does too...)
You left out one step ... Profit
You've got Wal-Mart's business model in a nutshell - push as much of the cost onto the supple as possible - and run a logistic system that is ruthlessly efficient. Wal-Mart is a logistics company that happens to have stores at one end of the chain.

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I'm a consultant - I convert gibberish into cash-flow.
Re:Cheaper than cheap by kennycoder · 2012-01-20 03:35 · Score: 1

Google does not outsource that much of development. Most of it is made in US and Europe. Lower importance projects and support are India or so but not core projects...

--
Fucking a fat girl is like riding a scooter... it's fun 'til someone sees you.

So what. by gr8_phk · 2012-01-20 00:26 · Score: 1

The issue with a product idea (I have one) is getting production, distribution, and sales all lined up without having it stolen and while still getting a decent amount of money - each of those 3 entities is going to want a cut. I thought Walmart was always open to people pitching stuff, so it's really the production (who has ties to china?) that's a problem. And I do mean China, you're not going to have a Walmart price point unless you can get it made at very low cost. So is Walmart going to put you in touch with manufacturers if you "win" the competition?

Re:So what. by JoeMerchant · 2012-01-20 04:17 · Score: 1

The issue with a product idea (I have one)
A product idea, or an issue with a product idea? Unless you've got a lot of backing to get you through the production and sales gauntlets, you'd make more money per hour reciting "you want fries with that?" through a greasy microphone for the next 10 years, than attempting to push even the best of product ideas out to market over the same time frame.

Hey... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 00:31 · Score: 0

don't be dissing my Wally World! It's the only place to buy my human begging strips: Bacon Jerky!

Here are the unacceptable terms. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 00:33 · Score: 2, Informative

As conditions of Contest entry, you acknowledge and agree that: (a) Sponsor and other participants and members of the general public have access to and/or may create materials, ideas and concepts which may be similar or identical to your Entry, ideas and/or concepts; (b) you will not be entitled to any compensation or other consideration because of the use by Sponsor or any other participant of such similar or identical material, ideas and/or concepts; and (c) Sponsor's or other participant's use of material containing elements similar to or identical with those contained in your Entry shall not obligate Sponsor to negotiate with nor entitle you to any compensation or other claim.

By submitting an Entry, you warrant and represent that (a) you have all rights, including, without limitation, rights of copyright, trademark and other intellectual property rights, to the Product and Video to submit your Entry in accordance with these Official Rules, subject to the posting and voting provisions herein and if your Entry wins, you have the right to enter into an agreement with Sponsor regarding the sale of your Product; (b) your Entry does not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity (as more fully set forth in he Submission Requirements below), (c) that publication or other use by Sponsor of the Entry via various media including Web posting, will not infringe on the rights of any third party rights; and (d) otherwise complies with these Official Rules. You will indemnify and hold Released Parties (as defined below) harmless from and against any and all claims to the contrary and any demands, actions, causes of action, damages, costs or expenses brought against or suffered or incurred by the Released Parties, or any of them arising out of or in connection with your participation in this Contest, or the use, in whole or in part, by any Released Party of your Entry (or portion thereof) submitted by you in this Contest.

http://getontheshelf.com/rules

Re:Here are the unacceptable terms. by Anne+Thwacks · 2012-01-20 02:32 · Score: 1

In other news, "If you sell your soul to the devil, the devil gets your soul".

--
Sent from my ASR33 using ASCII
Re:Here are the unacceptable terms. by RussellSHarris · 2012-01-20 06:11 · Score: 1

you warrant and represent that ... your Entry does not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity
Oh... so that's it. I knew there must be some catch. They don't want to actually own your entry, because when someone comes a-suing they'll just point him in your general direction and say "his invention, we're just selling it".
Re:Here are the unacceptable terms. by Bill_the_Engineer · 2012-01-20 08:23 · Score: 1

Actually they want to make sure that there aren't any encumbrances on the concept/idea that you signed over to them. This way they are free to use any part of your idea without fear of legal liability from a third party. If it's found that there is a third party claim to your idea, then I'm sure this phrasing allows Walmart and their sponsors to seek compensation for any legal fees.
IANAL but if you are thinking of entering this contest you may want to get you one.

--
These comments are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer or colleagues...

supply chain analyzer by decora · 2012-01-20 00:42 · Score: 4, Insightful

i propose to design a machine that when pointed at an object in a retail environment, will search a database and present to the user an interactive presentation about all the points on the supply chain that led to the object's existence on that retail shelf.

for example, the overnight wal-mart stockers with no health insurance, the long haul truckers who are continually pushed by managers to drive further with less sleep, the docks where TSA irradiates everything, the chinese factory where the manager rapes the workers on a regular basis, the government run prison mines that provide input to the factory, etc etc etc.

Re:supply chain analyzer by sound+vision · 2012-01-20 02:09 · Score: 1

For such a system to work, you'd first need to have the database that links UPCs of retail items to the detailed information about its manufacture.

Good thing there's nothing to stop you from patenting a non-working idea though!
Re:supply chain analyzer by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 02:32 · Score: 0

My wife is an overnight stocker at Wal-Mart with rather good insurance. Which is the only reason she works there.
Re:supply chain analyzer by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 02:42 · Score: 2, Informative

So glad Walmart Canada is the absolute opposite:
- overnight wal-mart stockers with no health insurance
When Walmart came to Canada they specifically advertised their health benefits to attract workers.
- the long haul truckers who are continually pushed by managers to drive further with less sleep
Illegal. If Walmart did this they would be put out of business immediately. And I mean it. Hell, truckers here can't even SMOKE in their trucks anymore.
- the docks where TSA irradiates everything
TSA doesn't exist here, but radiation testing does, it does almost everywhere. X-Rays are (generally) perfectly safe on inanimate objects. It's a great way to find smuggled goods.
- the chinese factory where the manager rapes the workers on a regular basis, the government run prison mines that provide input to the factory, etc etc etc.
I will require proof of this for sure.
Basically, from what I hear, in the US, Walmart is a form of slavery, like you guys had in the south. I really don't understand it. Does Walmart USA force breeding as well so they can get more employees? Why can Walmart Canada run so ethically while Walmart USA uses techniques banned by the Geneva convention?
I will say, Canadian Walmart does have two issues, neither of which I think Walmart is actually on the bad side of. Many cities have vocal groups (Perhaps Americans?) who try to push them out of the city, eventually requiring Walmart to get the provincial government involved. Unionization was attempted at one Walmart and failed (obvious, considering the type of work offered rarely has successful unionization).
Why is it that US Walmarts seem to be run by your crazy prison system and Canadian Walmarts are run by Unicorns, Ponies, and Kittens?
Or perhaps haters just gonna hate.
Re:supply chain analyzer by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 03:06 · Score: 0

- the chinese factory where the manager rapes the workers on a regular basis, the government run prison mines that provide input to the factory, etc etc etc.
I will require proof of this for sure.
The rape part is (in most cases) wrong, and the mines usually aren't run by the government, but the whole manufacture process is horrible nonetheless. Take a look at www.phonestory.org, they have an app for Android (and banned from the Apple story because it shows child abuse (which is the whole point of the app)) that explains where everything comes from (yes they have references).
Re:supply chain analyzer by iteyoidar · 2012-01-20 03:09 · Score: 1

To answer all of your questions, it's because US labor laws are fucked
Re:supply chain analyzer by b4dc0d3r · 2012-01-20 04:12 · Score: 1

Half-way there already. We know the conditions at Wal-Mart, so auto-fill those for every item on the shelf there. Then you just need information on the foreign suppliers, since you can assume the domestic ones are minimum wage, no health insurance. And many of those foreign stories are already out there. Since there is a manufacturer code in the UPC, you only need to fill information for a small subset of items, and carry over the info to the items with the same mfr code.
http://www.upcdatabase.com/
It's a lot easier than you think, but the last 10% of cleaning it up will be the hard work.
Re:supply chain analyzer by JoeMerchant · 2012-01-20 04:30 · Score: 1

I'd rather just have a smart-phone app that images shelf-tags, uploads them to a database, and simultaneously checks that database to tell me if the store I'm standing in is screwing me on the price of the item I'm about to pick up. If a competitor on (or near) my regular travel routes (also automatically learned by the app) has the exact same (or equivalent) item for a significantly better price, the app beeps and informs me of it, otherwise it just silently collects data and shares it with other users of the same app in my area.
If there were an actual app like that, I might think that $30/month for a wireless data plan is actually justifiable, not only for the money I'd save directly, but also for the effect it would have on my local merchants, discouraging them from constantly spiking prices up and down since they'd lose more on the loss leaders and gain less on the gouges.
Re:supply chain analyzer by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 04:59 · Score: 1

Hush, don't confuse the zealots with facts.
Re:supply chain analyzer by operagost · 2012-01-20 06:33 · Score: 2

... the slashdotters complaining on the internet instead of starting their own business with ethical practices.

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Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
Re:supply chain analyzer by operagost · 2012-01-20 07:14 · Score: 1

Hell, truckers here can't even SMOKE in their trucks anymore.

Canadians are twisted in that they see this as a good thing. Freedom is slavery. And Wal-Mart employment isn't, since you don't have to work there. Please don't try to diminish the meaning of actual slavery with this kind of hyperbole.

Walmart USA uses techniques banned by the Geneva convention?

Is Wal-Mart a war zone? Please don't post again, you ignoramus.

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Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.

Hurray! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 01:00 · Score: 0

Let's give Wallmart all our inventions so they can make a huge profit of our ideas! That's the way free-market capitalism is supposed to work, If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em!

Yes, but know what you're getting into by i_want_you_to_throw_ · 2012-01-20 01:40 · Score: 2

A guy I knew in my hometown made game calls. He employed a few people and made what are the Cadillac of game calls. His game calls were featured on a show on the outdoor network and the next thing you know Wal Mart came calling. He had to hire 20 people to handle the demand. Next year Wal Mart comes to him and says "We need these 5 cents cheaper than what you sold them to us for last year". He lowered his price but ultimately what happened was he ended up lowering his prices so much year after year that he couldn't afford to keep people employed in rural Kentucky so he outsourced to Malaysia. His entire production plant in Kentucky went of business. Low prices have a consequence and so does innovation if you do it with Wal Mart

Re:Yes, but know what you're getting into by JoeMerchant · 2012-01-20 04:33 · Score: 1

Sad story for the rural Kentucky factory workers, I'd bet the guy did alright in the deal, though - probably alright enough that he could give his ex-factory workers a couple hundred bucks a month each, if he wanted to.

The small print by abarrow · 2012-01-20 01:55 · Score: 3, Informative

"Each demonstration should begin with the phrase "Stand back if you know what's good for ya" or "Hold my beer and watch this!""

Augmented reality device to turn $99.99 into $100 by dfcamara · 2012-01-20 02:11 · Score: 2

What about an augmented reality device to turn all that $99.99 prices into $100.00 and so on?

I miss billy mays he did this for people without t by Joe_Dragon · 2012-01-20 02:29 · Score: 1

I miss billy mays he did this for people without the evil walmart.

Hay walmart hear a idea drop this give your workers real health care.

There was already an American Idol for inventors by montyzooooma · 2012-01-20 03:03 · Score: 1

"American Inventor"

Re:I miss billy mays he did this for people withou by b4dc0d3r · 2012-01-20 04:18 · Score: 1

Here's the benefits page (you can go to Walmart.com and click on Careers, store, and Benefits)

http://walmartstores.com/Careers/7750.aspx

It's a lot better than I expected. And Billy Mays was a spokesperson for a large business which has incredible markups and added shipping fees, so you can cut out the middleman and give twice the profit to a different company.

Re:FR1ST PS0T by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 04:27 · Score: 1

I'm going to have to dock points for a few more things. (1) No "gansta" spelling. (2) No extra punctuation (11!1!11!!) (3) Proper use of the comma.

Really, pretty weak.

Recommendation: The poster should spend some remedial time at 4chan.

I was trying to think of that show's name! by sgt+scrub · 2012-01-20 05:04 · Score: 1

It should be re-done but showing patent trolls attacking contestents products. Call it American Troll!

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Having to work for a living is the root of all evil.

Re:Augmented reality device to turn $99.99 into $1 by Osgeld · 2012-01-20 05:32 · Score: 1

but how will I ever figure out sales tax then?

American Idol'-like contest for new products by Roopam+jain · 2012-01-20 06:16 · Score: 1

Starting Thursday, anyone can enter "Get on the Shelf" for the chance to get their product sold by Walmart.... http://www.dbune.com/news/business/10133-walmart-launches-american-idol-like-contest-for-new-products.html

The question is .... by WindBourne · 2012-01-20 06:17 · Score: 1

where will it be produced at? If China, then it does not help out.

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I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.

Walmart by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-20 06:42 · Score: 0

The nice thing about walmart doing this is that your invention only needs to last a few hours to meet walmart quality standards. Duct tape + tooth pick are going to be the building materials of choice.

How about... by Avatar8 · 2012-01-20 08:22 · Score: 1

an invention to stop the monstrosity that is Wal-mart - duping people into thinking they're saving money, but instead buying cheap, disposable, foreign products or products altered to a sub-standard grade to meet Wal-mart's price point.

I give my ideas to Wal-mart for a one-time prize and they rake in money year after year on its sale? Go blow that smoke up your consumers' collective butts.

i b down wit dat by Anonymous Coward · 2012-01-21 09:39 · Score: 0

as long as there is no screaming

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Walmart Holds Invention Contest

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