I cannot believe what we just got from Walmart... a 100 foot dropcord, meant for use with electric lawn tools. Bright orange, looking like an ordinary drop cord, right? However, after my husband gave it a try with our new weedeater, he noticed a tag on the cord that is not supposed to be removed... because the insulation on the outside of the cord (made in China, of course) contains LEAD and other chemicals known to cause cancer and other ailments. They recommend "washing your hands thoroughly" every time you use it. Is the same thing true about the electrical insulation on the Christmas lights we bought at Walmart last December?? Those were also from China.

What on earth are they doing, selling things like this???? Walmart needs to get a rather severe comeuppance for this one.

What if you have children or pets that could come into contact with this? Why on earth would any American store even sell this... and sadly, this cord carries not just a UL approval, but also the OSHA stamp of approval!!!! This makes me madder than a wet hen!!

I thought that getting lead OUT of our environment, and away from places where people could easily come into contact with it was something that we have been working on for years... and now, we are back to square one, since 90% of our goods seem to come from China these days. Why aren't we demanding that they meet our safety standards?

I intend to make some racket about this, but I am not certain where the best place to start will be. But, I am going to talk to OSHA and Walmart, for starters, and go from there. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated. Also, anyone who wants to join in and write some people about this are more than welcome to join me!

GRRRRR!!!! I get more angry, every time I think about it!!

[ March 07, 2007, 07:59 AM: Message edited by: azspirit ]

You'll find a lot of really bad things when you look deeper into the Walmonster.

I won't get into it because it will get political, but just to say, the Walmonster is the cause for many bad things. Most especially when you think globally. There's a price to be paid for those low prices. And unfortunately it's those that can least afford it that pays the highest prices.

I don't shop at Wal-Mart. I haven't for a few years now. Yeah, they have low prices. But at what price really? I could go on and on with my soap box.

OH MY GOODNESS...LEAD WHAT WERE THEY THINKING! I agree with Pandora there is a Wal-Mart like maybe 2 miles from where I live but I would rather just go to K-Mart...I too have bought some stuff from Wal-Mart that was just plain junk! Good luck on trying to get something done...I support you!~

I have to agree, Wal-mart is not really a good place to go to shop... and it seems like everything they carry is entirely imported junk that shouldn't even be on the market. We probably won't be shopping there for much of anything anymore, especially after our recent drop cord problem. And, this drop cord really is the worst thing I have ever encountered in the way of imports from China. I hate how hard it is to find anything that is "made in USA" anymore.

I guess we have learned a tough lesson...and, Nakis, I agree that it has a political component. And I despise it!!

Mare

The only way to fight Wal-mart is to stop shopping there and to convince everyone you know to stop shopping there. It's all about the allmighty dollar.
Go to K-mart or Sears, where you know you'll get great service even if you have to pay a little extra for it.