Killed by Fabric Softener

June 20, 2001 8:00 PM

Killed by Fabric Softener and the deadly 'Sky Shelves.' Yet another evil of the dread capitalist system. Shop till you drop, anyone?
posted by LeLiLo (9 comments total)

Kinda takes the glee outta Wal Mart's saccharine "Hard hat area, watch for falling prices" crap, doesn't it.

By the way, holy fucking pop-ups, Batman.
posted by dong_resin at 8:17 PM on June 20, 2001

WalMart's also being sued for alleged sexism and racism in the workplace, with only 37% of their management being female. They don't sound like they have much of a defense. So once again big business is getting hit on all sides. Watch me while I feign concern.
posted by ZachsMind at 1:15 AM on June 21, 2001

How about if you don't like the risk, don't shop there. If other people do and die, it's not evil capitalism (nevermind that capitalism isn't evil, but some of those involved in capitalist ventures can be), it's natural selection.
posted by Spanktacular at 3:36 AM on June 21, 2001

Lighten up, people. If these morons were careful (I'm talking about the shoppers) this sort of stupid stuff wouldn't happen. I shop daily - often in several different stores! - and have NEVER had any type of "sky-shelf" incident. It's your basic "caveat emptor" - let the buyer beware AND be careful, for cryin' out loud. It's called common sense.

And Spanktacular - thanks for the all-too-rare defense of capitalism here on MeFi.
posted by davidmsc at 3:57 AM on June 21, 2001

How long will it be before the "membership" forms to these kind of warehouse retailers include a liability waiver? "THIS STORE IS PROVIDED 'AS-IS'. CUSTOMERS ENTER OF THEIR OWN RISK." etc.
posted by holgate at 4:35 AM on June 21, 2001

If these morons were careful (I'm talking about the shoppers) this sort of stupid stuff wouldn't happen.

Uhm, what? Why the shoppers? What about the employees who stack items far too high for safety? These are the same employees that should receive better education and training about this type of thing but largely don't, because the company can't afford to give these people training, because they don't care much about these people.

I mean, I think it's pretty much assumed that when you walk into a store, you're not going to get hit on the head by Era, Wisk, or - heaven forbid - Dryel. Do you honestly think that customers should now be forced to concern themselves with the mistakes of the employees?

Of course, accidents will happen; even if people are educated about stacking items, some may still fall. I do still think a lot of these are due to improper education.
posted by hijinx at 5:05 AM on June 21, 2001

Did you guys actually read the article? The first woman mentioned was crushed to death because of an employee who ran into a "sky-shelf" loaded with lumber. How could she have been more careful and avoided that?

Oh, wait, I forgot about those force shields available with the carts at Home Depot now.
posted by daveadams at 7:01 AM on June 21, 2001

Dave, shit happens, all right? One lady getting crushed in a freak accident is not cause for even more laws.
posted by Spanktacular at 2:23 PM on June 21, 2001

She shouldn't have tried to catch the pallet.
posted by Skot at 2:40 PM on June 21, 2001