Thursday, October 29, 2009
MILWAUKEE - The world's largest retailer wants to keep its customers even after they die.
Wal-Mart has started selling caskets on its Web site at prices that undercut many funeral homes, long the major seller of caskets.
The move follows a similar one by discount rival Costco, which also sells caskets on its site.
Wal-Mart quietly put up about 15 caskets and dozens of urns on its Web site last week.
Prices range from $999 for models such as "Dad Remembered" and "Mom Remembered" steel caskets to the mid-level $1,699 "Executive Privilege." All are less than $2,000, except for the Sienna Bronze Casket, which sells for $3,199.
Caskets ship within 48 hours. Federal law requires funeral homes to accept third-party caskets. Returns are not accepted, the company says on its site, unless the product has been damaged during shipping.
The caskets come from Star Legacy Funeral Network, Inc., a company based in McHenry, Ill., that sells the same caskets for about the same price - some less - on its site, along with many others.
Star Legacy CEO Rick Obadiah said the response in the first week has been better than the company or Wal-Mart expected, though he declined to give specifics. A spokesman for Walmart.com also declined to release sales figures and downplayed the venture.
"Several online retailers offer this category on their sites," spokesman Ravi Jariwala wrote in an e-mail. "We are simply conducting a limited beta test to understand customer response."
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JAFO says...
i wonder since wal-mart takes anything they sell back, could you take in a casket with remains and complain that the one they sold you was already full?
October 29, 2009 at 4:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yougottabekiddingme says...
I predict this development will spawn many, many email jokes for years to come.
October 29, 2009 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannytuff says...
I would not even consider putting my loved ones in a caket or urn from Walmert. That is disgusting.
We like to refer to this stores merchandise as "Walmart fall apart". Walmart has no business with this. The merchandise that is sold in Walmart stores is inferior, substandard, flawed and clothing is irregular rejects that department stores will not sell. That is how they sell at lower prices than decent stores.
Cheaper definitely has its shortcomings. I understand that many people shop there just because of the prices, especially in today's bad economy, but it really is low-quality merchandise.
October 29, 2009 at 8:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Cool idea....but I think I'm going to hold off until they have their Spring sales.....
October 29, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
And where exactly are these bargain caskets made?
October 29, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rk92559 says...
Super 24 roll family pack of toilet paper..5 gallon jug of Mustard... Casket...20lb box of hotdogs..will that be all today sir?? Well..I hope not, but I am prepared if it is.
October 29, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chara says...
lod
there made here in america.
October 29, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
LOD- there you are!!
They probably have a gold "Made in China" sticker on the bottom.
Hopefully not with tainted cheap materials.
October 29, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
bryan3506- You hit it, that will make it so convenient to put the coffin next to the "coffin nails".
Right on brother.
October 29, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
Chara,
Are they made in America or just distributed from the place in Ill. I guess one would need to check the website out to see if it says for sure.
Can you imagine returning one? Didn't like the color. Didn't fit, wrong size, husband/wife objected....
October 29, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
It's too bad WalMart can't buy the "Blue Light Special" idea from KMart.....
"Attention WalMart shoppers....in aisle 13, we have some close-out caskets on sale...75% off! Now's the time to plan ahead. There are a wide variety of colors available, to suit anyone's taste! Also, in aisle 12, there are still a few "scratch and dent" caskets still available for an ADDITIONAL 10% off. Buy early....get 'em while they're cheap!"
October 29, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wright_Winger says...
HHS Secretary Sebelius announced a subsidy to help pay for extra-large caskets. It is called the "Cash for Lunkers"
program.
October 29, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
The website says, "Made in North America."
Considering it's a US company, I'd assume they would post, "Made in U.S.A." if that was the case.
Probably Mexico.
October 29, 2009 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
I think this article has it wrong, the prices that is. Because we all know just about EVERYTHING at Walmart ends with "97 cents"
October 29, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rk92559 says...
Wal Mart..where prices are alaways falling as fast as our customers...:)
October 29, 2009 at 11:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
akm says...
We purchased a casket a couple of days ago from a funeral home. It was $995.00.
October 29, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
If you'd bought it through Walmart.com, it would have only been $994.97.
October 29, 2009 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lhiann82 says...
Caskets next to the cigarettes? How about next to the twinkies or alcohol. Everyone is going to need a casket someday SusieQ, not just the smokers.
October 29, 2009 at 2:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
incredulous says...
Have you guys ever played the "3 Item Game" at Walmart? You only get to pick 3 items to take up to the cashier, trying to come up with the most interesting combination. For example: A Large Kitchen Knife, Bleach, and Brawny Paper Towels. Or perhaps KY, Barney DVD, and Tissues.
There are so many options with the casket OMG!
Large Rope, Bar Stool, Casket
Casket, Shovel, Pot of Flowers
Chainsaw, Urn, Box of Matches
October 29, 2009 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thecitizen says...
Who cares what they bury you in. Its all going in the mud anyway. And I guarantee you wont complain what they put you in. Plain ol pine would work. The funeral homes are making some serious cash. They need the competition.
October 29, 2009 at 5:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
Ihiann82- I was making light of the term "coffin nails" commonly used to describe cigarettes. You didnt get the humor in that evidently.
I am all for a cigarette debate, you are just on the wrong thread.
Pops, Donaldo, and SuzyQ will all be waiting. I tried to get someone to play on "its your call" today, but had no takers. The Maryville smoke-free article turned out pretty promising until LOD left.
BTW-Not everyone will need a casket, some have their ashes spread.
But on the other hand, over-indulging in alcohol and twinkies will do it too, I'll give you that. But you see the problem is-is that coffins arent called Twinkie stakes or drunk trunks. They are called coffins and cigarettes are often called coffin nails. They are called that for a reason. Can you say "Lung Cancer and Emphysema"
Puff away. I'll take my chance with the Twinkie. :)
October 29, 2009 at 5:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
donaldo says...
suzy Q , the twinkie will get you as fast as the cigarette, you could be diabetic or obese.anyway you look at it you are probably a pretty good size gal. i myself had to give up sweets and night night snacks.na, I'm just kidding you, you are probably a real hot chick and just wanted to see if i would react. oh well, i would leave the Twinkies alone, you don't have to, but i would.
October 29, 2009 at 8:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sense says...
careful who you sell to, people buying caskets end up stiffing you - sorry
they are a buch of dead beats though - Im really sorry
don't spend to much on them or you will dig yourself a hole - Im very very sorry - really -
October 29, 2009 at 9:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
You know Donaldo, you are correct! Coming from a diabetic family, the Twinkie can be just as harmful. I guess I was just looking at it from a "Twinkie or cigarette" fashion and thought I wouldn't be choking down Twinkies every day like some do cigarettes. Funny thing is, I don't even care for Twinkies. I bet we do not buy a box of Twinkies about once in five years if even that. I prefer baking from scratch myself (and recently even switched to Splenda blends half sugar half Splenda).
Good comparison though. A diabetic stuffing down Twinkies is just about as dumb as people choking down cigarettes when the can't quit coughing. Nobody sees the instant effects of this until one day...whammo. But I guess thats how alot of us are in this society. We all do things (or have done) we shouldnt for that instant gratification. I guess the only thing I beg to differ, the diabetic doesn't take others with them as they seek to destroy themselves, unless there is a thing called Second hand Twinkie, LOL.
October 30, 2009 at 4:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wright_Winger says...
suzyQ...actually Twinkies were found "responsible" for a double murder in San Francisco in 1978. Google "Twinkie defense". Sean Penn starred in the movie "Milk" about this event.
October 30, 2009 at 5:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ApparentlySo says...
I just want to know where are all the activists hiding on this one? Why aren't they screaming about the federal law that forces businesses to do something in their "private businesses"? It should be the funeral homes choice to allow third party coffins. That would be like saying restaurants have to serve third party food at their establishment. When will the loss of freedom end.
October 30, 2009 at 5:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
suzyQ, I have to agree with you. When's the last time you had to turn to the clod at the next table in a restaurant and say "Would you PLEASE not blow that Twinkie in my direction??!!"
October 30, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Here's another one....
"Wow!! The Twinkies were so thick in that bar I couldn't see the other side of the room!!"
Or......
Doctor: "So, Mr. Jones....exactly how many packs of Twinkies do you eat a day?"
October 30, 2009 at 8:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chara says...
susyQ there made here in america according to web page. not chinese. i was just as skeptical as most.
October 30, 2009 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )