An EBT Crisis?

SimplyMe · 2025-10-26T16:58:44-0500

Richard T said:
Yes, unfortunately, I have not lived near any of the HEB stores lately. I remember once when I lived in Texas that they had a new truck giveaway and someone in my church who really needed transportation won it. I read that HEB was founded by a Christian man. I think if they ran out albertson's and safeway it is because they are better managed. Another great store is Winco in the NW. It is all employee owned but its selection and pricing is great.

I find it questionable that they ran out Albertsons. Albertsons tried to move into South Texas about 25 years ago but found that the area is saturated by various grocery stores. They came in at a time when most HEBs still seemed to be HEB Pantries, a cheaper version of HEB stores that was more of a "warehouse" style grocery. They've since changed their stores (I think they only have 1 Pantry store left); prices are higher now but they have a better selection and service. Randall's started as a local grocery store but, around the time Albertson's tried moving in, it was sold to Safeway. After the merger with Kroger failed, Safeway was acquired by Albertsons, so technically Albertson's is in the South Texas market.

Beyond HEB, Walmart, and Randalls, the grocery chains I recall are Kroger, Aldi, Fiesta, Trader Joes, a couple of Targets with grocery, and then there are several other completely local grocery stores. It is a very competitive area for grocery stores.

bèlla · 2025-10-26T17:01:01-0500

Walmart's use of digital price tags signal the future of retail shopping, but consumers are worried

Dynamic pricing is becoming an unavoidable reality, despite its unpopularity among many consumers. This shift is being driven by technologies like electronic shelf labels (ESLs). Retailers argue that these innovations increase efficiency and reduce costs in an industry known for its slim profit margins. However, consumers worry that this could pave the way for even more aggressive dynamic pricing practices. As Walmart begins deploying ESLs in its stores, industry observers will be closely watching how consumers react to this change.

Electronic shelf labels use display technologies, such as e-paper or LCDs to present product information. These labels are connected to a central server wirelessly via radio frequency, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Zigbee. This connectivity allows for real-time updates to product information, but most importantly, prices.

The adoption of electronic labels offers numerous advantages to stores, as the ability to quickly update prices saves time and labor compared to the manual process of changing paper labels. However, the ease of changing prices has raised concerns about potential price gouging and the facilitation of dynamic pricing strategies, where prices fluctuate based on demand factors such as time of day or weather conditions.

In fact, the technology is tailor-made for dynamic pricing. ESLs allow retailers to adjust prices in real-time based on specific conditions, such as raising prices during peak shopping hours or offering discounts during off-peak times to attract more customers.

~bella

SimplyMe · 2025-10-26T17:08:51-0500

bèlla said:
Walmart's use of digital price tags signal the future of retail shopping, but consumers are worried

Dynamic pricing is becoming an unavoidable reality, despite its unpopularity among many consumers. This shift is being driven by technologies like electronic shelf labels (ESLs). Retailers argue that these innovations increase efficiency and reduce costs in an industry known for its slim profit margins. However, consumers worry that this could pave the way for even more aggressive dynamic pricing practices. As Walmart begins deploying ESLs in its stores, industry observers will be closely watching how consumers react to this change.

Electronic shelf labels use display technologies, such as e-paper or LCDs to present product information. These labels are connected to a central server wirelessly via radio frequency, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Zigbee. This connectivity allows for real-time updates to product information, but most importantly, prices.

The adoption of electronic labels offers numerous advantages to stores, as the ability to quickly update prices saves time and labor compared to the manual process of changing paper labels. However, the ease of changing prices has raised concerns about potential price gouging and the facilitation of dynamic pricing strategies, where prices fluctuate based on demand factors such as time of day or weather conditions.

In fact, the technology is tailor-made for dynamic pricing. ESLs allow retailers to adjust prices in real-time based on specific conditions, such as raising prices during peak shopping hours or offering discounts during off-peak times to attract more customers.

~bella

Or, one of the major factors, changing prices due to weather. It's easy enough to price umbrellas at $5 when it is sunny, but electronically change the price up to $10 when it is raining, as an example (though they do have to make sure they don't run into issues with price gouging, but those "rules" can be programmed into the pricing program).

Chesterton · 2025-10-26T17:09:43-0500

SimplyMe said:
I find it questionable that they ran out Albertsons. Albertsons tried to move into South Texas about 25 years ago but found that the area is saturated by various grocery stores.

I remember when it was called Skaggs-Albertsons, then later Albertsons. But they're gone, at least in my city. H.E.B. also took out local competitors Handy Andy and Fiesta. Those two still have some stores, but a fraction of what they once had.

SimplyMe said:
They came in at a time when most HEBs still seemed to be HEB Pantries, a cheaper version of HEB stores that was more of a "warehouse" style grocery. They've since changed their stores (I think they only have 1 Pantry store left); prices are higher now but they have a better selection and service.

I have no memory of HEB pantries.

SimplyMe · 2025-10-26T17:17:42-0500

Chesterton said:
I remember when it was called Skaggs-Albertsons, then later Albertsons. But they're gone, at least in my city. H.E.B. also took out local competitors Handy Andy and Fiesta. Those two still have some stores, but a fraction of what they once had.

I have no memory of HEB pantries.

Seems like they were mostly in the Houston area: H-E-B Pantry Foods

Richard T · 2025-10-26T17:26:30-0500

Hentenza said:
Did the approval make them a monopoly?

Hope you don't mind me saying but the cell business is almost forced to be an oligopoly because the licenses for the signal bandwidth is limited to only allowing a few major players: T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and U.S. Cellular and about 30 smaller regional carriers that have their own networks The government will never likely allow it to be just one cell provider or monopoly though a few rural areas may have just one, a few may have none. I know that seems unbelievable to most city folk, but yes there are places in the USA with no signal even today.

Some phone companies like Mint and many others lease space from one of the big four companies, then sell it at a discount. Some believe the quality might suffer some but typically it is a lower price point.

But no, the merger did not make a single company but there is one less, large competitor and to me I do think the prices went up because of it.

bèlla · 2025-10-26T17:26:32-0500

SimplyMe said:
Or, one of the major factors, changing prices due to weather. It's easy enough to price umbrellas at $5 when it is sunny, but electronically change the price up to $10 when it is raining, as an example (though they do have to make sure they don't run into issues with price gouging, but those "rules" can be programmed into the pricing program).

It will be advantageous for the stores and lead to hire prices for the consumers. They already have the data on our shopping habits and could easily raise them during peak periods and lower them when there‘s less traffic. I remember when Amazon implemented the practice and I watched something change before I checked out. I was able to get a credit to bring it down through support. But that was only because I used a service that sent out updates when my target was reached and I was able to articulate the historical prices to them. I was able to do that a few times but you’d be hard pressed to have the same leeway now.

If I relied on a store that used the technology I’d start buying in bulk instead. Especially dry goods like rice, sugar, grains and flour if I baked often in 25 pound increments and store it food safe buckets. If my income allowed I’d do the same with meat and produce. I would not deal with them if I didn’t have to.

~bella

Hazelelponi · 2025-10-26T17:28:40-0500

Chesterton said:
Anyone here aware of the big TikTok trend where people on EBT are threatening mass thievery of food from stores come November 1st? They're saying that if they don't get their free food, it's still going to be free because their just going to walk into the stores and steal it. I mean, many people do that already but they're talking about doing it en masse. And they say if it takes violence, that's what it takes. Through compilations I've come across hundreds of these videos. And of course these aren't the elderly, the sick, the disabled. These people look (and talk) as if they're quite capable of doing a days work, but just refuse to. You think this is all just them venting their entitlement or do you think there's trouble ahead?

Unfortunately I can't post any of the videos because I can't recall a single one which wasn't laced with profanity from start to finish.

Well the Democrats do this stuff to people. It they would reopen the government instead of threaten to starve the poor so there's the obligatory outrage and destruction they can pretend the Republicans caused.

Now they are starving poor people and going to see how many Republicans get killed because they aren't willing to do the job they were voted into office to do. It's not to have a vacation while the population suffers.

I think if Democrats can't shape up and be lawmakers instead of communist revolutionaries I'm about ready to start asking they be arrested and replacements given who will do the job of our government, and not Venezuela's, for example.

bèlla · 2025-10-26T17:31:23-0500

Richard T said:
But no, the merger did not make a single company but there is one less, large competitor and to me I do think the prices went up because of it.

They did but the upside with T-Mobile are the older plans. You’re allowed to keep them and they’ve given away a lot without purchase if you caught the deal. Free lines are publicized but the ones for tablets weren’t advertised and the one for watches was given away during the beta. They have the Starlink promo too. I’m not sure about that from a privacy perspective.

~bella

Hentenza · 2025-10-26T17:39:48-0500

Richard T said:
Hope you don't mind me saying but the cell business is almost forced to be an oligopoly because the licenses for the signal bandwidth is limited to only allowing a few major players: T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and U.S. Cellular and about 30 smaller regional carriers that have their own networks The government will never likely allow it to be just one cell provider or monopoly though a few rural areas may have just one, a few may have none. I know that seems unbelievable to most city folk, but yes there are places in the USA with no signal even today.

Some phone companies like Mint and many others lease space from one of the big four companies, then sell it at a discount. Some believe the quality might suffer some but typically it is a lower price point.

But no, the merger did not make a single company but there is one less, large competitor and to me I do think the prices went up because of it.

Don’t mind you saying it at all. My post was asking the other poster if the merger of two large grocery stores created a monopoly not about cell companies. I think you are quite on point with regards to cell companies.

comana · 2025-10-26T20:53:33-0500

Chesterton said:
Anyone here aware of the big TikTok trend where people on EBT are threatening mass thievery of food from stores come November 1st? They're saying that if they don't get their free food, it's still going to be free because their just going to walk into the stores and steal it. I mean, many people do that already but they're talking about doing it en masse. And they say if it takes violence, that's what it takes. Through compilations I've come across hundreds of these videos. And of course these aren't the elderly, the sick, the disabled. These people look (and talk) as if they're quite capable of doing a days work, but just refuse to. You think this is all just them venting their entitlement or do you think there's trouble ahead?

Unfortunately I can't post any of the videos because I can't recall a single one which wasn't laced with profanity from start to finish.

Tik Tok is built on an algorithm that feeds off what users engage with and also rewards bad content because people engage with it whether in agreement or outrage. Many people post rage bait because at the end of the day they make a couple bucks. Don’t take even a few hundred copy cat posts as a sign of a movement. There are thousands of of new videos posted to this platform daily that are not of this nature.

Having said that that, my experience today is many videos on how to feed a family on minimal dollars with the coming missed EBT checks on the horizon. Choose to promote the positive instead of those who only want negative attention.

Chesterton · 2025-10-26T20:59:54-0500

comana said:
Tik Tok is built on an algorithm that feeds off what users engage with and also rewards bad content because people engage with it whether in agreement or outrage.

Of course. That's why there may be reason for concern. Also because people may be introduced to thoughts they might not have thought of otherwise.

bèlla · 2025-10-26T21:19:38-0500

Tik-Tok has proven to be a platform that fosters group think. Most of the trends in the last few years started there. During the pandemic we were inundated with aesthetics like cottagecore and dark academia. They made productivity cool with thatgirl and yearly planning expanded with winter arcs. Books are popular because of booktok as are crafts (crafttok) and fitness gave birth to the pilates princess.

Now the content is more performative. You get people like Nara Smith making meals in designer clothes and Becca Bloom on richtok. Then you have the opposite with beggartok. Pick your flavor and you’re sure to find it.

While depression era cooking began on youtube. There’s a lot of channels devoted to frugality. Christian and otherwise.

~bella

Aryeh Jay · 2025-10-27T08:36:17-0500

Chesterton said:
I remember when it was called Skaggs-Albertsons, then later Albertsons.

I remember when it was Skaggs Alpha Beta.

Chesterton · 2025-10-27T10:10:25-0500

Aryeh Jay said:
I remember when it was Skaggs Alpha Beta.

I didn't know that. Whenever I drove by the store I thought it funny that skag is a slang term for heroin.

camille70 · 2025-10-27T10:41:52-0500

Take tiktok videos with a grain of salt. Some are ai.

https://x.com/carolinerenard_/status/1982502880352583716

Chesterton · 2025-10-27T12:29:20-0500

camille70 said:
Take tiktok videos with a grain of salt. Some are ai.

https://x.com/carolinerenard_/status/1982502880352583716

Are we sure this is AI generated? If the prompters have racist intent, why would they put children in the video, which makes the mom a much more sympathetic character?

FreeinChrist · 2025-10-27T12:32:22-0500

camille70 said:
Take tiktok videos with a grain of salt. Some are ai.

https://x.com/carolinerenard_/status/1982502880352583716

Or they are from foreign troll bots

bèlla · 2025-10-27T13:05:39-0500

Chesterton said:
Are we sure this is AI generated? If the prompters have racist intent, why would they put children in the video, which makes the mom a much more sympathetic character?

There’s a bigger agenda behind the fakes to force us to verify our identity before we come online. We’re not anonymous anyway but a home can have multiple people. Scanning your retina will resolve that and your activity will be tied to a user number. That’s how we’ll get to thought crimes. They’ll mine the data and create a profile.

But you can’t get to that point without a problem. If you create enough fakes people will complain and demand a solution which they already have. You don’t know who did it and a lot of these channels are backed by firms or created by them instead. So you make some rage bait that gets a lot of clicks, stirs the pot and gets people upset while you make a profit.

~bella

Chesterton · 2025-10-27T13:26:30-0500

bèlla said:
There’s a bigger agenda behind the fakes to force us to verify our identity before we come online. We’re not anonymous anyway but a home can have multiple people. Scanning your retina will resolve that and your activity will be tied to a user number. That’s how we’ll get to thought crimes. They’ll mine the data and create a profile.

But you can’t get to that point without a problem. If you create enough fakes people will complain and demand a solution which they already have. You don’t know who did it and a lot of these channels are backed by firms or created by them instead. So you make some rage bait that gets a lot of clicks, stirs the pot and gets people upset while you make a profit.

~bella

Look, my bella, I mean no offense, but I have no idea what you just said in response to my post. My post consisted of this:

1. Are we sure this is AI generated?

2. If the prompters have racist intent, why would they put children in the video, which makes the mom a much more sympathetic character?

Can you answer either of those as you would if you were speaking to a 5 year old?

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