I don't hate 'em. Where else can you go at 11pm and get groceries, a Motorcraft FL820S Filter, 6 quarts of Mobil 1, and fill up your gas tank. Not only that, but almost everything you buy is cheaper than anyplace else.
I've found the Wal*Mart brands to be comparable to national brands.
Why should I pay $2.59 for a gallon of name brand milk when I can get Great Value (The Wal*Mart Brand) for $1.78 for that same gallon of milk?
Wal*Mart gas paid for with the Wal*Mart card is $0.03 to $0.05/gallon less than most other places. I won't make a special trip there to buy gas, but if my tank is 1/2 full, I'll top up there. I throw $20 on the card in the checkout and then pay for the gas at the pump with the shopping card.
Most of the things I buy at Wal*Mart are the same things I'd buy at another store.
You can avoid much of the Child Beating Crowd by going after 10pm

TB