Do You Boycott?

[DrPhil]

For those who say they will not tell others that they are boycotting a company and/or will not expect ("hope"--you cannot force anyone to do anything) others to boycott a company:

Are there ever exceptions to this?

Is there ever a time when someone is patronizing a company and you think they are being a foolish consumer?

Is there ever a time when you feel you cannot avoid telling people that they are being foolish consumers?

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

For those who say they will not tell others that they are boycotting a company and/or will not expect ("hope"--you cannot force anyone to do anything) others to boycott a company:

Are there ever exceptions to this?

Is there ever a time when someone is patronizing a company and you think they are being a foolish consumer?

Is there ever a time when you feel you cannot avoid telling people that they are being foolish consumers?

If I am TRULY against a company, I may mention it to my friends in passing, but k_s not agreeing =/= k_s' friends not agreeing. Generally, I will just take my business elsewhere. My friends are grown and can shop where they want.

If you frequent Nike (for example) and I'm against it, I won't berate you for wearing the shoes. I will mention it if we're having a relevant discussion about child labor laws or something, though.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

If I am TRULY against a company, I may mention it to my friends in passing, but k_s not agreeing =/= k_s' friends not agreeing. Generally, I will just take my business elsewhere. My friends are grown and can shop where they want.

If you frequent Nike (for example) and I'm against it, I won't berate you for wearing the shoes. I will mention it if we're having a relevant discussion about child labor laws or something, though.

I understand.

If you told a friend or family member that Nike employs 5 year old children in poorer countries and the friend or family member says "those damn ghetto foreigner kids better get back to work then" and keeps wearing Nike, would that shape your opinion of (Nike and) that friend or family member?

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I understand.

If you told a friend or family member that Nike employs 5 year old children in poorer countries and the friend or family member says "those damn ghetto foreigner kids better get back to work then" and keeps wearing Nike, would that shape your opinion of (Nike and) that friend or family member?

Would it shape my opinion of Nike? No.

My friends and family members who would respond with something like that are doing it to prompt a discussion or bitchfest, so I'd "know" it was coming and would engage that person. It wouldn't be an "OMG WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS NOW" thing, though.

[Tulip86]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

If I am TRULY against a company, I may mention it to my friends in passing, but k_s not agreeing =/= k_s' friends not agreeing. Generally, I will just take my business elsewhere. My friends are grown and can shop where they want.

If you frequent Nike (for example) and I'm against it, I won't berate you for wearing the shoes. I will mention it if we're having a relevant discussion about child labor laws or something, though.

This.

I may say something if the subject comes up, or if a friend asks why I won't buy there, but no Facebook-posting sprees here.

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

If I am TRULY against a company, I may mention it to my friends in passing, but k_s not agreeing =/= k_s' friends not agreeing. Generally, I will just take my business elsewhere. My friends are grown and can shop where they want.

If you frequent Nike (for example) and I'm against it, I won't berate you for wearing the shoes. I will mention it if we're having a relevant discussion about child labor laws or something, though.

Pretty much. If I disagree with a company/product/person/etc. then I can take my business elsewhere but won't necessarily demand others do the same. I may say "Ooooh girl, did you hear?" or "Guess what happened to me today?" and share what peeved me but my feelings won't be hurt if my friends continue to shop there. The exception to this is when a product has something dangerous in it that has been linked to an illness or deaths. Then I will warn loved ones of what data I've found (this has only happened twice).

It's not a company but a this is still a good example of why I said "It depends on how badly I need the service": I have done a lot of volunteer work for humane societies and the ASPCA and, subsequently, I don't wear fur. However, my beliefs are strong enough that I don't wear fur but not enough for me to throw away my figure skates and 75% of my shoes because they're all made of leather.

[aggieAXO]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

For those who say they will not tell others that they are boycotting a company and/or will not expect ("hope"--you cannot force anyone to do anything) others to boycott a company:

Are there ever exceptions to this?

Is there ever a time when someone is patronizing a company and you think they are being a foolish consumer?

Is there ever a time when you feel you cannot avoid telling people that they are being foolish consumers?

I am pretty easy going-I do boycott Wal Mart but I don't preach about it. I am however, very vocal about not buying puppies and kittens from pet stores (unless they are rescue situations like the program Pet smart has) and backyard breeders (which are rampant in my area). Maybe my rant is more educational? Though I suppose I am very vocal about all breeders-I just don't get it (especially those that are vets.)

I boycotted Exxon for about 10 years after the Valdez spill. I would pass them up even if I was about to run out of gas.

[33girl]

I boycott Wal-Mart and do preach about it. I think at this point with that though, everyone has figured out that as you sow so shall ye reap. (i.e., everyone in my bassackwards hometown was excited about getting a Walmart, they got one, it put everything else out of business and now everyone bitches about it) Unfortunately, for some people it's the only option in town for affordable clothing and home furnishings.

I boycott a couple local bars that are just generally unpleasant, and some of those are racist and homophobic on top of it. I'll share these opinions with anyone who sits still long enough to hear them.

I also don't buy "pink" items. Looking forward to seeing this movie this week:
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/pink-...541/main?flv=1

[barbino]

Originally Posted by aggieAXO

I am pretty easy going-I do boycott Wal Mart but I don't preach about it. I am however, very vocal about not buying puppies and kittens from pet stores (unless they are rescue situations like the program Pet smart has) and backyard breeders (which are rampant in my area). Maybe my rant is more educational? Though I suppose I am very vocal about all breeders-I just don't get it (especially those that are vets.)

I boycotted Exxon for about 10 years after the Valdez spill. I would pass them up even if I was about to run out of gas.

I rarely boycott but will if well-informed about an issue that really matters to me. As a former cat breeder, I agree with boycotting most pet shops. When I was a member of the area breed club, I had to sign a statement that I would never sell stock to a pet shop. I remember being appalled when I went into a pet shop & found a kitten from my breed being sold there. I was quite verbal with the owner.

What separates a backyard breeder from a real breeder? Real breeders know that they are responsible for the quality of life of the animals they breed. A few weeks ago, I was discussing my time as a breeder with a friend. He asked, "Do you make a lot of money?" I laughed at him. Real breeders find that it is an expensive hobby. Vet bills and shows will eat up any funds made by sales. It is a difficult & time-consuming hobby, too.

The best way to find a "real breeder" is by going through the associations. You can find breeders who have their kennels/catteries checked & graded by the association. Breed groups police their own, too. Breeding is very social; people in the fancy know each other & who takes care of their animals. I could go on; you hit a nerve. The truth is that I would still be breeding if it were not for allergies/asthma. Even though I bred for a long time, I was never a big breeder. Maintaining large numbers of animals well is so difficult. People need to be very savvy & "buyer beware" when buying animals. Shopping around for the right breeder means bringing home a healthy & happy pet.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by barbino

I rarely boycott but will if well-informed about an issue that really matters to me. As a former cat breeder, I agree with boycotting most pet shops. When I was a member of the area breed club, I had to sign a statement that I would never sell stock to a pet shop. I remember being appalled when I went into a pet shop & found a kitten from my breed being sold there. I was quite verbal with the owner.

What separates a backyard breeder from a real breeder? Real breeders know that they are responsible for the quality of life of the animals they breed. A few weeks ago, I was discussing my time as a breeder with a friend. He asked, "Do you make a lot of money?" I laughed at him. Real breeders find that it is an expensive hobby. Vet bills and shows will eat up any funds made by sales. It is a difficult & time-consuming hobby, too.

The best way to find a "real breeder" is by going through the associations. You can find breeders who have their kennels/catteries checked & graded by the association. Breed groups police their own, too. Breeding is very social; people in the fancy know each other & who takes care of their animals. I could go on; you hit a nerve. The truth is that I would still be breeding if it were not for allergies/asthma. Even though I bred for a long time, I was never a big breeder. Maintaining large numbers of animals well is so difficult. People need to be very savvy & "buyer beware" when buying animals. Shopping around for the right breeder means bringing home a healthy & happy pet.

I completely agree. While checking for breeders for a dog, you should know what problems that breed tends towards, and make sure that the pup has been tested for them. Obviously, a dog can't be tested for cancer or other ailments, but a luxating patella or CERF eye test can save a LOT of trouble in the future. I have a breeder friend who can't understand why I don't want one of her puppies, but until she has them tested, I'm looking elsewhere - or at a shelter.

And yes, there are a lot of grey areas in boycotts, especially when franchising is involved. The biggest and hardest boycott in which my family participated was against Dow Chemicals, as they had something to do with Agent Orange.

[aggieAXO]

Originally Posted by barbino

I rarely boycott but will if well-informed about an issue that really matters to me. As a former cat breeder, I agree with boycotting most pet shops. When I was a member of the area breed club, I had to sign a statement that I would never sell stock to a pet shop. I remember being appalled when I went into a pet shop & found a kitten from my breed being sold there. I was quite verbal with the owner.

What separates a backyard breeder from a real breeder? Real breeders know that they are responsible for the quality of life of the animals they breed. A few weeks ago, I was discussing my time as a breeder with a friend. He asked, "Do you make a lot of money?" I laughed at him. Real breeders find that it is an expensive hobby. Vet bills and shows will eat up any funds made by sales. It is a difficult & time-consuming hobby, too.

The best way to find a "real breeder" is by going through the associations. You can find breeders who have their kennels/catteries checked & graded by the association. Breed groups police their own, too. Breeding is very social; people in the fancy know each other & who takes care of their animals. I could go on; you hit a nerve. The truth is that I would still be breeding if it were not for allergies/asthma. Even though I bred for a long time, I was never a big breeder. Maintaining large numbers of animals well is so difficult. People need to be very savvy & "buyer beware" when buying animals. Shopping around for the right breeder means bringing home a healthy & happy pet.

I understand there are good and bad breeders-I have been in the vet business for a long time. I don't care how responsible so and so is, there is an over population problem and I get to be at the forefront of it which most people don't get to see (ie euthanizing healthy kittens and puppies). You hit a nerve as well.