Do you boycott any brands ?

[Answerprancer]

If so why ?

I am not a fanatical boycotter but here's a selection of brands I avoid :

Nestle (for promoting their milk products in 3rd world/developing countries over breast milk).
Shell (for allowing a teacher/campaigner to be murdered amongst other things)
McDonalds (for being a revolting globalising, greedy, lying evil business)
Coca Cola (ditto)
Procter and Gamble (suspected animal abuse)

I'm not 'holier than thou' about it but I do try to avoid buying into any products/services that I believe go against my humanitarian beliefs.

[NazNomad]

Ford ... no basis for a real argument here, I just don't like 'em.

[mike11111]

What I like about your posts is the calm, clinical, academic analysis - such a change from the AOG-style condemnations we have to suffer from time to time.

[NazNomad]

Amen ... dammit, what would Freud say about that?

[4getmenot]

nope i buy what i like regardless of name, apart from maybe a skoda, the 80's jokes stick in my mind

[sandyRoe]

M+S because of their support for Israel. And anything from there.

[society]

Anything where children labour is involved, and clothing which I suspect is made in sweatshops.

[sherrardk]

No - after I have managed to decide what I need for the week, write the shopping list and buy it online using those tiny, little pictures I haven't got the brain power left to consider who makes each item.

[sara3]

Tiffany, because they won't reduce the ring I want.

[Answerprancer]

Thanks Mike - much appreciated.

Butch - was that aimed at me ?
I should have maybe included a line such as "I'd never *knowingly* buy into something that goes against my humanitarian beliefs" - that's what I meant by "not fanatical".
Anyway, consider it said.

[Buenchico]

I tend to go the other way. I buy into brands where the company doesn't hide from the basic principle of business, that PROFIT MATTERS, PEOPLE DON'T!

Michael O'Leary is honest enough to admit exactly that. So I'd rather pay more for a Ryanair flight than for a cheaper one elsewhere.

Similarly, the best boss I've ever worked for frequently said (and meant!) "Caring isn't in my job description". She valued efficiency, economy and profit while having no time whatsoever for people (whether they be customers or staff). In my opinion that's the ONLY way to run a business.

Chris

[micmak]

I refuse to go into Ikea because of an advert many years ago about sacking an office Junior for the same price of new furniture. I also will not buy a Ford car, I have owned three all cr ap. the last one would not start if it was raining. If you were driving it and it started to rain it cut out as soon as it hit a puddle.

[saxy_jag]

I won't see a penny of my money go into M&S and BHS tills if I can help it. They use cheap labour from third world countries so that they can make a fatter profit for themselves. Their practice of doing this has closed every major textile factory in this city over the past twenty years.

[Andyvon]

I always avoid McDonalds for the support they gave to the IRA until recently (Irish Americans etc). They contributed a significant proportion of NORaid's funds - 10% I remember being cited on the news. Still the US refused to do anything about the donations (not to upset 'Irish-Americans') How many soldiers and civilians were killed and maimed as a result can only be guessed.

However, I do set foot in McDonalds' restaurants, but only for one reason. They are very convenient when you need to use the toilet! I always think of NORaid when I'm in their loo - I'm always happy to think I'm leaving McDonalds a token of what I think of them!

[Answerprancer]

Hmm, interesting, that's two Ford un-advocators. I seem to remember that the Galaxy was voted "worst car of the year" somewhere sometime.

[Answerprancer]

Agreed Andyvon - I only use them for a "McP!ss"

[Buenchico]

Well, AP, we might be miles apart on some things but, having recently worked for a Ford main dealer, I'd also try to avoid Ford cars. (OK, I admit it. I've currently got a Ford but that's only because I got a £1400 car for £350 through buying a 'trade in'!)

When I was 'trade plating' (delivering cars across the country) I had to collect a brand new Escort van from Ford's Dagenham plant. i reported that the battery was flat and they agreed to change it. It then took them 40 MINUTES (at one of the world's biggest car plants) to find a spanner!!!