What companies do you boycott?

arwo · December 2011

I seem to remember a thread not too long ago (maybe in the last few months?) that was somewhat related to boycotts. I am feeling persnickity today, and I would like my displeasure to be directed towards companies that deserve it. (And I haven't been around enough to have anything for AYG, so don't go suggesting that.)

Right now, I can think of two companies that I really dislike and have vowed to try to boycott: Lululemon and Microsoft.

So, help me be socially responsible! What companies do you boycott and why?

(Also: hi everyone!)

AllAboutTheBenjamin · December 2011

Well, it's not really a boycott - but I avoid going to Wal-mart like I'd avoid the plague. I just fucking hate it there. It's always crappy quality shiit, and it's so enormous in there that once I get in, I don't even want to bother looking for what I need.

My grandpa boycotts Heinz ketchup and whatever other Heinz products. Actually I'm not sure if he boycotts them anymore, but when John Kerry was running for president he refused to buy anything Heinz (think Teresa Heinz Kerry - gramps is a hardcore conservative).

Steph0871 · December 2011

I'm gonna need some explanations, Arwo.

I 'boycott' Wal-Mart, but that's mostly because they suck.

There have been instances (that I totally can't think of right now) where H and I have intentionally shopped places that are not unionized, though.

ETA: not shopped really. The first one I can think of was when we hired a few contractors for work on the house.

Steph0871 · December 2011

oh, Koda reminded me. I have airports that are on my blacklist! DFW, ORD, JFK, STL are the ones I can think of now. I also refuse to fly Delta after numerous godawful experiences. But now that they bought out NWA and essentially monopolize MSP, it's getting more difficult. But I have paid almost $100 to fly someone else before, just to avoid Delta and ORD.

kd.joseph · December 2011

Wal-Mart for sure. Which is weird because my son works there. But, he gets it.

Our reasons are their business practices, they above most others have put some businesses out of business, or made it impossible to keep their factories here.

I dont think there is any one else.

september's bride · December 2011

I have a thing with IAMS. I remember my vet talking about nutritional experiments on cats/dogs, and since then, won't buy anything IAMS-related.

arwo · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_companies-boycott?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:eb817f05-45b7-4a6f-9cb7-4a538a32f14ePost:8199d127-f162-4179-9d58-268efebaa431">Re: What companies do you boycott?</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>I'm gonna need some explanations, Arwo.</strong> I 'boycott' Wal-Mart, but that's mostly because they suck. There have been instances (that I totally can't think of right now) where H and I have intentionally shopped places that are not unionized, though. ETA: not shopped really. The first one I can think of was when we hired a few contractors for work on the house.
Posted by Steph0871[/QUOTE]

Explanations for my current boycotts?

My reasons for boycotting LLL are pretty well-outlined in <a href="http://www.yogalila.com/2006/08/looking_closer_.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">this blog post</a>. Normally I wouldn't provide a random blog post as a reason, but it seems to be well-sourced, and it does cover most of my reasons.

The Microsoft boycott is harder to explain. Some of it is that I found their early business practices objectionable (with all of the patent stuff, and basically running other companies out of business); however, I wouldn't have had as much of a problem with that if I felt like they produced a quality product. But I really don't think they do--and most of the people I know in IT/tech agree with me, even those that have worked for Microsoft. (We have a lot of those people around here.)

bbuckner984 · December 2011

Lurker here but I am going to jump on this one since it is pretty interesting. AATB- I also boycotted Heinz during the Kerry campaign due to my conservative political beliefs. Somehow I thought that by buying the $2 ketchup bottle I was hurting his campaign funding. Lame I know- and FI's protests over the "sugary" store brand brought us back. I also boycot Walmart due to their employment practices and merchandising tactics which I believe to be harmful to American businesses. Plus shopping there gives me a headache. Arwo- why the boycot of Lulemonz? I have a cart I was about to purchase there but curious about your decision first.

Steph0871 · December 2011

I was wondering that about MS. But, doesn't Apple do the same stuff with the patents? (Genuine question, since I really don't know much.)

Also, Dot, I think we're going to have to avoid each other in this thread

arwo · December 2011

OK, Wal-mart! That's not so much of an issue for me (I don't even know where the closest Wal-mart is) but I definitely will boycott them.

It would be difficult for me to boycott Starbucks (they serve the coffee everywhere in Seattle, seriously) but I drink mostly tea so it's not like I spend a lot of money there anyway. I also think there was a union kerfuffle with them several years ago? Some baristas in NY tried to unionize and Howard Shultz got all butthurt and pissy about it.

DNAtime · December 2011

I boycott Wal-mart because I think they embody what it wrong with America.
Plus I hate it there.

I can't think of what else I boycott. ...... oh, Sportline. Because they stole a bunch of accounts from my FILs, and DH used to boycott Circuit City but thats not an issue now.

bbuckner984 · December 2011

Speaking of Koda's boycot of Target- anyone else see the thing about the "nurse in" st Targets nationwide yesterday. Thoughts on that? Genuine curiosity- not trying to stir the pot.

arwo · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_companies-boycott?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:eb817f05-45b7-4a6f-9cb7-4a538a32f14ePost:3771ee08-22f5-4dbc-99f5-a4441f443961">Re: What companies do you boycott?</a>:
[QUOTE]I was wondering that about MS. But, doesn't Apple do the same stuff with the patents? (Genuine question, since I really don't know much.) Also, Dot, I think we're going to have to avoid each other in this thread ;)
Posted by Steph0871[/QUOTE]

I would really love to boycott Apple as well, but it's much harder since my research group is Mac-based. Their business practices are pretty reprehensible, both the patent stuff and the whole deplorable Chinese-factory thing. But I spend as little as possible on Apple products, and I don't buy any gadgets or anything unless they are required by my research. And to be fair, I find their products to be much better than MS products.

kimheartsscott · December 2011

Chik-fil-a, cracker barrel (gay rights related), TOMS (because I don't like their business model and because someone who claimed to be a rep for them was a giant asshole to Scott once), Lowes (this one is new) and I'm sure there are a bunch of others because I'm a crochety hippy.

Steph0871 · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_companies-boycott?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:eb817f05-45b7-4a6f-9cb7-4a538a32f14ePost:8c4f9f5f-4737-4cad-b00b-3f51d4f3f9f2">Re: What companies do you boycott?</a>:
[QUOTE]Speaking of Koda's boycot of Target- anyone else see the thing about the "nurse in" st Targets nationwide yesterday. Thoughts on that? Genuine curiosity- not trying to stir the pot.
Posted by bbuckner984[/QUOTE]

<div>I did. I think it's a bunch of over-zealous whiny women with nothing better to do with their time. The sales person ROLLED HER EYES at the mom. She didnt' kick her out or chastise her ffs.</div><div>
</div><div>And the story I read said the mom was sitting in the middle of the floor at Target by the dressing room. Sorry, I'd tell anyone not to sit on the floor in a major walkway of a retail store. It's a safety risk, not to mention disgusting. (Plus, let's say someone had bumped into her with her cart... the mom probably would've sued the store.)</div>

MeaghanandMichael · December 2011

Bank of America. Between the stuff they have tried to pull with Mike and I and the stuff I have heard them doing to friends and family I am just SO anti BOA.

I hate Comcast with a passion. They seriously have the worst customer service and product ever.

I will say Mike and I are pro small business. We love to go to mom and pop hardware stores, liquor stores, restaurants etc over chains.

bbuckner984 · December 2011

Kim- why Lowes?

arwo · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_companies-boycott?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:eb817f05-45b7-4a6f-9cb7-4a538a32f14ePost:110ff1ec-7b50-4915-a635-a62d1570189f">Re: What companies do you boycott?</a>:
[QUOTE]Chik-fil-a, cracker barrel (gay rights related), TOMS (because I don't like their business model and because someone who claimed to be a rep for them was a giant asshole to Scott once), Lowes (this one is new) and I'm sure there are a bunch of others because I'm a crochety hippy.
Posted by kimheartsscott[/QUOTE]

Oh man, Cracker Barrel. I had completely forgotten about them, but I just got back from Ohio, and it was everywhere.

Is the Lowes boycott because of their pull-out from advertising on that TLC show?

MeaghanandMichael · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_companies-boycott?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:eb817f05-45b7-4a6f-9cb7-4a538a32f14ePost:110ff1ec-7b50-4915-a635-a62d1570189f">Re: What companies do you boycott?</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Chik-fil-a, cracker barrel</strong> (gay rights related), TOMS (because I don't like their business model and because someone who claimed to be a rep for them was a giant asshole to Scott once), Lowes (this one is new) and I'm sure there are a bunch of others because I'm a crochety hippy.
Posted by kimheartsscott[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>Good ones! We don't really have these in CT but when I am at my parent's Florida house I never go there. I will say it does interest me chik-fil-a continues to stick to their guns about not being open on Sunday.</div>

arwo · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_companies-boycott?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:eb817f05-45b7-4a6f-9cb7-4a538a32f14ePost:b26284b7-0a57-44a3-82fe-e0202a2d82b6">Re: What companies do you boycott?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What companies do you boycott? : How come?
Posted by Dot Dash[/QUOTE]

I'm guessing it's your opposite views on labor unions.

bbuckner984 · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_companies-boycott?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:eb817f05-45b7-4a6f-9cb7-4a538a32f14ePost:6800e62d-452a-422e-9fe3-83c454d5acb1">Re: What companies do you boycott?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What companies do you boycott? : I did. I think it's a bunch of over-zealous whiny women with nothing better to do with their time. The sales person ROLLED HER EYES at the mom. She didnt' kick her out or chastise her ffs. And the story I read said the mom was sitting in the middle of the floor at Target by the dressing room. Sorry, I'd tell anyone not to sit on the floor in a major walkway of a retail store. It's a safety risk, not to mention disgusting. (Plus, let's say someone had bumped into her with her cart... the mom probably would've sued the store.)
Posted by Steph0871[/QUOTE]

I'm going to agree on this. I am not a mother- but even when that comes I am pretty sure that feeding time will happen in private. Sorry if that offends.

Steph0871 · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_companies-boycott?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:eb817f05-45b7-4a6f-9cb7-4a538a32f14ePost:b26284b7-0a57-44a3-82fe-e0202a2d82b6">Re: What companies do you boycott?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What companies do you boycott? : How come?
Posted by Dot Dash[/QUOTE]

<div>You're boycotting companies that don't like unions, and I'm boycotting companies that are unionized.</div>

MeaghanandMichael · December 2011

I hate unions and my husband works for one. So there's that. My grandfather is rolling over in his grave as I type this. Sore subject inmy family/

anna.oskar · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_companies-boycott?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:eb817f05-45b7-4a6f-9cb7-4a538a32f14ePost:110ff1ec-7b50-4915-a635-a62d1570189f">Re: What companies do you boycott?</a>:
[QUOTE]Chik-fil-a, <strong>cracker barrel (gay rights related),</strong> TOMS (because I don't like their business model and because someone who claimed to be a rep for them was a giant asshole to Scott once), <strong>Lowes (this one is new)</strong> and I'm sure <strong>there are a bunch of others because I'm a crochety hippy.</strong>
Posted by kimheartsscott[/QUOTE]

Both of these. I'm still all fired up over Lowes. They have the right to pull advertising from whatever shows they want. Just like i have the right to never shop at a company that caves to anti-religios group slurs.

Valvoline Oil change- They lied to me one too many times after an oil change. Really put the pressure on that I needed a new serpentine belt like now. Well, they picked the wrong chick. I only went there because I sure as heck wasn't changing my oil myself in -30F temps. And that supposedly frayed and on death's door serpentine belt? It's still on and working like a dream 6 years later.

In happier news: I'm very pro Sears after reading about the great accommodations they make for employee servicemembers called to active duty. Above and beyond.

Steph0871 · December 2011

Oh yeah. Lowes, duh. (But we've always been a Home Depot family anyway.)

What's up with Chik-fil-a? We have one in the union on campus... apparently it's the only one north of the Mason-Dixon line. ha

kimheartsscott · December 2011

Bbuckner - because of the clusterfuck surrounding All American Muslim. It was pretty recent, I'm sure you could find info on it (I'm on my phone do no linking, sorry) Apple's weird anti-porn stance really turned me off (ha!) to the company Walmart is all around bad.

Steph0871 · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_companies-boycott?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:eb817f05-45b7-4a6f-9cb7-4a538a32f14ePost:26d457fe-b923-43f2-ae35-98e1b19df98b">Re: What companies do you boycott?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What companies do you boycott? : Wait I thought Steph said she and her H had avoided places that were not unionized. Did I read that wrong?
Posted by Dot Dash[/QUOTE]

<div>I said we intentionally SHOP places that are NOT unionized. ;)</div>

arwo · December 2011

I missed the whole nurse-in thing. I honestly believe that women should be able to nurse their children pretty much anywhere, as long as it is safe and hygienic. I'm not sure the floor of a department store qualifies.

In general, I don't think it's wrong for people to breatsfeed in public. I've seen people with terrible table manners, and watching them eat in public is way more offensive to me than watching a woman breastfeed her child.

bbuckner984 · December 2011

Kim- guess I missed that one. Will have to look it up. I'll add chick fil a to my list. For obvious, previously discussed reasons.

Steph0871 · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_companies-boycott?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:eb817f05-45b7-4a6f-9cb7-4a538a32f14ePost:9299da6e-bc04-49fe-8a9b-68e02ab4d5ec">Re: What companies do you boycott?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What companies do you boycott? : Ok I did read that wrong. I myself am not union. My parents however both were when I was a kid. SOOOO not looking for a fight just wondering what your views are on the unions that has you boycotting them.
Posted by Dot Dash[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Long story short, I value a free market more than forcing companies to keep unqualified workers employed.

</div>

DodgersBride · December 2011

This is an interesting thread. I admit I don't follow up on a lot of places I shop and what their views are certain subjects. I am going to be lurking because some of the place mention I have shopped there or used their products.

I do avoid certain companies' locations and other stores all together just based on the services I have received from them.

What companies do you boycott?

Re: What companies do you boycott?

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