Have You Sworn Off a Company?

[amastewa93]

Okay guys... So a little rant about American Airlines for a second. I've now heard of two separate instances where they were completely heartless with people dealing with medical emergencies/family emergencies... and I've been treated poorly myself on a flight. That being said, I've decided to never use the company's services again (even if it means I'll pay more).

Do you all have any companies you feel that way about?

[james.hendrickson]

Any multilevel marketing company.

[bjl584]

Can't think of any off hand.
I've had bad experiences over the years with products and services, but never enough to make me boycott something.

[msomnipotent]

CVS. They refused to fill my Humira prescription even though I had insurance and cash to pay for it. The woman behind the counter (I think it was the pharmacist but not positive) said that they only get so much money per month to buy drugs and my prescription would mean that other people would have to go without. She really acted like I was a selfish monster just because I wanted a prescription filled, and she was a real B about it. The person standing behind me turned around and walked out after hearing this, so they lost two customers instead of one. I haven't been back since, and this was probably about 10 years ago. I have a CVS within walking distance to my house and I would drive to the Walgreens instead.

I'm deciding if I should stop buying from Amazon, too. Just too many problems with the items and inept customer service. I have already canceled Prime and deleted them from my bookmarks. I probably won't use them for Christmas, either. The company I buy all of my essential oils only sells on Amazon, though.

[phantom]

A couple years ago, a group of friends and I made reservations at a small, non-chain restaurant to celebrate a birthday. When we got there, they admitted to dropping our reservation in favor of a larger party. It was a Friday or Saturday night, and we had to scramble to find another place that we could get into without a long wait. I actively avoided that place for the next year. At this point, I would give it another shot if people I was with wanted to go, but I'm still not going out of my way to eat there.

[Mjenn]

I won't fly Delta with kids after a nightmare transatlantic flight with an infant on a plane with 0 changing tables onboard and understandably it being unhygienic to change a baby in a seat --- I wrote a letter after saying it would be much easier on everyone if they just announced they didn't want little ones on the flight so I could buy a ticket with another carrier with facilities for young kids. Now I fly a more expensive carrier direct, but I know we will be well taken care of and there are hidden changing tables in almost every bathroom even if my kids are finally out of diapers.

I also regularly take part in boycotts for various reasons. I swore off Barilla pasta for a long time because of their sexist/antigay remarks -- but after they demonstrably changed their ways over a long period of time, I went back to their products. There was a period of time where our local grocery store couldn't give Barilla pasta away.

I used to love the Body Shop, but have not been in since it was sold to L'oreal a company that goes against everything Body Shop was supposed to stand for (animal rights, political activism, recycling and reusing packaging, not having 30 different creams (night cream, day cream, eye cream, etc for women but instead having a few good general ones)).

I don't know if it does much good, but it is the little power I do have and I exercise it whenever I can. I also try to do the opposite and regularly support businesses I think are good even if they cost a bit more.

[snafu]

I notice most businesses I'd stopped using, mostly because of ghastly experiences, have shut down, even big department stores and a bank chain. If we accept the 'American Airlines' attitude/customer service it just spreads.

There has been a huge decrease in retail jobs, don't those remaining employees value their jobs?

[Nutria]

I used to love the Body Shop, but have not been in since it was sold to L'oreal a company that goes against everything Body Shop was supposed to stand for (animal rights, political activism, recycling and reusing packaging, not having 30 different creams (night cream, day cream, eye cream, etc for women but instead having a few good general ones)).

I hope you remember that when next you reach to buy some overpriced kit from a supposed do-gooder company.

[Smallsteps]

I once worked in human resource department for a store that is part of the largest grocery chain in the country (K) I did not spend a dime there during the last few years I worked there and have never step foot in any division of that company after I left.
They are truly awful company I watched them lie to the face of so many people it made me sick. Once closing a location they knew for sure in July, yet they strung employees along until mid October to then tell them they would close Jan 1. After hearing management talk about it and then pretend it was news to them too was sickening.

I don't shop at Amazon because how poorly they treat their people and how they moved their HR Dept offshore. They promoted the $15 an hour push in Seattle and then built all their distribution centers outside the city limits and pay $11
I have trouble with HYPOCRITES.

[Nutria]

I don't shop at Amazon because how poorly they treat their people and how they moved their HR Dept offshore. They promoted the $15 an hour push in Seattle and then built all their distribution centers outside the city limits and pay $11

LOL

Getting upset at businesses because they're Mean, Cruel and Rotten to their employees is futile, because you're either hard-hearted and merciless, or you spend yourself out of business.

The bottom line is that running a business is like making sausage: necessary (pretend that refrigeration isn't ubiquitous), but not too pleasant to watch.

I have trouble with HYPOCRITES.

I got over that decades ago.

[rennigade]

I don't shop at Amazon because how poorly they treat their people and how they moved their HR Dept offshore. They promoted the $15 an hour push in Seattle and then built all their distribution centers outside the city limits and pay $11
I have trouble with HYPOCRITES.

I dont shop at amazon as much as I used to. Unless you have prime they're useless. It will take 2 weeks to receive almost anything unless you're a prime member. Now other competitors offer 2 day free shipping when amounts go over $25. No brainer in my book.

Im done with cheesecake factory. If you dine there its fine...service is normal. If you simply want take out its a major headache. If you call to place an order they'll put you on hold...sometimes they never get back to you...so you have to hang up and call back.

We tried to go today to a different cheesecake factory. Went in the restaurant to place an order for a salad...they didnt have that particular salad. No problem...they told us to look at a menu. Person behind the counter disappeared and never came back. Waited around 8 minutes then we gave up and left. I never have to step foot in another cheesecake factory again.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I never say never. I found out that I need their products & services more than they need me. I can boycott a business until I'm blue in the face but as a single entity up against a huge business I don't stand a chance and usually I come to the conclusion that I end up being the loser. Market forces will influence their success or demise.

[evgeniusleo]

Okay guys... So a little rant about American Airlines for a second. I've now heard of two separate instances where they were completely heartless with people dealing with medical emergencies/family emergencies... and I've been treated poorly myself on a flight. That being said, I've decided to never use the company's services again (even if it means I'll pay more).

Do you all have any companies you feel that way about?

I do not have!
I'm learning to fly a plane.
I like flying very much.

[Smallsteps]

I never say never. I found out that I need their products & services more than they need me. I can boycott a business until I'm blue in the face but as a single entity up against a huge business I don't stand a chance and usually I come to the conclusion that I end up being the loser. Market forces will influence their success or demise.

When I give up on a company or product it is not about the idea that my lost business is going to change them it is about a commitment to Myself.

The details of why I chose to not support different companies/ charities or brands are not a one time bad service thing but a deeper core issue. I am not fanatic about it but have told people my position if asked.
I find when talking with others so many times they really have no idea about the companies or organizations they are spending or giving their money to. that is their own business I have only spoke up when a person is falsely promoting a group/company etc.

[Nutria]

I have only spoke up when a person is falsely promoting a group/company etc.

Like PETA killing imminently adoptable animals every year, within 24 hours of arrival at their "shelters"?