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#271796 - 10/12/2005 17:58 Poll: Boycott Fiat!
jimhogan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 06/10/1999
Posts: 2591
Loc: Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
My subject line is a tease. Boycott Fiat? Hell, you can't even buy a Fiat in this town.

I was thinking, though, of some friends in the late 70s and early 80s. They all drove Fiats. Because they were considered to be the least heinous, politically. American cars? Nasty capitalists doing business in South Africa. German cars? The legacy of the N*zis. Japanese cars? Whaling. And so on....

Anyhow, my retrospective may not be exactly correct (and I forget why they didn't all drive SAABs) but the fact remains that they bought Fiats for political reasons.

Ah, those were the days! Bunny knows they didn't buy the Fiats for their reliability!

Soooooo, this thread is to ask: What single product are you not buying for political reasons? Or what single company are you not patronizing for political reasons?

If you have a long list, pick number 1.

To make this more challenging, try to respond without specifically mentioning N*zis, B*sh, or ab*rtion!
_________________________
Jim


'Tis the exceptional fellow who lies awake at night thinking of his successes.

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#271797 - 10/12/2005 18:13 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: jimhogan]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
It seems like I used to have a list a mile long of things I didn't buy or places I refused to shop at. But most of them seem to, at least, not be relevant any more.

Wal-Mart comes to mind, but it's not really hard for me to avoid, and, regardless of my politics, I'd probably avoid it anyway because of the fact that it's such a terrible store.

Carmike Theaters, but that's also mostly because they're terrible, although there's some element of politics, too, though it's more "treating employees badly" than anything else, though they do have a strong (and absurd) anti-union stance.

Exxon, for environmental politics. I know, they're probably not any worse than any other oil company, but they demonstrably showed themselves to be indifferent to environmental concerns, and, these days, it's almost more the fact that they didn't simply clean up after their own mess. The lack of personal (where, in this case, "personal" means "corporate", not that I'm promoting corporate personhood) responsibility really pisses me off lately. I kind of prefer Shell, as they tend to be less politically conservative in their donations than others, but they're somewhat infrequent around here.

On the flip side, I try to frequent locally-owned stores in favor of big chains, from record stores to pharmacists. This has a little to do with politics, but at least as much to do with the fact that while the big chain might have a better selection of stuff (though even that's not usually the case) the locally-owned stores treat me better. That part shows through even in choosing one big chain over another, though.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#271798 - 10/12/2005 18:17 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: jimhogan]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Oh, and, for what it's worth, Buy Blue Christmas List 2005.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#271799 - 10/12/2005 21:59 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: jimhogan]
frog51
pooh-bah

Registered: 09/08/2000
Posts: 2091
Loc: Edinburgh, Scotland
French wine

Actually that isn't political, just 'cos I dislike wine imported from France (I reckon they keep all the good stuff)

I don't buy from Microsoft or Apple except where I absolutely have to (for MS I use the Home User Purchase programme to avoid paying them too much, and I just really dislike Apple's concept of DRM so will never buy an iPod or use iTunes )

(ps - I bought my wife a Fiat Punto...it's pretty good, for a non-Subaru)
_________________________
Rory
MkIIa, blue lit buttons, memory upgrade, 1Tb in Subaru Forester STi
MkII, 240Gb in Mark Lord dock
MkII, 80Gb SSD in dock

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#271800 - 10/12/2005 23:59 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: jimhogan]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
I shop at Walmart just to counter all the people that don't shop there. It's out of my way, but I giggle everytime I walk into the store. Not sure if that counts.

I used to boycott Gillette because of animal testing, but I've heard they no longer engage in that.

So, that leaves GE at the top of my list because of some documentary I saw on PBS like 10 years ago saying they were bad people and really poluted some communities with nucluar waste. I should follow up on that and see if it was true. I always got a kick out of how their slogan was "We Bring Good Things to Life" when, at the same time, they made some of the most bad ass weapons in the US arsenal.
_________________________
Brad B.

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#271801 - 11/12/2005 00:22 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: jimhogan]
Anonymous
Unregistered


I boycott name-brands and designer clothes. I find their high prices offensive!

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#271802 - 11/12/2005 00:48 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: jimhogan]
larry818
old hand

Registered: 01/10/2002
Posts: 1039
Loc: Fullerton, Calif.
I remember, and this was probably 20 years ago, when Carter was president, that the US govenment decided never to buy things that profit terrorist countries.

So, they were buying tanks from Allis-Chalmers, which they found to be largely owned by Fiat, which in turn was owned, in part, by the Syrian government.

I drive a Volvo. But I've owned two Fiats, one an electric.

Being of Irish descent, I probably shouldn't own a British car stereo, or that beautiful '86 Jaguar XJ6 to put it in, but what the hell. Both are so cool. I've had a few MGs, a Triumph, and lots of Avent baby bottles.

I boycott Belkin things.

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#271803 - 11/12/2005 00:57 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: jimhogan]
msaeger
carpal tunnel

Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
I don't shop at best buy due to their abuse of eminent domain.

Walmart never really bugged me if you want to boycott them I would think target, kmart and all other big chain department stores would fall into the same category.

I rember the general consensus of the bbs being that boycotting business was pointless last time I mentioned this.
_________________________

Matt

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#271804 - 11/12/2005 01:01 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: larry818]
msaeger
carpal tunnel

Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
Quote:

I boycott Belkin things.


What's wrong with Belkin ? I haven't heard anything bad about them.
_________________________

Matt

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#271805 - 11/12/2005 01:45 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: msaeger]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
Quote:
Walmart never really bugged me if you want to boycott them I would think target, kmart and all other big chain department stores would fall into the same category.


They're not owned or run by conservatives. I think that might be part of it.
_________________________
Brad B.

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#271806 - 11/12/2005 02:26 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: wfaulk]
Daria
carpal tunnel

Registered: 24/01/2002
Posts: 3937
Loc: Providence, RI
Quote:
It seems like I used to have a list a mile long of things I didn't buy or places I refused to shop at. But most of them seem to, at least, not be relevant any more.

Wal-Mart comes to mind, but it's not really hard for me to avoid, and, regardless of my politics, I'd probably avoid it anyway because of the fact that it's such a terrible store.


My family does not share my political convictions, but will not shop at Wal-Mart because they think it's absolutely horrible.

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#271807 - 11/12/2005 02:29 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
jimhogan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 06/10/1999
Posts: 2591
Loc: Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
Quote:
I shop at Walmart just to counter all the people that don't shop there.

I believe this is what is called "living on the edge". Walmart was on the verge of declaring bankruptcy and closing up shop. You may have bailed them out.

Quote:
It's out of my way, but I giggle everytime I walk into the store. Not sure if that counts.

Well, actually, in keeping with the original post, I'd be more interested in hearing about the *one* product or company that you refuse to purchase/patronize because you consider them bad/evil. Say some company that treats its employees and suppliers like shit. Or that makes Detroit more polluted. Something like that.
_________________________
Jim


'Tis the exceptional fellow who lies awake at night thinking of his successes.

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#271808 - 11/12/2005 02:32 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
jimhogan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 06/10/1999
Posts: 2591
Loc: Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
Quote:
They're not owned or run by conservatives. I think that might be part of it.

Why do you hate America???
_________________________
Jim


'Tis the exceptional fellow who lies awake at night thinking of his successes.

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#271809 - 11/12/2005 05:27 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
For a while I refused to buy Marvel comics because they were owned by Revlon, a notable animal rights abuser, who, as a big Christian company, also made them publish the religious screed The Illuminator, which they did, reluctantly, once a year. It did not sell, even to some people who religiously (ha) bought every Marvel comic.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#271810 - 11/12/2005 10:32 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: Daria]
JeffS
carpal tunnel

Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 2858
Loc: Atlanta, GA
I try not to shop at Wal-Mart, but that's just because I don't like the store. No political convicitions needed!

I can't think of anything that I specifically don't buy at the moment, though I long to boycott Christmas (just the commercialism- I will always have a personal, religious celebration) but I can't get my wife on board with that!

To that last point, I at least boycotted the "Secret Santa" at work this year . . .
_________________________
-Jeff
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings; they did it by killing all those who opposed them.

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#271811 - 11/12/2005 10:45 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: JeffS]
boxer
pooh-bah

Registered: 16/04/2002
Posts: 2011
Loc: Yorkshire UK
Right now I'm boycotting ebuyer, for having the most convoluted systems for administration, I'm on my 14th email/message in six weeks to get a refund on a £30.00 item, at the start I offered to exchange for the one I wanted, but I gave up in the end!
Before that I was boycotting Comet for a "No Hassle" extended warranty, that was just the opposie.
My next target is Sky, for having an impossible call centre and making me have an adult pin code, when I've no-one under 22 in the house. It would be OK, but it doesn't always accept its own pin - and is Michael Palin's pole to pole so obscene that our children need protecting from it? I could only find the naked bit in Finland, diving in to a freezing lake.
_________________________
Politics and Ideology: Not my bag

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#271812 - 11/12/2005 12:47 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: msaeger]
larry818
old hand

Registered: 01/10/2002
Posts: 1039
Loc: Fullerton, Calif.
Quote:
What's wrong with Belkin ? I haven't heard anything bad about them.


There was a post, on this bbs, about Belkin routers that would return their own advertising rather than the web site wanted. I've boycotted them since that post.

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#271813 - 11/12/2005 17:38 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: jimhogan]
gbeer
carpal tunnel

Registered: 17/12/2000
Posts: 2665
Loc: Manteca, California
The one company I hate most to do business with is Best Buy. Edit: Fry's is a close second, for different reasons.

Two different reasons. edit: well three.

One, they load all sorts of tasks on the cashiers, other than the simple one of taking your money and giving a reciept. It takes forever to get out of the store.

Two, If you are paying by plastic, they insist you put your signature into a digital pad. This I refuse to do. Most stores will produce a printed reciept to sign if you request it. Best Buy won't.

Three, even If you pay CASH, the cashier typically insists on you telling them some bit of personal info. Phone No, Zip Code, or even your full address.

There have been several times when I have simply walked away from the casher out of frustration at their inability to cope with a cash buyer.

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#271814 - 11/12/2005 18:42 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: wfaulk]
FireFox31
pooh-bah

Registered: 19/09/2002
Posts: 2494
Loc: East Coast, USA
I boycott Exxon / Mobile. I'd rather push my car to the nearest BP/Amaco or Shell than pay E/M. Their environmentally destructive history is unimaginable.

Also, they always have THE highest prices for gas everywhere I look. $0.10 to $0.25 cents more, always. An unreliable source said E/M tries to force the gas prices up using this method.

The E/M's near me (and there's at least two for each BP or Amaco or Shell) are always full of people willing to pay the higher price. Blows my mind. Maybe because they have those attached convenience stores. Sorry, I don't want to poison myself with Dunkin Doughnuts, coffee, and crappy food.
_________________________
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FireFox31
110gig MKIIa (30+80), Eutronix lights, 32 meg stacked RAM, Filener orange gel lens, Greenlights Lit Buttons green set

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#271815 - 11/12/2005 19:28 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: jimhogan]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
Quote:
Well, actually, in keeping with the original post, I'd be more interested in hearing about the *one* product or company that you refuse to purchase/patronize because you consider them bad/evil. Say some company that treats its employees and suppliers like shit. Or that makes Detroit more polluted. Something like that.


I mentioned that after my joke about Walmart.
_________________________
Brad B.

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#271816 - 11/12/2005 19:35 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: FireFox31]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
Quote:
I boycott Exxon / Mobile. I'd rather push my car to the nearest BP/Amaco or Shell than pay E/M. Their environmentally destructive history is unimaginable.


We were only asked to mention one, so I didn't list Shell, but I've heard that they are engaged in some bad environmental exercises. Clear cutting rain forests IIRC. It was just a blurb I heard on NPR, but ever since then, I don't buy gas there. A bit irresponsible on my part because I don't know the specifics and NPR isn't exactly in line with my out look on the world, but looking at this site, not only is there some truth to it, but it seems it'd be hard to find an oil company that doesn't engage in something unethical. I don't hate oil companies for making money, but (real) environmental concerns and especially animal testing are reason enough for me to look for another company.


Edited by SE_Sport_Driver (11/12/2005 19:36)
_________________________
Brad B.

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#271817 - 11/12/2005 19:37 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
So, to be clear, as a conservative, you support laissez faire labor practices that include such things as unpaid, forced overtime and employees being locked inside the stores overnight? My opinion on the matter is that there are some things that cross political barriers and are just wrong.

Quote:
nucluar

Is it official Republican policy to include two "u"s in the word "nuclear" these days?
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#271818 - 11/12/2005 20:03 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: wfaulk]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
Quote:
So, to be clear, as a conservative, you support laissez faire labor practices that include such things as unpaid, forced overtime and employees being locked inside the stores overnight? My opinion on the matter is that there are some things that cross political barriers and are just wrong.


No, no, not at all. The stuff you list above is, AFAIK, illegal under current law. It should be dealt with when it happens. I just know that at my local Walmart, there are plenty of people, who I know personally, who love working there. I live in a major metropolitan area and workers have many choices on where to work. Local stores are not being put out of business by Walmart. The issues that you mentioned don't apply to my local store and to be honest, I think that many, but not all, of the people that protest Walmart are ignorant about the issues. They are jumping on the band wagon. So, to counter the people who's main motivation is anti-capitalism, I shop at Walmart once or twice a year (saving them from bankruptcy). If you're talking about human rights or employee rights abuses, I imagine the largest retailer in the world would have a few cases and they should be held accountable for it.

And to be clear, I don't consider anti-union policies to be anti labor. Toyota is doing it and both the company and the workers are benefiting from it. As I see my state of Michigan in 1st for unemployment, 50th in job growth and the only state in 2004 to have a net loss of jobs (and only given company in 2005 because Mississippi and Louisiana joined the list), mainly due to an unfriendly tax environment for business and the most heavily unionized workforce in the country, I don't sympathize with people who's main motivation is an anti-capitalist and pro-union mentality. Every year, we lose tenants at our buildings because companies are packing up and moving across the border to Ohio.

Quote:
Quote:
nucluar

Is it official Republican policy to include two "u"s in the word "nuclear" these days?


Hehe, I didn't think anyone caught that. I saw a t-shirt on a left wing web site that I thought was funny as hell. Something like "Okay, I give up!! It's NUCLUAR!"
_________________________
Brad B.

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#271819 - 11/12/2005 20:28 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
The interesting thing is that you've misspelled it even lf you're intending to affect our Parzident's mispronunciation.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#271820 - 11/12/2005 20:30 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Personally, I've never seen anyone working in a Wal-Mart who appeared to like their job at all, and they certainly don't have any pride in it. That's one of the things that lend it its "terrible place to shop" ambience. Of course, you can't claim that Wal-Mart necessarily engenders that attitude, but I imagine that there's a reason that that sort of person works there. My though is that other retailers are probably interested enough in, at the least, maintaining a professional image to their customers that those employees get fired pretty readily, whereas they stay at the Wal-Mart either because Wal-Mart doesn't care or Wal-Mart doesn't get better applicants, or both.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#271821 - 11/12/2005 20:37 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: wfaulk]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
Quote:
The interesting thing is that you've misspelled it even lf you're intending to affect our Parzident's mispronunciation.


I was wondering if I misspelled the misspelling, but I didn't know if there was such a thing as a "correct" misspelling.
_________________________
Brad B.

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#271822 - 11/12/2005 20:48 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Well, assuming that you're trying to spell phonetically, "nucular" or "nuculer" would make sense. You know, "newk-ya-ler". What you've spelled ("nucluar") is something like "new-clue-er". Of course, you both could use a new clue, so what am I complaining about?
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#271823 - 11/12/2005 20:56 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: wfaulk]
SE_Sport_Driver
carpal tunnel

Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
Sounds the same to me!
_________________________
Brad B.

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#271824 - 11/12/2005 20:57 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
Yeah. I remember that problem you had pronouncing "logorrhea". You dyslexic?
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#271825 - 11/12/2005 21:19 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: jimhogan]
DWallach
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/04/2000
Posts: 3810
I had to think for a while about what I'm boycotting. It's not very interesting to say that I'm boycotting caffeinated beverages. I'm just not drinking them any more. I don't shop at Wal-Mart, but there isn't one anywhere convenient for me and I'm certainly not driving out of my way to get there. I have no problem with Target, which seems like Wal-Mart Lite in many ways and, at the end of the day, is probably just as evil, in the sense of destroying the economy and all that.

I suppose you could say that I'm boycotting BMW, only in the sense that I'll never buy another one after the continuing mechanical problems exhibited by my current one and the dealers' complete inability to fix anything on the first try. More generally, if Consumer Reports doesn't "recommend" a car, I'll never buy it. I'm not sure how I'd feel if they recommended the new 3-series (which is, roughly, where I need to be shopping if/when I replace my Z3). I'd previously been boycotting any though of getting an automatic, slushbox transmission, but if I want a 3-series and I'm boycotting BMW, that tends to point toward the Lexus IS, where there's no manual offered with the beefy engine. Bastards.

You might even say that I'm boycotting RIAA-labeled music, but I've just been too damn busy to buy much of any music at all in the past year, which shocks me most of all, relative to my former hundreds-of-dollars-per-month habit. Maybe it's that I've already got more music than I know what to listen to (1200+ CDs and counting).

Probably the only true boycott: there's a private parking lot near the airport that I used to frequent because it offered reasonably priced car cleaning service. Leave your keys, let them know when you're getting back, and you get a shiny, clean car for about what you'd pay at any other car wash. Then they stole my radar detector and didn't give me the time of day. I now park at one of their competitors (and keep my keys to myself). They've probably lost over $1000 in parking fees, over the years since I stopped using them. Not that they'd notice...

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#271826 - 12/12/2005 01:35 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: jimhogan]
Ezekiel
pooh-bah

Registered: 25/08/2000
Posts: 2413
Loc: NH USA
The RIAA. 'Nuff said.

-Zeke
_________________________
WWFSMD?

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#271827 - 12/12/2005 03:22 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: Ezekiel]
JeffS
carpal tunnel

Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 2858
Loc: Atlanta, GA
Quote:
The RIAA. 'Nuff said.


Ah yes, I knew I was forgetting something. I haven't bought an RIAA CD in quite a while, mainly because of the letter they send to my very innocent coworker claiming she owed them $1.5 million. The fact that they left her alone after she got a lawyer doesn't make me much happier. I guess they just go after those who can't get a good defense.
_________________________
-Jeff
Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings; they did it by killing all those who opposed them.

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#271828 - 12/12/2005 12:27 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: JeffS]
MarkH
member

Registered: 06/04/2000
Posts: 158
Definitely Sony, and for a while now. Mostly because of their insistence on coming up with proprietary add-ons where perfectly good standards already exist, then gouging you for the parts (eg Memory Stick). Then a laptop I had that they refused to release W2k drivers for because they wanted you to buy a new laptop instead. Eventually I did - and guess which manufacturer didn't get on the shortlist ? And latterly because of the whole DRM nonsense from the music division.

I've actually heard a lot of people say this - that the music business idiocies are affecting their decisions in buying from the consumer electronics business. I've always been a big fan of their industrial design aesthetic, but now there are only two Sony items in my house, and both are low cost ones which will not be replaced by Sony units when they expire.

Mark

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#271829 - 12/12/2005 16:44 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: jimhogan]
tanstaafl.
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/07/1999
Posts: 5549
Loc: Ajijic, Mexico
what single company are you not patronizing for political reasons?


Geico insurance because of their agressive lobbying to make radar detectors illegal.

tanstaafl.
_________________________
"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch"

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#271830 - 12/12/2005 16:53 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: boxer]
tahir
pooh-bah

Registered: 27/02/2004
Posts: 1914
Loc: London
Quote:
Before that I was boycotting Comet for a "No Hassle" extended warranty, that was just the opposie.



Same problem here, shitbags

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#271831 - 12/12/2005 20:27 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: jimhogan]
schofiel
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/06/1999
Posts: 2993
Loc: Wareham, Dorset, UK
Nestle, for dumping contaminated milk powder on the starving in Africa, and getting paid for it on a UN/UNESCO supply contract, and their attitude after they were caught doing it.

Trouble is, in this country (yUK), they are quietly, and not so quietly, buying up all the major brands that I have previously enjoyed: to stick to my guns, I really have to grit my teeth sometimes - and sound like an ar****le for refusing chocolates when my friends offer them It gets easier if you think about the number of children with perforated bowels as a result of consuming the stuff (they didn't have much choice - their mothers gave it to them out of a bottle), and the number they killed, too.
_________________________
One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

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#271832 - 12/12/2005 20:32 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: FireFox31]
schofiel
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/06/1999
Posts: 2993
Loc: Wareham, Dorset, UK
Quote:
Their environmentally destructive history is unimaginable.


Remember the Exxon Valdeez? Not a drop of their petrol has been burnt in any of my cars since.

Vote with your (economic) feet
_________________________
One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

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#271833 - 12/12/2005 20:45 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: schofiel]
Cris
pooh-bah

Registered: 06/02/2002
Posts: 1904
Loc: Leeds, UK
For me it has to be De Beers. Through fantastic marketing they have convinced every woman in the western world that a man needs to buy you a diamond to show he loves you.

They hold such a tight hold on the mining of diamonds people at the bottom are left in poverty, while De Beers themselves hold huge stocks in reserve to restrict supply of larger stones, so increasing the price.

Straight fact: I will never buy a De Beers diamond. If I am to buy a diamond I will need proof of it origin first!

Cheers

Cris.

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#271834 - 12/12/2005 20:53 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: Cris]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
I loved their "We're out of big diamonds? Well, it's all about total carat weight of tiny diamonds" about-face, too.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk

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#271835 - 12/12/2005 21:03 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: schofiel]
BAKup
addict

Registered: 11/11/2001
Posts: 552
Loc: Houston, TX
Quote:
Remember the Exxon Valdeez? Not a drop of their petrol has been burnt in any of my cars since.

Vote with your (economic) feet


Yes, I still remember, and I'll never fill up at an Exxon/Mobile station ever.

Don't forget, on the fiscal quarter that Katrina and Rita blew through a whole bunch of oil production in TX and LA, Exxon had made a record $10B profit. Gee, no price gouging, or anything like that going on...
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--Ben
78GB MkIIa, Dead tuner.

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#271836 - 14/12/2005 03:00 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: MarkH]
FireFox31
pooh-bah

Registered: 19/09/2002
Posts: 2494
Loc: East Coast, USA
Quote:
Definitely Sony

They are my close close second to Exxon / Mobile. Slapping a Memory Stick slot on every device isn't useful, it's pathetic, showing desperation in the face of popular flash memory and trying to further entrench their customer base. The last Sony product that I've owned (and didn't even buy) was an old 80's Walkman. Pah, "Sony Style", you've got nothing on Apple.

Quote:
Valdeez

I was an impressionable youth when that story broke. Seeing such widespread destruction of helpless animals and ecosystems makes me sad and furious to this day.

Come to think of it, I should probably not engage in any Exxon / Mobile sponsored events or frequent their owned buildings. I've probably been going to the "Exxon / Mobile Opera House" without even knowing it.
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FireFox31
110gig MKIIa (30+80), Eutronix lights, 32 meg stacked RAM, Filener orange gel lens, Greenlights Lit Buttons green set

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#271837 - 14/12/2005 03:21 Re: Poll: Boycott Fiat! [Re: FireFox31]
gbeer
carpal tunnel

Registered: 17/12/2000
Posts: 2665
Loc: Manteca, California
Oh what a delimma. Imagine the Super Bowl being, Exxon's Superbowl xxxieeee!
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Glenn

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