Would you boycot a store?

pplwatching

Full grown man
Joined
Jul 4, 2003
Posts
2,353
I have a dilemma and would like to hear other people's thoughts. I frequent a particular local small business. I like the owners, their products, and their staff. I have always wanted them to succeed. I've recommended the store to friends, and have even payed a premium for a product in their store rather than purchasing it at a discount at a “big chain” down the street.

I have friends with whom I disagree on any number of topics, but we respect each other and our views. I have always respected people's positions, even when they are opposites of mine. Businesses are a different matter. I feel like every time I hand a store my cash, I am casting a vote for the business and what it's “corporate culture” stands for. I know people boycott Wal Mart and oil companies because they disagree with company practices, so I'm not alone.

The small business in question has publicly taken a stance on a somewhat polarizing issue. The issue has nothing to do with their products and services. It's political. The owners have (IMHO) decided to use their business as a mouthpiece for their personal views, including e-mailing everyone on their mailing list.

My dilemma is that I am a very loyal person, to a fault. I now feel like if I make a purchase at this store I am endorsing the store's position on the issue. I still feel a perhaps misguided loyalty to the owners, but I can't endorse their position on the issue. It's something that I feel strongly about.

The owners have always held these views. I think that patronizing their business was proof that I respected them as individuals and their right to their own views, anyway. Now I feel like they've publicly come out against those of us who disagree with them. Maybe I was naive to expect business to be separate from their personal politics in the first place. Either way, I feel somewhat betrayed.

I don't want to say what the issue is, their position, or mine because I don't want replies to be a debate about the issue. Since we're all anonymous here, I'd like to know if you vote with your wallet? Would you boycott a store who publicly took a position that you disagreed with? Would your personal relationship with the owners make any difference?

Thoughts?

Gooble Gobble
 
Fuck 'um.

They can have all the opions they want and still have you as a customer. Their business is separate from themselves. But now the business is essentially saying things you disagree with itself. The business is taking a political stance. Your way to take the opposite stance is to stop patronizing that business. Without you (and half of it's other customers) that business dies and their offending position is silenced.

Putting your business on either side of a controversial issue...always stupid.
 
Yes I would, especially if the store takes a public stance on polarizing political and religious issues which can lead to their saying they will serve only certain people or a certain group has to pay more than others. This is not good business. If a business owner can't separate his/her political or religious beliefs from their business, they need to do a reality check. My dad had his own business where customers came from all walks of life. He never turned anyone away, even the neighborhood madam and her "girls". As the business was health related, my dad didn't believe in turning anyone away, even if they didn't have enough money.
 
You "vote" with your money, continuing to shop at their establishment essentially endorses them, their practices, their beliefs, etc.

I will not shop at Walmart because I find the business practices of the founding family and the corporation to be reprehensible, not to mention having to deal the general patrons and employees of the place. Home Depot is another I avoid for many of the same reasons.

Everyone has the right to their opinion, what they don't have is the right to shove it down the throats of everyone else. I don't care what race, color, creed, sexual persuasion, or political party you aspire to, keep that shit to yourself. If you must share it, share it with individuals you are certain share your perspectives, otherwise shut the hell up and leave the rest of us in peace.
 
I have voted with my wallet, not only personally, but in a professional / business capacity as well. Absolutely. When a company or corporation take a position that favors a side in an issue, and voices this publicly, they can't be surprised when there is a decline in business from those with an opposing view. They probably also see (although probably slighter) some increase as business may be gained from those with a common position.

Oddly, I have been declined service in a business because I did not agree with a view expressed by the business and sign a petition presented to me when I entered. They told me to take my business elsewhere.

Both cases were political / social issues, and not religious.
 
I would definitely boycott the business if the issue is something I don't support. The owners have chosen to go public with their views. They had to have calculated the risk and knew they would be losing some customers. I wouldn't feel guilty.
 
Make sure you tell them.

You don't have a problem with them having opinions different than yours, but when the non-business stuff showed up in the e-mail, they pushed the old business relationship well past products and services.

Your decision to boycott has nothing to do with business per se. Preaching their personal opinion via the business relationship destroyed it.

So, your boycott is two fold:

First, they shouldn't impose personal opinions on customers.

Second, you disagree with their opinion.
 
Yes, I would, if it were an issue I felt strongly enough about.

However, it is useless unless the business knows the reason you are boycotting their product/service. Just not buying or going there unless they receive a letter stating: "I will not buy your product because your company's stance on XYZ is personally and morally offensive to me".

If a company got enough of those letters, then changes might happen. Random people just not buying their stuff or coming into the business without telling them the reason...I don't think that would do much.
 
I do it all the time. If businesses want to make things political, then they deserve the fallout.
 
Business and politics dont mix well. And, generally speaking, the middle class (business owners and professional services) dislike controversy, and avoid it.

WALMART prolly employs more homosexuals in management positions than any corporation I know of. I worked for WALMART on one occasion, and while theyre assholes to work for, most of the managers were Gay or lesbian. It didnt make them pleasant to work for, cuz theyre as self absorbed as anyone, but they werent discriminated againt AND the store had some cross dressers working there. The state wont hire cross dressers.
 
Thank you all, for all of your replies.

I guess where I get hung up is on the 'friendship' and 'personal loyalty part of the equation. It's not easy for me to let personal relationships go.

I don't really want to wade into the political fray, but I suppose I should write something if for no other reason than I do like them as individuals and want them to succeed.

Thanks

Yes, I would, if it were an issue I felt strongly enough about.

However, it is useless unless the business knows the reason you are boycotting their product/service. Just not buying or going there unless they receive a letter stating: "I will not buy your product because your company's stance on XYZ is personally and morally offensive to me".

If a company got enough of those letters, then changes might happen. Random people just not buying their stuff or coming into the business without telling them the reason...I don't think that would do much.
 
I can't say that I've ever boycotted a store based on political agenda or anything like that. Not to say that I wouldn't, but I just haven't.

For me, I respect the right of the business owner to do and choose as they believe. Also, the right of the consumer to take their dollars elsewhere, for whatever reason. So, if one's personal beliefs were just that, personal beliefs, then I'd probably not think twice if I disagreed with them, unless I'm funding something like some pedo ring or something. But if the person was using their business to promote their agenda, I would be far more likely to do boycott. Even if it is something I agree with, I still would be out off. I hate when companies mix business and politics anyway, but that's another issue.

Just one thing to consider though... Back when that awful BP spill occurred, people were boycotting BP gas stations like crazy. I remember in my city, several shops nearing closure because of it. It was kind of sad because these were just families that had an honest business and were SEVERELY hurt by the poor judgment of higher ups. And I'm not saying that to sway one way or the other, just an oft overlooked consideration.

For me, though, if they used my email address to email me their political bullshit, I would boycott. Regardless of the stance. I buy stuff from a business, not advice on how to vote.

It makes me think of Whole Foods here in the US. That store is frequented more by hippie type people than not. It's a great store and I shop there too sometimes, for certain things I cannot get elsewhere like fine cheeses and the like. However, it appeals more to naturalist and free range type people. And people with disposable income because their prices are so damned outrageous. Anyway, it came out that the owner of the store was a Republican and all the hippies started freaking out and boycotting. Then the conservatives did the opposite and started buycotting and shopping there. The owner wasn't going around touting his agenda, it just sort of came out, if I recall. I didn't really care one way or the other, but it was funny to watch both sides freak out over it. But I'm pretty sure it all died down and the conservatives went back to Piggly Wiggly and liberals went back to Whole Foods. They can't so no to some free range tofu. And conservatives can't say no to BOGO Pork Rinds.
 
I would most certainly stop shopping there. The last thing I want to do is help fund the opposition's lobbying effort. If they are using their business as a soapbox, you can bet that they pay dues to organizations you wouldn't like or maybe even give money and other support to candidates you don't want. You're not going to change their mind by telling them why. Just stop showing up and buying.

If you are not on my side of the issue, ignore the above. They are just people trying to make a living. :D
 
i routinely boycott any store or business that attempts to infringe upon my 2nd amendment rights. they get a polite card left on the counter explaining why they'll not see me again and me and my legally carried and concealed gun leave with my pocketful of cash. their loss not mine!
 
YOU can

also leave a comment on YELP....

Personally I have mixed feelings about YELP... some people abuse it..
 
Why wouldn't you boycott a store.
I've stopped shopping at stores who have treated me poorly.
As you said you vote with your dollars, I do too.

If the are using their business as a political platform than they are setting themselves up for people to stop shopping there.

That said If I knew that the owners political view point was different from mine but they didn't advertise the fact then I would continue to shop there. After all I have lots of friends a neighbors with different view points of mine and I still like them.
 
The politics dont bother me but the awful service does and the shoddy wares annoy me.
 
pplwatching quoth:
the owners have always held these views. i think that patronizing their business was proof that i respected them as individuals and their right to their own views, anyway. now i feel like they've publicly come out against those of us who disagree with them. maybe i was naive to expect business to be separate from their personal politics in the first place.
i think you should ask if they support that cause with profits from the business as a charitable donation. by stating their support so clearly they invite that kind of question. if they're squirrely about it, hold their feet to the fire. right now, it doesn't sound like you know for certain one way or the other.

pplwatching quoth:
either way, i feel somewhat betrayed.
they would likely say the same of you, FWIW.

ed
 
A good friend pointed out that while boycotting sends a strong message, it also closes the door on any dialogue and any hope of change. I've taken her advice and approached the owners in a way that I hope will foster a mutual sharing of views in a continued relationship. Who knows, it might even bring about change. Time will tell.

Thanks for the thoughtful replies everyone.
 
Since you say that you are a loyal customer, would it be safe to say that the staff, including the owners, would know you as such? If that is the case you might be able to go to the owners and state that while you respect their right to their own opinion you want them to respect that you have the same right. I would give them at least a few weeks, about a month, and if they are still pushing their opinion in your face then I would boycott them.
 
iv not been back to a BP since the spill.

not been back to Chick fila (only ate their once before, so that one is easy)

trying really hard to avoid hobby lobby but they are the only local source for some stuff, so far im winning that one.
 
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