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Boycott a Product ?

It's funny actually. I've not bought a Gillette product since the mid 90's. I stopped using their products way back then because of their animal testing practices. And I have no intention of ever giving that company another cent.

Feather, Persona and artisan razors / soaps / splashes are where my business goes.

Voskhod? I don't buy them because the are easily the WORST blade I've ever tried. Has nothing to do with Russia... Just my own pain and suffering.
 
I think that states you don't agree with companies marketing :) also I never claimd you are saying that for the whole brand, I was just interested what you dislike about marketing of the products you listed

So if a soap had Jesus on the label you would buy it?

Probably not!
 
I don't really give a hoot about Gillette's marketing thing ("toxic masculinity" or whatever). Doesn't bother me one tiny bit.

On the other hand, since I use a Feather SS shavette and AC blades manufactured in Japan, quite by accident Gillette doesn't get any of my money!
 
I was disheartened to find out last year, when I read a biography, that King Gillette was a rabid socialist. He dreamed of building a socialist utopia. Anyway, all of my Gillette razors were purchased second hand, so they got their cut from those razors long ago.
 
You mentioned Russia and someone else mentioned China. If I boycotted products from both countries, a lot of my favourite shaving gear would be unavailable to me. My two favourite razors (a Slim and a Tech) also happen to be made by Gillette, a company for which many people have an intense dislike bordering on hatred.

If I stopped using all of those products, I'd probably stop shaving altogether. Doesn't seem reasonable. Then again, maybe that marks me as a hypocrite somehow? I'd have to examine my values more closely to see if the objections raised by anybody in this thread actually bother me enough to change my buying habits.
I was just using Russia as an example. You would have to pry my Voskhod blades from my cold dead fingers.
 
As far As I know, Russia isnt a communist country anymore. All the blades I use are made in Russia.never used any Chinese blades. I won't buy anything made in Turkey. As far as older Gillette products, I'm still using mine. I bought them all second hand and by doing so supported the local antique store or etsy seller or what have you. My money didn't go to Gillette with the vintage stuff, and I'm not about to melt them down in protest! 😂 I quit buying their new products long ago. Except for the blades made in Russia. I'm both really boycotting them. I just have no use for their current products. I made that decision a few decades ago
 
My approach is somewhat ad hoc. There is a global shoe manufacturer that will never get my business. Same with that big box sporting goods store. Me not buying their goods will not hurt them financially but they are not something I want anything to do with. There is a housing contractor who took advantage of my neighbors twice and when someone asks I actively tell them to avoid him. Then I give them the names of reputable contractors.

As for shaving gear I avoid entire companies that give their products provocative names or that employ double entendre with names. The intent is for the names to be memorable, got it. But for me it reflects poorly on the entire brand and gives a consumer insight into choices the owner makes. The market for shaving gear is crowded and a bizarre name is likely an attempt to stand out among the crowd rather than letting product performance speak for itself.

Reminds me of what a neighbor said to me years ago. He was a pastor at a local church. He said he can't put a political sign in his yard because he knows it will offend half of the congregation. So if you are taking a political stance as a company or naming a shaving product do you really want to risk offending even a small percentage of possible customers? At first glance you would think not and yet... They either value the stance or provocative name more OR it may be the stance and provocative name gain them customers because of the stance or name. If that is the case, sadly it is a commentary on our culture.
 
Absolutely! I've been waiting for one of one these threads. Crony corporations virtue signalling to appease the minority that don't even buy their products, trying to hop on that "woke capitalism" bandwagon. Take Gillette for example and their bigoted marketing towards the one consumer who made them who they are today.
 
As for shaving gear I avoid entire companies that give their products provocative names or that employ double entendre with names. The intent is for the names to be memorable, got it. But for me it reflects poorly on the entire brand and gives a consumer insight into choices the owner makes. The market for shaving gear is crowded and a bizarre name is likely an attempt to stand out among the crowd rather than letting product performance speak for itself.
I had never given that any thought before, but I have a grandson who will be shaving in about 10 years. He'll be bombarded enough in the media with sordid imagery and stories, he won't need it from his shaving gear. And, of course, when I was young and the internet was only an idea in Pete Townshend's mind, shaving gear had very traditional names.
 
There IS one specific shaving related company i don’t buy from out if principle. To me, in small business things are much more personal and when people blatantly attempt to deceive a small community that has supported them it’s much more onerous than a corporation. Corporations have so many people involved and so many moving parts it’s nearly impossible to hold them accountable when they make a bad decision (i say nearly, but don’t mean never.) I equate it to how you feel when a friend or family member does something against you vs someone you’ve never met. One stings worse. Hence, i’d be far more inclined to boycott a small business vs a corporation.
 
I always presume there are a lot of different moral, political, and religious beliefs held by the employees of any large business or public corporation. So I largely ignore what the CEO or marketing department is up to in regards to brand management. But of course I have a bias towards doing business with a company/person that I like and respect.
 
Yes and no.
I found the Gillette ad campaign refreshing and I wasn’t offended in the least. Yet it’s not like I bought more of their products.
I suppose if a soap company did something awful I could find a replacement quick enough. I have no allegiance to any company and I’m not quickly swayed to pay more for decent behavior especially when it’s part of propaganda designed to take my money aka an ad campaign.
 
You mentioned Russia and someone else mentioned China. If I boycotted products from both countries, a lot of my favourite shaving gear would be unavailable to me. My two favourite razors (a Slim and a Tech) also happen to be made by Gillette, a company for which many people have an intense dislike bordering on hatred.

If I stopped using all of those products, I'd probably stop shaving altogether. Doesn't seem reasonable. Then again, maybe that marks me as a hypocrite somehow? I'd have to examine my values more closely to see if the objections raised by anybody in this thread actually bother me enough to change my buying habits.
Nicely put!

Eric; M, Karve Diem, BOSC
 
It would depend. If it was very much the company or if it was due to some few individuals speaking out against a company. If the company is at fault.ie bad worker conditions / child labor or voicing their views about politics or individuals rights or trying to get people to dislike a particular group of people then maybe... But if its just a few closed minded or power hungry individuals trying to get the masses to not use a product or company then probably not because as people we are able to make our own decisions and dont need to be herded away from or towards anything. We dont need to be told how to think and i think just because one person doesnt like someone doesnt mean i have to be the same way. The same person or company that a small group doesnt like i on the other hand may think they are great. We all need to decide for ourself and not be told how to think.
This!

Eric; M, Karve Diem, BOSC
 

FarmerTan

"Self appointed king of Arkoland"
In all honesty, I am sure that my mutual funds are tied up with some companies that would insult my beliefs, and they are probably based in countries that I philosophically don't agree with.

So I'm either a hypocrite (very likely) or just plain lazy (again, very likely) when I admit that I will probably do nothing to change my behavior.

I will NEVER buy a new General Motors vehicle, though my father retired from that company, and I could get his discount, because of how he was treated with respect to a work place injury.

BUT.... my hypocrisy shines through in the fact that I have two Buicks in the driveway that I bought used from private owners.

Man is a rationalizing animal, not a rational one.
 

FarmerTan

"Self appointed king of Arkoland"
You all, I apologise for my ramblings.... I saw that Mr Rogers movie today and it affected me deeply, so I'm chewing on my melancholy while I'm enjoying my insomnia. Thanks for putting up with me my friends. I'll probably start a thread about the movie when I've gotten a little deeper into the examination of my soul...
 
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