A bit of an ethics question just to see what people do & think.
Lets say that you go to Bob Carpets. You have been looking e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e for new carpet for your dining room. FINALLY Bob has exactly the carpet you want. You take a sample home and DAMN that carpet is just awesome. Better Homes & Gardens is already calling you for a photo shoot. Excitedly, you go to return the sample and place an order. However, upon going in, you notice a sign in the window that states: "We support cause X". Now you are a stout supporter AGAINST cause X. Do you still buy carpet from Bob?
Now the cause could be anything from national, local, religious, etc.
My thought as a business owner is why would you openly support a cause that could hurt your business? I tried not to as not to support nor discriminate against anyone, but didn't think until recently about how supporting a cause could hurt your business.
Thoughts?
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
I suppose it depends on how strongly I feel about "cause X."
As you say, if I were a "stout" supporter of the opposite viewpoint, I would look elsewhere for carpet. There are several stores I refuse to enter because of their religious or political viewpoints.
I would also write them a strong, but kindly worded, letter explaining I would have spent $x but feel I cannot support a business that supports such a cause.
But that's just me . . . .
My family has not entered a Target store since we found out they would not let the Salvation Army bell ringers in front of their stores, nor any scouting group.
To answer the question why, sometimes it is a cause you really believe in or thinks needs more help or outlets for help than other causes. Sometimes it is to target a specific demographic for a short time to gain a new customer base. Most disgruntled consumers have short memories and will return to a business they are mad at in the future. Look how many union members that still continue to shop at Walmart.
Why a business owner would shoot himself in the foot like that is beyond me. However...
Several months ago, I thought about joining "Curves"...the gym for fat ladies? I did a little investigating and discovered that the head honcho was a staunch supporter (and big-bucks contributor) of the anti-abortion movement.
I didn't buy a membership because of that.
Ooook. I didn't buy a membership mainly because I'm lazy. But that was a close 'second' reason.
I think making shopping decisions on such matters is, at best, a dicey proposition.
Let's say you are making a purchase where a salesman makes a serious commission. (A car, perhaps) Before you make that purchase, do you check the salesmen's car for bumper stickers advocating a certain position? Do you comb the donation records of charities you disagree with looking for the salesmen's name? To what length do you go to avoid inadvertantly supporting a cause you disagree with?
In your example, Bob Carpets chooses to put a sign in the window supporting Cause X. What if his competitors also support Cause X, but to a greater extent, but just don't put a sign in the window? What if the folks at Fred Carpets support Cause X, are members of NAMBLA, the neo-Nazi party and the Society Encouraging Cruelty to Animals? You sure showed Bob by taking your business across town!
If it makes somone feel better to avoid a business, then they should do it. Taking a stand against what you perceive to be wrong is a wonderful right we enjoy in America.
But if you don't go to a store because they support cause X, ask yourself, how can you be sure that every other place you go to isn't also supporting cause X?
I too think it's fool hearty for a business to alienate some customers by actively supporting a controversial cause. However I do support the right of any private sector business to do so. I personally would buy elsewhere in the scenario you've given, even at a greater expense.
On a side note ref: Brad Carter’s comment, I frequent Target and support their decision not to allow anyone to solicit on their premises. While I believe the Salvation Army is a fantastic organization (Target donates to them, as well as American Red Cross, St. Jude, and Sally Ann), I think Boy Scouts are a discriminatory organization (no gays or atheists), so who should decide who is allowed to solicit? Obviously the business owner and I respect Targets choice to not allow any and avoid the chance of alienating any customer. I also respect Brad’s choice to not shop at Target.
None of it matters to me. If it is the best deal, that's where I will shop. Bottom line is that I will do what's best for myself and my family before I look toward social issues.
Hope the Democrats don't hear about that. They'll revoke my Liberal Card!
I'd walk. What Bob wants to do with the profits from your great carpet on his own time and with his own name is great. I don't want cause x thrown in my face when I go to Bob's, even if I agree with it or not. Plus, you can get almost any product or service anywhere else. Then get them to price match.
I actually love Target because of their policy. While they don't let the Salvation Army solicit money, they don't let ANYONE solicit. It's even across the board. A lot of people like the Salvation Army, but some might not. What happens when the let the Salvation Army start soliciting and then they let PETA or some Gay rights organization start? Then we it would be on the news and our email boxes would be full of "Ban Target" messages because of it.
I've always told my wife, if we had a store front, every election I would put up a sign that says "Please Vote on x Day". I don't care what causes my customers believe in or how they vote. I just want them to spend their money with my business. With that, they probably don't care how I vote or what causes I believe in, they just want my product or service.
Post a Comment