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Talk It Out:
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"We live in a capitalist society that is highly consumer-driven. Boycotting is really the only way an individual can send a clear message that a decision made at the corporate level violates a particular customer's values. We all have choices and no store is indispensable! This is the American way. If a store does not meet our needs, we will find one that does. This is especially true over the last few years when so many companies have used highly sexual advertising to sell clothing to minors. It is indeed difficult because so many companies have more or less 'jumped on the bandwagon.' A real boycott is only effective if you notify the company that you are no longer shopping with them and give a reason. Shopping at 'big box' stores can be deceiving
on price. I would suggest 'secondary markets' such as thrift
stores, antique shops, discounters and some drug stores
often have good deals on many items. I have purchased vitamins
at drug stores early in January when there are many sales. I
usually stock up at this time." ~ Janice "I have boycotted this
same retailer for one year as of this month. I do not miss it
one bit! I find everything I need at my local
grocery/hardware/drug stores just fine. I
decided to do this because of the way the company treats their
employees. I have never worked for them, but I did work
for several years for the largest greeting card company in the
US, who has the card/party departments in all these stores. I
became acquainted with a number of their employees and saw the
everyday behind the scenes happenings at several of their
stores in my area, which convinced me to never spend another
dime of my money at that chain again. Sometimes
you just have to speak up about what you think is
wrong and take action." ~ Janice "Yes,
I joined a company called Quixtar because of their high morals. Not only do they deliver my
purchases to my house, but I also get money back at the end of
the month if I spend a certain amount. Anyway, I hope that
helps." ~
Anonymous "I, too, am not shopping at
this large retailer. I have been doing most of my shopping at
Winn Dixie, Dollar General, and Fred's. Big Lots also has
good prices on groceries. I like to shop there because
they have unusual food products as well as common ones.
Dollar General has really good prices on drugs, as does Fred's.
We also have 2 bulk suppliers here for restaurants that are open
to the public. You have to watch their prices, because it
can sometimes be cheaper at the dollar stores, but overall they
have good prices. Oh, we have an independent grocer that I
recently went to, and noticed a lot of their prices were cheaper
than the national store." ~ Beverly Grace "I am
not sure I have any additional tips for Sue, but she can know that
she is not alone in this stand. Almost a year ago, my
husband and I decided to boycott 2 of the major retailers for
similar reasons. I can honestly say that I have not missed them as
much as I thought I would and that our budget has not suffered.
That said, it takes some work. I watch for sales and stock up on
various items, clip coupons and use cheaper brands (usually store
brands). Also, this has forced me to really think about my
purchases. Do I need the item? If so, how much do I need? I
honestly think I buy less than I did. Certainly not going to a
large store where I can find it all cuts down on impulse shopping
and those extras that end up in the cart. That has been a
blessing. Our biggest challenge has been with clothing items. We
purchased socks, underwear, jeans etc. there and the prices are
much cheaper than other retailers. But again, we have approached
this in a similar way: watching for sales and discount coupons
etc. Sue wondered what her responsibility as a Christian is
concerning these retailers and how they spend her money. I believe
that is something each husband and wife have to decide for
themselves. I certainly encourage anyone who is wondering
about this to pray and let the Lord lead. My husband and I
felt God was calling us to be better stewards of His money in
several ways and one was to not support businesses that promoted
or supported certain causes. I am also sure that a portion of the
money we spend still goes to things we wouldn't personally
support. It is impossible for us to know where all of our
money goes once it has been spent. But like Sue and her husband,
we are dealing with what we do know." ~ Barb "I have made the decision to boycott stores and manufacturers when their business practices/choices have clashed with my own. The first thing I do is to contact that company so they know that I am taking my business elsewhere. (They are so big that they won't notice my money going elsewhere, but the advance notice may affect future decisions -- I hope.) I have purchased vehicles that I wouldn't normally consider, and did so due to the fact that my normal manufacturer had gone 'anti-traditional family.' That has turned out to be a great decision as my car gets twice (44 vs 23) the miles-per-gallon of my old car. I have
taken some of my 'major retailer' business to local merchants. I
have just started getting my vitamins at Aldi's (the % look
good). I'm going to the major retailer's biggest competitor for
many of my other needs, including prescriptions. Am I saving as
much? Maybe. I find myself doing less impulse buying. However,
even if I am spending a little more, I am showing my children
that morality and values are worth more than a few dollars."
~ Diana in Batavia, NY "The big retailer Sue is boycotting is one of the worst places to shop. They don't pay their clerks a living wage and in some states they have to sign up for benefits from welfare. Cheapest isn't always best, when you figure out who isn't being paid enough for working." ~ Martha "We, too,
have decided to boycott this large corporation. There have
been times in the past where we have chosen to not shop at
other stores until something has changed as well. This is just
something that we feel that we must do. Normally, I'm not much
into boycotting because I don't feel like my small
contribution amounts to much. But in this case, a decent sum
of money goes out each month, and we will be spending it
elsewhere. (And there is more than one reason for us to decide
to boycott.) In our town, we only have one large grocery
store, a small discount grocery store and a supercenter for
this corporation. This is what we're doing. Once a week, I
drive to another town for church and on a different day we
drive into that town to clean our church. So I shop at other
department stores when I'm out. I'm watching the sales closely
and have decided to buy a little extra if there is a good
sale, because I will not have the convenience of just stopping
in to the local store. You know what? It allows me to think
through purchases and keeps me from making unnecessary trips
to the store. I didn't spend any more this month on things
that I would have spent at the boycotted store because of
careful planning. It CAN be done, and if it's something
important to you, there's a way to get around the convenience
of things." ~ Leslie " I,
too, have decided to boycott one of the nation's largest
discount retailers lately due to some corporate decisions
they have made recently. And this decision was hard for me.
I did a large part of my grocery and miscellaneous shopping
there because this chain is so much cheaper than other
retailers. But I know that God will honor my decision and
will provide either the resources to pay more for my
groceries, or the best sale prices at the other stores, or
He will give me the blessing of more creativity to do my
shopping without resorting to shopping at that particular
chain. I don't know if that will help your reader but
I wanted to share my feelings on boycotting." ~ Terri "Hooray for her for taking a stand. I started boycotting a major discount chain for political reasons a couple of years ago. It wasn't as painful as I thought! Are groceries a little more expensive? Yes, but I don't make as many impulse purchases. It's very convenient to go to one store for everything, but I actually find myself 'making do' or doing without more and I've discovered I don't really need a lot of things I thought I had to have. Staying out of the big chain store actually saves me money." ~ Cindy
Editor's Note: Thanks to these subscribers for taking the time to respond. |
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