Forum Post: mass american boycotts threaten the market at the start of shopping season
Posted 10 years ago on Nov. 15, 2014, 12:30 a.m. EST by elf3
(4203)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
This week as boycotts began to spread around the nation ...a vast majority of americans vow to this spend this holiday with family, limiting the celebration to a low key meal and no gifts. News of the boycott spread quickly this week after JP Morgan paid the largest fine yet for its swindling of the markets. In response millions have closed out their 401ks and are limiting purchases to basic goods as most would say to send a message to Washington that the American people are too big to fail. As a result the markets are sledding down hill faster than we have ever perhaps seen. Asone boycotter said " we hoped it wouldn't come to this but it seems we had no choice...monopolies are dominating consumers and employees ...Consumer choice has been limited by monopolies and inflated prices. If you need to run out for something ...what are the odds it will be made in US or that a small indie store will carry it? Certainly we must redefine necessities but it is sad we have to squash commerce to prevent putting our money into entities who seek to control the citizenry. Corporations are fundamentally shifting our traditions , our values and culture, and our democracy. The reason ws is allowed to ravage pensions and destroy jobs is because government has created laws that actually make this a requirement and duty to keep shareholders satisfied at any means including workers ( of course pressured by k street to legislate the non importance of citizens who work for major traded companies) At a time when people are hurting wallstreet is inundating us with ads and flash parading themselves like whores, they still want us to give them our money after repeatedly bashing us in the face - they are pretending we are friends. " And say many it is time to change that... proposing monopolies are simply too powerful and as demonstrated with the massive boycott: looks like the people have reached their limit and the proverbial angel aka protest has got its wings back. Back to you Jim.
Imagine?
Every year the opportunity comes around again for Americans to STOP responding to the advertising blitzkreig and just refuse to spend.I get my hopes up every year that people will just reject the madness.Every year substantial numbers of Americans go out on the Zombie Spree,credit cards at the ready.Walmart sales are in a persistent slump-that has got to be a good sign.Really-people need to STOP buying new cars.If TPTB could experience what it's like to sell not even one single new car,they might notice that something is amiss.As it is,nobody even knows wtf to do with the huge number of cars and trucks that are still sitting in dealerships across the country right now.There is really no place for those cars to go in order to make way for the next model year.Even with all the subprime loans they are putting out.I should go to a dealer and see if they offer me a loan.Let's see-credit rating 50 or more points below average-check.Income less than 1,000 usd per month-check.No drivers license or auto insurance history-check.Roger Wilco-getting a Car-LOLLOLLOL!
They don't want people to buy cars they want us to rent/ lease them like a subscription...by jacking up prices they have forced many into ten year loans so by the time it is paid off the car is at its end. Banks win...dealers get by...and the buyers suffer. 16,000 for the cheapest models ...they advertise 12,000 cars but when you go to the dealership they tell you they aren't available any longer. Legal bait and switch ...they had a couple but sold them to relatives or friends and continue to advertise their existence even though they sold before they hit the lot. They claim they are in process of removing the ad. Never lend through the dealer since their finance department lies about the interest rate you qualified for. Whatever they are able to tack on the finance manager takes as his commission. They legally have to tell you the lowest possible rate if you ask ...yeah if you can prove it, pay a lawyer, and somehow obtain the records. The states do their part ti ensure your old car fails inspection ...so you have to get a new car or pay thousands to fix whatever glitch or emissions they deem unfit. This is the state working for private companies to profit. Corporate trucks don't have to meet the strict standards private owners do. Tractor trailers and large trucks are far more dangerous than a small 4 door and emit far more pollution...but it isn't about that...its about tipping things in favor of corpirate citizens over the real living kind. The scales are rigged. Of course you can always walk 30 miles to work ...or take 6 buses, a train, and a bike hoping they aren't ate ir meet the schedule.
Boycotting Big business is my standard Modus Operandi. I'm the poster boy for a non-responsive consumer who is immune to marketing and sales tactics.
I always try to be the worst consumer possible. At least towards big corporate entities. No more frivolous purchases. I now buy a product, use it, then take it back(what can I say, I have extremely high standards. If the product doesn't walk on water, I'm returning it).
At the grocery store I usually never use self check-out, unless I buy heirloom tomatoes so i can input the cheap Roma's instead(I'm not a qualified produce expert, so I'm prone to frequent errors. Errors always in my favor. If it is that important for the store to have accurate check-outs, they should hire more professional employees. Not ask untrained customers to do their work!)
I used to return the shopping carts, but now leave them at my vehicle. That way the store needs to use more workers for cart retrieval.
When I eat out, I go to small independent places, not big franchises.
I try to always drag my feet being a consumer for big Wall st businesses, and instead support Main st businesses,
I will vote Serfing usa for president 2016!!!
elf, don't you remember? I nominated you for President 2016 two weeks ago. Turbo is your VP!!!
"President elf" has a nice ring to it. 😆 The 1% better watch out. Finally we'll experience REAL Hope and Change.
Elf is wicked cool! Turbo, too!
Two people that stand up for their convictions, and act on their convictions. Passionate about what they believe in and never let their feathers get ruffled. Stellar qualities.
I'd get behind an Elf3/Turbo ballot any day!
Me too...I may be on a non consumer watch list I'm sure...pretty soon they won't let me not fly. They really are asking for the " check out oopsie" I'm usually a good little dube but fuck em! I used to avoid these until they got rid of all the cashiers but the very slow methodical one, who might be a partial volunteer supplemented by the state...and the line starts somewhere in china. And henceforth my carriage will sit at the ass end of the lot. I may even grab an extra one to push out there.
Remember also to not ever use those self serve check out lanes when you do shop. That way the check out clerks can keep their jobs ( and the store bought a lot of expensive check out equipment for nothing.
This is one of the best comments I've ever read. I'm also hell-bent on spending my money down or across instead of up. I also minimizize my support of big business.
I go years at a time with no visits to Wal-Mart, I support their struggling competitor K-Mart instead, I stopped buying new movies, CDs, video games and unnecessary electronic gadgets years ago (except for a cheap digital camera and a couple handheld games for my 81 year old stepdad), I rarely use credit cards, I never use self checkout, I always demand live operators, I return the entire meal for a refund if I get old or cold fries and I've posted simple strategies to settle out of court for $10,000 for wrongful termination from McDonald's or their piece of shit tax avoiding competitor in order to punish them for serving their GARBAGE to paying customers.
Many of my choices are similar to yours and for EXACTLY the same reasons. I've been making it crystal clear for years all over this site and the rest of the web.
So why did you make that condescending comment on my RB page as if I think simply voting Democrat is 'the answer'?
you support k-mart- great - support struggling corporations not successful ones. creating competition between mega corporations! maybe that should be the one demand of ows! and voting democrat is the answer - wow - i first have to wonder what is the question then? do you realize that the democratic party has had almost total control of both houses of congress since 1931. they had total control of both houses during the kennedy years when the tax cuts for the rich started. that was the beginning of the era of wealth inequality that you (rightly) complain about. you need to do some thinking here - can you? and look at what we just watched - 2008 an obama landslide - 80% approval and both houses - and what did that get us?? the aca - is that what you want to hang your hat on - the heritage foundation, mitt romney health care plan - or maybe you want to point to our expanded nuclear program or the attack on civil liberties. no? well then how about fast track and the tpp - voting democrat is the answer - wow!
I have said many times that I am not entirely against the concept of big business. I don't want big business eliminated. That would be going too far. I want their profits SLASHED and it's place in society reduced to what it was 40 or 50 years ago.
Yes, I visit K-Mart every few months for things that I need and don't have time to search Craigslist or thrift stores for. Sometimes for groceries as well (I usually get them at the local dollar store). K-Mart has been struggling for years because of their JUGGERNAUT competitor.
I am not entirely against the ACA. I'm FLAT-OUT against the mandates because of the PROFOUND corruption within healthcare and the PROFOUND ignorance on the part of drug-and-doctor morons all across America.
I've already acknowledged that Democrats have a long history of doing favors for the rich. But Republicans have a long history of doing EVEN MORE favors for the rich.
We RARELY have a third choice. When we do, they are always corrupt as well. In fact, I can't think of a single exception to the rule. At least not at the Federal level. Still, we should do our research, hold our noses, and FUCKING MAKE A CHOICE.
Damn right Obama and Biden suck.
McCain, Palin, Romney and Ryan would have sucked even worse.
Kmart did something rather despicable a decade ago they filed bankruptcy...taking advantage of new Bushian lenient corporate laws...then stiffed all their vendors and employees of their pay. Then reopened. They aren't any better than any other big box store and i'm not sure, but didn't they get bought by Sears? I have to say this whole conversation is making me feel really positive...to know other people are carefully modifying their spending to force it out of monopolistic hands. I'm a big fan of flee markets too. Yard sales. If you can get there before the stuff flippers I prefer to pay bottom dollar for cheap crap...rather than a 600 percent markup. Once it is painted and refurbished by a yuppie larvae dush I'm done...they don't seem to realize that most of us know adding a coat of paint to something doesn't quadruple the value (sorry pet peeve of mine). Plus as much as a boutique consignment store likes to think they are posh...they are an overpriced yardsale getting hosed on rent and hosing craigslisters out of cheap finds. Anyway...isn't it awesome that monopolies and retail landlords can be cut out of our lives as easily as we manage it. I'm pretty broke...but I still manage to buy small brands, shop where my conscience prefers, and give my money to organic over monsanto farms. It can be done. Give up overpriced, cheap, unhealthy products...and just don't spend until you have to or absolutely decide you want something. There is no guidebook needed on how to do this. I've discovered I can go quite a while on the things I already have. I'm have no need to impress with stuff. In fact I think having new stuff all the time would read as shallow. I care more about stuff that doesn't cost a days wage to enjoy ( and at my income that could be a pair of 80.00 shoes) like being outdoors. When you start to equate products with your take home hourly wage you greatly see how foolish it is to buy it. How much of your life are you willing to toil away to impress or feed the ego. This is the right path for this movement. Glad to everyone who is talking about it!!!! Let's put an end to looking cool. Out of style is in style! Keep your old phone as long as u can wear your stuff until it wrips ...and patch it. Darn your socks and dilute your detergents. Diy however you can and ...simplify.
The KMart-Sears combo has diminished both. What a weird buyout! Sears used to be a respected and reliable home goods company, now the stores are outdated and dingy, the merchandise shoddy, the one CEO just took a hike, the public 'goodwill' and financial prospects are nil on both chains. I have a relative who works at Sears, which never gives benefits and avoids giving over 30 hours for that reason. He's got a depressive nature. I ask how work is and he always says 'Awful'. It's a profile of value in America, take an old classic retailer like Sears and just destroy it for the few who want to strip it and then they'll recycle the same model and dangle holiday bait every year until no one bites anymore. So. Let's. Not. Bite.
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This should not be - and in reality is not - an unfamiliar accounting of fact of any employer - the rare experience would be of an employee that is treated well by their employer even rarer would be that the whole work force of that employer felt the same. A decent employer is a rare thing - becoming mythic in it's rarity.
How do you feel about the global wealth concentrating juggernaut Wal-Mart?
You know, it was a great idea to buy quantity and pass on the savings. Now it's the standard greed story. How 'bout disbanding them? Why isn't anyone outing the internal correspondence? How about finding out their long term 'business plan'? Just putting a charity box by a condo says 'tacky', it's not a real protest. If they want to give this holiday they can give raises for tenure and merit and copay medical. If we want to protest we need to go big for a nice big box store like that! Find enough correlations with politicos and back room deals, they're players and others can play too. Where are you at with that?
Kid gloves for the largest juggernaut retailer in the world?
I'll tell you where I'm at. I say fuck Wal-Mart hard. They are too big period.
The Waltons of Wal-Mart are murderers.
Now, now, dear child, I sayeth not kid gloves, simply research thine enemy and ascertain their positions and resources and inspect for illicit activity. There are cold factoids to be discovered and WalDirt to be outed. herein may lie the end of the oligarchy.
Another reason to shop ANYWHERE but Wal-Mart.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/business/at-wal-mart-in-mexico-a-bribe-inquiry-silenced.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
ok, so my first question is given both parties suck, how do we break out of the cycle - of the LAST 80 YEARS! history gives us some examples you realize. 1932 and 1992 and 2008. while only in 1932 did it really lead to "change we can believe in" that does not change the fact that at all those times the country was ready for a radical change in direction and VOTED THAT WAY! can you see the common thread?
now it is clear that you want to go back to the capitalist society of the 40's and 50's. ok it was better then than now but we should aim higher no? also the aca is a complete waste of our vote. i have a friend who works 70 hr weeks and has never been able to afford health care. now he can afford the premiums but if he gets sick he will never be able to afford the deductables and copays. great! so we (yes i am in the upper middle class) pay more in taxes and for our private health care policy and my friend will still face bankruptcy if he gets sick. this is from our "best and brightest"? and don't i remember all the health care socks rising with the passage of the aca?? yes i do!
now would you please explain where the wealth cut off is and how much you make etc?
We have nothing but trouble with vehicles around here.The worst thing is the scam with the check engine light.Swear to god there is no way to stop the check engine light from going on once the vehicle is more than 6-7 years old.Then you are shelling out money month after month for trivial repairs until finally it is impossible to figure out what exactly is causing it.Then it's time to get a new car because it can't pass inspection.And then you can only get scrap price for the car even though it has been well maintained and runs well.The only solution is finding a pre-check engine vehicle that is in good enough shape to be renovated and that you can get parts for.Now "everybody knows this" so the price for such vehicles is THROUGH THE ROOF.Also,to put a stop to people fixing up old cars-Cash For Clunkers."Thanks,Obama." EVERYTHING related to vehicles is a scam designed to benefit Big Business.We are not even allowed to avoid these problems by not owning a vehicle because,AGAIN,Big Business wins because time after time,lobbyists are able to stop any efforts to develop public transportation.My Mom used to sing a song when I was little-"So high,you can't get over it,so low,you can't get under it,so wide you can't get around it..." One of the Old Spirituals.Those Enslaved People knew the Drill.
Completely agree and have experienced everything you discussed the check engine crap another scam is car dealers sell parts in sets now I needed a part for my exhaust but they would only sell this $50 piece with an entire outrageous expensive exhaust that they wont separate and...yep thanks to clunkers good luck even finding affordable used cars for private sale. Another scam is rich people registering cars as business vehicles. Another crap loophole write off for them...more struggle and problems for us.
Americans are so easy to deal with.All you gotta do is wave some money in their faces and they do whatever TPTB wants.FWIW there were a lot of people who knew Cash For Clunkers was a killer that would slam the door shut on the only possible way to own a debt-free vehicle.Many a Tear was shed at the Crushers of America.What worries me is that they can use the same method to Grab Guns."That was Easy."
I think you are right...there is " corporate engineering" in unprecedented levels. I remember when it started to feel like I was living in a corporate state too. Living became a maze of corporate tape and impossible hoops. I spent my youth putting out one fire after the next like a dancing puppet ... This impending knowledge that my government was acting like a corporate board forcing my compliance and involuntary cooperation with laws. That is when I realized the importance of gun rights which I used to disagree with...I could see corporate america taking over government in my every day life just interfering in unbelievable ways. I can see they are power hungry greed mongers who won't stop....I really believe that they expect us to accept this and I can envision them growing more and more controlling especially with advances in technology. Cameras in every home...brain scans on entering stores...forced purchases of products / rations divied out paid for with taxes without a choice. Every household must have a, b, c, on hand. Forced water privatization. Forced credit or tracking chips inserted. Consumer and employee chips. Health chips...bracelets. Why not...? They can do whatever they want...already - there really are no bounds on how far I think they will eventually take all this when they have power to influence and create laws with their immense monopolistic wealth. At that point we may need to physically defend ourselves...guns work better than sticks when overthrowing your corporate government. Though I believe it is the bullets they will target, because while we have arms rights ...we don't technically have rights to ammunition. And in all of these shooting cases they seem to have failed to prosecute the parents and gun owners that enabled their kid to get a hold of the unsecured weapon. Want to stop mass shootings...prosecute irresponsible gun owners. Funny thing is now corporations and media and government are implying they need rights to psychologically evaluate quiet people...introverts. This is the scariest precedent yet...making exceptions to the constitution to invasively restrict your rights based on your personality traits and tendencies to perhaps write your thoughts in a blog or journal...or on your tendency to question government or authority...this is scary and this new notion if you aren't doing anything wrong your life should be an open book for government or marketing or perhaps even peer review...is insidious. What is suspicious behavior? Who determines who should be denied their rights based on which thoughts? ....scary Orwellian moon on the rise
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/24/stop-protecting-rich-market-forces
This is why it is so hard to put up with people who constantly continue to suggest that voting for Democrats will solve even the most insignificant problem-let alone the Brainbusters we are currently facing.That is as preposterous as a Dead Man Walking begging the Prison Chaplain to do something to stop his Execution from being carried out.The purpose of the Prison Chaplain is the same as the purpose of the Democrats-keep the Condemned calm and tractable so that the scheduled execution can be carried out with a minimum of delay and drama,and without undue disruption and danger to the Executioners.
They really want to know what's in our wallets...this year let's tell wallstreet ...nothing that will benefit you! Join the revolution!!! Put your money in the mattress...and sleep on it a year!! Let's show them who is boss!!!
Want to lower college costs? Boycott college...if we all spent just one year refusing to shell out just imagine the outcome for colleges and universities. It would absolutely shake the industry. !! Industry being the proper term.
Boycotts are a time-tested method of changing minds and behaviors in corporations and countries. In the boardroom when the directors look at the topline number, boycotts affect it. When it filters all the way down to the sexiest number at the bottom, boycotts affect it, too. If that number is unexpected, discussions usually ensue about the past quarter's performance. Boycotts may come up, too.
Success is defined not by how much you have but by how much you can do without. Thinking ahead to several months from the year-end shopping season, if the planned purchase will likely wear out its excitement or usefulness, it is reasonable to avoid buying it at all.
In a time when the media is an enemy of the people and protests uncovered and media black-outs....I think boycotts at this point are the only method that will force change...we need a consumer fast. If everyone who agrees with this movement pledged a fast , set a date, and spread the message the same way occupy spread ....we would have a real substantial way to fight back. This ain't no Brooklyn Bridge...this is something that can't be arrested or contained. How long can you go without visiting the doctor, without having prescriptions, without driving further than needed, without buying extras? Keep the lights low...cancel the cable. I know myself I could easily go a year ( I have indeed as far as doctor or cable previously mostly due to my own budget constraints...I am sure so can others our age in reasonable health. I've also gone years without buying one new piece of clothing and stretching makeup and haircuts etc. I've never shopped at WalMart but once to buy protest signs because I liked the irony...it is very very easy to do this when you commit to it and done on a large scale ( all of us who hate the direction of things) and something for which we can see the real fruits of our efforts. Giving corporations your money is giving them power. Cut them off wherever and as much as you can. They will claim it hurts jobs ...phttt....since when have they ever cared about jobs? After we send our message they will need to think about the effect downsizing may have on sales...long term this boycott will save jobs. We need to show them we have power. And we actually do. We just haven't been using it.
Great! It is good that you realize that you do have power. I went on a health campaign in my thirties and I am so glad that the epiphany occurred to me - that my body talks and I must listen well. Doctors and clinics became very difficult to recall for me and I don't think it is Alzheimer's coming on! ;) There are many things that we can do - not only do they save us money, often they give us peace of mind. In my case, I enjoyed the disappearance of pains and sufferings the most. Boycotts can be very healthy for both the body and the soul.
The economy looks like a less than sign ....ws is shooting upwards while mainstreet is cascading down. As we know ws and mainstreet have no real connection...we can punch ws in the gut all we want...and if it trickles down ( ha ha ha) well I guess we are beating them to the punch since they are always pounding on us. You know what they say " a little pain for long term gain" or how about now a little pain for mainstreet gain. It is worth it...for us and every generation to come. Boycott ....boycott....boycott!!!!
Boycott....boycott....boycott!!!! :) Make a dent. Give Wall Street hernia!
Sink the quarter...then the year - wallstreet!!! ceos!! Fuck em with a nice big boycott!! ( it's the only thing left to do).
Yes, I forgot to mention that many CEOs' bonuses are performance based. If they do not hit certain targets set by the board, they will not get the performance bonuses. They can and do play games of boosting revenues and profits to try to reach the targets but year-end revenues and profits are such significant components of both the last quarter and the per annum figures for consumer-oriented corporations that they would still be wide-open to be affected negatively by boycotts in spite of their revenue and profit shenanigans.
Boycott....boycott....boycott!!!! Block the CEOs' bonuses!
Neil Young knows...Starbucks doesn't have a heart of gold. Let the boycotts begin! Thanks Neil for your leadership ...someone had to get boycotts going!
You can sign his petition here as well
http://sumofus.org
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/neil-young-boycotts-starbucks-over-gmo-lawsuit-20141115
What boycott? Americans are simply out of money.
That is true as broke as we are though when we do spend we are even choosier about where we put those hard earned dollars.
One year of boycotts!!! Join the pledge!!!? Document your efforts...share them here. Begin on Black Friday? Anyone in ?
Only one year of boycotts? .. make it a life style!
I havn't been shopping in chain stores for years. I eat out at the local restaurant. My TV set is in my closet. I'm not bored. I got a garden. My food budget is way down. My neighbor gives me deer meat. gotta love him.
I'm happier, healthier, and even got some change in me pocket. Its a life style
Because it creates a timeline and data for what we are accomplishing. Walmart has a big dent in sales in certain sectors and they have no idea its due to individuals like us boycotting. A timeline and actual movement would deliver our message. So now instead of execs are sitting around scratching their heads figuring out why they can't get us in the store...they will know it is due to boycotts! They will also know we aren't gullible to the marketing...we pay attention to data and facts and how they practice business and treat employee as well as their political actions and lobbying activity. Its is good to vote with your dollars as a lifestyle but even better when corporations know why...and have direct results for their actions. Take your living room protest to their boardroom. We can end lobbying too corporations need to know lobbying will cost them.
Makes sense. Count me in.
Yes.
California Students Stage Massive State-Wide Walkout To Protest Huge Tuition Hikes
http://rt.com/usa/208815-california-walkout-tuition-university/
Consumer/ shopping abstinence...don't buy this t shirt make your own! Hold off on college until you can pay for college...ditch designer diggs for dentistry...delay holiday spending until our economy stops defying gravity trickling to the top!!
In the meantime - the spewing heads on tv are predicting (again) the largest ever turnout for Black Friday - and so - extreme success for retailers.
Hmmmmmmm - didn't turn out so well last year ( the predictions )
I wonder - do the spewing heads and their employers not realize that they do not control reality with what they say?
Well - Here is to hoping that this year is a repeat of last year = in being a very dismal sales season. Perhaps the worst ever?
Something to help conscientious shoppers:
Sign the pledge: Don't buy these Koch products
Nice post.