jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Jun 16, 2020 8:18:24 GMT -5
affiliation or values?
This started on the YM board when I mentioned that I like my Giza sheets, which are sold through MyPillow. I did not research the owners political or religious affiliation, then it became a discussion on the Koch Bros and toilet paper made by their companies.
At the same time, does this also include buying things made in China?
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oped
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Post by oped on Jun 16, 2020 8:21:01 GMT -5
My Pillow doesn’t require much research though... they are explicit about their affiliations and support.
I research more and more and more as time goes on and shift my practices. I’m an imperfect being and it’s an imperfect process. Like my chocolate lunch days... I strive for global good knowing that sometimes it won’t happen.
Home Depot... won't shop there again. Lowes aligns more with my values... and yes I guess more and more that's important to me.
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Bob Ross
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Post by Bob Ross on Jun 16, 2020 8:21:57 GMT -5
I don't search, but if I already know...
Will never buy anything from the MyPillow guy, as some of that money will make it to the Trump campaign.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jun 16, 2020 8:43:02 GMT -5
Sometimes. It all depends. For example, I don't eat at Chik-fil-a anymore. I don't shop at Hobby Lobby. Admittedly, it was easy to take the stances I did, when I did, because they weren't in my area at the time I developed those views. I don't shop at Walmart either. Or buy Tyson.
I'm rethinking my chocolate options after running across a list of chocolate company ratings.
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Jun 16, 2020 8:45:25 GMT -5
No I don't search or bother with any this searching etc. The only time I EVER decided I'd never step foot again in a store was Publix when I lived in Florida.
I would much rather spend my time doing something else rather than raising my blood pressure. If others want to do it, more power to them....I just think it's a waste of my time.
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flamingo
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Post by flamingo on Jun 16, 2020 8:49:11 GMT -5
I don't know that I'd say I purposely seek this information out for every purchase I make. For TP, I have to have it and with the recent shortage, I'm buying whatever is in stock because, in my area, it's still in short supply.
Things like My Pillow, Chick-Fil-A, Hobby Lobby that are in my face about their beliefs? You bet I don't spend my money there. I firmly believe in not spending money at places whose fundamental beliefs are different from mine in such a way that I find to be abhorrent. And, if after years of patronizing a place/brand, I find out that they support causes that I disagree with, I change my spending habits.
My DH is usually the one who knows this stuff, so it doesn't take much research on my part since he's already done it. But when he shows me the new info, you bet I take it to heart.
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jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Jun 16, 2020 9:09:11 GMT -5
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Jun 16, 2020 9:26:40 GMT -5
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Jun 16, 2020 9:44:02 GMT -5
I've stopped spending money at places that do stupid stuff that I cannot support. Like, when I found out the owner of Jimmy John's likes to go trophy hunting for endangered species.
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Jun 16, 2020 10:10:50 GMT -5
My Pillow doesn’t require much research though... they are explicit about their affiliations and support. I research more and more and more as time goes on and shift my practices. I’m an imperfect being and it’s an imperfect process. Like my chocolate lunch days... I strive for global good knowing that sometimes it won’t happen. Home Depot... won't shop there again. Lowes aligns more with my values... and yes I guess more and more that's important to me. The guys in our family usually go to Menards first then HD second. Lumber usually comes from HD - but DH said he will not buy from them in the future, so it will either be Menards or Lowes in the future. They are all together in our area, so it is not a hardship to go to one over the other. I was shopping for a fridge-DH told me he did not care if I paid more - he did not want me to buy from home depot. He told me to buy from Lowes. Almost all my recent appliance purchases were from Lowes anyways. I usually research the repair history, but as far as appliances go, it is kind of hard, b/c the finishes from one brand to the next are not the same color/shade even for stainless steel. I tried to buy DH a new lawnmower for Father's day - he says he will keep using the old one until it dies, but I have the impression it is not working real well. He said he would put new blades and do something else to the old one. Idk what to do - I have one purchased from HD (Lowes did not have any in stock). I have not cancelled the order yet. DH also just purchased new led light fixtures for the kitchen. The first ones he bought were black and decker - but he was replacing an existing fixture, and he said he needed a bigger box - so he went back and bought different ones. I did not recognize the brand, but he had one installed before I went to bed and the light it is giving off disperses very nice. Sometimes it is not about politics, but rather what is going to meet your needs. I did not buy anything from Chic-fil-a for years, but then one time on vacation the kids wanted to eat there, and I found out for fast food, they really have better options for my dietary restrictions than other fast food places. I also avoid Hobby lobby, but as Beth said, not a hard decision to make, b/c when my kids were in school, and I was buying craft supplies, they were not in our area - Now, I have almost no need to step foot in a craft store. Walmart - I go there for dog treats, but they just raised their prices, so I may start buying elsewhere. My family does not like the quality of their food, so we don't buy food there. I just happened to buy some sheets from Macys and I think I purchase them initially b/c it was the color I wanted - it is their Charter Club brand...and I will buy them again - but they were not cheap. Most household and clothing goods we (meaning the world) purchase are made in sweat shop conditions - idk if paying more really accomplishes much.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jun 16, 2020 10:12:06 GMT -5
If it’s in your face, I do. I knew about My Pillow, Chick-Fil-a, Hobby Lobby and Home Depot and avoid them. When I heard about Jimmy John’s, I stopped going there.
I am sure there are others, but most of these have been in the news.
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lurkyloo
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Post by lurkyloo on Jun 16, 2020 10:20:34 GMT -5
It’s difficult because DT is big business friendly so there will be a lot of large companies that support him, either quietly or blatantly. For me, I’m just glad I wound up with Canadian TP last time the instacart shopper found some . Anyone know if Kimberly Clark has obvious political leanings?
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jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Jun 16, 2020 10:27:47 GMT -5
I must be really ignorant as I had no idea about MyPillow. I received an email for a good sale so I decided to try the sheets and love them.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jun 16, 2020 10:31:36 GMT -5
I must be really ignorant as I had no idea about MyPillow. I received an email for a good sale so I decided to try the sheets and love them. You don’t need to justify your purchase. But let me ask you this. Knowing what you now know, would you purchase another set?
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jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Jun 16, 2020 10:42:56 GMT -5
I must be really ignorant as I had no idea about MyPillow. I received an email for a good sale so I decided to try the sheets and love them. You don’t need to justify your purchase. But let me ask you this. Knowing what you now know, would you purchase another set? I haven't personally done the research just the feedback given here. The horse is out of the barn now and I'm not going to burn my sheets. I don't want to make everything in my life about politics because there is already too much, but I will think in the future before some purchases. TP, no way. We were down to our last roll so I was going to buy whatever was available.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Jun 16, 2020 10:52:44 GMT -5
I don't research endlessly, but I do keep an eye for info on the people/businesses I spend money with/at. I'm not too hung up about made in China stuff. I go at it more from the "environmental" angle of "use less, recycle, reuse". I try to avoid buying "geegaws" and "gotta have this right now, so I can have one like everyone else" kind of "crap". I don't need more stuff to store, keep clean, and eventually throw away (or give away). Lots of the buy it, look at it, throw it way kind of stuff is made in China. Not buying so much "stuff" means I don't have to decide so very often if the store I'm shopping in or if the product is "worth my money" or not.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Jun 16, 2020 11:00:25 GMT -5
I don't know that I'd say I purposely seek this information out for every purchase I make. For TP, I have to have it and with the recent shortage, I'm buying whatever is in stock because, in my area, it's still in short supply. Things like My Pillow, Chick-Fil-A, Hobby Lobby that are in my face about their beliefs? You bet I don't spend my money there. I firmly believe in not spending money at places whose fundamental beliefs are different from mine in such a way that I find to be abhorrent. And, if after years of patronizing a place/brand, I find out that they support causes that I disagree with, I change my spending habits. ^this. in fact, I just bought a huge package of Angel Soft the other day, b/c it was the only size package that was available. now that I know a brand I actually prefer is under the banner of such a distasteful organization, I'll be seeking out alternatives when they are available.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Jun 16, 2020 11:00:28 GMT -5
I don't know that I'd say I purposely seek this information out for every purchase I make. For TP, I have to have it and with the recent shortage, I'm buying whatever is in stock because, in my area, it's still in short supply. Things like My Pillow, Chick-Fil-A, Hobby Lobby that are in my face about their beliefs? You bet I don't spend my money there. I firmly believe in not spending money at places whose fundamental beliefs are different from mine in such a way that I find to be abhorrent. And, if after years of patronizing a place/brand, I find out that they support causes that I disagree with, I change my spending habits. My DH is usually the one who knows this stuff, so it doesn't take much research on my part since he's already done it. But when he shows me the new info, you bet I take it to heart.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jun 16, 2020 11:06:59 GMT -5
You don’t need to justify your purchase. But let me ask you this. Knowing what you now know, would you purchase another set? I haven't personally done the research just the feedback given here. The horse is out of the barn now and I'm not going to burn my sheets. I don't want to make everything in my life about politics because there is already too much, but I will think in the future before some purchases. TP, no way. We were down to our last roll so I was going to buy whatever was available. I wouldn’t burn the sheets either. MyPillow still has your money and you’d have to buy new sheets. You wind up paying twice. But with so many choices available to us, putting your money where your mouth is can serve 2 purposes if you have the choice. When you have no choice, then you have no choice.
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kadee79
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Post by kadee79 on Jun 16, 2020 13:00:11 GMT -5
It depends on the item whether or not I will switch brands due to political views. I have never been into a Hobby Lobby & only in a chick-fil-let once & didn't like it so have never been back. HD here is pathetic & I won't shop there due to the poor customer service & lack of knowledge about their products. Lowes is great, they have long time employees who know nearly the entire store. Some of those employees have been there almost 20 yrs...since before they opened.
I get my sheets & towels from Costco....great prices & fantastic quality....Charisma brand. Have no idea about their politics, just know that I'll stick with that brand if I ever need new ones. What I have now are over 10 yrs. old & not showing any wear at all.
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TheHaitian
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Post by TheHaitian on Jun 16, 2020 13:18:27 GMT -5
If it’s in your face, I do. I knew about My Pillow, Chick-Fil-a, Hobby Lobby and Home Depot and avoid them. When I heard about Jimmy John’s, I stopped going there. I am sure there are others, but most of these have been in the news. Basically this... And my list is white short since I don’t shop that much anyway: - Home Depot - Chick-Fil-a And I switch contractors to work on my house, supporting more black/brown businesses (personal choice).
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Jun 16, 2020 13:23:26 GMT -5
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Jun 16, 2020 13:38:30 GMT -5
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Jun 16, 2020 13:59:07 GMT -5
If it’s in your face, I do. I knew about My Pillow, Chick-Fil-a, Hobby Lobby and Home Depot and avoid them. When I heard about Jimmy John’s, I stopped going there. I am sure there are others, but most of these have been in the news. Basically this... And my list is white short since I don’t shop that much anyway: - Home Depot - Chick-Fil-a And I switch contractors to work on my house, supporting more black/brown businesses (personal choice). I have a question about hiring black/brown businesses/contractors. How do you know when you call to have them do an estimate? Or do you wait until they show up?
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Jun 16, 2020 14:58:54 GMT -5
No. I don't have the time to sit and research all the companies. We also are not consumers in the way that typical people are. So, take the example of sheets for instance. Back of the napkin math indicates that we spend on average $20/year on sheets. For a family of 6. I'm sure that's not enough money to cause change in any way. I'm sure, My Pillow folks aren't feeling like they are missing out because they aren't getting my $20 a year.
That said, we do spend a metric crap ton on services for our kids. And it seems pretty inappropriate to ask for things like political/ideological leanings when dealing with service providers. I'll be frank, if a prospective student came to me and said "You sound great, but we'll only use your service if you are anti-abortion and a true believer. What's your religion?"...I'd tell them that we're not a good match and ask them to leave.
DD1 has an ortho consult next week. We'll be spending more on her braces than we will on do-dads around the house. I don't care if her ortho is a true believer or not. I don't care if her ortho eats at chick-fil-a and I certainly don't care about what brand of TP her ortho office uses. All I care about is whether or not the ortho has the skills to do the ob.
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jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Jun 16, 2020 16:53:07 GMT -5
So how do you create a boycott? Spread it over FB/message board/share with all of your friends? Like gira said my sheets aren't going to make a difference. I could tell everyone I know about MyPillow, but everyone is going to make their own choices, and it may push some of my republican friends to buy them as they support the GOP. Something like Saputo is very different. That is animal cruelty.
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Jun 16, 2020 17:08:17 GMT -5
So, take the example of sheets for instance. Back of the napkin math indicates that we spend on average $20/year on sheets. For a family of 6. I'm sure that's not enough money to cause change in any way. I'm sure, My Pillow folks aren't feeling like they are missing out because they aren't getting my $20 a year.
If enough people do it, it will make a difference. For example I rarely buy chocolate, but when I do, it has to be certified Fair Trade, where they don't use child labour from kidnapped children who will never even taste chocolate in their lifetimes. Does a single consumer make a difference? Of course not, but if enough people do it, they could change their practices. You can't just throw up your hands, say your input and dollars don't matter and let these industries and practices continue unabated. www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/business/hershey-nestle-mars-chocolate-child-labor-west-africa/The 2005 lawsuit was brought by former child slaves kidnapped by slavers and forced to work by plantation owners on Ivory Coast cocoa farms for up to 14 hours a day without pay. They say they were beaten, and witnessed the torture of other children who attempted to escape. Although the lawsuit notes that Nestlé and Cargill do not own the cocoa farm where the children were abused, “they maintain and protect a steady supply of cocoa by forming executive buyer/seller relationships with Ivorian farms.” This, the suit alleges, means “the defendants effectively control the production of Ivorian cocoa,” and are therefore liable. www.motherjones.com/food/2018/10/halloween-candy-hidden-ingredient-chocolate-child-slave-labor-nestle-mars-cargill/
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weltschmerz
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Post by weltschmerz on Jun 16, 2020 17:12:49 GMT -5
Think about that next time you pop a Hershey Kiss or a Mars bar in your mouth.
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jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Jun 16, 2020 17:19:21 GMT -5
Think about that next time you pop a Hershey Kiss or a Mars bar in your mouth. So give me a list of Fair Trade chocolates in the US please? I rarely eat chocolate. If I'm at a gas station and want a Reese's peanut butter cup, I doubt the gas station sells Fair Trade chocolates but I'm willing to be wrong
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jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Jun 16, 2020 17:22:54 GMT -5
I can't police everything I buy. Don't have the time, nor desire.
Part of the reason I refuse to shop at Walmart. So I'm using my buying decisions not to support them.
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