corporate behavior and customer accountability
We're each responsible for the world that we help to create by our action and inaction. That's why I used the phrase "customer accountability" in the title of today's post. The customer ultimately shares some responsibility for what their supplier does. A market requires both suppliers and consumers. I absolutely distrust government to hold corporations accountable for their behavior, so only customers can do it. We should still insist that government try to do it, but we should not rely solely on their assurances.
I hope we shall take warning from the example and crush in it’s birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country.
- Thomas Jefferson, letter to to George Logan, 1816 November 12
1) Wells Fargo (bad). While driving around Minneapolis today, my passenger noticed an advertisement on the bus stop bench. It was a Wells Fargo bank sign with a simple slogan on it: "The bank that travels with you". An industrious vigilante had altered the sign to show a different opinion of Wells Fargo: "The bank that fucks with you". ( Photo behind the link as a courtesy for those reading while at work. He sent it to me on Monday.) I was dissatisfied with their corporate responsibility in the latest economic downturn, so I moved my money last year. I encourage others to put their money where their morality is. Withhold money from businesses that misuse their collected influence, and give money to business that behave more responsibly. I expect you to create your own definition for "responsible", of course, and learn to rate businesses by your own standards.
2) Verizon (good). I lost my cell phone about a year ago. In hunting for a replacement so that my resume would have a working phone number on it, I went to the Verizon store (where I previously had my phone account) to get a replacement cell phone. I went first to a small mall kiosk and later to a large Verizon storefront. Employees at both locations recommended that I NOT purchase their own low-end phone. They both recommended that I go to a different store to get the exact same model of phone for about 1/3 of their price. Wow, that's some customer-oriented focus there. I approve. They suggested places like Best Buy and Wal-Mart. I disapprove of those stores, so I went to K-Mart and bought my cell phone there instead. I renewed my pre-paid phone plan with Verizon. I was happy to give Verizon my business in reward for their customer-focused sales staff. I hope that other cell phone users will consider switching to Verizon after hearing of my good experience with them. Even in this tough economy, they consistently helped me to conserve my money.
3) Target (bad). I have remained vigilant in my avoidance of Target and Best Buy. I continue to boycott them for their harmful action in funding bigots for political office while they pursue their own interest in corporate profits. I have not spent a single penny at the local Target (which is the nearest department store to where I live) since my boycott began. There is a Facebook group ("Money I Would Have Spent At Target") in which people post about the money they spent at other stores instead of Target. Unfortunately, I can't find a non-Facebook way to participate. So here I am posting my cash register receipt from K-Mart where I bought my cell phone plus rechargeable batteries, shampoo, and some other items.
KMart store 3031
Total: $57.96
Receipt#: 03031 031211 004 42076
4) Bioware (good). Rarely do you see corporate representatives publicly put bigots in their place. A new pc game "Dragon Age 2" recently arrived on the market, and your game character can form a romantic relationship with any other character, regardless of gender. A Bioware forum post appeared from a disgruntled heterosexual male, and a Bioware employee responded admirably. I hadn't intended to purchase this game, but I've already reconsidered. It is now on my "to do" list. You really ought to read the full post, but here's a small selection:
And if there is any doubt why such an opinion might be met with hostility, it has to do with privilege. You can write it off as "political correctness" if you wish, but the truth is that privilege always lies with the majority. They're so used to being catered to that they see the lack of catering as an imbalance. They don't see anything wrong with having things set up to suit them, what's everyone's fuss all about? That's the way it should be, any everyone else should be used to not getting what they want.
- Bioware forum, http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/304/index/6661775&lf=8
I encourage individuals to hold corporations accountable for their actions, because their behavior is enabled by their customers... which includes you. Reward (spend) or punish (withhold) until they collectively learn how to behave as mutually beneficial participants in our shared economy.
I hope we shall take warning from the example and crush in it’s birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country.
- Thomas Jefferson, letter to to George Logan, 1816 November 12
1) Wells Fargo (bad). While driving around Minneapolis today, my passenger noticed an advertisement on the bus stop bench. It was a Wells Fargo bank sign with a simple slogan on it: "The bank that travels with you". An industrious vigilante had altered the sign to show a different opinion of Wells Fargo: "The bank that fucks with you". ( Photo behind the link as a courtesy for those reading while at work. He sent it to me on Monday.) I was dissatisfied with their corporate responsibility in the latest economic downturn, so I moved my money last year. I encourage others to put their money where their morality is. Withhold money from businesses that misuse their collected influence, and give money to business that behave more responsibly. I expect you to create your own definition for "responsible", of course, and learn to rate businesses by your own standards.
2) Verizon (good). I lost my cell phone about a year ago. In hunting for a replacement so that my resume would have a working phone number on it, I went to the Verizon store (where I previously had my phone account) to get a replacement cell phone. I went first to a small mall kiosk and later to a large Verizon storefront. Employees at both locations recommended that I NOT purchase their own low-end phone. They both recommended that I go to a different store to get the exact same model of phone for about 1/3 of their price. Wow, that's some customer-oriented focus there. I approve. They suggested places like Best Buy and Wal-Mart. I disapprove of those stores, so I went to K-Mart and bought my cell phone there instead. I renewed my pre-paid phone plan with Verizon. I was happy to give Verizon my business in reward for their customer-focused sales staff. I hope that other cell phone users will consider switching to Verizon after hearing of my good experience with them. Even in this tough economy, they consistently helped me to conserve my money.
3) Target (bad). I have remained vigilant in my avoidance of Target and Best Buy. I continue to boycott them for their harmful action in funding bigots for political office while they pursue their own interest in corporate profits. I have not spent a single penny at the local Target (which is the nearest department store to where I live) since my boycott began. There is a Facebook group ("Money I Would Have Spent At Target") in which people post about the money they spent at other stores instead of Target. Unfortunately, I can't find a non-Facebook way to participate. So here I am posting my cash register receipt from K-Mart where I bought my cell phone plus rechargeable batteries, shampoo, and some other items.
KMart store 3031
Total: $57.96
Receipt#: 03031 031211 004 42076
4) Bioware (good). Rarely do you see corporate representatives publicly put bigots in their place. A new pc game "Dragon Age 2" recently arrived on the market, and your game character can form a romantic relationship with any other character, regardless of gender. A Bioware forum post appeared from a disgruntled heterosexual male, and a Bioware employee responded admirably. I hadn't intended to purchase this game, but I've already reconsidered. It is now on my "to do" list. You really ought to read the full post, but here's a small selection:
And if there is any doubt why such an opinion might be met with hostility, it has to do with privilege. You can write it off as "political correctness" if you wish, but the truth is that privilege always lies with the majority. They're so used to being catered to that they see the lack of catering as an imbalance. They don't see anything wrong with having things set up to suit them, what's everyone's fuss all about? That's the way it should be, any everyone else should be used to not getting what they want.
- Bioware forum, http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/304/index/6661775&lf=8
I encourage individuals to hold corporations accountable for their actions, because their behavior is enabled by their customers... which includes you. Reward (spend) or punish (withhold) until they collectively learn how to behave as mutually beneficial participants in our shared economy.