Fed up of businesses aligning themselves with politics!

[thehorsehasnowbolted]

I was about to grab a turkey and cranberry sandwich yesterday at a major retailer when I noticed on the package that 5% of that purchase would go to Shelter.

Why are we being increasingly forced nowadays to contribute to causes we may not necessarily agree with in this way? Why don't businesses stick to selling goods? Why the constant virtue signalling? It's annoying

I do not intend to comment on this charity in particular, but I have seen my fair share of pensioners being out of pocket to evict problem tenants who were in a position to pay the rent and look after properties but simply didn't want to and just played the system.

The results of charities activities are not always 100% positive, so customers shouldn't be forced to contribute in this way.

Why do businesses assume that their customers agree with the charities they pick? The constant virtue signalling is patronising and insulting.

I know there are still corner shops, but they haven't been the default place for shopping for most people for a very long time.

What's wrong with just not buying something if you don't like what the business has chosen to support and going somewhere else that you do like?
Being a customer means you pay for goods and/or services from a business that has set themselves up to sell them, why do some customers feel that makes them entitled to have a say in how the company is run? Is there someone holding a gun to your head making you buy the sandwich?!
I'd hazard a guess there's not, and therefore you have the choice to walk away and buy a sandwich from a place who's principles align with yours - not dictate to them what they should and shouldn't do with their business. It's their business and their loss if they lose your sale because of something they have done.
Feedback is one thing, it's usually asked for and accepted from customers, but this attitude that some customers have that they should get a say in how things are done past giving honest feedback baffles me.

OP, what makes you think the surveys are imaginary? If you think large retailers don't do their market research, I really wonder how you think marketing and sales work? I mean, they don't make it up as they go along except Elon Musk and Twitter

Really? Because I went for a tenant who I was confident would look after the place and pay the rent, and in return I accept a lower rent and make sure any repairs are done?

I have family reasons for wanting to keep a flat in that location rather than pay off my mortgage where I live

So what would happen if your one tenant stopped paying the rent because they felt like it? How would your big plans be affected?

So what would happen if your one tenant stopped paying the rent because they felt like it? How would your big plans be affected?

This poster has already explained that she has gone through the eviction process once so that is what she would do again. Really very simple (if incredibly annoying). And in no way comparable to you choosing not to buy your sandwich from a particular retailer.

But they don't tend to have charity tie-ins, so sell the product without the 'obligatory' donation.

Because they are wise and value their customers

Businesses are run by people and people have opinions.

If you don't like it, shop elsewhere.

If you think large retailers don't do their market research, I really wonder how you think marketing and sales work?

Large retailers are sold most marketing research of this nature by usually global marketing agencies. The accuracy of this research can be as good as the prediction of election results. Wasted (customers') money in this case

If you don't like it, shop elsewhere

Another one. Sod the customer

They did. It took a year, legal action and they trashed the place.

But that was the risk I took, I make it back eventually.

In the larger scheme of things it was our home for years, DD is a student in that city and I am keeping it for her when she graduates. It has doubled in value since I bought it.

As I said, I am not a victim

No, but I know for sure big businesses don't give away money for no reason.

If they're supporting a particular charity then it's because they know for certain it will not cause them a significant loss of custom.

No. Prioritise the majority of customers over the few who complain but still buy the product 😂

Do you think businesses should change all their policies to suit every customer? How could that possibly work when everyone has differing needs?

No, because they know why people shop with them and pay the premium - for convenience. Having a charity tie-in will not bring them more custom. Dropping their prices will not bring them more custom.

They sell because they are just round the corner when you realise you are out of milk/nappies/bread/a sandwich. You can get it cheaper, or better quality, or a brand you prefer by going further but can't be bothered. Or the other shops are closed.

Do you think businesses should change all their policies to suit every customer? How could that possibly work when everyone has differing needs?

Precisely. Just focus on advertising the products and refrain from making political statements, charity affiliations or forced donations. They will suit every customer in this way

Ah, so you think every business should cater for your whims and opinions alone?

But they get more customers by having affiliations

Ah, so you think every business should cater for your whims and opinions alone?

They shouldn't cater for mine or anyone's opinions. I'm not really interested in their opinions or them trying to shove them down my throat at every opportunity, thanks

I’d be so intrigued to know which church you worship at @thehorsehasnowbolted 😹

You say you don’t like being ‘preached’ at, but attend a church presumably if you are Christian. You also don’t like your money going to charities but again apparently you are Christian.

You also appear to be incredibly naive/uneducated. Having worked in PR and Marketing, companies either have in-house teams or external firms which advise, and the companies use various methods to track and capture the sales from campaigns/promotions working with charities. Companies work with charities because they see a verifiable uptick in sales.

Think about it.

You are a shop owner. Every customer brings you £1 profit.

You have an idea that will bring you in 5 new customers, but you will lose 1 customer.

So, overall, you make £5 more profit and lose £1 profit, giving an overall increase in profit of £4

A sticker saying that 10p is going to charity is hardly shoving anything down your throat. Get a grip.

The one customer who leaves goes muttering about 'not caring about customers' - whereas you are caring about the 5 new customers you get.

Does that explain it?

You have an idea that will bring you in 5 new customers, but you will lose 1 customer

There is no reliable way to track this in the case of charity or political affiliations for large retailers. I know I'm repeating myself, but still

Don't you love MN?

Poster +1/2 poster - AIBU

Everyone else - yes, YABU

Poster +1/2 poster - NO I AM NOT, YOU ARE ALL WRONG

Happy days 😂

Precisely. Just focus on advertising the products and refrain from making political statements, charity affiliations or forced donations. They will suit every customer in this way

Well no, they won't. I prefer to use shops which align with my own ethical, social and political beliefs. So they wouldn't suit me. Why are your preferences more important than mine?

See how complicated this can get?