What businesses/organizations do you "boycott"?

[Simplemind]

Ditto B of A. My husband just pulled all his money out after giving them a piece of his mind. His late father had been a branch manager for 45 years and he had stayed with them out of sentimentality. A little over a year ago a telemarketer for B of A called and offered an insurance policy which they would pick up for the first year. Three months ago he noticed money coming out of his account that he hadn't authorized. Looking into it he found it was from that telemarketing call. He further found out that although the bank paid for the first year it didn't go into affect for a year. He was furious. So of course when he went in to close everything they asked why. He was calm but made his point. Even the manager was upset and said that he should report it as fraud. He then pointed out to her and said that B of A was responsible for the fraud. She started to cry because she had to agree. He took his cash and joined me at the local credit union. Previously to that I had pulled out of Wells Fargo for their ridiculous fees. My parents still have their trust tied up with Wells and that will change after they are gone........

[catherine]

Another BofA boycotter. A couple of years ago, when I was faced with maxing out my two BofA credit cards (and three other CCs BTW, because of a one time financial situation outside of my control pretty much) I was told by a BofA employee that I should talk to them about lowering my interest rate--they felt that it was worth the call. My interest rates were 23% and 24%, so obviously I was spending a LOT in finance charges.

So, I called them up, asked my innocent question, and then the guy on the phone says, "can I put you on hold?" I said sure, and when he came back he told me they were cancelling both cards!!! I had NEVER had a late payment, and my credit score was fine. I was managing a whole lot of debt, to be sure, but managing it as agreed. NO late payments to be found.. no reason to all of a sudden look at me like some kind of deadbeat.

I didn't care about the cards being cancelled (I had started the Dave Ramsey program and had stopped using CCs), BUT I asked them if they could report that to the credit scoring companies as me having closed the accounts. It looks bad if the CC companies close the account. They refused.

Then, I realized I had about 12,000 WorldPoints I hadn't redeemed, and so I asked for those. And they said they can't give them to me because my account was closed.

Just last month, I was THRILLED to be able to pay off both of those cards in full. Good riddance!

[pinkytoe]

Yet again this week, I am haggling with AT&T. I dropped my landline a while back and yet they continue to charge me a $4.60 minimum use long distance charge. Excuse me, I don't have a phone anymore!!! I have called numerous times and still it remains. It is like a nightmare dealing with this company. I think as the younger generation begins to shape new companies this type of bloated big-box don't care about the customer mentality will no longer fly.

[treehugger]

I also boycott quite a few companies that engage in animal testing, such as Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson.

This is my main reason for my personal boycotts. I just consider this living within my values, rather than in boycott terms, since I know perfectly well my small decision doesn't have any effect on the companies I don't buy from. But, principles are meaningless if we don't live by them, so I persevere.

Kara

[martha]

[QUOTE=pinkytoe;63599]Yet again this week, I am haggling with AT&T. I dropped my landline a while back and yet they continue to charge me a $4.60 minimum use long distance charge. Excuse me, I don't have a phone anymore!!! I have called numerous times and still it remains. QUOTE]


I hear you! 4 years ago I moved and AT&T didn't offer DSL at my new location, so I closed my account with them and went with a cable provider for both phone and DSL. There was an erroneous charge on the final AT&T bill. I called them numerous times, and had no luck getting the charge removed. Several times I asked to speak to a supervisor, and was always told that the supervisor was unavailable but would call me back. No one ever called. AT&T turned my account over to a collection agency even though my bills had always been paid on time prior to this dispute.

I called the state Public Service Commission and explained the situation. The very next day I got a call from a higher-ranking AT&T employee who was very apologetic and said that she could and would get the account out of collections, get the erroneous charge removed and get me a corrected bill. This was done in short order. I paid the corrected bill and hope never to have to do business with AT&T again.

[martha]

I avoid Walmart because of the way they treat both their employees and suppliers. I avoid big box stores and other chains whenever possible in favor of locally owned businesses. As much as possible, I buy organic, and sign petitions and write to senators & representatives whenever legislation is coming up that could limit the damage Monsanto and other huge chemical companies do. I avoid all products that I know are tested on animals. I don't buy veal, or eggs from caged hens, or foie gras (made from cruelly force-fed birds) and ideally would be vegan to avoid supporting factory farming, which is hideously cruel to other animals as well. Unfortunately, I struggle with food and weight issues, and have not yet succeeded at being completely vegetarian for longer than 6 months at a time. This is a goal I'm still working toward.

[SteveinMN]

I'm very much with martha (except on becoming vegetarian, though our meat consumption is way down). Don't forget WalMart's warehouse cousin, Sam's Club. I try to avoid any retail products from General Electric (appliances, light bulbs, etc.); I just don't like the way they run their business and treat their employees. Lately, I've also been boycotting HP products; if Dave and Bill (founders) ever saw what was happening to the first-class company they created, they'd die all over again. And Google, for their cavalier and coy attitude toward data privacy. No Google search, no Google Earth, no Android phone for me.

[Life_is_Simple]

- Walmart

- Koch Brothers products, including Dixie cups and Angel Soft: http://www.boycottkochbrothers.com/

[bluesman423]

I boycott all large chain stores as much as possible and refuse to have a bank account. Although I did break down and purchase a prepaid cell phone (it is my only phone) I only turn it on to make necessary calls. No cable or satellite television, seldom turn it on anyway and trying to break free from the electric company. I bike or walk to most destinations, drive less than 1000 miles per year.

I feel it is important that we all realize the way our excessive lifestyles impact others, especaiiy on a global basis.

[profnot]

I avoid the big banks. I have one thing to wrap with Wells Fargo soon then I'm completely out. Credit Unions and local / regional banks support the local community through home & business loans, etc. The 2008 housing and financial crisis was engineered by the fat cats.

Walmart is horrible. They treat their off-shore employees and vendors' employees even worse than they treat US ones.

I rarely eat out. When I do, it's locally owned and run.

Is Penneys still great to their employees? I get clothes from them via web but I'll stop if they are no longer good to their people.