Do you vote with your wallet? On what? And Why?

[randombs]

As the years go by, I've come to feel that apart from in very specific cases, this is a waste of time. Nothing changes or affects those who do these things, and all that happens is that I don't get the things I otherwise want for no good reason. So I'm in a bit of quandary

I'm getting complacent about things like this, but I wouldn't say sticking to your guns is a waste of time. Maybe it would help to think less about the bigger picture that you feel you can't change, and more about how these decisions could affect you personally:

Suppose you were to buy the FFX collection in spite of your principles. Do you think you'd forgive yourself or would the nagging feeling remain? What if it popped up in a sale for a tenner?

[Asura]

Suppose you were to buy the FFX collection in spite of your principles. Do you think you'd forgive yourself or would the nagging feeling remain? What if it popped up in a sale for a tenner?

I ended up managing to get a used copy on eBay for £16 (apparently the code comes in an envelope, so I'm pretty sure it's unused).

[Atticus]

I do vote with my wallet in where I buy things from. I always try and buy from the high st wherever poss, esp indies, and try to choose a heritage specialist over a general giant (eg buying a film from HMV instead of Amazon). I honestly think if we don’t support the smaller and specialist stores we’ll end up with 2 or 3 retailers in the end where we buy everything and that would be pretty gloomy.

[Zen Monkey]

The argument 'it doesn't make any difference' is a poor, lazy excuse. We should do the right thing because it's the right thing and that is reason enough. Of course it would be great if our actions do change things for the better and that is the hope because if enough people vote with their wallet, it does change things, but to betray our values because we don't think it will change anything is to surrender an important part of ourselves.

An example: I decided to decline the coronavirus vaccine because it is tested on animals. I know my decision won't prevent future animal testing and I know it leaves me more vulnerable to contacting the virus and passing it on to others including my friends and family but I won't willingly take a product that is responsible for the suffering tens of thousands of mice, ferrets, hamsters,pigs and monkeys.

[Protocol Penguin]

Any of the known Brexit-supporting (and Leave -funding) big businesses IÂ’ll never knowingly use or buy from. Same for any local businesses which had Vote Leave material or posters for far-right parties like UKIP in this windows.

I generally prefer shopping in smaller, local outlets rather than chains wherever possible, but thatÂ’s been much harder during the pandemic, as smaller places near me have been very lax (if not outright negligent) with their hygiene measures over the last year.

[Asura]

We should do the right thing because it's the right thing and that is reason enough.

Sometimes it's not a moral imperative, though.

I won't buy Ratchet & Clank PS4, because the game was 30fps when their prior games were 60fps, and the director said in an interview that no-one cared about this.

So that's a no-sale from me. But it's not a moral thing, it's just that I don't feel valued as a customer.

[Neon Ignition]

Even the example of the vaccine isn't clear cut on the issue from a moral standpoint though. On the face of it objecting to animal testing seems reasonable but at the same time it doesn't save any animals and also puts an increased number of human lives at risk of sickness or death so arguably it's more immoral not to take the vaccine. Take it or don't but in the end there's little positive effect in practice or moralistically speaking so the original point still stands - it doesn't make a difference.

[Anpanman]

I've been voting with mine for some time, well before t'internet age, started with American companies. Not that I wanted them to fail as people would lose jobs but as others have said to put my spending into British or European companies as American companies do alright by themselves than you very much.

Started with Nike, I always liked Adidas so I made a point of never buying - and still have never bought anything from the swooshmeisters, runners come courtesy of Adidas, Mizuno or Asics.
Some American stuff though I like, I really like Motorola phones, been buying them from the mid 90's to this day.

Amazon we try and use as little as possible and then buy from 'smile' so I can get Bezos to give some money to a local charidee. No intention of ever buying Prime.
We tend to use them for the things you can't buy easily elsewhere though ebay (even though US) quite often are cheaper and of course you are supporting directly people in this country.
Recently bought a desk for working at home, out of Amazon, Ebay and other online office shops we got by far the best price from a local place a couple of miles away for exactly the same desk! We get our Japanese rice from Eurostar Foods, UK company and really nice customer service with better prices than Amazon.
We always see what prices are at PCWorld, Argos and we are happy to pay a bit more to support those companies.

We've tended not to buy Chinese where possible due to their stance with Tibet, Taiwan and then with the expansion in the South China Sea but the CCP-virus debacle - the fact they have previous with viruses and the government are trying to deny or blame other countries for bringing it into China plus whilst the disease may have come from Pangolin's at least we don't have to worry about that happening again as thanks to China in a few years there won't be any Pangolins left, or Tigers, or Rhino's or Elephants.

Sony are the only Japanese company I don't buy new from since the Lik-Sang episode, the PS3/Ps4 were secondhand, will not pay to go online, most games are bought new though.

[JazzFunk]

I always blast a lot of my monies on OG Coke, Blue Pepsi, Coke Cherry (the non-diet version).

All I need to know is that they will still make these flaves. That's ALL I want.

I don't want non-shug versions attempting to scotch the power of a full-shug, sugary pop.

When it's hot, there is NOWT better than a cold, fruit soda. And I can recommend stocking up on them delicious Fruit Pastille lollies, they really are lovely when it's been warm throughout the day, incredibly refreshing!!!!!!!

[JazzFunk]

Mate, they are bad bwoooyyy, them Fruit Pastille lollies.

Only in hot summer, mind, but u can get these bastards ANYWHERE, plus they is ALWAYS good!!!!!

[JazzFunk]

(when I'm on my shift, I sweat like a drain and these twatters replenish my moisture when I get home!!!)

[JazzFunk]

I've been voting with mine for some time, well before t'internet age, started with American companies. Not that I wanted them to fail as people would lose jobs but as others have said to put my spending into British or European companies as American companies do alright by themselves than you very much.

Started with Nike, I always liked Adidas so I made a point of never buying - and still have never bought anything from the swooshmeisters, runners come courtesy of Adidas, Mizuno or Asics.
Some American stuff though I like, I really like Motorola phones, been buying them from the mid 90's to this day.

Amazon we try and use as little as possible and then buy from 'smile' so I can get Bezos to give some money to a local charidee. No intention of ever buying Prime.
We tend to use them for the things you can't buy easily elsewhere though ebay (even though US) quite often are cheaper and of course you are supporting directly people in this country.
Recently bought a desk for working at home, out of Amazon, Ebay and other online office shops we got by far the best price from a local place a couple of miles away for exactly the same desk! We get our Japanese rice from Eurostar Foods, UK company and really nice customer service with better prices than Amazon.
We always see what prices are at PCWorld, Argos and we are happy to pay a bit more to support those companies.

We've tended not to buy Chinese where possible due to their stance with Tibet, Taiwan and then with the expansion in the South China Sea but the CCP-virus debacle - the fact they have previous with viruses and the government are trying to deny or blame other countries for bringing it into China plus whilst the disease may have come from Pangolin's at least we don't have to worry about that happening again as thanks to China in a few years there won't be any Pangolins left, or Tigers, or Rhino's or Elephants.

Sony are the only Japanese company I don't buy new from since the Lik-Sang episode, the PS3/Ps4 were secondhand, will not pay to go online, most games are bought new though.

Mate, please don't NOT buy Nike.

I buy mine from the Nike Outlet on Crown Point, I have an obscure size (UK 11.5) and can occasionally buy amazing quality footwear for pennies).

I think life is too short to wear uncomfortable trainers. That's why I dis Adidas Sambas.

For me, NIKE are the most comfy. Nike LunarCharge FTW.

NEVER have I worn a pair of trainers as comfy as that before, EVER!!!!!!

(Sadly, LunarLon (TM), has been discontinued. That is a bad thing, you don't realise how comfy as LunarCharge was!!!!!!!! )

[JazzFunk]

Nike trainers are ACTUALLY the comfiest. There is nothing better on the plates.

NIKE need some kudos. I know they're a sweatshop-kinda company but they make the greatest shoes.

Serious, I have been secretly checking em all out for the last four years, or so.

They keep on impressing

[DeathAdder]

Rarely do I do this. I didn't buy The Crew or The Crew 2 because they're always online, and while I think that future is inevitable, I don't want it so the less those games sell, the better.

Just about everything I buy comes from Amazon. Their customer service and convenience are second to none. I'd only ever vote with my wallet if there was an equally good and convenient alternative service / product.

[Zen Monkey]

Even the example of the vaccine isn't clear cut on the issue from a moral standpoint though. On the face of it objecting to animal testing seems reasonable but at the same time it doesn't save any animals and also puts an increased number of human lives at risk of sickness or death so arguably it's more immoral not to take the vaccine. Take it or don't but in the end there's little positive effect in practice or moralistically speaking so the original point still stands - it doesn't make a difference.

You sound like my brother. He told me it's my civil duty to have the vaccine. I told him it's my human duty as a conscious being to respect all life and not support cruelty no matter how well disguised. We both smiled and left it there.