Blackhawk wrote: Sat Feb 22, 2025 12:04 pm
It won't have any economic impact, no. At best*, corporations might see a 10% drop one day, followed by a 7% boost the next (as people buy their stuff on Saturday instead.)
The potential benefit is that it could be an ice breaker. It's an effortless opportunity to actively do something, to make a choice. Once people have made that choice the first time, it becomes easier for them to make another choice, and another. It could help get people moving.
I can easily not spend a dime next Friday. That's doesn't even register as barely an inconvenience for me but I can't see it being a blip on anyone's radar.
It's trivial for me, too, as someone who spends $0 probably three days out of every four. Making sure Friday's one of those days ain't gonna move any needles. But I'll do it anyway.
I'll be in knee surgery on the 28th and then stretched out on my couch eating chips and watching movies for the next two days, so I'll easily be able to avoid purchases on the 28th.
I want to participate - but I'm not clear on the scope.
(serious questions)
Can we still order-out pizza tomorrow? Grocery store? A bottle of ice tea at the little stand at the train station?
trying to get people to boycott anything is basically beyond ability. if they use it they figure they...one person...wont make a difference so they dont participate....on and on each person thinks this. nothing happens. At least not enough to dent the crappy whatever needs denting.
Ive realized since the Trump area Im very happy being 55 as ill get off this rock naturally sooner rather than later and not have to put up with the 'right' forever. If..IF...I get to Heaven I know they sure as 'hell' wont be there. It would almost be worth it to go to hell for a half hour just to laugh and point at them...but id pass. Not too Heavenly a thought I guess.
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When in doubt, skewer it out...I don't know.
Daehawk wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 12:31 pm
trying to get people to boycott anything is basically beyond ability. if they use it they figure they...one person...wont make a difference so they dont participate....on and on each person thinks this. nothing happens. At least not enough to dent the crappy whatever needs denting.
Try looking at it another way. This is a one day "test" with a very achievable goal. When organizing, you always want to start small and get a win. Then you build on that. Having everyone actively try to avoid purchases from major corporations for a single day is actually a pretty realistic and relatively easy to achieve. This isn't necessarily about sending corporations a message - it's about showing people they can collectively accomplish something.
Smoove_B wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 12:54 pm
Try looking at it another way. This is a one day "test" with a very achievable goal.
That's where I ended up with it. I am legit surprised at how many avenues I've seen it mentioned, so that's all the more reason to participate in such an otherwise meaningless blip. I had a surprise prescription refill notice, so I made sure to get it today. I did all my grocery shopping on Tuesday and go my oil changed yesterday. That would have all been done tomorrow, but meh, no big deal for me.
Smoove_B wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 12:23 pm
The idea is to avoid purchases from major corporations. Patronize small and independent business owners instead.
Okay, I should have gotten that. So "Domino's" may well be off - but "Pita Inn" is a go.
Last edited by Unagi on Thu Feb 27, 2025 3:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Blackhawk wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 6:12 pm
Can I make a suggestion? Rename this to ''The Corporate Resistance Thread' or something similar. People aren't just boycotting on the 28th, they're changing their spending habits to avoid the worst offenders, they're degoogling, they're dropping problematic corporate stocks, they're parking/selling their Teslas, they're changing what apps they use, and so on.
It would be good to have a central place to discuss these subjects and share ideas. This thread is already headed in that direction.
Good call. There's a large Buy Canadian movement currently happening in Canada, which has only shown to people how deeply intertwined we all are.
Daehawk wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 12:31 pm
trying to get people to boycott anything is basically beyond ability. if they use it they figure they...one person...wont make a difference so they dont participate....on and on each person thinks this. nothing happens. At least not enough to dent the crappy whatever needs denting.
I look at that belief as being the root problem with an effort like that. It's someone who holds that belief who's not likely to participate. It's someone who broadcasts that declaration that throws water on others who may actually do it.
Instead, get to say to yourself "at least I did, or didn't, do it". And -hope- that enough people are like that.
Daehawk wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 12:31 pm
trying to get people to boycott anything is basically beyond ability. if they use it they figure they...one person...wont make a difference so they dont participate....on and on each person thinks this. nothing happens. At least not enough to dent the crappy whatever needs denting.
I look at that belief as being the root problem with an effort like that. It's someone who holds that belief who's not likely to participate. It's someone who broadcasts that declaration that throws water on others who may actually do it.
Instead, get to say to yourself "at least I did, or didn't, do it". And -hope- that enough people are like that.
Or, "I'm in! I just made all my Amazon purchases today so I won't have to tomorrow!"
There's still a statement being made but kind of ignores the spirit and the sacrifice.
" Hey OP, listen to my advice alright." -Tha General "“I like taking the guns early...to go to court would have taken a long time. So you could do exactly what you’re saying, but take the guns first, go through due process second.” -President Donald Trump. "...To guard, protect, and maintain his liberty, the freedman should have the ballot; that the liberties of the American people were dependent upon the Ballot-box, the Jury-box, and the Cartridge-box, that without these no class of people could live and flourish in this country." - Frederick Douglass MYT
I think the benefit is that everyone who participates will now sort of personally own a piece of the resistance in their mind and it will be escalated in importance and willingness to be defended. Back when I did door to door work as a youth, I quickly learned that even if someone could or would not open their pocketbook for a donation, many were absolutely thrilled to donate a working pen, give a glass of water or sign a petition. And I run into some of those people over thirty years later, and you know what? They take great pride in giving us a pen that year and now that they are more established they are full on supporters. I think days like this similarly help to galvanize the opposition and make them think it's their idea and they're going to go forth and spread it and defend it.
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Daehawk wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 12:31 pm
trying to get people to boycott anything is basically beyond ability. if they use it they figure they...one person...wont make a difference so they dont participate....on and on each person thinks this. nothing happens. At least not enough to dent the crappy whatever needs denting.
Try looking at it another way. This is a one day "test" with a very achievable goal. When organizing, you always want to start small and get a win. Then you build on that. Having everyone actively try to avoid purchases from major corporations for a single day is actually a pretty realistic and relatively easy to achieve. This isn't necessarily about sending corporations a message - it's about showing people they can collectively accomplish something.
Likewise, the organizers will get an idea of how many people might participate in future, more focused boycotts. If tomorrow's super easy, barely inconvenient act is unnoticeable, there won't be much appetite for (e.g.) shunning Amazon for a week.
What I'm waiting to see is if mainstream media picks up on it. They just might be hungry enough for a story to do so. If that happens we could see more traction.
Jaymann wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 6:19 pm
What I'm waiting to see is if mainstream media picks up on it. They just might be hungry enough for a story to do so. If that happens we could see more traction.
We've already planned to participate, with one exception. I had promised my son he could go roller skating with his friend tomorrow night. But it's a small family-owned skating rink so no harm, no foul.
I was a bit surprised that my wife already knew about it when I told her, as she's not a heavy daily news follower. However, her circle of friends had already passed the date around. So the word of mouth was really effective.
I agree the economic impact is probably negligible, but if it can be pulled off it sets a precedent that could pay dividends down the road. I definitely want to be able to say I was part of any resistance effort, no matter how small.
Enough wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 5:49 pm
I think the benefit is that everyone who participates will now sort of personally own a piece of the resistance in their mind and it will be escalated in importance and willingness to be defended. Back when I did door to door work as a youth, I quickly learned that even if someone could or would not open their pocketbook for a donation, many were absolutely thrilled to donate a working pen, give a glass of water or sign a petition. And I run into some of those people over thirty years later, and you know what? They take great pride in giving us a pen that year and now that they are more established they are full on supporters. I think days like this similarly help to galvanize the opposition and make them think it's their idea and they're going to go forth and spread it and defend it.
YellowKing wrote: Thu Feb 27, 2025 10:13 pm
We've already planned to participate, with one exception. I had promised my son he could go roller skating with his friend tomorrow night. But it's a small family-owned skating rink so no harm, no foul.
I was a bit surprised that my wife already knew about it when I told her, as she's not a heavy daily news follower. However, her circle of friends had already passed the date around. So the word of mouth was really effective.
I agree the economic impact is probably negligible, but if it can be pulled off it sets a precedent that could pay dividends down the road. I definitely want to be able to say I was part of any resistance effort, no matter how small.
Pay in cash, if you haven't prepaid. Banks are high on the list of companies that might notice a big enough blip.
We're going out for lunch tomorrow* to a local (not chain) restaurant and I'll pay the tab in cash. Yes, I actually HAVE CASH in my wallet right now! Apart from that, no economic activity is anticipated.
*because tomorrow is the last day of February's "Taste of Downtown" promotion, wherein each meal eaten at a participating restaurant gets you one entry in a drawing for $500 worth of gift cards. I like my odds. I'd be surprised if more than a few hundred people are playing, and after tomorrow we'll have 13 entries.
I drove past my local chain grocery store at 5:00pm this afternoon. Normally (and especially on a Friday), that would be a time of significant shopping crowds and cashier lines. I know because I usually hit it up for dinner ingredients right after work.
We went to three shops today. Paid cash for lunch at a small locally owned restaurant and at Lulu's Tiny Grocery, then went into the supermarket without buying anything. Business activity and traffic seemed normal at the first two places, but unusually slow at the supermarket.
I don't have anything to offer as far as crowds at businesses around town go (although I doubt there was much impact here in Trumpsville), but I can say that I didn't drop a dime at any non-local business today, nor did any of my immediate family.
If recent history tells us anything, next up is "out with a wimper."
" Hey OP, listen to my advice alright." -Tha General "“I like taking the guns early...to go to court would have taken a long time. So you could do exactly what you’re saying, but take the guns first, go through due process second.” -President Donald Trump. "...To guard, protect, and maintain his liberty, the freedman should have the ballot; that the liberties of the American people were dependent upon the Ballot-box, the Jury-box, and the Cartridge-box, that without these no class of people could live and flourish in this country." - Frederick Douglass MYT
E-commerce consulting and analytics firm Momentum Commerce found that transactions on Amazon during the February 28th boycott ended the day 1% higher than the average across the past eight Fridays.
"Overall we’re not seeing a major downturn in sales on Amazon US today, although the peak hours are a bit softer from the average Friday," John T. Shea, CEO of Momentum Commerce, told me.
The data showed stronger performance earlier in the day, with sales tracking 6.8% above typical levels by midday before moderating in the afternoon and evening hours.
....
The February 28th action appears to be the beginning of a series of planned boycotts. The People's Union USA, which organized the economic blackout, has announced a week-long boycott specifically targeting Amazon from March 7-14.
" Hey OP, listen to my advice alright." -Tha General "“I like taking the guns early...to go to court would have taken a long time. So you could do exactly what you’re saying, but take the guns first, go through due process second.” -President Donald Trump. "...To guard, protect, and maintain his liberty, the freedman should have the ballot; that the liberties of the American people were dependent upon the Ballot-box, the Jury-box, and the Cartridge-box, that without these no class of people could live and flourish in this country." - Frederick Douglass MYT
E-commerce consulting and analytics firm Momentum Commerce found that transactions on Amazon during the February 28th boycott ended the day 1% higher than the average across the past eight Fridays.
"Overall we’re not seeing a major downturn in sales on Amazon US today, although the peak hours are a bit softer from the average Friday," John T. Shea, CEO of Momentum Commerce, told me.
The data showed stronger performance earlier in the day, with sales tracking 6.8% above typical levels by midday before moderating in the afternoon and evening hours.
....
The February 28th action appears to be the beginning of a series of planned boycotts. The People's Union USA, which organized the economic blackout, has announced a week-long boycott specifically targeting Amazon from March 7-14.
The February 28th action appears to be the beginning of a series of planned boycotts. The People's Union USA, which organized the economic blackout, has announced a week-long boycott specifically targeting Amazon from March 7-14.
Again, as someone with an axe to grind with Amazon and usually does about two purchases a year from them, maybe three if I really need a lot of unique things in a year, that one's easy for me. It has a potential to be meaningful but also has a potential to reveal that liberal outrage is tempest in a teapot.
The point wasn't to make an impact on their profits. That was never going to happen. Especially since people not buying on Friday would just buy it Saturday.
The point was to get people to wake up and start moving. I know that in my room case, it worked. Thinking about the boycott got me thinking more about who I do business with, and got me to make even more changes than I'd planned on.
As someone for whom this happens all the time, typing doesn't always keep pace with thoughts and it can be hard to see your own edits when your thoughts are fresh so you see what you've thought more than what you typed.
Last edited by LordMortis on Mon Mar 03, 2025 12:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
It could also be that those who wanted to cut amazon purchases and stuff out of their budget had/have already done so. It could also be that certain people of a political persuasion upped their buying on friday to make up for the loss. A more accurate point in time would be to look at sales #'s since Drumph won.
Blackhawk wrote: Mon Mar 03, 2025 12:21 pm
I know that in my room case, it worked.
I'm not sure I understand that phrasing.
It's called "I hate posting on my phone, but I was too lazy to walk across the house to the PC." I no doubt accidentally fat-fingerd the 'suggested' next word.
In any case, it's a single data point. There are up days and down days in any business. For all we know, the 28th would have been a +10% day without the boycott. Or it might have been a +1% day and we didn't make an impact. There's no real way to know. In any case, again, that wasn't the point. We all agreed early on that there wouldn't be any real financial impact. It was about the social impact.
"The Radical Left Lunatics, as they often do, are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the World's great automakers, and Elon's 'baby' in order to attack and do harm to Elon, and everything he stands for," Trump wrote in a post to his social media platform, Truth Social. "I'm going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American."
I'm not going to Truth social to get a copy of the source for you.
Consumers colluding to not to buy Teslas is apparently now illegal by decree of the puppet king. And the guy who has made is bread and butter by attacking EVs is going to "buy" one to incentivize a GOP support to buy them as well.
