Why do you buy?

I'm curious.

Do you buy one brand of something verses another brand because of the company's charity work or contributions, regardless if the cost is a bit more?

Here's why I'm asking. My friend and I were grocery shopping the other evening and I bought Dawn dishwashing liquid. He picked up the (on sale) Palmolive dish soap to purchase and asked me why I buy Dawn. He wanted to know if Dawn was better. After thinking about it, to me, there really isn't much difference in the two products, it's just that the Dawn people (whoever that is< Lever Bros. maybe?) contribute money and resources to wildlife projects and protection. I'm a big believer in protecting wildlife, so I figure if I buy their product, I can help them help wildlife.

Same visit, I buy Pedigree dog food for my dogs. Same deal, I'm sure there are other dog foods out there that my guys would eat, and be just fine, but I buy Pedigree because they contribute a lot of money and resources to animal shelters. All of my dogs are from animal shelters so I support Pedigree in some degree to help them help the animals.

I know there are other item/brands I buy just because of their charity work, I just wonder if I'm one of the few who do this or is this pretty common?

If it's pretty common, wouldn't you think a company would really benefit by touting the fact that they support certain charities?

Are there products you buy because of their charity work even if the item costs more then it's competitor?

Wow! I didn't realize I just wrote a book. If this topic needs to be moved, I'm cool with that. I really am just curious.

Tanya

Well,I really don't know about which causes companies support,so I go by my perceived product quality and its value.I also avoid as much as possible companies that have shown to do wrong in my eyes like B.P.,I'll never buy a Toyota again,I'll never buy Starbucks again after learning they used carmine in their Strawberry drinks and sweets(even though I never had them myself),and so on.I also buy Pedigree for my dogs ,just because they like it

I may be kind of cynical but I think companies should do that kind of stuff and not use it as a main point of advertising.
I do not buy Dawn because of the wildlife thing because Dawn is made from oil and is part of the problem to begin with, in my book. I think it is better to use plant based cleaners than help clean animals harmed by the very oil the product is sourced from. Pedigree I do buy sometimes, but I think companies like Halo or Nutrish are doing more to help animals.
I do buy Tom's Shoes because of their donation policy. I do not buy Sketchers Bob's because they directly copied Tom's and do it to get business (in my opinion) not just to help people.
I love a company that wants to help because it is the right thing to do, but not so much when I perceive them as doing it to for the sake of making more money.

Yeah, when I see a company that says they'll make a donation for each purchase "up to $50,000" or some such I put it back on the shelf. As if they wouldn't normally sell 50,000 units anyhow. Just make the donation if you care for the cause. I'm cynical, too. The older I get the more attitude I have.

Lori wrote:Yeah, when I see a company that says they'll make a donation for each purchase "up to $50,000" or some such I put it back on the shelf. As if they wouldn't normally sell 50,000 units anyhow. Just make the donation if you care for the cause. I'm cynical, too. The older I get the more attitude I have.

Ditto!

Ditto Ditto

I don't buy because they donate...I also don't put much stock in places that do charitable events against my beliefs. It's their choice to do what they want as I have a choice not to buy or visit those places.

Anyhoo... with that said...I'm a mom on the broke side now so I tend to buy things on sale that are good quality, environmentally conscious, and safe for kids (as in no to little toxins).

I buy things because they are 1) better, 2) the company reputation, 3) contributions. 4) sale price5) where it is manufactured.
I use Severnth generation, because they donate TONS to wildlife. When the Deep Horizon blew up they sent truckloads of SG dish liquid to clean wildlife, free of charge. It is also safer, and better for the environment.
I feed my Dogs Innova, Because it is better for them, and they don't use ingredients from china, it is not cheaper, but it is made in the US.

I do sales also, but I am picky about what i will buy on sale.

Interesting. Thank you for replying. Like I said, I was just curious. I guess I've never really paid attention to WHY I buy something before, it's never really mattered. It's just one of those things.

Tanya