Is it time to Break-Up with your Favorite Brands?

Posted on by under Finances

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I have been thinking a lot about brand loyalty and really, it goes both ways. So often we as consumers will go out of our way to reach a certain brand that we love. Maybe we’ll pay the higher prices, drive to a further location just to shop there, or even dedicate half our closet exclusively to that favorite brand! However, if that brand isn’t showing you some “love” in return, it may be time to rethink your relationship with them and see if it’s time for an official break-up! If you start to think of your consumer-retailer relationship more like a boyfriend-girlfriend scenario, you might see a company for what they really stand for and find a company that will really love you back!

If your favorite brand doesn’t. . . .

  • Value your friendship -Friendship is very important in a relationship and means truly getting to the other person’s likes and dislikes. Does your brand try to get to know who their target demographic is? Their promotional materials and outreach should be targeted right to who they want to reach and if they really “understand” who they’re trying to reach like a friend might those efforts will be right on target!
  • Sometimes give you gifts -In relationships one way to really show love is by gifts! The gift doesn’t need to be anything monetary to show that you’ve been thought of by the giver. Does your brand think to offer incentives with purchases or free occasional gifts just because? There are some brands that are very generous in their gifting with coupon offers for a free gift with purchase or a free gift just for coming into their store! While not every company has the budget to allow for free gifts without purchase, they can certainly dip a bit into their profits to offer gifts! Some of the best ones are when a company “surprises” you with a gift that was not expected but came included with your purchase like a chocolate that shipped with an online order. What better way to woe a lady then with some chocolate!
  • Hang-out with you socially – Through Social Media, I mean. Social media these days is a very important aspect of being able to connect with your friends, family, and even companies. I have seen social media being used to field customer service related questions or concerns, offer honest feedback and reviews, build a community of like-minded customers and offer a way to get a bit more personal with a company. If a brand isn’t available for you to reach through at least one social media outlet, what’s the deal? Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ can be a great way to reach out to a company.
  • Have fun with you – Shopping with a brand really ought to be fun, just like spending time with your beau. I know I’m always having a great time when I score a major find when shopping! Companies should be regularly offering coupons, discounts, promotions, a free shipping code, or the like to show you they are thinking of you. Have you ever went shopping and found such a deal you were left buzzing about it and excited the rest of the day? That’s how you should feel about that company you love – excited and having fun!
  • Give you advice – Your best of best friends and partners are always the ones you turn to for advice and a great brand can easily be there for you in some ways in this aspect as well. Does that brand you’re picturing right now share advice, articles, or informative guides? Companies that focus on food can easily incorporate recipes or cooking how-to’s to really show you how to USE their product! Products for babies can share content on how caring for your baby that relates to their product. When a company offers you lots of useful information and a full and rich website then it becomes much easier to decide if their product is right for you.

. . .then it just may be time to call it quits!

If you’re a brand, get thinking about how you treat your customers and how you might incorporate some of the tips above. As a consumer, do you have any funny stories about a brand gone wrong that you would have no problems “dumping” on the spot?

Disclosure: The post above is based on my own experience and opinions. The included link is brought to you by our friends at Couponology.


About Janel

Janel is the owner and lead blogger of A Mom's Take. She is the mother of 4 little boys ages 6 and under. She loves to play board games and digital scrapbook.
  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=760945593 Allison Adams Teague

    It’s so hard to switch sometimes! I’ve been trying here and there to save money. Most of the time the generic stuff is just as good as the name brand.

  • Nina Kimwa

    Thank you for a nice information. I like it :)

  • Naina John

    your article makes sense. Good post. Sticking to a brand makes you pay more. Its good to be flexible.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Heidi-J-Sisco/100002172196922 Heidi J. Sisco

    This is some great advice. I hadn’t really thought about brands this way prior to reading this article, but it makes perfect sense. Thanks =)

  • Cindi

    I never thought about these ideas…
    Thanks, Cindi

  • GrammaDeb

    Arrrrgh who really CARES about if my brand is on Facebook? Seriously! I don’t have my Face all over for the world to get into my business….
    As long as a brand has a website, with the contact forms easily accessed, and phone numbers to call them, that is sufficient unto any needs for socializing in my world.
    And I have found that the big companies are very very good about answering any concerns I have had when I found it necessary to contact them.
     
    What I love about a relationship with companies or restaurants is REWARDS! lol  Oh yes, I love it very much when there are loyalty rewards, like my fav chinese place gives me a little card, and after I buy ten meals, the 11th is free!  Or Noodles and  Mexican village gives me a FREE meal on my Birthday! (Benihana too!)  LOVE this sort of rewards.

    Oh- The Target Red Card, too- instant 5% savings on every purchase!

  • Donna George

    I agree totally. A real relationship should be give/take. I spend money, you try to help me in return.

  • sandy weinstein

    i am not really loyal to anything these days….it seems like most everyone is out for themselves….of course, there are a few companies that have very good customer service which i am loyal to…kohls, nordstrom, harris teeter, but in this day and age with the economy so bad, it is the dollar that that is the bottom line….

  • Edjscott

    Exactly!

  • Jamie K

    There are very few things I’m brand loyal about.  Most of the time I don’t care about brands, but I definitely have a few select things that I won’t branch out on.

  • Cheryl W.

    I absolutely agree. In this day and age where economic conditions are tough, my brand loyalty is being re-evaluated. 

  • Jenzen69

    Very creative and helpful at the same time. It sure has got me thinking about different brands ive been loyal to regardless of price

  • Carolyn Colley

    Your article is great.  I have a hard time sometimes letting go of certain items and that makes it difficult to try new things.  The 5 steps are great, because I’m the same way when it comes to letting go of friends/so call friends, because I don’t want to hurt their feelings.  This is great.

    • http://www.amomstake.com A Mom’s Take

      Thanks for the great feedback! I totally know what you mean – I’m like that when I go to restaurants and almost always order the same thing, lol! :)