What brands inspire the most fervent loyalty?

[joebuck20]

Harley-Davidson has to be up there. Serious Harley riders believe their machines to be the pinnacle of modern engineering and are so in love with their rides that they look down on anyone who dares to mount anything else.
(Note, I have no strong opinion one way or another about the actual machines, as I'm not a motorcycle rider. This is just an observation of what their owners are like.)
What other brands have legions of obsessive followers?

[filling_pages]

Pabst Blue Ribbon, if the number of PBR tattoos I've seen is any measure. (Yep, I have one myself.)

[It's Not Rocket Surgery!]

H-D is a great choice.

I'll say Apple.

[runner pat]

Ford and Chevy.

[Covered_In_Bees!]

Converse seems to have a high incidence of loyalty to Chuck Taylor's All Stars brand. I know, I own five separate pairs (http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9545/shoesp.jpg) myself.

Anything sports related, if that counts.

[tdn]

Coke.

[levdrakon]

Levi's jeans, I'd think.

[Covered_In_Bees!]

Levi's jeans, I'd think.

I'd argue those are the de facto jeans guys buy when they merely need somewhere to cover their legs. No loyalty, just default jeans.

If you want loyalty to jeans, check this thread (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=517222) out. ;)

And FWIW (not much, I know), I rushed my above post. I own four different pairs of All-Stars, two duplicates, for a total of six (http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/5554/shoes2p.jpg).

[Harmonious Discord]

Any brands that are union made in America. It doesn't mean we will be fervent about the brand, just the union employees.

[Zsofia]

It's a little thing, but women are very brand-loyal to feminine hygiene products. I don't know anybody who just buys whatever tampons are on sale.

[levdrakon]

I'd argue those are the de facto jeans guys buy when they merely need somewhere to cover their legs. No loyalty, just default jeans.

If you want loyalty to jeans, check this thread (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=517222) out. ;)

What a surreal thread! Sorry, you are not an unbiased source on the matter of jeans loyalty. :p

[panache45]

In my case:

Apple, Levi's, Timberland, New Balance, and Lascaux Studio Acrylic paint.

[maladroit]

Cigarette smokers too, have big brand loyalty. I used to.

[Skammer]

Toothpaste? My wife and I cannot share toothpaste; she is a Crest user, I am a Colgate man. Plus, she squeezes from the middle! Barbarian!

[Beware of Doug]

Professional musicians often gravitate to one maker of gear - Gibson guitars (in the past anyway), Selmer saxes, Buffet clarinets.
It can get to the point where playing anything else makes a tacit statement you don't want to make.

[Hockey Monkey]

For me:

Dansko shoes
Saturn vehicles (I'm picking up the last new one I'll ever be able to buy tomorrow). :( I don't have a clue what brand I'll pick next time.
Lever 2000 soap
Mach 3 razors
Sabra hummus
Dukes Mayonnaise
OPI nail polish
Wavy Lay's potato chips
Lane Bryant clothing (90% of the clothes in my closet, plus undies)
Beneful Dog food
Pepsi

[Telemark]

Canon and Nikon.

[Mr. Krebbs]

Cigarette smokers too, have big brand loyalty. I used to.

Honestly, I have no brand loyalty there. As long as they don't taste like shit (Gsmoke - no longer in production, for good reason), it's all good.

I have a serious case of fanboyism for Fabrique Nationale (http://www.fnherstal.com/), although US.gov might as well force me to use products from FNH USA in my civilian life. FNH USA is great also, but it's not quite the same.

[NoLAFIN]

Can't believe this hasn't been mentioned yet: Oakley.

[smithsb]

Heinz® Tomato Ketchup
For me anyway. No Generic will do.

[hobscrk777]

Professional musicians often gravitate to one maker of gear - Gibson guitars (in the past anyway), Selmer saxes, Buffet clarinets.
It can get to the point where playing anything else makes a tacit statement you don't want to make.

In at least one of these cases, though, Buffett is recognized as perhaps the premier clarinet maker, at least for clarinets that are readily available at a non-astronomical price. In other words, it's not so much brand loyalty as adherence to quality, since there isn't much else in the way of clarinets in the range of Buffett.

[anu-la1979]

Kitchenaid for the Stand Mixer is one I've noticed for other people. I'm thinking of giving this to myself as a birthday present. Do you think it will knead chapati dough for me properly?

Personally:

Canon: I know that Nikon is just as good but my whole family has a strange nostalgic loyalty to Canon related to the Canon SLR my dad took photos of us with from 1981-1999.

Cetaphil extra-gentle face wash. Recommended by my derm in the early 90s and I have clung to it tenaciously because every time I go off of it I get a massive allergy attack.

Heinz tomato ketchup

Ipod: I can't imagine getting any sort of other MP3 player because Apple makes it easy for me.

Honda: I'm from a Toyota family but I converted to Honda after I was the cheese in a 4 car crash sandwich (not at fault, I was pushed into the car in front of me when I was rearended on the freeway). My bumper was falling off and I was able to drive my car from SF to LA by duct taping it. An inspection later revealed that the collision had damaged the chassis. She drives fine, the old girl. I had AAA at the time and even though the damages were something like $1000 less than the value of the car, they rebuilt it.

[Fuzzy Dunlop]

Coke.

Seriously? The beverage or the drug? Have you ever met anyone who, when told "we only have pepsi", ordered another drink? Sometimes when waiters say "sorry, is pepsi ok?" or vice versa I feign a disgusted face and say I'd rather have water instead. I've always gotten reactions suggesting it's extremely rare for anyone to be loyal enough to coke or pepsi to care.

[Beware of Doug]

In at least one of these cases, though, Buffett is recognized as perhaps the premier clarinet maker, at least for clarinets that are readily available at a non-astronomical price. In other words, it's not so much brand loyalty as adherence to quality, since there isn't much else in the way of clarinets in the range of Buffett.I still believe it's largely brand loyalty. Especially with Selmer, Leblanc, and Yamaha in regular use by (fewer) pros.

[vandal]

Have you ever met anyone who, when told "we only have pepsi", ordered another drink?

I do. I'm a Pepsi drinker, and if the restaurant only has Coke, then I get iced tea, or water. An ex-girlfriend of mine was the same way. I know we're still in the minority who do this, but to answer your question, yes, there are people like us out there.

[River Hippie]

Craftsman tools.
Snap-on tools.
I used to be a loyal Redwing boot fan. Now they're making them in China so all bets are off on my next boot purchase.

[Joey P]

Cigarette smokers too, have big brand loyalty. I used to.

I've heard that cigarette smokers have the strongest brandy loyalty. It's one of the few things that if the store has the item, just not the right brand a lot of people will just leave and go to the next store.

[Really Not All That Bright]

I'd argue those are the de facto jeans guys buy when they merely need somewhere to cover their legs. No loyalty, just default jeans.

If you want loyalty to jeans, check this thread (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=517222) out. ;)

And FWIW (not much, I know), I rushed my above post. I own four different pairs of All-Stars, two duplicates, for a total of six (http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/5554/shoes2p.jpg).
How did I miss that?

[Joey P]

Craftsman tools.
Snap-on tools.
I used to be a loyal Redwing boot fan. Now they're making them in China so all bets are off on my next boot purchase.

Are Craftsman tool people still Craftsman tool people? Personally I switched to Kobalt.

[Zsofia]

Seriously? The beverage or the drug? Have you ever met anyone who, when told "we only have pepsi", ordered another drink? Sometimes when waiters say "sorry, is pepsi ok?" or vice versa I feign a disgusted face and say I'd rather have water instead. I've always gotten reactions suggesting it's extremely rare for anyone to be loyal enough to coke or pepsi to care.
Coke sent me to college. I'll accept Pepsi but I won't like it.

[Freudian Slit]

It's a little thing, but women are very brand-loyal to feminine hygiene products. I don't know anybody who just buys whatever tampons are on sale.

Same here. I was going to get some at costco (well, my parents were getting them for me), and they were the right brand, the right size, except they were scented and I only wear unscented. So...yeah, you might say a smidge TOO particular. I have tried other brands, too, and I only like Playtex gentle glide.

[Freudian Slit]

I do. I'm a Pepsi drinker, and if the restaurant only has Coke, then I get iced tea, or water. An ex-girlfriend of mine was the same way. I know we're still in the minority who do this, but to answer your question, yes, there are people like us out there.

Same here, except for Coke. I don't drink too much soda anymore but I never cared for the taste of Pepsi.

[The Punkyova]

Women who love Chico's tend to love Chico's. I know quite a few who don't shop anywhere else.

I also know women who know the ONE brand and color of lipstick that is right for everyday wear, and go crazy during the periodic "let's rename everything and pretend these are all new colors" fits that cosmetic companies have.

Fuzzy Dunlop, are you a southerner, or have you spent any time in the South? When they had the whole "New Coke" debacle, there were people setting up picket lines outside grocery stores to keep them from stocking it, songs (Google "Please don't change the taste of Coke") on the radio and other such madness. I worked as a waitress in high school, and people turned down Pepsi all the time. (It was a chain steak place, and we didn't have the Coke option. It was something the manager brought up a lot in discussions with higher ups.)

[WordMan]

Professional musicians often gravitate to one maker of gear - Gibson guitars (in the past anyway), Selmer saxes, Buffet clarinets.
It can get to the point where playing anything else makes a tacit statement you don't want to make.

Gotta agree. Any tool inspires passion if it helps you with your craft - brands of paint, yarn, food ingredients (I don't know how many secret recipes are based on a specific brand), etc. But yeah, different guitars matter. There are whole cultures based on whether you prefer Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Rickenbacker, etc...

What's sticky is the replicas. There are guitars out there that are just as good as the originals. Stevie Ray Vaughn is famously playing a Japanese Tokai replica of a Fender Strat on the cover of his first CD. I have owned a few replicas over the years and loved them...but yeah, I gravitate towards my Gibsons...

[Snite]

Dr. Pepper. I've known Dr. Pepper drinkers to cuss people out who - when given money for the "you fly I buy" - bought the wrong drink. As a Dr. Pepper man myself I nod to and receive nods from other drinkers when passing by.

Also, back when I was a smoker if the store was out of Camels I moved on to the next.

[salinqmind]

Friskies Feline Favorites. If they ever stop making it, my kitty Marco is doomed, because he won't eat anything else. Not even human food.

Carhartt jackets. The pinnacle of outerwear, I'm told.

Dannon yogurt. Nothing else comes close.

Pantene shampoo and conditioner.

And perfume and cologne. I have a handful of favorites they either stopped making or aren't sold in the U.S. any more, so I have my work cut out for me when I run out!

Crowley cottage cheese. Ditto.

Guiness. Or Blue Moon beer. Everything else is just...beer.

[GuanoLad]

Ford and Chevy.Holden (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden)

[Fuzzy Dunlop]

Fuzzy Dunlop, are you a southerner, or have you spent any time in the South? When they had the whole "New Coke" debacle, there were people setting up picket lines outside grocery stores to keep them from stocking it, songs (Google "Please don't change the taste of Coke") on the radio and other such madness. I worked as a waitress in high school, and people turned down Pepsi all the time. (It was a chain steak place, and we didn't have the Coke option. It was something the manager brought up a lot in discussions with higher ups.)

I've never been further south than Northern Virginia. I'm willing to admit I'm wrong, but in my experience it's a brand people are superficially loyal to, not fervently. I always buy pepsi products at the grocery store but I'm happy as a clam drinking whatever is available. Anyway I don't know how to resolve the issue one way or the other since I'm sure it's easy to find individual people on either side.

[BKReporter]

Have you ever met anyone who, when told "we only have pepsi", ordered another drink?

My wife. She'll drink other sodas like Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew. But Coke is the only cola she'll imbibe. If we go to a restaurant and they say they have Pepsi and not Coke, she'll order something else.

[levdrakon]

I mildly prefer Coke over Pepsi, but generally in a restaurant situation if I asked for a coke I wouldn't care what brand it is and if the server asked, "is Pepsi okay?" I'd probably laugh. "Sure, whatever."

Diet Coke is my thing though. If I can't get a Diet Coke, I'll forego any other diet soda for a sugar one.

[Airman Doors, USAF]

Gun companies and/or gun types and/or calibers inspire incredible loyalty. You should see the debates on the Internet. A few examples:

Glock v. SigSauer v. H&K

9mm Luger v. .40 S&W v. .45 ACP

AK-47 type rifles v. M-16 type rifles

Semi-automatics v. Revolvers

It's the equivalent of Ford v. Chevy or Coke v. Pepsi. Truth be told, those arguments are mild compared to those on gun forums. Those can go on for pages, and there are thousands of threads devoted to the subjects.

[jasonh300]

I'd argue those are the de facto jeans guys buy when they merely need somewhere to cover their legs. No loyalty, just default jeans.

You pick a number...in my case, 505...and buy Levi's 505's every time, the same size, with maybe slight variation in the waist size over the years, and they fit EXACTLY the same, every time.

My Mother-In-Law bought me a couple of pairs of Wrangler jeans for Christmas a few years ago and they immediately didn't feel right and after several hours became so uncomfortable that I couldn't wear them anymore.

[Freudian Slit]

I usually buy Levis as well. Except not always the same number--I got some skinny jeans last time which are really comfy. I don't remember the exact number/style, though...really should. They are great jeans.

I did also get an expensive ass designer jean except I don't even know the designer brand's name. They do look slightly cooler than my Levis but I'm not sure they're worth going into the double digits over.

[elmwood]

It's a little thing, but women are very brand-loyal to feminine hygiene products. I don't know anybody who just buys whatever tampons are on sale.

I don't smoke, but smokers I know are the same way about cigarettes, even down to the size (regular vs 100s) and package (soft vs hard pack).

[silenus]

Wild Turkey. Jimmy Russell is a god.

[elmwood]

Are Craftsman tool people still Craftsman tool people? Personally I switched to Kobalt.

Generally, Craftsman tool fans are those who like quality tools, but don't work or visit places where Mac or Snap-On trucks stops.

Craftsman - made in the USA.
Kobalt - mostly made in ☭hina.

[LSLGuy]

BMW. Cars or motorcycles.

Once you ignore the status symbol du jour people, everybody else who owns one won't give it up until / unless they can't afford both the BMW and food.

[luv2draw]

For me:


Saturn vehicles (I'm picking up the last new one I'll ever be able to buy tomorrow). :( I don't have a clue what brand I'll pick next time.



Honda, of course.

[Rysto]

Do sports teams count? Because I think that they win by a gigantic margin.

[panache45]

A few more:

Nikon cameras

Duracell batteries

Old Navy underwear and socks

Smucker's Natural peanut butter

[astro]

Logitech mice

Leatherman micro multi tools (http://www.leatherman.com/products/product.asp?id=22&f=8&c=1). For the larger multi tools I like several brands.

Gillette Anti Perspirant Deodorant Clear Gel dedorants (http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/For-Men/Anti-Perspirant-Deodorant-Clear-Gel/ID=prod3180442&navCount=1&navAction=push-product?V=G&ec=frgl_569050&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku3179275)- No more ruined shirts after I switched to this years ago.

Lipton tea bags. I know there are more elite teas out there, but it's a taste I've grown used to.

Splenda sweetner - much better than Sweet & Low or Equal

Progresso Soups - Their lentil and vegetable soups are much better than Campbells

Lean Cuisine frozen entrees - Not all hits but I like them better than the competition

[Hockey Monkey]

Honda, of course.

Honda and Toyota will never be on my radar. I don't really have to worry about making that decision for at least 7 years when the warranty on my new Saturn expires.

[Taenia spp.]

Huy Fong Food's Sriracha Chili Sauce.

I swear they put crack in that stuff, it's so delicious.

[toofs]

Gun companies and/or gun types and/or calibers inspire incredible loyalty. You should see the debates on the Internet. A few examples:

Glock v. SigSauer v. H&K

9mm Luger v. .40 S&W v. .45 ACP

AK-47 type rifles v. M-16 type rifles

Semi-automatics v. Revolvers

It's the equivalent of Ford v. Chevy or Coke v. Pepsi. Truth be told, those arguments are mild compared to those on gun forums. Those can go on for pages, and there are thousands of threads devoted to the subjects.

Truth.

Talk pistols with older guys and they will proudly state that if your pistol isn't an M1911, you surely are a pinko commie hippie fag.

[silenus]

Browning forever!

[toofs]

Browning forever!

His Hi-Power is a nicer pistol to fire, and the 1911 guys don't quite know what to say about it. After all, the same guy designed both, but the Hi-Power is in that limp wristed, pinko Euro 9mm and not the hairy chested American .45ACP.

Too funny.

[Rex Goliath]

Saab, apparently. A buddy of mine has spammed nonstop anti-GM crap on his facebook ever since the Saab story broke. I mean, for years he's posted about his new left blinker he just modded into his Saab, but he's over the wall. It's weird.

[Mr. Krebbs]

His Hi-Power is a nicer pistol to fire, and the 1911 guys don't quite know what to say about it. After all, the same guy designed both, but the Hi-Power is in that limp wristed, pinko Euro 9mm and not the hairy chested American .45ACP.

Too funny.

Sorry, I have to disagree with you about the Hi-Power being a nicer pistol to fire by design; it sounds like you just prefer 9x19 to .45ACP. They do chamber 1911s for the 9x19, try one and report back. No handgun ever designed replicates the brilliant trigger of the 1911. Period.

However, the Hi-Power project was started by JMB and finished by Dieudonné Saive (designer of the FN FAL) and thus, the Hi-Power is one of the coolest pistols ever produced.

For the record, even Colonel Jeff Cooper - a .45ACP curmudgeon if there ever was one - paid considerable respect to the CZ75 in 9x19. He didn't grant such praise to the Hi-Power for some reason.

[kayaker]

Coke sent me to college.

You dealt your way through?!:eek:

[I Am The Lorax]

The Body Shop cosmetics and toiletries
Calvin Klein jeans and undies
OB tampons
Doc Marten shoes/boots
Chuck Taylor All-Stars sneakers
Sweet 'n' Low
Chock Full o' Nuts coffee
Frank's RedHot
Sahlen's hot dogs
Weber's mustard
Heinz ketchup

I never thought of myself as a brand whore, but maybe I am. I am imagining a day that begins like any other (except for being narrated by Rod Serling) but goes really wrong really fast when I find all my familiar favorites have been replaced. My skin is itchy, blotchy and has pimples everyone can see. My bra slides around and my boobs fall out; I have an unpickable wedgie, cameltoe, and a leaky tampon. My feet hurt. And horror of horrors, my coffee tastes like a mud puddle. I hope this day never comes.

[levdrakon]

The Body Shop cosmetics and toiletries
Calvin Klein jeans and undies
OB tampons
Doc Marten shoes/boots
Chuck Taylor All-Stars sneakers
Sweet 'n' Low
Chock Full o' Nuts coffee
Frank's RedHot
Sahlen's hot dogs
Weber's mustard
Heinz ketchup

I never thought of myself as a brand whore, but maybe I am. I am imagining a day that begins like any other (except for being narrated by Rod Serling) but goes really wrong really fast when I find all my familiar favorites have been replaced. My skin is itchy, blotchy and has pimples everyone can see. My bra slides around and my boobs fall out; I have an unpickable wedgie, cameltoe, and a leaky tampon. My feet hurt. And horror of horrors, my coffee tastes like a mud puddle. I hope this day never comes.Except for your boobs falling out. That would be funny!

[ralph124c]

Willard Burial vaults:
BEST damn coffins made!
No reason to cheap out, when you take that final dirt nap!
Where will YOU spend eternity!

[Zsofia]

You dealt your way through?!:eek:
Through a lesbian pinko women's college, no less. :)

[vivalostwages]

Farberware.

[breezman]

The only die-hard brand loyalties I have are Apple and TiVo. Sony and Pantene are pretty close behind.

[Miss Mapp]

For me:

Saturn vehicles (I'm picking up the last new one I'll ever be able to buy tomorrow). :( I don't have a clue what brand I'll pick next time.

Except for being able to buy another one before they are gone, this is how I feel about Saturn. My last two cars have been Saturn SL2s, and I'm very sorry to see them go.

[appleciders]

Google. I can't think of any company that has such a strong, positive corporate image as Google, and I don't know hardly anyone who has a loyalty to any other search engine.

[drachillix]

Google. I can't think of any company that has such a strong, positive corporate image as Google, and I don't know hardly anyone who has a loyalty to any other search engine.


What other search engine? Is there another?

<crickets>

[Snickers]

Birkenstocks. You can take my Birks when you pry them from my cold, dead, er, feet, I guess.

Definitely tampons. I'm a Tampax gal, myself.

Toothpaste. Any brand, so long as it's Crest.

[River Hippie]

Are Craftsman tool people still Craftsman tool people? Personally I switched to Kobalt.

In addition to what elmwood said, Craftsman is usually good enough if you are not a professional that is using and abusing your tools day-in and day-out. I was a heavy equipment assembler for 10+ years and even with heavy daily use Craftsman was more than adequate. Snap-on, Mac, Proto etc. were a little better designed, a little stronger and a whole lot more expensive. From what I've seen of Kobalt, they seem fine but they don't have as wide a range of less common hand tools. The only place I've seen them is at Lowe's home improvement stores so maybe I haven't seen thier whole line.

[aerodave]

Seriously? ... Have you ever met anyone who, when told "we only have pepsi", ordered another drink?

Me and my wife both. If I hear "we only have Pepsi", then I'll order a Mountain Dew, or an iced tea. Coke is the only cola I will drink, period. My wife drinks Diet, but she's the same way...no Diet Pepsi, only Diet Coke.

Did you ever stop to think that the reason they ask is because it's an important distinction to some noticeable portion of their guests? And the fact that virtually every restaurant does it means that it's a common issue everywhere. I'm not saying the majority of people care that much...but the entire service industry hasn't been conditioned to ask because no one cares.

[runner pat]

Me and my wife both. If I hear "we only have Pepsi", then I'll order a Mountain Dew, or an iced tea. Coke is the only cola I will drink, period. My wife drinks Diet, but she's the same way...no Diet Pepsi, only Diet Coke.

Did you ever stop to think that the reason they ask is because it's an important distinction to some noticeable portion of their guests? And the fact that virtually every restaurant does it means that it's a common issue everywhere. I'm not saying the majority of people care that much...but the entire service industry hasn't been conditioned to ask because no one cares.

Part of the reason is that legally and the contract they have with the drink supplier is that if you order Coke, they must tell you they have Pepsi(and vice versa).

[Gary "Wombat" Robson]

There are a lot of beverages that people develop fanatical brand loyalty to. I see it with Coke and Pepsi, and with a lot of beers (I'm a Guinness man, but there are a lot of other beers I like, too). My dad drank only Chivas Regal (he'd suffer through Johnny Walker Black if there was no Chivas available), and a *lot* of people drink only Cuervo Gold when they drink tequila, despite the fact that it's consistently rated as one of the worst gold tequilas available.

What amuses me the most is that we put on a blind taste test, and the overwhelming majority of fanatic "American megabrew" fans (Bud, Miller...) couldn't pick their favorite brand out of a lineup.

I'd have to agree, though, that it's hard to beat Harley-Davidson and Apple Computer for hardcore brand loyalty.

Pabst Blue Ribbon, if the number of PBR tattoos I've seen is any measure. (Yep, I have one myself.)Lots of PBR tattoos around here, but *we* all know that PBR stands for "Professional Bull Riding," not "Pabst Blue Ribbon." ;)

[Gary "Wombat" Robson]

In addition to what elmwood said, Craftsman is usually good enough if you are not a professional that is using and abusing your tools day-in and day-out.Actually, this is exactly why I used to buy all Craftsman hand tools. Back in the old days, they had a lifetime guarantee, and if it broke, they'd replace it no questions asked. I used to date a girl who worked in the hardware department at Sears, and she said they'd replace even tools that had been obviously badly abused.

I don't know how it works with them today, but there was a *reason* I was a Craftsman fan 25 years ago.

[Yorikke]

I've heard that cigarette smokers have the strongest brandy loyalty. It's one of the few things that if the store has the item, just not the right brand a lot of people will just leave and go to the next store.

Where I work, if we run out of a brand or style, it's about 50-50 whether they walk out, or buy another brand / style.

Joe

[Freudian Slit]

Birkenstocks. You can take my Birks when you pry them from my cold, dead, er, feet, I guess.

Definitely tampons. I'm a Tampax gal, myself.

From our cold dead vaginas.

[River Hippie]

Actually, this is exactly why I used to buy all Craftsman hand tools. Back in the old days, they had a lifetime guarantee, and if it broke, they'd replace it no questions asked. I used to date a girl who worked in the hardware department at Sears, and she said they'd replace even tools that had been obviously badly abused.

I don't know how it works with them today, but there was a *reason* I was a Craftsman fan 25 years ago.

I just returned two broken ratchets about a month ago. One wasn't even a whole ratchet, it was just the parts I could find in my engine compartment after it popped apart under extreme duress (cough /two foot cheater pipe /cough). No questions asked but after I got home I noticed the replacements both had "refurbished" stickers on them. They seem fine though.

[Kobal2]

Xbox vs. PS3 vs. Wii (vs. PCs). Pick your side and grab your weapon son. This is WAR.

[toofs]

Sorry, I have to disagree with you about the Hi-Power being a nicer pistol to fire by design; it sounds like you just prefer 9x19 to .45ACP. They do chamber 1911s for the 9x19, try one and report back. No handgun ever designed replicates the brilliant trigger of the 1911. Period.

However, the Hi-Power project was started by JMB and finished by Dieudonné Saive (designer of the FN FAL) and thus, the Hi-Power is one of the coolest pistols ever produced.

For the record, even Colonel Jeff Cooper - a .45ACP curmudgeon if there ever was one - paid considerable respect to the CZ75 in 9x19. He didn't grant such praise to the Hi-Power for some reason.

It is not the 9x19 of the Hi-Power that I like, it is the shape, width, length and angle of the grip I prefer. The 1911 grip is too narrow due to the single stack magazine and too long front to back. The straight back strap does not curve to fit the hand.

Also, I don't like the single action of the 1911. Sure the trigger feels great, but if you aren't cocked and locked and need to fire a shot it is too slow.

Better fitting handguns have been designed since John Browning came up with the 1911. See his own Hi-Power as an example.

Glad you mentioned the CZ75. It fits the hand fantastically, and the trigger location is perfect for folks with large hands. They feel really nice.

[runner pat]

Also, I don't like the single action of the 1911. Sure the trigger feels great, but if you aren't cocked and locked and need to fire a shot it is too slow.



? The Hi-Power is also a single action.

[pythonzzz]

What's sticky is the replicas. There are guitars out there that are just as good as the originals. Stevie Ray Vaughn is famously playing a Japanese Tokai replica of a Fender Strat on the cover of his first CD. I have owned a few replicas over the years and loved them...but yeah, I gravitate towards my Gibsons...

Slight hijack - what's your opinion on the early '70's Electra Les Paul?

[toofs]

? The Hi-Power is also a single action.

Yup. I confused it with the CZ75.:smack:

[Mudshark]

I've heard that cigarette smokers have the strongest brandy loyalty. It's one of the few things that if the store has the item, just not the right brand a lot of people will just leave and go to the next store.

Or the right length. When I worked in a gas station most people will not go from Kings to 100's or the other way around.

I'm not too picky about length, I prefer 100's, but will smoke kings if they are on special. Same way with brands. I prefer Marlboro Menthol or Parliament Menthol. But if they don't have that, Salems or Newports are ok.

Alcoholic beverages are something that people have a lot of loyalty to also.

[SomeBodyUK]

Heinz Baked Beans - this is a big deal in UK

Kellogg's Cornflakes

[pullin]

Holy crap! No one has mentioned VI .vs. EMACS yet?

Please leave your geek cards on the table as you exit. :p

[Sigmagirl]

Huy Fong Food's Sriracha Chili Sauce.

I swear they put crack in that stuff, it's so delicious.

This was the Food Item of the Year (or similar designation) from Bon Appetit Magazine. I think I'll have to buy some!

[WordMan]

Slight hijack - what's your opinion on the early '70's Electra Les Paul?

Not sure - my experience is with Ibanez, Greco, Tokai and Burny; I haven't owned an Electra. I've heard good things, but it can really depend on the model...oftentimes, the cheaper Les Paul replicas had bolt-on necks, which is not standard to a real Les Paul. The replicas can still sound good in their own right, but won't sound really like a Les Paul...

[olivesmarch4th]

Honda: I'm from a Toyota family but I converted to Honda after I was the cheese in a 4 car crash sandwich (not at fault, I was pushed into the car in front of me when I was rearended on the freeway). My bumper was falling off and I was able to drive my car from SF to LA by duct taping it. An inspection later revealed that the collision had damaged the chassis. She drives fine, the old girl. I had AAA at the time and even though the damages were something like $1000 less than the value of the car, they rebuilt it.
Every person I know who has ever had a Honda has remained consistently loyal since day one. Including, I think, me. I bought my first new car, a 2009 Honda Fit (http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/09-fit-first-drive-1280-01_opt.jpg), last year, and I freakin' love it. I've had it for six months and I'm still head-over-heels. I recently went on vacation for about a week, and when I returned home and jumped in the Honda to run some errands, I was unexpectedly flooded with happiness at being back ''home'' in my car. They are fun to drive and last forever. A totally well-deserved case of brand loyalty if you ask me. (Toyota and Ford also deserve the brand loyalty they get IMO... which you choose is just a matter of preference and style.)

I am a fervently brand-loyal person in general, especially about toiletries. I'll never use anything other than:

Secret Deodorant
Pantene Shampoo/Conditioner
Neutrogena foundation/skin care products

I'm brand loyal with food too. And just about everything. I totally buy into image. I am the reason for advertisements.

[LouisB]

CocaCola Classic; I will not accept substitutes other than water.

[Freudian Slit]

I'm brand loyal when I find a make up brand I really like. I don't like anything other than Plump and Shine for lip gloss, and I will not wear anything but bare escuntels for foundation.

[gonzomax]

It used to be automobiles. There were Chevy people, Ford people and some Chrysler people. They used to be quite sure their brand was better and argued it to death. When foreign brands came in they showed how poor some of our cars were.
The days of automobile songs are gone. Little Deuce Coup, My 409, GTO , T Bird songs are pretty much things of the past.

[Kobal2]

Holy crap! No one has mentioned VI .vs. EMACS yet?

Please leave your geek cards on the table as you exit. :p

Doesn't count, because VI is not a brand. Nor a product. It's a torture method, and its supporters are all suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.

[Gary "Wombat" Robson]

Holy crap! No one has mentioned VI .vs. EMACS yet?That's because EMACS lost so long ago that there's no controversy anymore.

:D

[hobscrk777]

Huy Fong Food's Sriracha Chili Sauce.

I swear they put crack in that stuff, it's so delicious.

+1

[AHunter3]

Holy crap! No one has mentioned VI .vs. EMACS yet?

Please leave your geek cards on the table as you exit. :p

Oh please. pico.

[lindsaybluth]

+2 from our cold dead vaginas. I can honestly say that tampons are the ONE item whose price does not even register in my mind.

As far as car brand loyalty goes, I think people are country-conscious. Like they'll only buy german cars, japanese cars, korean, american, etc.

Sriracha Chili Sauce nom nom nom.

And Heinz Ketchup. It's more vinegar-y than other brands, and a brighter red.

[ginman999]

Friskies Feline Favorites. If they ever stop making it, my kitty Marco is doomed, because he won't eat anything else. Not even human food.

Carhartt jackets. The pinnacle of outerwear, I'm told.

Dannon yogurt. Nothing else comes close.

Pantene shampoo and conditioner.

And perfume and cologne. I have a handful of favorites they either stopped making or aren't sold in the U.S. any more, so I have my work cut out for me when I run out!

Crowley cottage cheese. Ditto.

Guiness. Or Blue Moon beer. Everything else is just...beer.

Only cottage cheese I eat is Michigan brand, Love it, hate all other brands. Its a very dry cottage cheese. Is it a national brand?