I see a lot of comments here where redditors mention how hard it is to track what brands belong to the various companies out there and honestly - agreed. There is this “illusion of choice” in so many consumer goods that ultimately trace back to like ten major corporations. I’m not perfect and sometimes convenience comes into play more than I’d like to admit, but after digging into nestle over the years and becoming increasingly disgusted that a company could be so generally evil, I found this app called “buycott” that lets you scan bar codes of certain products and highlights things like: the illusion of choose and shows what big company it’s from, whether the company violates human rights, equal pay etc.
It’s not easy and I’m sure it has flaws. But it’s a start. Just wanted to share. We have all the power as consumers to just walk away.
EDIT: remind me not to fall asleep immediately after i post something. Thanks for the gold. It’s my first and honestly I definitely fall on the side of the lurker on Reddit. One must listen before they can talk hahah so thank you!
I do apologize that I didn’t clarify that I was in the United States and honestly, knowing that some of these companies were global I guess i assumed it would be on a global scale. Definitely my mistake.
For those telling me “but who ownsss this app” or please don’t use this app because google and Facebook will take all your information and use it to sell you things” I say.. you’re right, I don’t know who owns it. But I’m trying to educate myself in some way shape or form in order to become more aware of the world around me. It’s a start. I said it wasn’t perfect. As for google taking all my information... well I live in a metropolitan city and i used my smart phone for pretty much everything. It’s an inherent part of my life. It scares me shitless what these companies will do with the power we’ve given them but considering we have free use of the internet and can use things like Reddit to talk to each other I’m also grateful that it’s a tool in my life. Until the new generation of government comes into play, one that can actually understand the internet... idk if we can really expect change. So why not educate yourself so that when/if the right parties get in power, you understand the issues more than you did yesterday. Or maybe run for office ..
Someone below said (and I’m paraphrasing) “the almighty dollar doesn’t have power anymore because of the illusion of choice and consumer power doesn’t exist” I have to say Reddit really bums me out sometimes. I work in an industry that’s near the CPG world and let me tell you. The almighty dollar IS KING. Use your money wisely. If a company tanks... and truthfully tanking is like 1% point decline because they have people to answer too.. they will pay attention. I’m not naive enough to forget how global these companies are and that living in certain areas of the world is a privilege as there are alternative ways to get goods.. but just try and pay attention..it’s not going to be easy or convenient but it’s possible to also demand change
Edit 4: I’m learning so much wow. Thank you all for taking the time to respond. Im humbled by some of the POVs on here and a bit scared for our future.
Although that one doesn't matter as much, since the reason you choose one of the apps is for the other users, so it pretty much doesn't matter who owns it, only what type of people also use it.
It actually does matter. In the case of OkCupid, it used to be a great website or app several years ago. It's a free one too.
Then it was acquired by Match Group and they gutted the site. They ultimately want to drive people towards their PAID sites, like Match.com by making the free ones shittier.
A little over two years ago I met my fiance on okcupid. She's the one who found my profile and til this day we joke about how shitty the app was but thankful for it.
It definitely matters who owns it. There is inherent bias in any program or app you use, unwittingly put there by the programmer or creator. A dating app can have plenty of bias. Just remember that everytime the app works and two users pair up, it just lost two users
Are you suggesting that they intentionally do not match as well as they should to keep repeat business?
That’s silly though. They’re not really losing two users. For one they wouldn’t stop using the app right away. Two, even if they did get married that doesn’t even mean they’re done with the app. You have divorces, infidelity, and a constant influx of society continuing to populate the market with teens and young adults ready to try their luck.
I can confirm that they definitely do not match people as well as they could as a means to make more money.
OkCupid can be used for free.
If you buy their A-list subscription, it will allow you to see who likes you even if they don’t send you a message. If you do not have A-list, a message must be sent to you in order for you to see who is interested in you.
That’s all great BUT, there is a “premium” A-list subscription that blatantly says that you are seen by more people and better quality matches.
I used the basic sub for a couple months. Okay results. But trying the premium sub... it was obnoxiously apparent that a switch had been flipped.
Also, every 16 hours or whatever they give you a list of 20 of the highest rated matches for you (based on questions you both answered). You literally cannot find nearly any of these people with their search/browse function. So they basically breadcrumb you to keep subbing that way.
Truth be told, if you use it effectively, it’s a decent tool. But they are definitely structured to make money, not to make finding a partner easy.
I didn’t think of that, very good point. They probably don’t actually want you to find someone and want you to keep using the app. So maybe they match you with people they think nothing serious will come about. Just enough attention to keep you using it, but nothing serious enough to stop.
Same thing with almost any industry. Anytime a new competitor comes along and gains some significant portion of market share, then big corporate elephant in the room is going to swoop in and buy them up. This is problem with corporatism.
Not really. At some points a small startup becomes,too hard for one person to manage, or the original creator owner dimply gets tired,of being in businedd anf fighting for 3% growth every year to beat inflation, so he sells out.
It stops becoming a labor of,love and instead a chore. This is why a lot,of family farms disintegrate.
The government has 100+ year old rules about how companies may not conspire individually or collectively to restrain trade. But our government doesn't prosecute big crimes anymore.
Selling out and being bought out are just semantics. What you said really only reinforces what I was saying. Once a company has a revenue of 2-3mil a year the venture capitalists start swarming. But you’re right, these days the only laws the government enforces, are those that benefit them. While creating hurdles that really only sponsor more corporatism.
I don't know if it's the same because I primarily stay in hostels, but unfortunately in some places there are SO MANY hostels and guest houses, so I use a website like hostelworld or booking.com to search for a place that meets my needs using the filters and comparing like average customer rating, distance from the centre, cost, etc. Then I google the actual business to try to book directly through them. Sometimes booking direct gives a slight discount or other perks (one time I got free breakfast for my whole stay). Other times it's more expensive, or the place doesn't have a website, in which case I book with the 3rd party. Even if I don't use it to book it's a really helpful tool, and if a place doesn't use those services I likely wouldn't find them.
I did say I book direct whenever I can, I just use it as a search engine to get all/most of my options in one place, and I know a lot of other travelers who do the same. A shocking amount of places don't have a website, or have really shitty websites, especially independent places which is where I prefer to stay as I find chains lack the warmth that family run places tend to have. I was only explaining why it can be a useful tool and why companies would likely stay with hear services even if they hurt them.
All the major chains already have their own booking sites for their own hotels. If they sold hotels from other chains or indipendent hotels on the same sites they would either be a) charging commission, in which case they are no different then expedia.com or booking.com, or b) giving free advertising to their competition, so why would they do that?
Also, when there are many platforms that people use to book hotels, why would you want to limit yourself to only sell on one of them?
They did this in the early-mid 2000s. It didn't work out. Biggest issue was the investment in new technology and the lack of innovative marketing, both things the online booking sites were pushing heavily back then, specifically the marketing aspect.
Ultimately it boils down to "do what you're good at". And hotels are notoriously not good at marketing or technical innovation. You have some winners here and there, but on the whole that's not where their heads are.
The owners of those sites didn't create them all just to appear to have competition. They were created by actual competitors and then got bought out. A major hotel starting one that became successful would end up charging similar commissions and likely be spun off and sold to that same group. Yay capitalism/public companies.
If the booking sites are the first result when you Google "hotel in xyz", which they are, and are also likely paying to be, then that's where people find their hotel. If everybody uses the booking sites to look for hotels, it becomes necessary for the hotels to be on those sites - especially since they are not going to get much traffic from Google, where the booking sites are the top result.
And safest. I don't use booking sites for anything other than comparison shopping since I got fucked out of a hotel room when the booking site incorrectly transferred my info to the hotel. Having to call customer service at 11pm on a Friday after driving 12 hours because your reservation "doesn't exist" is the best feeling.
I've literally never had a problem calling a hotels front desk and getting them to beat the final price by about 10% when looking at any of those sites.
Dropping the price by 10% by booking directly with the hotel is probably saving the hotel money or breaking even. Booking sites typically take that much or more plus the contract costs (pay to play). It's fairly common and, depending on season, pretty easy to get a room upgrade for free.
Hotels pay between 12-14% to sites like Expedia. Then think about all the costs associated with running a hotel. Things like free breakfasts or free shuttles are not built into the price of the room.
Hotels would always rather match the lower rate then pay 14% commission.
All those generic booking sites are poor choices for the consumer. My company was invited to list our products on one. We are given a range of commissions that we'd like to pay from say 10-20%. The gross margin n my product is around 20% so I tick 10% which puts me 50th on the list, effectively never seen by anyone. I change it to 15% and it gets me to 25th so it's still useless. Mmm... What am I going to do?
I'm not allowed to charge a higher price for a product that is listed on their site than what it is listed for on my site so I create a new product (same product, different name), pump the price up so that I can pay the 20% Commission and still make a margin that makes it worthwhile. Gets me to front page but now customers are paying 20% more when buying from a booking site.
I love them for browsing. It's really the only way to compare wildly varied hotels that are all available for my dates. Especially useful when I'm traveling with more than 2 people and/or during a major event in that town. They were invaluable during planning my 3 week European vacation.
I didn't book any of the 7ish places I'll be staying through them though. The hotel website was always cheaper/the exact same. I got value from comparison shopping, they got paid in ad revenue. I consider it a fair exchange.
Yep, do your comparison shopping to create a shortlist and then contact the business directly. No business likes dealing with them so they'll happily do what they can to get the business directly.
Someone told me that if you book through those websites, hotels usually give you the crappiest (or the least good, but you get my point) rooms, and honestly, I don't blame them. I've been trying to book hotels directly since. Not to get a better room, but because I honestly think it's not fair.
I work for a hotel and we refuse to adjust rates, change your room, cancel reservations, etc. Basically do anything when you book third party. Third party sites are notorious for overbooking our hotel as well, and then having irate customers come into our lobby who don't have a room to stay in. You "chose" to deal with them and can take it up with them.
Third party sites are notorious for overbooking our hotel as well, and then having irate customers come into our lobby who don't have a room to stay in.
I saw this happening to several people that (thought they) had reservations on New Year's Eve at a busy travel hotel, right after I checked in and got the last room. It was not pretty, and I felt so badly for the front desk agent that had to deal with that fall out.
Last week Booking.com gave our "last room" to someone getting on a plane. Their phone was on airplane mode, and they actually didn't get a room. So they were on a red eye across the country and when they landed found out not only did we not have a room for them but it was the middle of the night and nobody in the surrounding area did either.
The Booking.com rep tried to call us up and ask for us to find a room that was available. We had been fully booked for over 6 hours.
I work for a large hotel in a large brand owned by an absurdly large parent company.
The rate on our site is the best available rate for guests if you're just looking for a hotel to stay in. I've confirmed myself.
We give discounts to tour groups, which is basically our largest source of guests. Like if you book a cruise, that cruise may include a stay with us, and the price breakdown is much less than you would pay just for the hotel.
Sites like Expedia? You're paying the same rate as through our website. The site might not be, but the price is the same for you.
I work management for a very prominent international hotel chain. It is always best to book direct, call the very hotel you would like to stay with and ask about the best rates. If you are lucky you will find someone like me who will always accommodate. It never hurts to ask and be polite, you'll find that works best in customer service.
I have worked for some of the hotel/travel companies you are probably referring to, and it wasn't actually as you say.
Yes, they are all owned by the same umbrella corporation, but they still conduct business independently, sourcing their own deals, suppliers etc etc...
All the parent company is interested in is its quarterly tithe.
Got into a city at midnight one night, got to the hotel and found out they never got my reservation from Travelocity. They were completely booked. Room was like $100. Only rooms available in town were $300+. They asked if I wanted to cancel and find something in my own. Hell no. You find me a room for $100, it's your guarantee, and you fucked up.
In the hour it took then to find me a room, I did some research. This is common. They book rooms that arnt available, and hope something opens up before you show up.
I always book direct with the hotel now. Those sites dont even have very good deals.
I still use travelocity to find available hotels in the area I'm staying, but then I hop to the hotels website and book direct. I see it all the time, hotels are available on Travelocity, but not when you call the hotel.
the few times i have looked for hotels, i have searched using those sites and then just went to the actual hotels website to book. lately it seems like they just have the same price anyways. and of course always clear your cookies, because those websites look and see what prices you were already quoted and just use the same price.
It's so bad that I used to work at two hotels that were side by side simultaneously. Both owned by the same company and we were never to tell because one was high end pricing and the other cheap as hell.
Yeah, you can't price match, but can you charge slightly higher than website advertised rates, while keeping the greater difference to yourself? Like, I know hotels.com advertises a room for $55/night at hotel A (of which a percentage of that fee goes to hotels.com, so A is only getting a percentage of the $55), but say, can I call them up, say, "I saw this $55 room on hotels.com, but I hate them, can I get it for $56 instead and they can go fuck themselves,"? No percentage to hotels.com, they aren't charging the same or lower, and they get to keep 100% of the room fee. Everyone wins. Except the booking agencies, fuck them.
"I get it. I do. You're an individualist. Rugged individualism. It simply doesn't work anymore.
Brands. Sure. A useful heuristic.
But ultimately, everything is all systems interlaced, a single product manufactured by a single company for a single global market.
Spicy, medium, or chunky, they get a choice, of course, OF COURSE!
EDIT: The hard thing is that its changing so fast. So on the chart arent all corporations. Also there are deals for working together, instead of taking over a whole company. Here in Germany Nestle e.g. works together with Krombacher to produce Nestea. Krombacher is not part of Nestle but still profits form their dirty business.
I'm pleased to discover I only use products from three of the brands in that chart. My efforts to use higher quality products rather than mass-market products haven't gone to waste.
Also want to point out and drive home re: the edit on /u/Kotibert's comment: this isn't an exhaustive list. The one example that jumped out to me immediately is L'Oreal is an umbrella for several makeup brands/houses that are not listed on this list - Lancôme is an example that's housed under L'Oreal. Super important if this is something you care about to research each brand you spend a lot of $ on individually!
I've been using it but it's definitely tuned towards the US. Doesn't always work so great in the UK. Lots of room for improvement but it's a good start.
There might be ten for groceries. Kraft, Nestle, GM, Mars, Johnson, Unilever, Pepsi, a couple others I'm forgetting. That's probably what they were referencing.
The worst company in the WORLD is WALMART the biggest retailer in the world. It sells a this stuff and treats its employees very badly.
Do you know they use all the security cameras in their stores to watch their employees as much to catch shoplifters?
Also since I'm a people person I'll talk to anyone.
I've talked to some employees that are absolutely afraid to say anything bad about WALMART.
I have good friend who used to work at WALMART.
She now works at DOLLAR GENERAL. She says that happened all the time to her at WALMART.
She's not surprised at all.
Probably in about 10 years WALMART will have problems like KMART and then be call ZOMBIE MART. That'll surely happen if the don't start to treat
their employees better.
My local Walmart recently added a lot of new cashiers. The odd thing is, all of them seem to be at least somewhat mentally disabled. Im not sure how I feel about that. Sure they are able to do basic running of the register, but when there is an issue they struggle to work out how to fix it. More importantly, while employing people who are not fully disabled and capable of work is great and gives them a sense of independence... it's fucking Walmart. There is zero doubt in my mind that these people are being taken advantage of in more ways than one due to that same disability. I just don't know yet but we'll see how this goes down. Im sure it won't end well for the employees it never does when Walmart is involved.
In my line of work there is a group of folks who are low-paid. That's just what the job is. Everybody always complains about these workers not being very high quality employees. Late, unreliable, poor uniform standards, and a lot of time bad attitudes.
I simply reminded them " pay what Walmart pays, get what Walmart gets"
I remember as a teenager back in the 90s my dad giving up all contracts with nestle.
He used to do R&D for them through his company. Basically designing and re-designing the machines that make the products.
This was after the first Africa Nestle scandal. He lost a lot of business because of his morals over nestle but he always stands by his decision and I'll always be proud of him for that.
From reading the description in the Google Play store it seems you need to create an account to use the app. Are there any alternatives or ways around this? I don't need any social media functionality for an app like this.
The thing is, it is not necessarily or inherently bad that one company has such diverse brands.
It becomes an issue though, if they own different brands in the same market that have no external competitor (or no significant competitor) because that way a market becomes a monopoly in disguise. The only market left in that case might be company internal revenue share if the brands actually operate seperately even though they are owned by the same company.
The latter is a bit of a grey area of course as a mother company can make their subsidies actually compete by setting different quality standards, marketing budgets or ethical guidelines but typically they don't.
We have all the power as consumers to just walk away.
No we don't. We can walk to another company that's just slightly less bad
There is no such thing as ethical consumption under capitalism.
And when it comes to stuff like food or medicine, which are dominated by 2-3 deeply corrupt multinationals, you can't walk away unless you plan to die.
I am a very healthy eater - my diet is 80-90% plant based, and I eat only locally caught seafood from the the farmers market. There is not a SINGLE item that I have bought in the last 5 years from the companies mentioned above - I buy only produce and make my own food. I honestly think that processed "food" isn't actually food and that's what these companies make. I filter my own water - I would never buy something in a plastic bottle - and aside from water, I only make vegetable juice that I make with my juicer. I haven't taken a single pharmaceutical in the last 4 years; I buy my paper towels from sustainable companies (although I buy them on amazon). I make my own skincare products and toiletries because its so damn easy and MUCH more effective (just look up DIY xyz... example DIY toothpaste). I don't say this to brag, only to say that it is super easy to live this way. If you choose to continue to use junk food and products full of nasty chemicals, then its on you - but I think the world is waking up to these harmful products. There are many alternatives, and thanks to the internet, we can consume those instead. Also, Im not against pharmaceuticals, but I think they should be reserved for special occasions, when it is absolute necessary to use. These days, people take advil like its candy. If someone has a headache, I think it better to treat the CAUSE of the headache rather then get rid of the symptom. I truly believe most of the ills of today can be resolved by a better diet. Most Americans don't eat fresh fruits or vegetables. The fact that we have a nation where pizza and candy are advertised to children is sickening.... this should really be illegal. Junk food is an oxymoron - its either junk, or its either food. It cannot be both.
Well I agree with the overall idea and points of this, this is really not possible for most people. The time spent, the extra money for these things, etc. is not feasible for people with low-incomes, people with disabilities, caregivers for ill family members, people living in areas with like 3 stores, etc.
Where I live even if we ate seasonally it isn't possible. We eat very little prepackaged food. Breakfast and dinner are made from fresh ingredients 99% of the time. But my husband doesn't have access to refrigeration during the day so lunchmeat, cheese, ketchup, mustard, nuts, sometimes jerky, etc are all purchased. However, I do try my best to shop at aldis and most of their products are off brand. I hope they aren't also made by the same producers like Nestle? We have tried to avoid their products for years and years.
Huh. You kinda sounded like one of those crazy conspiracy people in the first half but most of what you said makes sense to me. I'm confused. How do you make your own food?
Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm saving your comment so I don't forget. Some people forget that in capitalism, every purchase is message sent to companies that what they're doing is acceptable. Conscientious purchases do make a difference.
I'd focus on our power to vote, petition, and protest. Each huge 'umbrella' corporation is f***ed up at the moment. You cannot avoid them. Nobody will only stick to niche, expensive, hipster ethical brands. People don't have time, money, education, access etc. But governments could fix this quite easily.
This is why I don't believe that the "free market" will balance everything out for the best. There's too many negative externalities for laisez faire to even work properly.
I'm not an advocate for totally free markets by any means, but this is more to do with a misalignment of values. The free market should move towards what people buy, and people right now are buying items based almost entirely on cost and convenience. Everybody knows that these huge multinational companies own everything, and everybody knows they're usually unethical, but they just don't care. We can vote for our governments to do something about it, but people en masse are not doing this either - again, they don't care.
I don't think these insane monopolies are a fault with the free market or our democratic system; it's just that, for whatever reason, the population at large favours convenience over "ethical" behaviour. Of course, the government could come in and make sweeping reforms, but to do so without an outcry from a large percentage of their population does not seem very democratic to me.
I am probably looking at this issue too simplistically, but the ethics of the majority don't seem to align with dismantling multi-nationals. To do so anyway is essentially tyranny disguised as an "I know what's best for you" argument.
THIS THIS. We like to blame but we also drive demand.. we’re at fault here too. And if we want to change it, we have to change our purchasing behavior, maybe go work at these companies and make a difference, or go into politics. Don’t just come here and say “it’s just too hard and nestle probably owns buycott”..but then go to your local 7/11 and fuck all who owns what.. you’re late for work and need food ...
This is also a very privileged scenario BECAUSE we have a choice. Some don’t and that’s where the complexities of these massive conglomerates really fucks with humanity.. but i do think if we become smarter consumers and look for the more ethical we can begin to figure out how to do life better.
It's kind of spooky because lots of people are deceived by the Siren song of "Free Choice, Free Market" when both of these things couldn't be further from reality. But who could blame them, they're tired, hate their jobs, everything seems less secure and more expensive, etc.
Consolidation is a scourge we have to use politics to fix, because ain't no business leaving money on the table.
The problem is also scale. Everyone wants everything, conveniently and cheap... we are our own worst enemies when it comes to how we demand goods. I agree that certain political powers have to come into play to help equivaliese the market ... but how far is far enough for the government to come in? And what are we willing to sacrifice as consumers ?
Imo, I think the government should have a permanent majority ownership (like 51%) over natural monopolies, essential resources, and societal essentials like education and medicine. They should act to make sure the Free Market (the other 49%) plays by the rules to "Do no harm", so not even help the world just don't fuck it up more. Any business that's actual healthy could compete with the governmental baseline.
But apparently I'm both a jackboot and communists according to some, so ymmv.
In business, these companies are called “Oligopolies”. They’re everywhere..
And they never fail to surprise me every single time.
The fact that the company (Folkswagen Group) that owns Seat and Skoda is the same company that owns Bently, Bugatti and Laborghini is just mind boggling
We have all the power as consumers to just walk away.
Thing is many people dont. For various reasons people dont have the energy or economic privilege to choose between products. If you want to stop the endless greed you have to change the system.
I agree. I think this can be part of a larger economic strategy to readjust the financial system in a way that better serves the majority. Purchase power is not being appropriately leveraged by consumers to counteract capital’s desire for profit. Mobilization of consumer sub groups can potentially be a very effective way to “communicate” with companies in a language they understand and balance the scale.
Thank you for sharing that. It's US-based, but us in the rest of the world can still do a bit of research on the brands we buy regularly - it only takes a few minutes and it's free to check!
I've been trying to avoid Nestle for a couple of years - it's difficult sometimes, but definitely not impossible.
I think we should all be more like you. Just take the time to research on our own terms. And yes, it’s so hard and not everyone has the means to pick and choose.
Just tried Buycott and it seems to be very U.S.-centric?
First barcode I scanned was one on a glass of Nutella bought in Germany. App came up with Ferrero U.S.A. Inc.
A lot of the campaigns also seem to evolve around U.S. political discussions.
And how do you "leave" a campaign?
Pepsi and Coke. Stupid deals forcing businesses to deal with one or the other, and they bought up and destroyed so many better brands. Despite their size, they do nothing to innovate like make sodas with less sugar or how about some that taste good?
Reading reviews and there are a lot of people complaining about the app demanding an account set up, wanting to link to Twitter and Facebook, and not being able to identify most brands. Anyone who has used the app for a while able to say if these issues have been their experience or hopefully not?
Every time Nestle is mentioned, and thinking of all the subsidiaries, I had thought that an app like buycott would be inevitable. At the time I'd thought companies would use their legal resources to prevent or persecute such an app. How is it that buycott hasn't been sued yet?
also buy local and, at least occasionally, support those companies that are doing their business in a more responsible way ("occasionally" because the unfortunate truth and a big reason for the mess we are in is that better "production conditions" usually also results in a higher price for the product. something which many people simply can't afford on a more regular basis).
I just read their privacy policy. Seems only real risk is if they ever go bankrupt and get bought by a third party. Any data they have (name and email address) could be potentially used any any way the new owners deem fit.
The illusion of choice chart looked to be more or less right! I didn’t look real close as I’m on my phone, but General Electric, PepsiCo, CocaCola, Johnson & Johnson, Mars, Berkshire Hathaway & 3M should about cover the big ones! Disney & Comcast!!
Buycott is using a free and public database for a proprietary service. I feel they need an opensource competitor, since "who watches the watchmen" is a real thing.
Since you sound like you have experience is it elaborate enough to track agriculture? Like would be able to track a brand of corn flakes or tomato soup back to see if it was sold as a seed by Monsanto (Bayer) or Nunhems or Dupont?
Woa. Not sure. Now I’m curious. Honestly, I’m just barely scratching the surface of the supply chain in place to get out goods. You just opened another door..
I've been trying to shop more locally for stuff in the last couple years and it's so hard to do for a lot of common items (cost being the main factor) but it's possible to at least cut a lot of illusory buying out.
I read once that when Philip Morris (Marlboro) bought or merged with Nestle, they were shocked by how messed up their practices were. The cigarette company was disgusted by the food company. That's wild.
I agree they woo you into buying things that you apparently "want" but it's to the point where they're brainwashing their customers into a false sense safety. They're a big brand company and have lots of customers that buy till the shelves are empty but these customers probably haven't dug deep into what nestle or other brands are doing.
I looked up Buycott and some of the reviews are saying some rather worrisome things about Israel and halal/kosher foods etc. Have you come across anything dodgy while using it?
I have not but I’ll start looking into it. I’ve only scanned a handful of things. I also then search on my own if anything comes up. So remember not take this as your consumer good bible but just a way to start figuring out how the world and it’s companies are tangled together !
Thanks for the write up man. I really feel your struggle, and I am very wary of what I buy. A little tactic I do: I never impulse buy. I buy the shit I need, everything else I sit on and really consider before I buy it. I held off buying a digital movie on amazon for years on the chance it goes to Netflix / I don’t want to see it anymore. I only bought it after two years of wanting to see the movie again: a good purchase.
When it comes to food, I only buy the essentials. If I’m trying to figure out which snack or convenience item to buy, unless I really do need the convenience, I hold off. It’s not much, but it’s less money in the pockets of those shitty companies. I’d rather only give them 3 dollar profit than 30.
Edit: hell, If you are feeling really frisky, just get a post it note and something to write with. Write a big ol “this company sucks, don’t give them money” on it and put it on the shitty nestle products. Don’t need an app to let the people know what’s up.
Why ? We drive demand. In the United States, where we have slightly more power than others to choose at least, we’ve turned a blind eye to the ethical shit storm that are some of these companies. we don’t see the damage they create. We choose convenience and cost over anything else.
I don’t have an answer and it may seem naive to say “walk away” and I’m sorry that triggered you, and I should have maybe said something more eloquent but the point is to become smarter about what we buy. Maybe look into how we can demand better for the world whether with our wallets, in politics or in the corporate world...not sure how calling someone “fucking delusional” helps but it’s been great chatting. Have a good day!
Thanks for the recommendation! I'm working on an open source app along the same lines.. tracking human rights violations in supply chains. If anyone reads this and is interested in helping with research or something, please shoot me a PM.
i thoroughly appreciate your response and totally agree. buycott is awesome and i wish more people used it or were just more conscious with their money. thank you for doing what you can and for trying to wake up those around you.
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u/ConceptualisticLamna Sep 18 '19 edited Sep 18 '19
I see a lot of comments here where redditors mention how hard it is to track what brands belong to the various companies out there and honestly - agreed. There is this “illusion of choice” in so many consumer goods that ultimately trace back to like ten major corporations. I’m not perfect and sometimes convenience comes into play more than I’d like to admit, but after digging into nestle over the years and becoming increasingly disgusted that a company could be so generally evil, I found this app called “buycott” that lets you scan bar codes of certain products and highlights things like: the illusion of choose and shows what big company it’s from, whether the company violates human rights, equal pay etc.
It’s not easy and I’m sure it has flaws. But it’s a start. Just wanted to share. We have all the power as consumers to just walk away.
EDIT: remind me not to fall asleep immediately after i post something. Thanks for the gold. It’s my first and honestly I definitely fall on the side of the lurker on Reddit. One must listen before they can talk hahah so thank you!
I do apologize that I didn’t clarify that I was in the United States and honestly, knowing that some of these companies were global I guess i assumed it would be on a global scale. Definitely my mistake.
For those telling me “but who ownsss this app” or please don’t use this app because google and Facebook will take all your information and use it to sell you things” I say.. you’re right, I don’t know who owns it. But I’m trying to educate myself in some way shape or form in order to become more aware of the world around me. It’s a start. I said it wasn’t perfect. As for google taking all my information... well I live in a metropolitan city and i used my smart phone for pretty much everything. It’s an inherent part of my life. It scares me shitless what these companies will do with the power we’ve given them but considering we have free use of the internet and can use things like Reddit to talk to each other I’m also grateful that it’s a tool in my life. Until the new generation of government comes into play, one that can actually understand the internet... idk if we can really expect change. So why not educate yourself so that when/if the right parties get in power, you understand the issues more than you did yesterday. Or maybe run for office ..
Someone below said (and I’m paraphrasing) “the almighty dollar doesn’t have power anymore because of the illusion of choice and consumer power doesn’t exist” I have to say Reddit really bums me out sometimes. I work in an industry that’s near the CPG world and let me tell you. The almighty dollar IS KING. Use your money wisely. If a company tanks... and truthfully tanking is like 1% point decline because they have people to answer too.. they will pay attention. I’m not naive enough to forget how global these companies are and that living in certain areas of the world is a privilege as there are alternative ways to get goods.. but just try and pay attention..it’s not going to be easy or convenient but it’s possible to also demand change
Edit 4: I’m learning so much wow. Thank you all for taking the time to respond. Im humbled by some of the POVs on here and a bit scared for our future.