Brand loyalists

[vito]

What is is about some people who seem to get some sort of validation of their worth by showing "loyalty" to a particular brand? I'm not talking about those that prefer a certain brand over another, but those that blindly and proudly state that they will not even consider other brands, as if to do so were some type of character flaw or weakness. As a motorcyclist, I've seen this for all the years that I have been riding (about 35 and counting). The most common manifestation of this are those that will not even consider anything other than a Harley Davidson. Maybe its because they've invested so much money in HD specific clothing, but their fanaticism is often not based upon their own experience, i.e., trying different brand bikes and coming to their own conclusion that only HD will do for them. I have met riders who have never even taken a demo ride on anything other than a Harley, yet are firmly committed to just this brand. To be fair, among motorcyclists there are also those that are "loyal" to other than HD, such as some BMW riders. I worked with a fellow instructor that openly said he sort of looks down on the "rabble" that ride Harleys, or Japanese bikes, or even British bikes, believing that "the true aficionado of motorcycling would only ride a BMW". But what prompted this thread was my visit to the range today. Next to me at the range was a shooter who had several handguns out, all Glocks. I happen to be shooting a Glock 26 at the time, and he commented what a great little gun the 26 is. I told him I liked the gun, but personally I keep going back to my Ruger LC9s as my concealed carry of choice. He then stated he had never handled a Ruger, and bought only Glocks. I said Glocks are good guns, but so are Rugers, and Smiths, and Sigs, etc. He said, "not for me, I'm a Glock guy only". I still don't get it. When I left the range and went back to my car, sure enough, there was a Dodge Ram pickup, with multiple Glock stickers on the back window, which I guess was his ride.

 

[Johnnu2]

Peoples will be peoples Vito...……
It's just the way they are..... and most likely never change!!!

 

[daveg.inkc]

Some people are reluctant to change. I’m loyal to Ruger. I’ve shot a few Glocks. Plastic pistols feel light, toy like to me. Trucks? I have had Ford F-150’s for years. Very few problems. Ignition issues on the 4.6. 5.4. Carhartts has always served me well. When we find something that works, stay with it. I’m loyal to Folgers “1850” coffee now, whole bean and ground. Looks like a long list.

 

[vito]

I didn't even mention in the OP about the guy I ran into at the ballpark a few years ago. He was wearing a Harley Davidson t-shirt, with the HD logo covering the entire back of the shirt. After a few beers on that hot afternoon, he took off his shirt, only to reveal an identical HD tattoo covering his entire back, almost the exact copy and size of what was on his shirt. I don't know of a single other product or brand that people actually tattoo upon their body. I don't recall ever seeing a tattoo of "Ford" or "Chevy" or even "Jack Daniels" of any other business name or product. The more I thought about it the more bizarre it seems to me.

 

[vito]

Some people are reluctant to change. I’m loyal to Ruger. I’ve shot a few Glocks. Plastic pistols feel light, toy like to me. Trucks? I have had Ford F-150’s for years. Very few problems. Ignition issues on the 4.6. 5.4. Carhartts has always served me well. When we find something that works, stay with it. I’m loyal to Folgers “1850” coffee now, whole bean and ground. Looks like a long list.

But would you dismiss trying another brand of gun out of hand, saying Rugers are all you ever want to shoot? Or if a friend told you about how great his Toyota pick up was, would you refuse to even consider it because of your loyalty to Ford? I doubt it, but I might be wrong.

 

[arfmel]

Variety is the spice of life.

 

[smoke-eater]

Those old, raggedy and rusted-out pickups I often see in the Walmart parking lot with big H.D. decals in the rear windows make me wonder how many of them could actually afford to own a Harley. Maybe I'm just being too judgmental.

 

[Dave P.]

Sometimes you get to be brand loyal after trying several others.
Maybe somebody bought a AMT or a Kimber for example, then
bought a Glock and found out the thing pretty much just worked.
I'm pretty loyal to high end New Balance running shoes for daily wear
at work, tried a whole bunch of different brands.
Point is, maybe they became loyal as a result of plenty of product
testing of crap that didn't meet their needs.
Dave

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
I freely admit to not being brand loyal regarding firearms.
I own Rugers, S&W, Colts, Dan Wessons, Remington, Winchester, Sako and a few others.
Same with reloading equipment. I run RCBS RockChuckers, Hornady LNLs and am working on getting a Dillon 550 up and running.

I have driven multiple Dodge trucks over the years and several other makes of cars.

About the only item I am brand loyal to is Wrangler jeans(because they fit me better than others) and Jif creamy peanut butter (because it tastes best to me).

 

[Dave P.]

The opposite is holding a grudge against a company pretty much forever.
Usually the result of a few crappy products or service.
I'll admit to being this way even though it's not totally logical.
To keep it gun related I'll use Kimber again as the example.
Had two different 1911s from them years ago. Both "pretty"
guns, both back to the factory a few times and the only thing
I would have bet on was them not working! As a result I'll
never...ever...buy another Kimber product and seldom miss
an opportunity ( like now ) to bash them.
Dave

 

[vito]

Funny that Kimbers were mentioned here. I owned one Kimber, years ago. Three times sent back to the factory and still having multiple FTE and FTF. I too am the opposite of loyal to this brand and would not likely buy any Kimber in the future. But they are nice looking guns.

 

[daveg.inkc]

I have fired many different makes of firearms. I prefer revolvers. SW’s, Colts are great ones. Rugers are usually priced lower. We all know that. Next revolver on “need list” is a Smith Wesson model 53. I figure $2000. About half of a Hawkeye .256.

 

[Pat-inCO]

Sometimes you get to be brand loyal after trying several others.

That sums it up pretty well. :D

I will add that sometimes the others were not quite as good, and some times they
were problematical, or clearly inferior. Sometimes they just didn't feel right.

Then there are the show-off types. They stick with "their" brand because it costs
more, or to their feeble minds produces additional "status". This latter type are the
ones I . . . almost . . . feel sorry for. They have been so completely unsuccessful in
their life/job(s) that they have nothing to show for it. Thus they pick something that
produces additional "status" for them (within their own little mind). :roll:

Very nice to have choices. 8)

:D

 

[Kevin]

Getting a tattoo of any particular brand seems a little extreme. In fact, people who swear by one brand of anything do seem to be too extreme. Apple computers come to mind. Some people won't use anything else and wait in long, long lines for their new products. Same with photography gear. Some people are Cannon owners, other Nikon. I've seen some pretty heated arguments over brands of cameras, which is just weird.

I always wanted a Kimber, and last fall finally bought one of their new EVO pistols. What a great little gun. I'm not going to say they are perfect but I have no complaints so far. And now I see Wilson just came out with a little compact 9mm, but my goodness, it's not cheap.

I'm trying to think, but, I don't believe I have any extreme brand loyalties like Vito described to where I would shun another brand.

 

[wwb]

I'm pretty open to trying different brands when I'm in the market for something. Right now, the gun safes contain Colt, Ruger, Springfield Armory, Remington, Marlin, Winchester, Thompson Center, and SKB firearms. Each was selected because of needs, price, and performance criteria.

Motorcycles.... since 1962, I've owned Yamaha, BSA, Triumph, Honda, and Kawasaki motorcycles. I've ridden, but not bought, Ducati, BMW, KTM, and H-D. No problem with anybody riding any of those brands.... they just didn't do it for me for one reason or another. Like the OP, though, I wonder about folks who refuse to consider any alternative, and swear that brand xyz is the be-all, do-all, and end-all when they have never tried anything else.

And a jab I couldn't resist.... the comment about the beat-up rusty trucks with the H-D decal in the back window------ after making payments on their Harley, that truck is all they can afford. Seriously, I was in a Harley dealership this past summer when my buddy brought his Tri-Glide in for a water pump..... they had a bagger sitting on the showroom floor with a $38,000 price tag. :shock:

 

[WAYNO]

Interesting, the examples given.

My Kimber 1911 was a work of art. Flawless both in manufacture and performance.

Harley? I've owned a great many motorcycles over the years. If I couldn't have a Harley, I'd likely never own anything else. Not because HD is the best in any given category, but it's the best combination of all categories FOR ME.. Flying down the highway on a nearly 900 pound bagger...Nothing is comparable.

I own more Ruger's than any other firearm. Probably because of their selection and value over the years. Have I had some Ruger's that were absolute pigs? You betcha. But I keep buying more. I also own a great many other brands. If they work, they're great. If they don't, I change my plans.

Vehicles? I've not had good luck with Ford sedans, however Ford trucks are very high on my list. And that's after many experiences with both.

I had distanced myself completely with Dodge products when I got burned by a Dodge pickup from their bad years. Now since the late nineties, I've eaten those words. I've owned three Dodge diesel pickups that have been great. And a Jeep Patriot grocery-getter that's been flawless.


And Glock? They just don't work for me, so mostly I have no interest. But I just bought a Glock 44 a couple days ago. Go figure. :?

So...Some of our biases can be overcome. Some can't. For no tangible reasons.














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[Mobuck]

"The opposite is holding a grudge against a company pretty much forever.
Usually the result of a few crappy products or service.
I'll admit to being this way even though it's not totally logical."

Me 2, although I usually base my judgement on multiple instances and/or trends when condemning an entire product line. Brand names often have some products that are stellar but when the major trend is lackluster, I lump all products together.
Some may have noticed my disdain for Ford vehicles. While possibly not appropriate for the current production, I was burned so badly on the Fords I owned that I don't even look at them now. Like when someone eats some type of food and gets sick, they may avoid any/all similar foods forever more.
At the opposite end of this are those who are in lockstep with a certain brand even though they have to tolerate the inadequacies and poor performance that go with such choices. It's one thing to be more comfortable using the same brand due to similarity of operation but to declare that single brand "best ever" just cause you like the shape of the logo may be illogical.

 

[Bull Barrel]

I think what the OP is asking is why are people so brand loyal but they have only ridden, shot or driven, etc one brand ever?

The worst car I ever bought and the only new car I ever bought was a Ford.
Had two Fords since. Owned lots of different brands of bikes, none HDs. Why? They don't do it for me. Plus the attitude of some of the owners and non owners. "You aren't sh if you don't ride a Harley". Where does that come from? It can't be due to the fact they are American made because the brakes are Italian and suspension and lighting are Japanese. The wheels come from Australia.
Another reason I don't have one is because I'd have to buy the uniform. Plus a tow rig. And lastly, I don't want to run into myself all day long.
Guns? No Glocks for me for some of the same reasons. My son has one. It shoots fine but doesn't fit my hand.
By the same token he hates my P89, says its clunky. It works for me.
Whatever floats yer boat but have a logical reason other than some perceived status.

 

[smoke-eater]

In the past I have owned a couple of Winchesters, a couple Remingtons, and a Marlin lever gun or two. They'd all do the job they were designed for. I just always came back to Ruger M77's. Just a sentimental favorite, I guess.
I don't own any Ruger t-shirts, no Ruger stickers on the truck, but I'm a "fanboy" just the same.

 

[blume357]

Human nature... tribal... think about it... sports, cars, motorcycles... guns... politics... it's all the same.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Whatever floats yer boat but have a logical reason other than some perceived status.

Bull, it's an unfortunate truth that for some folks brand loyalty is a measure of their perceived self-image. Gotta belong to the right "club".

:wink:

 

[Bull Barrel]

Whatever floats yer boat but have a logical reason other than some perceived status.

Bull, it's an unfortunate truth that for some folks brand loyalty is a measure of their perceived self-image. Gotta belong to the right "club".

:wink:

T hats a fact. One evening I had two guys berate me because they thought I was riding a "Jap bike" as they called it.
But they were sitting on the hood of a car. So I axed em where their bikes were. They didn't own one!
I told em to get back to me when they have an inkling of what a motorcycle is and Moto Guzzi is Italian. They had no clue of anything.
Just thumping their chests over nothing.

 

[Heliman]

Well, what a can of worms you have opened.....

I am all in with Carhartt, Wrangler jeans, Leupold optics an Les Schwab tires.

In terms of firearms, the old stuff is better than the new offerings from Ruger. I continue to praise and berate their products, but have continued to give them a chance with their new offerings. They are my favorite arms, but I am not loyal. Really enjoy S&W DA revolvers and Colt 1911's.

As far as vehicles go, I have always been a Ford guy. That being said, I am not loyal to the brand. My last 3 new cars have been Kia, Hyundai, and a Subaru Forester. Truck wise, I prefer Ford. Never could wrap my arms around Dodge and Chevy's although I have owned each with no complaints, except for a real POS Dodge Dakota..........

Dave

 

[Kevin]

I remember years ago, Car and Driver wrote that if Porsche opened gas stations, Porsche owners would line up and pay more just to use Porsche brand gasoline in their cars. They were writing about the brand loyalty between Porsche and Corvette owners.

Me? I’d never buy a corvette. The one time I was in Bowling Green, the Corvette museum was closed.

 

[wwb]

........... If I couldn't have a Harley, I'd likely never own anything else. Not because HD is the best in any given category, but it's the best compromise of all categories. Flying down the highway on a nearly 900 pound bagger...Nothing is comparable.......

Ever try a Gold Wing? One of my friends rides one of the 6-cylinder 1800 Wings. If I was in the market for a long-haul ride, and didn't lean so much toward the sport-touring side, it would be my hands-down choice. If a Wing was a car, it would be a Rolls-Royce.

Edited to add..... to each his own, but if I were to select (to use your term) "the best compromise" it would be one of the bikes classed as "supersport touring" like the Kawasaki Concours 14, the Yamaha FJR 1300, the Triumph Trophy SE, or the BMW R1200 RT. Almost as fast and nimble as a sport bike, almost as comfortable as a touring bike, and equipped with quick-detach weatherproof hard bags (and an optional top case).

 

[Bull Barrel]

You would be surprised at how well those Wing barges will handle.
They are a handful for us short guys in parking lots. The reverse sure helps.
When the 1500 Wing came out I went to the local Honda demo.
They told us to ride em like ya stole em but no passing the bike in front of you and no passing the lead.
I had a 75 Wing at the time so I wanted to see how it ran. Wound up 1st and was going to shift by ear (from my bike) but it started sputtering. I looked at the fact and it was in the next lane so I changed 2nd. The front tire slowly lifted about two feet and gently settled.
It was plenty fast.

 

[blackhawknj]

To me, brand loyalty applies to cereals, sodas, etc. Manufactured items, firearms, e.g. I buy what interests me.

 

[Colonialgirl]

Those old, raggedy and rusted-out pickups I often see in the Walmart parking lot with big H.D. decals in the rear windows make me wonder how many of them could actually afford to own a Harley. Maybe I'm just being too judgmental.

MAYBE, they drive those "old, raggedy and rusted-out pickups" because the HARLEYs COST so much !!

 

[kramden]

Nowadays to be brand loyal is different than it once was. You buy something and it's great. 2 years later it's now made in China, India, Viet Nam or where ever. Now it's not what it was. At one point I was a devout Chevy guy. Now I drive a Toyota. Things change. My rule of thumb is I go with whatever is the best. I was once a democrat, now I'm not.

 

[Cholo]

Owned lots of different brands of bikes, none HDs. Why? They don't do it for me. Plus the attitude of some of the owners and non owners. "You aren't sh if you don't ride a Harley". Where does that come from? It can't be due to the fact they are American made because the brakes are Italian and suspension and lighting are Japanese. The wheels come from Australia.
Another reason I don't have one is because I'd have to buy the uniform. Plus a tow rig. And lastly, I don't want to run into myself all day long.

Right on cue, here's Bull Barrel, so predictable. Just mention HD and BB comes crawling into the thread to bash Harleys. Happens every-single-time, just like the mere mention of the NRA to others. Again, you need some new material. Skip Skip Skip :roll:

Your disdain of HD motorcycles has nothing to do with the motorcycles themselves, it had everything to do with anyone who would buy one. You simply loathe *those people*.

The best motorcycle I've ever owned was a '73 Honda CB500 and I feel this way about anything motorized by Honda to this day. I believe you can push a Honda motorcycle off a cliff into the Grand Canyon and ride it out.

Ever try a Gold Wing?

I tried my friend's '11 GW. Great features, power, quality. What's not to like? It was hands down the most uncomfortable motorcycle I've ever ridden. I made it all of 10 miles and said: Nope, I can't ride it another mile.

Harley's fit me and they have for 40 years. Not the best, but the best for me. I couldn't give a damn about any image.

Guns? Not loyal to any brand whatsoever. Love old Ruger SA's. DA's? I have exactly 2. Vehicles? I've had Ford PU's since '79--4 of them. I'd buy a Toyota today.

Buy what you want. If you have trouble with it you'll just go with the flow and be happy with it. Buy another brand that you didn't really want to buy? The 1st little nothing that goes wrong with it you'll dump it for a loss. Seems to be human nature.