Why do people become product brand fanatics?

[chea-pass]

Ah yes, brand loyalty / worship. It's a thing for sure.
I'm sure it was more relevant years ago when everything was made "in house". I don't think it matters much these days.

 

[drummer5359]

I see no issues in liking a particular brand or brands. Taking shots at other brands is another issue altogether. Personally, I own and play basses from three major manufacturers and two different amplifier companies. I've owned other brands and decided that these are right for me. I don't think that makes me a fan boi.

Drum forums have similar brand wars. It is pointless.

 

[Biggbass]

I was like that as a child. Harley was the only motorbike, Ford was the only automobile.
I grew out of it!

but Harley IS the only motorbike.

 

[bholder]

but Harley IS the only motorbike.

bah. childish noisemakers.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

but Harley IS the only motorbike.

Calling a Harley a motorbike is like calling Godzilla a lizard.

 

[MJ5150]

I can't recall putting down competing products, but I do speak highly of products I have purchased that have performed well and backed by great customer service.
I'll highlight what makes the product I prefer better than the competitors, but it's not done in a demeaning way.
I suppose a fan/supporter of the other product may interpret my comments as putting them down.

-Mike

 

[bholder]

I can't recall putting down competing products, but I do speak highly of products I have purchased that have performed well and backed by great customer service.
I'll highlight what makes the product I prefer better than the competitors, but it's not done in a demeaning way.
I suppose a fan/supporter of the other product may interpret my comments as putting them down.

-Mike

Me too, and I don't think that's (generally) considered an issue (though there have been exceptions). It's the badmouthing of others' gear preferences that's the main issue (I believe). Though I have caught more than a bit of flak for some of my positive product comments too (mostly from the "if it's not from here, it's crap" crowd).

 

[Funky Ghost]

Like any relationship the desire is consistency. Either in a personal relationship or as a consumer.

I "have" branched out and tried other brands with limited success. Also, if I am new to a company and they not only meet but exceed my expectation, I'm brand loyal right away. Western Digital falls in that category. EVGA falls in that category as does Corsair. All have, at one point or another, gone over and above to make me a happy client when things were not ideal with an item I had purchased. Western Digital especially. They replaced a drive, actually they upgraded me, after I returned a drive that had been in a house fire. I didn't expect anything I just was hoping I could get a repair or recovered data. They called me, asked what happened, then 3 days later I had a brand new top of the line hard drive in my hands. I don't buy any other hard drive for my home built computers now. That happened in '98.

Ones I will never buy from again;

MSI - about the worst customer service I have dealt with in the tech industry. Appalling.
Ford - New vehicle. Alarmingly bad service and shockingly dishonest mechanics at Future Ford here in Sacramento. The mechanic stole my wifes wedding ring from the vehicle when she took it in for it's 2500 mile first major service. Her hands were swelling because she was pregnant. She took it off before she went to talk to the service manager and had it in the center console along with coins for toll bridges. I get that she should have put it somewhere safer, but she was driving around that day and when your hands hurt, they hurt. I don't begrudge her that slip too much. When she picked the car up the ring was gone (the coins were gone too). They steadfastly declined checking the mechanic who worked on it, or his tool box or car. The ring was not only sentimental (it was her great grandmothers, who gave it as a heirloom to be passed down) it was worth about 5 times the cost of the service that day.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Ford!? Get out of here with that crap. GMC is the best automobile.

GMC? Aren't you in America? Do they even sell GMC down there?

 

[S-Bigbottom]

GMC? Aren't you in America? Do they even sell GMC down there?

General Motors Company,[1] commonly known as GM, is an American Invalid Link Removed headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, that designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes vehicles and vehicle parts, and sells financial services. With global headquarters at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan, United States, GM manufactures cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2008, 8.35 million[6] GM cars and trucks were sold globally under various brands. Current auto brands are Vauxhall, Buick, Cadillac, Invalid Link Removed, GMC, Invalid Link Removed, Opel, and Wuling. Former GM automotive brands include McLaughlin, Oakland, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Hummer, Saab, and Saturn.

 

[MJ5150]

Me too, and I don't think that's (generally) considered an issue (though there have been exceptions). It's the badmouthing of others' gear preferences that's the main issue (I believe). Though I have caught more than a bit of flak for some of my positive product comments too (mostly from the "if it's not from here, it's crap" crowd).

Ah, I remember those days.
I never really got into promoting or putting down the bass gear I used. I bought what worked for me and would let others know how it worked for me when asked.
I really believed in a few guys who made gear, but that was only after getting to know them personally and understanding who they were beyond the gear they sold.
I remember one guy who made some really great cabs, but he was mostly a jerk to me, so I never bought one. I'd tell people about my dealings with him, which probably made me look like a whiner.

-Mike

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

General Motors Company,[1] commonly known as GM, is an American Invalid Link Removed headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, that designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes vehicles and vehicle parts, and sells financial services. With global headquarters at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan, United States, GM manufactures cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2008, 8.35 million[6] GM cars and trucks were sold globally under various brands. Current auto brands are Vauxhall, Buick, Cadillac, Invalid Link Removed, GMC, Invalid Link Removed, Opel, and Wuling. Former GM automotive brands include McLaughlin, Oakland, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Hummer, Saab, and Saturn.

True enough, but in the U.S. we usually think of trucks and SUVs when we say GMC.

 

[Jeff Scott]

...It even extends to what I order at a restaurant. Once I find a dish I really like, I will tend to order it every time I go to that restaurant. I know I will enjoy it, but I don't know about those other things on the menu...

For the most part, we have sworn off chain restaurants and try to check out many new, independent restaurants that open up in our area.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

For the most part, we have sworn off chain restaurants and try to check out many new, independent restaurants that open up in our area.

This is limited to chain restaurants. I like independents.

 

[Eric Perry]

I am a fanboi of certain brands/products that have treated me well. Yamaha basses and home audio gear, Conklin basses, Acura, Denon home audio gear, LG Tvs, and Samsung smartphones are a few that come to mind offhand. If I have had bad personal experiences with certain brands or products, I am generally vocal about that as well. One quick example is you couldn't pay me to buy a Toyota/Lexus, ever. I had two lemon Lexus (Lexi?), and my fiance had a Camry that had issues not only with the car itself, but also issues with the company, and the runaround they gave us. so, for me, they have been blacklisted.

 

[twinjet]

Seriously, I don't get it. It's like people supporting a football team or insisting that their favorite singer is best. Why do consumers have to talk up their preferred brand by discrediting the competition? I sometimes wonder just who brand fanatics are trying to convince...

G&L makes the best instruments I've ever owned. I have owned an L-2000 for over a year and it's the most versatile instrument I'd ever had the pleasure of owning. Last week, I picked up another with the sole intention of flipping, and found myself wanting to keep that, too. I find myself entranced by the brand because of consistency, exceptional quality and great sound.

Leo really outdid himself with G&L, and I want as many people to know as possible. But I won't rip on other brands. I'll be damned if I said I never played a top-notch Fender or a sweet Ibanez. The bass world is in such a great place right now, there's something for everyone. But, I won't ever hesitate to share the gospel of G&L.

 

[Stewie26]

In my experience I have noticed Apple users seem to be very loyal to the brand. I have never owned anything by Apple so I have no reason why.

 

[Makatak]

As I get older and can afford it, I like to try new " brands " that I haven`t had before. THEN I can truly justify endorsing one particular product that I think shines over the rest.
I`ve even had lesser " quality " gear that has absolutely blown away gear five times the price, go figure.

 

[mellowinman]

It's all a bunch of bull hockey, but there is a best way to make coffee.

 

[bholder]

It's all a bunch of bull hockey, but there is a best way to make coffee.

Indeed there is, but that ain't it: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]