Passed by a massive REI this weekend on my way to RI. Also a nice sized Bass Pro in CT I think. I really liked Dicks and REI. I hate Amazon. I shop at all of them from time to time. I try not to, but when it comes down to it sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. I'd like to buy an American car and my next one might be, but the past three have been Japanese due to quality concerns with domestic vehicles and the fact Ford didn't make a AWD snow monster like my Subaru is. I'd like to draw a line in the sand and never go across it but sometimes it's more benificial to do so.
BTW - Think I tell you guys this but REI is the largest donator to a conservatory/preserve I volunteer for and am a member of. They donate 20-30k a year but they are smart and we throw events and meets at their store which in turn creates sales.
I try not to shop at those stores as well, less and less shopping at those places as I find alternatives with same costs. Some Japanese cars, are really almost Merica made cars, most of the car is made here with exception to the electronics, starters, and alternators etc.
The key word in my posts, I
try and limit my purchases from any businesses who is against 2A, govt conservatism, and OHV’s freedoms. I’m far from being prefect, only human and a former blonde at that,
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REI does donate a ton cash to conservative groups, many of those groups lobby against OHV and REI has made it well known, they only support the use of public lands only with the use human muscle, they are strongly against OHV use.
It regards to the same type Chinese goods or foreign goods...Amazon donates to the Democrats heavily. Walmart donates more to the Conservatives. Walmart is there for everyone when the floods, tornadoes and hurricanes hit, Amazon recently in the past 2 years just started a disaster relief team, for marketing I’m sure, but the amount of goods/services Amazon provided during the past few events have been minuscule compared to Wallyworlds disaster relief efforts.
In a short theory, I feel like if I continue to support such businesses, I will lose, and my boys will lose like 2A freedoms and OHV trails in the future. This is a off-road forum and if we continue to lose public OHV lands, this forum might as well be Facebook, (OHV exception for a few off-road businesses and private land/ranches for recreational purposes).