Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Lee
But I worked there and you can't imagine the brand loyalty of some of those folks. I regularly had customers threaten to leave if they didn't get a black card, which has a $2800 annual fee. People begged for them!
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That's not brand loyalty. That's bragging rights. Just like having an iPhone 6s or whatever the latest fad gadget is.
Would you say that Apple is a "respected" company because there are lines around the block to buy the latest doo-dad?
Personally I view "respect" as something else entirely. I respect corporations that are willing to take risks, do "the right thing", provide shareholder value, and are (or at least maintain the appearance of being) good corporate citizens. Google was probably up there at one point but their questionable privacy and social agenda(s) have cost them respect from a lot of one-time fans (myself included).
The problem is that right now--using the criteria above--I can't think of a corporation that is worthy of any respect. Well, maybe McMillan and Barrett. But they're small potatoes.