When YOUR brands go bad.
Discussion
drivin_me_nuts said:
Bentley is an interesting one. From the aroma of fine tanins and leather polishes to the odour of stale football boots in a matter of a few years.
Creates a conflict between both aching desire and revulsion at yesterdays cold doner kebab simultaneously.
Creates a conflict between both aching desire and revulsion at yesterdays cold doner kebab simultaneously.
I saw a blue one parked outside a club in town... and when I say blue, I mean the worst DOOM blue I've ever seen
drivin_me_nuts said:
Bentley is an interesting one. From the aroma of fine tanins and leather polishes to the odour of stale football boots in a matter of a few years.
Creates a conflict between both aching desire and revulsion at yesterdays cold doner kebab simultaneously.
This is exactly what I was trying to understand.Creates a conflict between both aching desire and revulsion at yesterdays cold doner kebab simultaneously.
I want to know also - that if an exclusive brand associated itself with something that had negative implications to the current consumers (ie putting itself on Facebook - sponsoring a TV show, using a track on a cheesy advert etc) - could that damage it - do people withdraw? or do they really not care. I withdraw. I am very easily turned off a brand by association.
Nolar Dog said:
Yet when I tell people I'm a huge Winehouse fan they assume I'm some Heat reading wannabe. 
That annoys me.
In truth, Wino hasn't done anything in the last three years (yes, Back To Black was that long ago)worth reporting anywhere other than Heat. Sad waste of a talent.That annoys me.
I see where the OP is coming from, I hate seeing some pleb or cretin wearing something I had exclusively. I do like certain brands, but hate overly branded products, to me they just shout fake or market. I do like quality and revel in the little details that set a quality item apart from the norm.
I try and avoid this type of analysis but honestly, sometimes, resistance against the judgement is futile.
The contemporary Range Rover is a truly sublime thing and their ubiquity is fine; I've even come to ignore the intrinsic wagginess since let's face it, a ridiculously peroxidal bimbette is hardly cause for anxious teeth grating.
However, I cannot deny a habitual wince every time one trundles past and that other default helmsman is tilling things forth: yup, the irrepressable meathead.
Shades atop his shaven crane and one, steroidally boosted line of muscle stretching forth to guide him hither and thither, I never know whether to bid him stop and request some Charles or 'spin' right there, atop the pavement, on my back, in some hip-hop based hommage to the original Bronx scratchers of the late 1970s.
I kid ye not, it's no generalisation, this: in these parts, it's bint or brute - there are no exceptions.
Easy now...
The contemporary Range Rover is a truly sublime thing and their ubiquity is fine; I've even come to ignore the intrinsic wagginess since let's face it, a ridiculously peroxidal bimbette is hardly cause for anxious teeth grating.
However, I cannot deny a habitual wince every time one trundles past and that other default helmsman is tilling things forth: yup, the irrepressable meathead.
Shades atop his shaven crane and one, steroidally boosted line of muscle stretching forth to guide him hither and thither, I never know whether to bid him stop and request some Charles or 'spin' right there, atop the pavement, on my back, in some hip-hop based hommage to the original Bronx scratchers of the late 1970s.
I kid ye not, it's no generalisation, this: in these parts, it's bint or brute - there are no exceptions.
Easy now...
So long as the products stay in the manner/quality that I initially bought them for the marketing image doesn't concern me.
It's just that with most things the marketing people get hold of it, see an opportunity for exploitation/greater profit/shareholder dividend and insist on the product being made/built to a target audience price point.
Mont Blanc is one example - the writing instruments are still first class in my opinion but the brand is slightly devalued by some of the other stuff they make in an attempt to cash in on the brand strength of the pens.
Mercedes Benz is similiar - A class price pointed to mass market relying on the quality of S class and 3 pointed star brand. (at time of A class launch in late 90's, different story now I feel)
It's just that with most things the marketing people get hold of it, see an opportunity for exploitation/greater profit/shareholder dividend and insist on the product being made/built to a target audience price point.
Mont Blanc is one example - the writing instruments are still first class in my opinion but the brand is slightly devalued by some of the other stuff they make in an attempt to cash in on the brand strength of the pens.
Mercedes Benz is similiar - A class price pointed to mass market relying on the quality of S class and 3 pointed star brand. (at time of A class launch in late 90's, different story now I feel)
SkinnyBoy said:
I see where the OP is coming from, I hate seeing some pleb or cretin wearing something I had exclusively. I do like certain brands, but hate overly branded products, to me they just shout fake or market. I do like quality and revel in the little details that set a quality item apart from the norm.
Often this isn't the journey or market that the brand intended - take the Burberry example. Actually it's more for professional reasons that I am trying to understand the dynamics that apply - and how sensitive people are to associations and partnerships that brands make with each other - or advertising channels.
[rant]
My Spyder skiing jacket... bought because it was fantastic, sweating away in -35, whilst being flexible enough to not restrict you at all. now every fat American dentist, snowploughing his way down a green run has them, not to mention a 20 strong Spanish family and every single Russian under the sun.
Didnt mind it when all the Austrians had them, but yanks? Thats the end of it, I have to find the next best thing.
What capped it off for me was seeing a Spyder mid layer that I really liked being worn as a jumper by someone who did not even know it was a ski brand. Less about the quality and more about "style".
Also agree about Barbour heading this way.
[/rant]
My Spyder skiing jacket... bought because it was fantastic, sweating away in -35, whilst being flexible enough to not restrict you at all. now every fat American dentist, snowploughing his way down a green run has them, not to mention a 20 strong Spanish family and every single Russian under the sun.
Didnt mind it when all the Austrians had them, but yanks? Thats the end of it, I have to find the next best thing.
What capped it off for me was seeing a Spyder mid layer that I really liked being worn as a jumper by someone who did not even know it was a ski brand. Less about the quality and more about "style".
Also agree about Barbour heading this way.
[/rant]
thegavster said:
I saw a beautiful RR Sport a few weeks ago which had the 'REVERE' across the bonnet in place of the usual Range Rover text.
I thought that sort of trick was reserved merely for Fiestas and Corsas.
But thats what Revere do isnt it, pimp nice cars? or do you mean the fact they are starting to advertise?I thought that sort of trick was reserved merely for Fiestas and Corsas.
Ferrari - their baseball caps or T-shirts used to be the preserve of owners or geeks, now every second ned/chav is wearing something with the Scuderia Shield on it.
Onitsuka Tiger - Loved these until the above happened
Surfin' bird by The Trashmen - I had this mp3 as a call-alert on my phones for the past 4 years. I was the only person I was aware of that had it. Since that idiotic family guy episode, every muppet and their dog has it. Suffice to say I no longer do.
The North Face - Replaced berghaus as the ned's brand of choice
Nastro Azzurro - hitherto unheard of by the masses
Undoubtedly there's more.....
Onitsuka Tiger - Loved these until the above happened
Surfin' bird by The Trashmen - I had this mp3 as a call-alert on my phones for the past 4 years. I was the only person I was aware of that had it. Since that idiotic family guy episode, every muppet and their dog has it. Suffice to say I no longer do.
The North Face - Replaced berghaus as the ned's brand of choice
Nastro Azzurro - hitherto unheard of by the masses
Undoubtedly there's more.....
Aowhs102][rant said:
My Spyder skiing jacket... bought because it was fantastic, sweating away in -35, whilst being flexible enough to not restrict you at all. now every fat American dentist, snowploughing his way down a green run has them, not to mention a 20 strong Spanish family and every single Russian under the sun.
Didnt mind it when all the Austrians had them, but yanks? Thats the end of it, I have to find the next best thing.
What capped it off for me was seeing a Spyder mid layer that I really liked being worn as a jumper by someone who did not even know it was a ski brand. Less about the quality and more about "style".
Also agree about Barbour heading this way.
[/rant]
s. 900T-R said:
I'm simple - if I like the ethos behind the product I'm buying, my feelings about it won't change with a subsequent 'sell out' of the brand - just like when a band releases a $hite record after one or more good ones, if anything it only makes me appreciate the latter more.
Must be a SAAB thing... 
Has anyone read a book called "The Tipping Point"? It talks about products or social behaviour and the point at which it becomes acceptable or the norm. Like a vaccum cleaner being called a hoover, or how hush puppies saved the company by becoming cool in the 80's. It's not an easy read but quite interesting and might help the OP in understanding brand behaviour.
Personally I don't feel any brand is exclusive to me, and I don't have brand loyalty. I don't buy heavily logo'd clothes or accessories, partly because I think it's a bit vulgar and partly because it can date items very easily (so I can spend less!!) I will buy a car/TV/stereo [insert any item over about £50!] based on what I need/want it to do, not the image I want. I don't buy a brand purely because of the name/association, I buy it because it suits my need.
I'm just not a materialistic person I guess. I don't lust after the latest Chloe handbag or this seasons "must-have" items, because I generally believe stuff like that is overpriced for what you actually get. Don't get me wrong, if I like something which is expensive I'll buy it without a second thought, but it's because I like the item, not the tag on it.
Personally I don't feel any brand is exclusive to me, and I don't have brand loyalty. I don't buy heavily logo'd clothes or accessories, partly because I think it's a bit vulgar and partly because it can date items very easily (so I can spend less!!) I will buy a car/TV/stereo [insert any item over about £50!] based on what I need/want it to do, not the image I want. I don't buy a brand purely because of the name/association, I buy it because it suits my need.
I'm just not a materialistic person I guess. I don't lust after the latest Chloe handbag or this seasons "must-have" items, because I generally believe stuff like that is overpriced for what you actually get. Don't get me wrong, if I like something which is expensive I'll buy it without a second thought, but it's because I like the item, not the tag on it.
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