Posted on 05/30/2009 2:28:23 PM PDT by lefthenright
I have been faithful lurker for several years and this is my first post. I have many years of apparel experience along with my wife. Anything and everything to do with clothing we have accomplished. Retailing, manufacturing, buying, etc.
I have been trying to come up with an idea that could benefit conservative and traditional minded Americans. Why not put together a website that would provide access to hundreds of retailers that would give conservatives great deals on clothing, shoes, books, services, etc., and provide rebates to help fund their favorite charities or bloggers?
Why not put our hard earned dollars toward retailers that support us and want our business? I have talked to people that would be more than happy to do this. I feel that one way to assert power is not to boycott businesses but to buy from their competitors. Put together a large enough group and they they will come to us.
I want to know if this is something that could gain support or not? Please let me know your opinions and or advice. I believe in the wisdom of crowds and think the people of Free Republic have a plentiful supply.
You can start a website listing those businesses that have already come out in support of conservative causes and issues, then advertise that other conservative businesses that don’t want to risk losing their liberal and/or moderate customers can open a side venture (same products under a different name) that you’d post to the conservative web list. Include your own products and sell ad banners to defer the costs of the bandwidth.
Perhaps even a Craigslist-style site (or link) where conservatives can post their goods and services for sale in their local communitites.
Maybe encourage an online swap meet - barter - system for conservatives to get in touch with each other.
Is that anything like what you were posting about?
I've heard that the prisoners at Gitmo are forced to enact Lenny and Squiggy scenes over and over, for days at a time. Supposedly, a few dozen of them have stayed "in character" permanently now.
You wouldn’t have to contribute to any one. If you desire the retailer could send the rebate to you through the site. Every sale made, a piece would go to the originating site. For example if you link to the site from Free Republic or a favorite charity and make a purchase, they would automatically get a contribution. The site would then contribute to one our favorite charities. All of this being paid for by the participating retailer.
Buy something you would normally buy, get money back and help a charity or your favorite blog. A win, win, win scenario.
I’ll survive or not as the Lord see fit. I will never be like PFL BO. I have never projected a false front and don’t intend to start.
Thanks. Sorry for the misspelling. The humor is accepted in good fun. The site won’t be restricted to conservatives. I just don’t think we would partner up with DU. Any one that wants to join us will be welcome, but on our terms.
If you desire the rebate could go to you through the site. We would then give a portion to the originating site. For example you go to your favorite blog or charity site and link to our site. Anything you purchase they would automatically get a contribution, We as well would contribute to one of our favorite charities. All paid for by the retailer.
Simply put, buy something you would ordinarily buy on the web get money back, help your favorite blog or charity. A win, win scenario.
The names of Barney Frank's right and left nuts.
You too???
How did anna nicole smith end up with that 90 year old guy?
I think it’s a great idea. I would love to know that my money was going to a business that supports conservative principles. But that is the catch. If you can find some way to 1) be sure the business supports conservative principles and 2) actually gives a slice of the money it makes to conservative causes, year in and year out, then I think a lot of people would use it. I suggest a portal that businesses can sign up for, and the portal processes the payment, taking a slice for conservative causes. Hey folks, either we all hang together, or we’ll all hang separately.
Not quite sure I understand what you’re proposing, but I have provided copy writing, design, photography and printing services in the past to a catalog and internet based company that sells apparel products through schools and organizations, with a percentage of each sale going to the schools or organizations.
Think of the ubiquitous candy bars or gift wrap that school kids seem to be forever selling to family and friends on behalf of their schools ... not an especially good example, since they’re often overpriced, but it’s the very same sales and distribution model. The business of fundraising sales has grown surprisingly diverse, though. There’s quite a bit more going on than just candy bars and gift wrap now.
If the typical distributor and retail markup for wholesale apparel goods went to such a group, with a percentage to a given conservative organization or cause, it could work, with one big exception, that being that existing distributors are almost exclusively set up by geographic territory, and would fight such a thing tooth and nail, if it were to create added competition for one or more of the lines they represent.
There could also be an issue with well-known manufacturers being concerned over lost sales due to coming to be identified with an explicitly conservative group such as this.
Is this what you mean, though?
Your post strikes me as being childish and petulant. He made a typo. He left out two letters in opinion - so what? He’s trying to use his experience in the clothing industry to help the conservative cause.
You know how to keep the gnats out of your eyes, don't you?
Cut a hole in the seat of your pants.
Aha, the Amazon.com model. Now I understand.
Thanks for that tip.
“...patriotism tied to commercial promotions.”
Capitalism is very patriotic.
Anyone who says it isn’t needs to be tested for the liberal virus.
I’d rather my hard-earned money go to support those with at least similar values as my own.
Why would I want to patronizea left-winger’s business?
Yuk!
My thoughts, exactly.
Count me in, I’d be pleased to shop that way!
I’ll buy stretch fabric “safari’ pants, and jackets less, hopefully much less, expensive that Barbour or the chappies who make Harris tweed jackets are asking.
Buy conservative sounds great to me.
I am tired of clothing sources that are “Green” when they are really “Red”.
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