Why we’re done with charity businesses

Why we’re done with charity businesses {hint: unsustainable}

I can think of really only one of the “charity businesses” from back in the day. And that was Newman’s Own products. Their big selling point was donating all “after tax profits” to charity.

To put that in perspective – Newman’s Own had $600 million in sales last year and donated $30 million to charity (their own charities, naturally.)

That, of course, includes salaries of everyone involved. And whatever “cooked books” accounting. Some would say a 5% “leftover” seems to be a bit low of a profit margin. But then again, companies like Uber are losing $700 million a quarter (or something like that).

But charity businesses is the flavor of today

Fast forward to today. It appears that EVERY OTHER BUSINESS out there has some kind of “charity” link. Take a better look at all the packaging of food, for instance.

“We donate X% of our profits to kids in need!” seems to be the common mantra. You can expect cooked books accounting in all these companies, too.

And then there are companies like TOMS Shoes – who donates a pair of shoes for every pair that is purchased – to someone “in need.”

TOMS is now in jeopardy of going BANKRUPT.

If companies are so charitable – maybe you’re paying too much?

I understand Newman’s (to a degree).

But all these other companies are practically riding that “socially acceptable” coattail to have a positive light shined on them. I mean, who can bash a company for “helping” others?

Well – there are several problems with this whole thing.

I think for one, they build the “cost” of their charity into the price of the goods. Wouldn’t you rather have THE OPTION to pay LESS for the product instead? What if you didn’t like that charity? Or were having money problems yourself? These companies – regardless of their (artificially perceived good intentions) don’t realize that not everyone is so pliable.

Secondly – with TOMS in financial trouble – the fact that you buying ONE pair of their shoes pretty much netted TWO pairs of shoes – you’re paying literally DOUBLE the price.

Notice how the paying customers are NEVER the charity. Not once.

Look at the money troubles our country as a whole is having. What does that tell you?

WHAT IF?

What if any of these companies said:

1. You can pay $100 for these shoes – and we’ll donate a pair to some other needy person. Or…
2. You can pay $50 for these shoes – and we won’t donate anything…

90% or more of the customers would NOT pay extra. And maybe companies like TOMS would not be in financial trouble today.

But no one thinks about that because the pricing and the markets are all rigged.

Those non-charity days are dwindling

In the end – we’re doing our best to find companies that just try to stay in business providing quality products at a fair price.

But a majority of companies and manufacturers today are under pressure (social media, other SJW BS) to “fall into line” with this rubbish. Which is why it’s so much harder today to find any business that doesn’t at least have its toes in this liberal nonsense of charity.

Speaking of which – with all these so-called “charitable” businesses – can anyone say it’s made ONE BLIP of difference to the world as a whole? I bet you cannot.

So if you want a good starting point to save money – and avoid wasteful charities – here are three off the top of my head:

– Shop the ultra clearance racks at every store. Buy seasons ahead. You can often save 90%!

– Think about overseas places like AliExpress. I can buy QUALITY polo shirts for $9 brand new. It may be China or Korea – but at least they’re not peddling nonsensical charities.

– Buy second-hand. You can get almost everything used (older models) for more that 75% less than new items. You might even find quality clothing items as well.

– Do without.

Charities should be up to the individual. Not a corporation who chooses to donate YOUR money somewhere else.