State Farm pulled the ad....
04-13-08, 04:48 PM
#26
Seeing things
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Well Data, my objection to the thing was that it reinforces the general conception that belittles bicycles as a viable alternative to automobiles. People in general aren't inclined to think outside of "norms" (to the extent that most think independently that much at all), and a commercial like that just contributes to the mindset broadly held that marginalizes cycling.
Just another brick in the wall...
Just another brick in the wall...
04-13-08, 05:58 PM
#27
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State farm does not care about bicyclists. They don't sell bicyclist insurance. They may care about homeowners or car owners who "also bike". What do they care if they offend people who don't buy their product. If they lose money in a state, they pull out, if a guy gets a few too many bikes stolen and claims them on his homeowners insurance, State Farm will drop him (that last one was me).
While I expect employees of companies to act "human", simply because they are human, I don't much care how they really feel about cyclists, or cycling.
But there was an attitude to the letter, one of respect and communication. It sounded sincere in it's statements. I'm sure the author is an expert at writing good letters. Still, too often, apologies sound either too groveling, or too carefully worded and begrudging.
And the statement that they take blog comments and emails seriously, is basically rewarding the people who emailed or blogged, and tacitly encouraging the behavior in the future. I like that attitude.
04-13-08, 06:26 PM
#28
i like mud
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I think the letter was respectful, and that is good business practice. Not only because it makes money, but because it makes customers (current and potential) feel valued. The businesses that are successful are the ones who realize that their numbers are people, and treat them accordingly. I give State Farm double thumbs up for pulling the ad.
04-13-08, 08:09 PM
#29
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+1 This goes for all insurance companies, and indeed all financial institutions. One would think that this is an obvious enough truth that it doesn't need to be stated, but a disturbingly large segment of the population seems to be influenced by the billions of dollars spent by commercial entities to convince them otherwise.
04-13-08, 10:23 PM
#30
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Doesn't farmers helpoint have a similar commercial?
EDIT: someone beat me to it...
EDIT: someone beat me to it...
04-14-08, 08:05 AM
#31
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Happr riding, and happy to save money on my car insurance,
André
