View Full Version : Amazing Patagonia ad
Anybody see patagonia's add showing one of their own jackets and headlining "don't buy this jacket"? The ad encourages everyone to avoid buying what they don't need for lots of good reasons. impressive company, and a first for marketing as far as I know. I'll try to take their advice!
skinewmexico
11-25-2011, 17:22
I can get Patagonia on a pro form, and still can't afford it.
I can get Patagonia on a pro form, and still can't afford it.
I visit the Patagonia Store in Freeport when they have a half off sale. They have a lot of great stuff, but it's often too expensive for my budget. But over the years, I've picked up a couple of pairs of shorts.
My favorite Patagonia item is a half pound jacket designed for rock climbers. I won it as a door prize when I attended a meeting of Restore the North Woods, which was held in the store. At a meeting of another group I also won my favorite rain jacket, which had been donated by Patagonia as a door prize.
The Restore meeting was a report on efforts to create a 3.2 million acre National Park. I was a guest. I had been invited because of my years of successfully promoting the protection of some important Maine mountains and wildlands.
bigcranky
11-25-2011, 22:44
I have some Patagonia clothing that I bought on sale over the years, either from a local outfitter or their web site. Yes, it's expensive, even on sale. But their clothing is exceptionally well made and lasts a long time, in my experience.
That ad was interesting in many ways....
fireneck
11-26-2011, 03:31
The ad can be found here (http://patagonia.typepad.com/files/nyt_11-25-11.pdf).
fireneck
11-26-2011, 03:37
The ad can be found here (http://patagonia.typepad.com/files/nyt_11-25-11.pdf).
The ad can be found here (http://patagonia.typepad.com/files/nyt_11-25-11.pdf).
So you told me six minutes ago
My only black Friday purchase was a badly needed haircut. Early in the day I met with my heart doctor for our yearly chat. We talked a bit about hiking. His final words were, "well, I'll see you in a year." I did go out late Saturday to replace my worn out hip boots so I could finish anchoring some bog bridging that tends to wash away with the spring storms and snow melt. The Patagonia ad was truly impressive, though I suspect it sold quite a few of the featured jacket. The ad reminded me that my favorite fall and spring LL Bean jacket (purchased at Goodwill) is getting tattered and the zipper a bit sticky.
mirabela
11-27-2011, 11:04
Right on.
I will say this, they don't lie about well-made, durable stuff. I don't have very much gear left from my earliest days of hiking, but among them are some capilene tops and bottoms -- veterans of an AT thru-hike and many seasons working outdoors besides. Bomber stuff.
I don't get it. I think they would better serve their goals if they just donated profit or started a nonprofit to reduce, reuse, recycle rather than running ads saying to not buy their stuff. I don't think clothing is that big on the list of things that are polluting the world.
I don't get it. I think they would better serve their goals if they just donated profit or started a nonprofit to reduce, reuse, recycle rather than running ads saying to not buy their stuff. I don't think clothing is that big on the list of things that are polluting the world.
Your right. You don't get it.
The ad is simply a reminder that most things that people buy just use up world resources. Purchases are rarely used up. This year's fads are just replaced and thrown away when they get out of fashion, or boring, or the owner gets enticed by a flashier option. It all adds up to a terribly wasteful consumer based economy.
Patagonia is a leader in the use of recycled stuff, and in donating part of its profits each year for useful activities. It's also apparently a useful business plan that keeps buyers coming back, even those of us that only rarely can afford their prices.
Oops bought the jacket like three weeks ago.
skinewmexico
11-29-2011, 12:12
I don't get it.
You're right. No one does environmental "look down their nose" piousness like Patagonia.
Your right. You don't get it.
The ad is simply a reminder that most things that people buy just use up world resources. Purchases are rarely used up. This year's fads are just replaced and thrown away when they get out of fashion, or boring, or the owner gets enticed by a flashier option. It all adds up to a terribly wasteful consumer based economy.
Patagonia is a leader in the use of recycled stuff, and in donating part of its profits each year for useful activities. It's also apparently a useful business plan that keeps buyers coming back, even those of us that only rarely can afford their prices.
So why don't they just shut down their shop and go away? I don't see the point of selling a product that you don't want people to buy because it is a waste of resources.
I get that Patagonia is environmentally conscious. A lot of their other programs are interesting and serve a good function. I understand they donate a lot of money to good causes and I applaud them for that. I just don't get telling people here is a cool new jacket, but don't buy it. If not buying their products is part of the solution then they should just close their business. Obviously that is not a realistic solution so why bother?
BTW, you say "terribly wasteful consumer based economy"...what other type of economy are we going to have? That's how the whole world works, humans buy and sell things that other humans need. How else would an economy work?
skinewmexico
11-29-2011, 19:38
Reverse psychology folks. Just keep moving.......
I thought buying stuff you don't need was the main drive of outdoor equipment. /jk
Impressive ad tho, we really live in a throwaway society.
You're right. No one does environmental "look down their nose" piousness like Patagonia. I've got to agree with you there. And it is just reverse psychology. Their REAL point is their image: we should buy from a deeply sincere, noble company such as Patagonia. (Featuring a large photo of our quality best-selling jacket.) Seems like this should appear in an episode of Mad Men.
They do make a lot of good over-priced gear, however.
So why don't they just shut down their shop and go away? I don't see the point of selling a product that you don't want people to buy because it is a waste of resources.
I get that Patagonia is environmentally conscious. A lot of their other programs are interesting and serve a good function. I understand they donate a lot of money to good causes and I applaud them for that. I just don't get telling people here is a cool new jacket, but don't buy it. If not buying their products is part of the solution then they should just close their business. Obviously that is not a realistic solution so why bother?
Because it's also a successful business plan that keeps buyers coming back, even those of us that only rarely can afford their prices. Most of us have to earn a living. The Patagonia owners have found a way to be both prosperous and and somewhat socially responsible. More businesses should follow Patagonia's lead.
Two Tents
12-02-2011, 12:38
I'm a rebel, I'm buyin it now for sure! Shheeshh! Tell a gear addict-don't buy this! It's almost like a dare.
I've bought all my Patagucci wear used and have gotten many extra years out of it. Don't all outdoor companies make a living selling folks stuff they don't need and half will never see the great outdoors? I can walk down town and see half a dozen TNF down jackets, not a mountain for 100s of miles
I think the point of this Patagonia ad is, DO buy this jacket so you'll never have to buy another jacket again. Sneeky!
rocketsocks
12-02-2011, 13:12
Or perhaps they just got tired of all the jackets returned,by folks that decided there purchase was'nt what they thought it was (not warm enough,did not fit right,why did I spend so much money on jacket that I could have got at walley world for half the price).ect,ect,ect.......;)
I'm a rebel, I'm buyin it now for sure! Shheeshh! Tell a gear addict-don't buy this! It's almost like a dare.
As I said. It's a successful business plan.
LIhikers
12-04-2011, 00:09
While their products are expensive, I was able to get one of their down sweaters at a right reasonable price.
It was the middle of summer and I checked their web site's "web specials". They had the down sweaters on special but only available in an XL and this bright color green. The size was right, the color I've gotten used to. I seem to remember getting it for 1/3 or 1/4 the retail price.
The Patagonia Synchilla Fleece in excellent condition I paid $4 for was awesome. (I now wear a Men's Medium vs a Men's large...otherwise I'd still own it). Still my greatest thrift-store find ever. Excellent quality, warm, tight weave, even breathed well oddly enough.
I also own a Nano Puff Hoody that I paid $25 or so for due to a gift card given to me. Light, compressible, perfect for early or late season backpacks and throwing on during ski tours. (Like today's! What a wonderful backcountry ski day)
As Colter said "They do make a lot of good over-priced gear, however. "
BUT, if you can find it on sale, buy used or get it as gift, it is great gear. :) Unless I gain 15+ lbs again, I suspect the Nano Puffy will last me a LONG time. And that fleece I re-gave to the thrift store 10+ yrs after I bought it used still looked great...and is probably making someone else happy.
I just knew you were a closet label whore like the rest of us.:)
Great stuff for people who like to brag about their labels.
I just knew you were a closet label whore like the rest of us.:)
Only if I can get it at a thrift store. :D
Great stuff for people who like to brag about their labels.
I just buy what works. Think that applies to many of us.
Yesterday I ski toured in a surplus wool pants, a Minus 33 brand mernio wool underwear, Surplus glove liners, a Swix (cross-country ski wax maker) hat, OR shell mitts, a generic fleece and a GoLite shell as conditions warranted. The Patagonia puffy was in the pack (Gregory Z40 that I did a gear test on) along with a generic polypro balaclava and thick wool mittens.
Today I did some telemark skiing and wore Campmor shell pants instead of the wool pants.
So, what does that make me?
Wait...I KNOW ! I KNOW! A typical outdoors person. ;)
Like any experienced outdoors person I use what works for me..and leave the stupid discussion of what is yuppie gear, what is 'real' outdoor gear,.etc. to others. :) I'll just go out and use the gear and equipment I know what works for me..and my friends do the same.
And during these wonderful trips? No one discusses gear...we discuss the much more important things. Namely where to get a good pint after a good ski.