Brand Loyalty

Whether it is the Apple fanboy who has his up-to-the-minute countdown for the release of Apple’s latest deus ex machina (which, as of this writing, my spam queen advisors inform me that the DEM is the 3g iPhone) or any of the anti-Apple, fiercely loyal audiophiles who cling to their anything-by-iPod music players, the brand loyalty phenomenon and its followers stroke my often untouched sense of curiosity.

I mean, I can understand that people will be happy with the products they select to buy (possibly to ward off a sense of buyers’ remorse, maybe?), but I think that some people take an almost fanatical approach to things.

I guess I’m just extremely butthurt and this has caused me to shut myself off of my natural, human desire to be a part of something greater than I am. Or at least, I guess that’s how the rhetoric goes. I do admit I like to buy things that are practical…so if a brand is consistently practical, then I guess I will continue to buy. That’s not the same as saying the brand or company can do no wrong.

I guess a case of brand loyalty that caught my eye was that for Moleskine notebooks. When I first heard of it, already I was put off by the extra e at the end…but then I decided to do research. Apparently, I am to believe that Moleskine was used by Picasso and Matisse and other super-duper types. Sure, the marketing department notes that it’s just exaggeration…marketing, not science, so to speak, but already, it’s clear that Moleskine presents itself as the embodiment of pretentiousness.

I checked out this Ultimate Guide for Moleskines to get a user perspective on how to make these things so great. After an introduction of the line, what they are and what they do, I realized that I didn’t get it. I guess it’s something you just have to experience for yourself. Nevertheless, I continued reading the stages of addiction…but all the while, I thought to myself, “Why? Why fall for it?”

I suppose I’m just not hardcore enough. Meanwhile, my brother spends $293408 every other day at Starbucks…