How much does who endorses a product affect whether you buy it?

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Lolo

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As title really, on both a local and pro level.

There are 3 people round us who heavily endorse certain products which have good track records and would probably work well. However, mostly because of this (non-paid, totally because they love the product!) endorsement from these riders we've steered well clear...

Also, with pros- does who says it's good make a difference to you?

Over to you!

(and don't tell me I'm being silly- these riders give very good reason not to want what they endorse usually!)
 
It depends on what you mean by endorsement ;) To me endorsement means professional advertising (e.g. buy x brand becasue that's what y professional uses)

e.g. I'd never go out and buy a rug/bridle/hat etc just because someone is sponsored by them/says it's good/says my horses all wear this etc on a professional level.

If I'm looking to buy something (tack/food/equipment etc) I would prefer to get word of mouth recommendations from a few sources; or I will buy what the best fit is.
 
Matters not a jot to me unless it's personal recommendation from someone I have learnt to trust.
 
Oberon said:
Matters not a jot to me unless it's personal recommendation from someone I have learnt to trust.
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Depends really, I wouldn't buy something just because its from say the mark Todd range, would just go on quality. Did get a thermatex when they first came out cos so many pros (well, more the grooms I'd speak to) praised them. Wouldn't blindly copy but if I'm in need of a product I'd certainly look at what's in use by someone I respect, whether that's a local friend or a top level rider. But not an advert, what they actually use.
See what you mean about people you don't respect endorsing something. I wouldn't cut my nose off to spite my face, but in that case I'd approach it far more sceptically, & do more research than I would if I respected the user.
As far as pros go, wouldn't be swayed by which one endorses what, if we're talking top riders. But stuff like parelli used stuff I would be as I don't agree with most aspects. Exception is the heather moffett range after her attitude on this forum. Katie price stuff isn't my type of thing (& don't consider her a pro rider) but if daughter wanted something pink from her range for her pony I'd buy it.
 
I wouldnt buy something because its a certain persons range, or because some other person uses it. If its what I need, does the job & within my budget then ill buy it. Really couldn't care less!!

Also goes for names I don't particularly like either - not fussed if it does the job!
 
No but it would work the other way for me, I definitely won't buy something if it had certain names on!

Parelli and Katie Price being 2 examples!!
 
I dont think I am particularly swayed by 'pro' endorsments.

If I see something I think looks like what I want and it happens to be pro branded/endorsed then great (like the Mark Todd rugs, one of which I bought second hand and thought was a good rug).
I do avoid certain names though and wouldnt buy anything they made on principle, whether or not Im cutting my own nose off to spite my face, just no, not interested. However since these people arent the only ones to make whatever items, and there are market alternatives, its no hardship.
Generally however, Im not keen on 'pro branded' tack, with obvious signatures. One because I dont really like to be a walking advert, secondly a lot of the pro branded tack isnt to my taste, thirdly Id feel a bit pretentious. (eg, the Whitaker branded tack. I dont like the look of it for one, and Id very much look 'all the gear no idea' since my jumping is probably more Roger Whittaker than Ellen Whitaker :o)

I have bought things that have been recommended by people on a local level (my saddle for instance) , as Ive had the chance to trial things instead of jumping in blind, or more likely wouldnt have considered using.
 
Feathered said:
No but it would work the other way for me, I definitely won't buy something if it had certain names on!

Parelli and Katie Price being 2 examples!!
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same here, i'm more likely to refuse to buy something because i don't want to line someones pockets i don't respect! As for products endorsed by 'stars' doesn't sway me either way, i buy a product because it suits it's purpose rather than who made it , put their name to it or got a shed load free because they're sponsored by it;)
 
It wouldn't influence me, except in the case of the HM range after the events of the other week, and similar cases. If I think someone I genuinely disapprove of is profitting from my purchase, I will seek an alternative. If there's no suitable alternative, I'd buy it despite my reservations and dislike of the individual.

I certainly wouldn't go running out to buy a rug because it was Mark Todd (other than that MT's are the only turnouts that fit mine well) or some Geoff Billington breeches or a pair of knickers because they came WFP recommended :D


oh yea, one exception, I want one of those giant parelli balls but refuse to buy one because they're Parelli :p
 
Ibblebibble said:
same here, i'm more likely to refuse to buy something because i don't want to line someones pockets i don't respect! As for products endorsed by 'stars' doesn't sway me either way, i buy a product because it suits it's purpose rather than who made it , put their name to it or got a shed load free because they're sponsored by it;)
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Absolutely this. I think we are really lucky in that we have such a choice of what we buy, so can choose not to give money to people we don't want to.

Aggressive marketing using endorsements does actually put me off certain products too. Attempting to discredit the competition likewise :rolleyes:
 
JFTD said:
It wouldn't influence me, except in the case of the HM range after the events of the other week, and similar cases. If I think someone I genuinely disapprove of is profitting from my purchase, I will seek an alternative. If there's no suitable alternative, I'd buy it despite my reservations and dislike of the individual.

oh yea, one exception, I want one of those giant parelli balls but refuse to buy one because they're Parelli :p
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Did I miss something? What is HM?

Can't you just buy a gym ball? IS that not what a parelli ball is, just more spensive?
 
It doesn't at all, I always assume that those that endorse a product are being paid to rave about the goods anyway - in cash, or goods.

I'd go with personal recommendation over professional endorsement anyday, Forums are good for that :)
 
I think they are bigger and tougher than gym balls.

The key is to get a Parelli 'style' ball from eBay ;)
 
Oberon said:
I think they are bigger and tougher than gym balls.

The key is to get a Parelli 'style' ball from eBay ;)
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They must be pretty tough. I saw them using them on 'biggest loser' or something like that once. Some of those people must weigh nearly as much as Fergs! :eek:

(sorry, very bad taste I know:o)
 
HM I meant Heather Moffet, just being lazy :p

Yea gym balls are smaller... Though possible just as strong :eek: :eek: :D

do they really sell parelli-style balls on ebay now, Oberon? That's awesome, problem solved :D
 
Feathered said:
No but it would work the other way for me, I definitely won't buy something if it had certain names on!

Parelli and Katie Price being 2 examples!!
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Ditto this for me. Also Heather Moffett after her attitude on this forum. Simply because I don't want to line the pockets of people I dislike.

Although that said, if they offered something nobody else did and it was something I desperately needed, I wouldn't cut off my nose to spite my face. Can't see that happening though!

With regards to professional endorsements, I really don't pay any regard to them - they are paid to be the face of a product, so it doesn't really say much to me. But an objective recommendation by either a pro or a local person I'd definitely take heed of.
 
Jftd- how about a birthing ball? Designed to take the weight of heavily pregnant women, sure they'd manage a pony. And pretty big so said pregnant people can get back up again.
 
birthing balls are just the same a gym balls, but the likes of mammas and pappas add on £30 as opposed to JJD sports.


no one endorsing a product makes me more likely to buy it, unless it is a trusted friend who can vouch for it general wonderfulness:p

in fact, aside from the celebs endorsing things, I find the users on here who appear to be SO religiously behind certain products makes me uber suspicious,especially having been approached more than once by different companies to act as an 'agent' myself:rolleyes:;)
 
jesstickle said:
They must be pretty tough. I saw them using them on 'biggest loser' or something like that once. Some of those people must weigh nearly as much as Fergs! :eek:

(sorry, very bad taste I know:o)
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I'm probably a bit cynical seeing as the Wolf has managed to destroy every gym ball I have ever bought before I've used them :(
 
Capriole said:
(eg, the Whitaker branded tack. I dont like the look of it for one, and Id very much look 'all the gear no idea' since my jumping is probably more Roger Whittaker than Ellen Whitaker :o)
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Lol! I had to look up who Roger was. I thought he might be some 6 year old cousin still on cross poles that I hadn't heard of yet! I'd probably wear it if it was endorsed by Roger :)
 
The HM thread was funny :cool: theres a brief overview on the thread about her saddles if you want to find out the general gist.

For the OP I'm more likley to go on personal recomendation especally if I can try one on as yellow pony is a bit of a mix of sizes :rolleyes:. Although there are a few things I wouldnt buy *cough HM cough* mainly because I dont want to line the pockets of people like that and boost her already over inflated ego.
 
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