The Sears store in our town had Fox News playing on half the TV sets in the electronics section.

[county worker]

We went to look at appliances and I asked the sales person to please change the channel on those TV's. She said she had to play what the home office tells her to.

I ended up sending the home office this email:

I went into the Sears store in Lompoc, CA today. My wife and I need to buy a new refrigerator and washer and dryer.
I applied for a Sears charge and got $5,000 credit. I noticed that about 10 TV sets in the store had Fox News Channel on. I asked the sales person to please change the channel on those TV’s since Fox is not news but extreme right wing propaganda and lies.
She told me that she has to put on what the home office tells her to put on. I asked for the number of the home office ad she said she would have to dig it out.

The lies on Fox news is helping to fuel the class war in this country that is responsible for the disappearance of the middle class and for the shutting down of businesses in Lompoc, CA.
I will not be buying my refrigerator and washer and dryer from Sears as long as Fox news in on the TV’s in the Sears stores.
Please have the store in Lompoc change the channel from Fox news and let me know when they did it.

[Cid_B]

1. Just out of curiosity...

... was that a cut and paste from your e-mail?

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

2. What was playing on the other half of the TV's?

[valerief]

3. Sports. I'd bet my life it was sports. nt

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

27. I think if half or more of the other TVs are counterpoint or entertaining... then it's ok.

If they offer choices in viewing then I think that's fair. Sports is entertaining so whatever else they showon the other half or fewer of the TVs is of no cocern. ;)

For example, lets say they choose to put the bible channel on half the TVs. It would be fair to put porn or skinamax on the other half of TVs since it is both counterpoint and entertaining. Or say they have half the TVs set to the country music station... the other half should be something like MTV/BET. Or suppose The View is on half the channels... the other half could be The Man Show (opposing AND entertaining).

You see the trend here.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. You should get one of these:

https://www.tvbgone.com/cfe_tvbg_main.php?PHPSESSID=cc7f17a8975fe431a1e041979559c5b2

[glinda]

62. good idea

[calimary]

78. What I'd like is one that changes channels, not just the on/off switch.

And just changing channels - off of one and onto some other one, maybe the one just above it or just below it.

[DJ13]

5. Thats when you casually turn them off one by one

By the way, you should explain to their office that true high def programing would sell more TV's.

[pacalo]

6. Good for you, county worker!

My grievances against Fixed News have to do more with their distorting the facts & propaganda used to bolster one political party, but, regardless, I appreciate your letter to Sears against FN.

:thumbsup:

[LemmingWarrior]

7. I glad you had the presence of mind

to ask them to change the channel. Maybe the perception is that the midterms have created a mandate for the extreme right-wing and companies feel they must cater to this element--we're here to tell them they're wrong. :nuke:

[bainz]

8. Seems kinda petty

Considering you went to Sears for 3 major appliances and applied for credit, which they extended, I don't see why you would walk out. Sears has good deals and after the sale guarantees. The fact that this store was showing Fox News on their display TV's would not keep me from purchasing good appliances on credit. Perhaps, Fox has the best HD signal on the floor. It's not like people pull up a chair and listen. Most folks just look at the picture when making TV purchasing decisions.

YMMV.

[Tunkamerica]

10. HD signal? foxnews is cable.

[bainz]

12. Correct. Fox is Cable.

Fox is Cable. What does that have to do with an HD feed to the floor displays?

You do know that people get HD from sources other than OTA, right? Or did I misread your post?

[Tunkamerica]

13. maybe i missed your point. Why would fox news have a better HD "signal"?

[bainz]

15. Attenuation

They run splitters all over the floor. Some channels look better than others. If you are selling an HDTV, you want the customer to see the best "picture", no matter what the subject is.

I'm not saying that this is the case in this situation, but it could be.

Most of the channels I watch at home (HGTV, NATGEO, etc) crap out. I still watch them, but if I were to "show off" my HDTV, I would choose a different channel.

[Tunkamerica]

17. You'd choose Fox News?

Apparently that didn't work so well.

[bainz]

19. I would choose the best channel

If I were to show off my new HDTV, I would choose the channel with the best picture. I have tons to choose from. I dont know what the store in the OP had to choose from. Either way, if Sears has a good deal on appliances, I wouldn't walk away and pay more elsewhere.

[niceypoo]

94. Showing a channel that would piss off half your customers is not a very good business move

nt

[niceypoo]

93. Bullshit manufactured argument

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. Our cable system has HD channels

I am not sure I get your point.

[randr]

29. Part of the faux numbers game

Faux network continually place listener numbers much higher that other networks. One reason is that they factor in the estimated numbers of people "watching" on all the TV they have placed for free in hotel, bank, and other public areas. They also make deals with retail outlets such as Sears and subsequently count the estimated number of shoppers as watching their channel. With all the rigged numbers it is easy for faux to claim the ratings they do.
The most misinformed audience in the world is also the most uninterested in what they are watching.

[crazyjoe]

105. nevermind

[NoGOPZone]

43. If it was a signal strength issue, why would half and not all TVs be set to that station?

You would want all TVs displaying the best picture.

[Name removed]

68. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[calimary]

77. It is ABSOLUTELY NOT petty. It's called activism.

We have to fight Pox Noise in EVERY way imaginable, EVERY chance we get, in EVERY venue we see the need.

I did it in my bank until they finally changed the channel. Now it's on CNBC all the time. I always make a point to complain - and I always do it politely, or change the channel myself, or register a request that the business change its own channel. If the store won't stop it, then it has to be stopped by the store's patrons. ANYWHERE the poisons of Pox Noise are allowed to penetrate, they have to be fought.

[roody]

79. Not petty---vote with your purchasing power.

[BlueJazz]

85. I think she was just making a statement considering that a lot of....

...doctors and dentists and other places with captive audiences have Flax News playing to the uninformed.
(Gee, Fox news must be the "Standard" since everybody has them on) :)

[janet118]

88. My dentist's office has TVs right in front of all the dental chairs . . .

When the assistant brought me into the exam room for the first time, I had her change the channel. She asked why and I told her that my medical doctor instructed me not to watch inaccurate news programs because they upset me too much. Now she does it without being asked. They still keep Fox on if you don't object. Some of the things my dentist says are a tad right wing so I don't think it's just happenstance.

Imagine being stuck in dentist's chair watching Fox News. AAAARRRUGH!!! Marathon Man meets Clockwork Orange.

[hay rick]

91. Same with my dentist office.

If they have Fox on I request that they change it. Otherwise I don't care. Not a problem. I'm sure my dentist is also a Republican.

[Fuddnik]

96. It was even worse at my radiologist's office.

No TV's at all. But the walls were plastered with pictures of him and George W. or Jeb.

The next time I went back, I brought along a marker. And I was in a mustache drawing mood. Luckily for me the pictures were gone this time.

[hay rick]

98. Welcome to DU.

And keep that marker handy.

[bengalherder]

99. Damn!

I am glad I have poor people dentists.

On the last extraction ( a lost crown due to the incompetence of a former RW fox-lover dentist) the dentist and assistant sang Bob Marley 'Two Little Birds' to me during the proceedure. I effin cried, and not from pain.

Sometimes I am blessed.

I hope you find a cool dentist. they are rare but out there.

[niyad]

111. petty? some of us choose not to give our money to corporations that cater to the reichwing.

[A wise Man]

113. shut up...just shut up.....

you just don't get it do you...DUUUUH...YOU MISS THE POINT ALL TOGETHER

[MrModerate]

9. I'm sorry, but the angry tone of your message and the typos . . .

Make you seem like a crank. I don't know that you did much good.

Perhaps better would have been a less angry letter telling them that the content displayed on Fox is offputting and depresses sales to persons like yourself who find it objectionable.

[Tunkamerica]

11. didn't seem angry to me, and truthfully he did more good than just ignoring it

[bainz]

14. I am not sure

I am not sure that is correct.

From what I gather with the limited information in this post is that the OP needed 3 major appliances but did not have the cash in hand to purchase them. So OP applied for credit to purchase these appliances. Now, OP has 5,000 credit line at a store OP will not shop at. One of the big 3 will record the hard hit and the extended credit gap.

OP should have either paid cash or walked. Now there will be a hit on OP's credit score.

[Tunkamerica]

16. Sure, you can look at it that way

But you can just as easily paint it as Sears losing another customer because they put needlessly partisan programming (by mandate of the home office) on their tvs. It wasn't random, it was intentional and they lost a customer. All Sears has to do to retain his or regain his business is put non-partisan programming on the store televisions which, if they were smart, they would've done in the first place.

Plus, there are plenty of other places to shop for appliances and people cancel credit cards all the time. To use his credit score as an argument is a stretch.

[bainz]

18. I can

I can look at it that way. As far as the "home office" I am calling BS on the OP. I can't prove that the OP isn't making this up, so, I will leave it at that. I can walk into a Sears tomorrow and ask the floor salesperson to put every TV on channel N. They will do it if they think I might buy one.

Just my .02.

As far as credit score, canceling the newly created credit account will do even more damage to the OPs credit score. Not that I condone the practice, but that is how the lenders operate.

At the end of the day, who walks into a merchant looking for a product (or three) without money in hand, asks for credit and then makes demands on how they run their business?

[Tunkamerica]

20. Yes. You can.

You can look at it that way. So, you'd call BS on the Sears home office putting Fox News on the televisions when it's done in businesses all over the country. You'd rather imply the poster is a liar than accept that a big company might possibly have a stupid policy like that (or the salesperson lied to avoid changing the channels)?

"At the end of the day, who walks into a merchant looking for a product (or three) without money in hand, asks for credit and then makes demands on how they run their business? "

This guy did. And really you'd think Sears, who isn't doing quite as well as they used to, would have the good sense to send him an email saying they did change the channels and welcome back. When did the saying change to : "the merchant is always right?"

[bainz]

22. Good Post

I am going to stay on my "Home Office" BS. Not calling the OP out necessarily, but I doubt it is a Policy. Maybe a local manager, or the employee.

I have been to Sears in my hometown. I know they are hurting. Which is why I doubt they would make a Corporate Policy to alienate customers. I cant test this theory at the store in question, but I guarantee if I walked into a Sears here in North Texas, I could convince the floor salesman to change the channel on all the TV's I was looking at, especially if I was holding a 5,000 credit card that was just granted to me.

Of course, I wouldn't rant, I would just ask (Flies/sugar/vinegar). Someone up-post stated something similar.

Either way, I think we are more in agreement than anything else; we are just taking sides on this one.

[Kalyke]

65. I'm gonna go with local manager...

I just went to a Sears a week or two ago - there was no news channels on - it was all sports and entertainment - which is what it should be on if the sales team wants to make any sales.

Think about it - if you're trying to sell the latest 3-D technology, would you want to feature some talking head merely sitting there and chatting or would you pick a football game or a Beyonce video that has some action in it?

I'm doubting it was "home office," but more like "right wing regional manager."

[Sherman A1]

21. Agreed

It does all seem a bit contrived. I am sure that the application for credit took place after the products were selected, that means that there was more than ample time to simply go somewhere else more to the TV liking of the OP. Had it been me, I would have simply purchased the products or not. There is no reason to send an email to the corporate office over such a trivial manner. The store is they property of the owner and they get to choose what is or is not on their TV's. I get to choose where I shop, it's all pretty simple.

[dbmk]

60. And why not inform a business you avoid about why you do so? n/t

[Sherman A1]

70. That is the customer's choice of course, but if you really

want to hurt them, you never say a thing. It's very simple, in telling them what is the problem (in your opinion) and why you choose to not shop there, you are giving them the means to fix the problem. If you simply go down the street (and vote with your dollars) never saying a word, you do not as they don't notice the problem (again in your opinion). They lose the sale and may start to wonder why business is off (if it is), but not have a solution.

It really depends on the issue, the circumstance and just how I am feeling that day as to my choice to voice my opinion. In some cases I will, if I like the business enough to give them constructive criticism. If I don't then I simply will go down the street with my dollars.

[JVS]

28. Not only does Sears lose the sale, but they lose the lucrative debt obligation of the OP.

The fact that OP would have been paying off a debt to them makes it a more bitter loss.

[sarcasmo]

39. Closet fox lover?

[uppityperson]

84. fyi, the reply......

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x218252

[barbtries]

23. let us know what you hear.

i would have done the same thing. walked out that is. i rarely follow up with the letter and kudos to you for doing so.

[county worker]

83. Here is their reply

Dear ,


Thank you for your recent correspondence. We are always interested in
hearing from our customers, and regret it was this type of situation
that prompted you to contact us. Please accept our apology for any
inconvenience you may have encountered with the TVs.

By sharing your concerns, you have enabled us to address the issues and
provide feedback to the appropriate person. Truly, your remarks provide
forthright feedback that will enable Sears to achieve excellence in
everything we do.

Once again, we apologize for the situation with the TVs, and thank you
for contacting us.





Sincerely,

Miguel G.
Retail Customer Care
Sears Holdings Corporation

[Uben]

24. Sears rewards program

When I got my bill from my sears MasterCard this month, it had a charge for $25 on it. I called and asked what this was and was told it was a kind of points system that gave you cash back, sorta, and it costs $25/yr to join. Obviously I had missed this charge for the last couple of years on my bill. I told the gal on the phone I wasn't interested in any extraneous programs. She said I might want to redeem my points before I cancelled, so I asked her what I could get. She said my current point balance (42,600)was good for a $500 gift card! WTF! So, as soon as I get the card, they have a Zenith 50" plasma High def flatscreen TV I'm getting with the card.
I really never shop at sears (nearest one is forty miles away), and I can't even remember why I ever got a Sears MasterCArd, but I have been using it for years for all my purchases. I pay it off at the end of each month to avoid any extra charges, so it is just a convenience thing for me.

I gotta start paying attention to shit! Next thing you know, I'll be rich and have to find ways to spend all the tax cuts I'll be getting!

[MaeScott]

25. A letter tobthe editor in the local paper would raise

...awareness as well.

[Obamanaut]

26. Were you there to be entertained by the teevee display or buy a fridge? Are

you suggesting that other shoppers are only allowed to see those things you approve of?

[WonderGrunion]

30. I used to work at a Sears. The sales clerk was lying to you.

All TVs in the electronics department are required to be playing an advertising DVD that is put together by Sears Corporate. Live television is not permitted to be playing by company policy. The sales clerk is not only losing customers by playing a partisan station, they are stealing from Sears' advertisers that paid to have the promotional DVD playing on every TV.

My guess is Home Office has told them in no uncertain terms to be changing those TVs immediately.

[MindPilot]

32. Bingo! I used to work at Sony.

Virtually every manufacturer produces a DVD that is to be used to demonstrate the product's features in the best light. Most stores will have a OTA or cable feed to allow customers to see a "real" signal, but the tv is always tuned back to the advertising feed after the customer is done.

[lonestarnot]

33. They better!

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. I just looked at TVs at Nebraska Furniture Mart

I was handed a remote and allowed to channel surf to check out the pictures on any TV I wanted to check out. so they obviously don't play an advertising DVD at that store.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

40. The Sears I go to always seems to have a Red Sox game on during the summer

But you are right, the rest are usually a looping commercial.

[pipi_k]

31. Got to ask the same thing as someone else above me did....

are you there to buy a TV or to be entertained?


Are you there to make a purchase, or to act as self-appointed censor of what other shoppers will and will not see?

Don't get me wrong. I find Fux "News" to be as vile as anyone else here does. But really...I can imagine all sorts of scenarios whereby people walk into a store to buy a large appliance and they're annoyed/offended by what's playing on the TV.

Person A walks out because football is on. A sport that promotes violence and leads to horrible injuries to players.

Person B walks out because cartoons are playing. Cartoons the person thinks are sending subliminal porn to our nation's kids.


Person C walks out because a so-called "Liberal" news program is on. LIES!!! All LIES!!!111


Person D walks out because half the TVs are tuned to a religious show.


and so on...


In each of those instances, the annoyed/offended person thinks it's his/her right to tell others what they should be watching, and what stores/car dealerships/restaurants should be showing on their own TVs.

Not sure what's behind it. A feeling of having Power?

I doubt if someone were sitting around in the ER waiting to be treated for something serious, he would get up and leave if the TV were tuned to Fux News and nobody would change the channel.


:eyes:

[dbmk]

56. Yeah

Who does the OP think he/she is, really?

The world will be a better place if you just sit down, shut up and spend your money according to the corporate allocation of advertisement ressources.

Don't you know: Making conscious choices is censorship!

Hate those obnoxious types who try to impose their views of the world by raising their voice, letting their so called conscience influence where to spend their money.

Next you know the OP is going to vote too. Thats plain and simple oppresion.

[janet118]

90. My dentist's office has TVs in front of each chair tuned to Fox.

When the assistant brought me into the exam room for the first time, I had her change the channel. She asked why and I told her that my medical doctor instructed me not to watch inaccurate news programs because they upset me too much. Now she does it without being asked. They still keep Fox on if you don't object. Some of the things my dentist says are a tad right wing so I don't think it's just happenstance.

Imagine being stuck in dentist's chair watching Fox News. AAAARRRUGH!!! Marathon Man meets Clockwork Orange.

Most gyms, waiting rooms, etc. in my area have CNN on, not Fox. And, yes, I would object if they had Fox TV or a religious network or any other kind of propaganda programming turned on there as well.

[Omaha Steve]

36. I sent a note about this to Sears

Remember I had a problem with Sears a year ago. They found the post on DU. They fixed the problem. I hope they follow up on this quickly.

OS

[county worker]

82. Here is their reply

Dear ,


Thank you for your recent correspondence. We are always interested in
hearing from our customers, and regret it was this type of situation
that prompted you to contact us. Please accept our apology for any
inconvenience you may have encountered with the TVs.

By sharing your concerns, you have enabled us to address the issues and
provide feedback to the appropriate person. Truly, your remarks provide
forthright feedback that will enable Sears to achieve excellence in
everything we do.

Once again, we apologize for the situation with the TVs, and thank you
for contacting us.





Sincerely,

Miguel G.
Retail Customer Care
Sears Holdings Corporation

[femmedem]

86. That's fantastic! Good for you for taking the time to do this. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

37. Some of these replies are horrible. Wake up sheeple.

This is how it works. FOX also pays the military to air its network to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

That's not okay with me. It shouldn't be okay with anyone.

If you haven't seen OUTFOXED, educate yourselves: http://www.outfoxed.org/

[Harry Monroe]

44. Even worse, the Armed Forces Network has Rush Limbaugh on Armed Forces Radio

And that IS NOT OK by any any stretch of the imagination!!

[proud2BlibKansan]

45. Ed Schultz is on too however

So they have a choice on the radio. But TV is strictly FOX.

[Codeine]

46. I can't think of anything less productive than calling people "sheeple".

Seriously, I'd rather be called a fucking asshole than that.

[proud2BlibKansan]

47. Well that's how they are coming across

[pipi_k]

52. It's kind of ironic, really....

People going around telling others what TV stations they can't see, so we're all supposed to line up and say "Yes sir!!! We'll only watch XYZ News from now on!"


In other words, you're only a "sheeple" if you're doing/thinking/believing something Person X doesn't approve of. If you DO think or believe what they approve of, you're NOT a "sheeple".


That's how it works, dontcha know.... ;)

[pipi_k]

48. So if we don't think we have the right

to dictate what others see or hear, we're "sheeple".



OK, here's what I figure..

Liberals are unlikely to change their views based on the trash floating around on Fux News.


Nutty Conservatives are unlikely to change their views if something OTHER than Fux News is broadcast.


Each side thinks it's "right".


We're not talking about sticking a kid in front of propaganda TV for hours a day here...we're talking about a certain channel playing on some TVs in a store where adults are shopping...they're paying attention to the product...quality...price....appearance...

Oh well. It's no skin off my nose. I mean, it would really be hilarious to know that people who refuse to buy a quality product or get quality service from some place that has Fux News playing on its TVs go someplace else where the programming is more acceptable and end up getting screwed over with shitty product or service.

Whoo hoo!!! Sure showed them, yeah!

:eyes:

[proud2BlibKansan]

51. You and I are on the same side

I was referring to the people who think Sears can play FOX if they want and we shouldn't complain.

[pipi_k]

53. hmmm....I dunno about that...

I think it's pretty stupid to complain about what Sears is playing on TVs in its own store.

[sarcasmo]

38. I will go in and check the local Sears in town and see if they are doing the same.

[dem mba]

41. Best Buy just has Michael McDonald Live on repeat

good stuff.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

42. I would agree. FUX News should not be on

But if I were a store manager, I wouldn't put MSNBC on either....and exactly for the same reason. I don't want people such as yourself or from the other side coming up and pestering the shit out of my workers and wasting their time with their political statements.

[pipi_k]

54. hahahaha...so I'm sitting here thinking....

about what a store manager could possibly put on the TVs that wouldn't offend someone.

After many years spent observing people, I've come to the conclusion that the only thing unlikely to offend someone would be one of those old test patterns from the 60s.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

58. Are you kidding?

That Native American would piss someone off.

[dbmk]

59. You are probably right

But what relevant point are you trying to make?

That you should accept being offended because someone has to be?
Morals are irrelevant because someone elses differ from yours?

Its sellers choice and consumers choice. As yardsticks come "are they promoting Fox News" does not exactly strike me as being a horrible one.

[pipi_k]

72. The point I'm trying to make...

is that no matter what we do or say, someone is going to be offended about it.


The OP found Fux News on those TVs offensive, and asked/demanded that they be changed.

Someone else could walk in and find sports programs being shown on some of those TVs offensive and demand they be changed.

If there's a Liberal news show playing on some of those TVs, some Conservative could demand they be changed.


We're not talking about "morals" here, and even if we were, there's still a point where Person A does not have the right to demand that others conduct their lives...or their business...according to Person A's rules.

[droidamus2]

89. Your right they don't have to

but apparently if they want the OPs business they will change. The op has every right to let the business person know they find something objectionable and because of it will not be making any purchases at their place of business. How the business reacts to that is up to them. If they think it is worth losing 1 customer and they think the person is being unreasonable then they can just ignore them. In the end the OP is trying to stand up for what they think is right if somebody else would rather bow to the 'businesses have a right to do whatever they want and the customers should spend money and keep their mouths shut' that's fine too. Each to their own. Personally I applaud the OP for standing up for what they believe in.

[pipi_k]

103. Standing up for what someone thinks is right

usually doesn't...or shouldn't...involve being a self-appointed censor.


If someone who thinks a certain book is "dangerous" goes to a bookstore and tells them they'll lose his business unless they remove that book from their shelves is that OK?

Well, I suppose it is as long as the book is one someone on "our side" thinks is dangerous.

If the book is one the "other side" thinks is dangerous, then...surprise surprise!!...all of a sudden it becomes censorship!!!!.

The door swings both ways.

[droidamus2]

110. I don't see it as censorship

'Censoring' is, as I see it, something the Government does (schoolboards, city councils, state houses, etc). So if this person had gone to their local representative and said they wanted a law or regulation passed that said Sears could not show FOX News on their display tvs then I would agree with you. We as citizens on the other hand have a right and I would say responsibility to let businesses know that we believe what they are doing is unacceptable to us as individuals or even groups. We can not 'force' the business to do anything, but if by voicing our opinions we get a particular establishment to reexamine and even change their practices I do not see that as censorship it is just the way the market works. Keep your customers happy and you make more money.

[Oak2004]

95. You are making false equivalencies

Fox is not offensive because it has a different opinion.

Fox is offensive because it engages in deliberate disinformation.

Differences of opinion are to be expected in a democracy. But democracy is endangered by disinformation.

[pipi_k]

106. and of course....

People only became intolerably stupid after the advent of Fox News and its disinformation.


That's like trying to claim that violence never existed in the world before video games and vicious song lyrics.

[Oak2004]

112. How old are you?

The discourse in this country changed greatly, and not for the better, when disinformation moved from the margins to the mainstream media (thanks, Rush :( )

[dbmk]

101. DU is a funny place to hang out

..for someone who seem to argue that all opinions are equally valid.

Following this logic makes working to elect Democrats oppression of Republicans.

Yes, any choice will offend someone. And thats quite ok.

A lot of people were offended when DADT was repealed.
A lot of people will be offended when gays can get married everywhere. Hell, a lot of people are offended just talking about it.

A lot of people are offended whenever a policy is enacted. That does not make all policies equal.

And in this case Sears can pick and choose who to offend and how. Thats their prerogative. Telling them that you find one or more of their choices offensive enough not to shop there is the consumers prerogative.
Both actors in that scenario has the _choice_ to make changes based on that.

I don't see how thats any bit more censoring than just not shopping there.

[pipi_k]

104. It is a funny place...

and here's why...

If this were a thread over on FR, and people there were all up in arms over Sears showing a so-called "Liberal" program and it was a Freeper who put up the fuss and said he would not shop there, I'll bet 98%...if not more...of people here who read that rant would be jumping up and down accusing the Freeper of being a "moran"...trying to censor Sears when it's clear Sears has the RIGHT to show whatever it wants to on TV sets in its own stores.


Hypocrisy is not attractive.

[Rebubula]

49. LOLZ...

...another day...another story of how someone 'stuck it to FoxNews' and local retailers.

At least this one did not have the standard abuse of hourly workers that I have seen in other posts.

Seriously, people...the world is not Foxnews and it is not nearly as powerful\influential as you think. I guess if you want to be offended\incensed all the time - well, I hope that works out for you.

[Codeine]

50. +1

Buy the damned appliances you need and make a local business happy. Fuck the television because nobody's paying a lick of attention to it beyond image quality anyway.

[totodeinhere]

55. It's quite simple. Sears has the right to play whatever TV channel they want on their TV's. And at

same time you have the right to shop elsewhere if you don't like the channel that they have on.

[dbmk]

57. And the right..

.. to tell them that they have a way to regain your patronage.

I don't see the OP disputing any rights here.

[Pacifist Patriot]

61. Me either.

I'm not seeing anything to get riled about. I make it a habit to request a news channel whenever I see Faux airing in a public place. They can decline my request if they so desire...and lose my business as a consequence. I'm not infringing on anyone's right to FNC by asking for a different channel. It's not like I'm walking into their living room and flipping off their set. I don't make a scene about it, but I personally choose not to patronize business that promote this garbage. 9 times out of 10 the place of business simply changes the channel. 1 out of 10? I walk out. No harm no foul.

[BrotherLove]

66. Not quite so sure about that anymore....

With several Universities research all showing FOX makes you stupider, if could be a public welfare issue. :-)

Now if we can just work out the HAZMAT angle we could have a lot of fun. :-)

[namelessone]

63. Good for you!!

When I go into a place (hospital, car dealer etc) I always change the channel if they have Fox Noise on...

[upi402]

64. WalMart I could see

but Sears is doomed if they're doing that to their remaining customer base.

[otohara]

67. Let Us Know Their Reply

They lost a sale....

I walked out of a head shop of all places, that had Fox on.
The kid was a real right-winger.
He mumbled something about us liberals not being tolerant - I said, this is about propaganda, lies and hate, which I am not tolerant of.

[county worker]

81. Here is the reply

Dear ,


Thank you for your recent correspondence. We are always interested in
hearing from our customers, and regret it was this type of situation
that prompted you to contact us. Please accept our apology for any
inconvenience you may have encountered with the TVs.

By sharing your concerns, you have enabled us to address the issues and
provide feedback to the appropriate person. Truly, your remarks provide
forthright feedback that will enable Sears to achieve excellence in
everything we do.

Once again, we apologize for the situation with the TVs, and thank you
for contacting us.





Sincerely,

Miguel G.
Retail Customer Care
Sears Holdings Corporation


They had only sports on today.

[sweetapogee]

69. when I buy

a TV or IPOD, I figure out what model I want then I find out who has the best price. The place with the best price is where I buy the item. At that point, I don't even need to see a demo because I have already made up my mind what to get. But if i'm on the fence and can't decide between two sets, I play a Britney Spears vid. With that I buy neither set and start all over. It's just a tv set after all, shouldn't be stuck on any one chanel.

[newtothegame]

71. They probably turn their TV's to what people want to watch.

And the fact is that Fox News is extremely popular, even if you and I wish it were to the contrary.

In Sears' view, you were 1 customer out of 10, asking to change the channel to something the other 9 out of 10 didn't want to watch. Making one customer happy to save a sale probably doesn't make sense to them if it makes 9 other customers unhappy.

[high density]

73. It's extremely popular with a subset of the nation

and it is also extremely unpopular with another subset. The best idea would be for Sears to find some content to demo their TVs with which is not so polarizing. The OP was not demanding that they put MSNBC on the sets instead.

[rgbecker]

74. Go to turnofffox.org

Get some stickers and plaster them all over the sets with Fox playing. Won't hurt the TV and could help people to see the lie that Fox is.

[kickysnana]

75. Good for you and thanks for rounding up the trolls so I can hide them.

:evilgrin: :toast:

[pipi_k]

76. "Trolls"?

Who/where are the "trolls"?

[spooky3]

97. LOL!

[apocalypsehow]

80. That's an interesting story, alright. n/t.

[obxhead]

87. This also applies to the number of "viewers" of Fox news.

Many of those "viewers" are actually bars, restaurants, and appliance stores.

[Doremus]

92. DD sells TVs at Sears. They do NOT play Faux.

They have a recorded loop that shows beautiful scenery from an airplane and other similar scenes.

The only reason that store had Fux on was because either the woman who works in the dept. or someone in that store's management prefers it.

[Lifelong Protester]

100. I ask for the television channel to be changed from Fox at every

hotel where we stay. They often have it on in the lobby where the breakfast is served. One gal told me that they had to have either the Weather Channel or a "news" channel. I said, 'give me Jim Cantore and a storm any day".

[Pacifist Patriot]

102. Whenever I see Fox I always ask to have the television put on a news channel.

Sometimes I get a chuckle and sometimes I get a puzzled look with, "It's on a news channel." I respond with, "No, it's on Fox, I'd like to watch the news." I've had other patrons laugh and clap when it has happened. I've never noticed anyone else get upset about my request.

Last time I was at an Imaging Center an elderly woman overheard the conversation and piped up behind me, "For heaven's sake, Cartoon Network would be better than this!" The folks behind the desk turned it to Cartoon Network for the kids in the waiting room. Seemed like a good compromise to me.

[pipi_k]

107. OK now this situation is slightly different....

I can see asking for a different channel if people are actually going to be sitting there watching it. Seems reasonable enough to me.


But if one is only going in to buy a TV? No. Unless the person wants to see how the picture looks on different shows, and even there I would think it's perfectly reasonable.

[pipi_k]

108. So it would be interesting to know...

in a couple of weeks whether the TVs have been turned back to Fux News.

Will you go back to check?


If they are back on Fux News, will you threaten to return your purchases until/unless they change the channel again?

[crazyjoe]

109. hmmm, that's strange, I go to sears all the time and I've never once

seen a tv tuned to fox news. Maybe they have a different "home office"
anyhoo, why did you apply for the credit and then refuse to buy anything? It does make your story better though. :-)
Like you were all set to spend money but then you said "NO WAY SEARS!!" , I have $5000 in my hand and you can't have it!!
Strange home office directive to put "half" the tv's on fox news.
anyway, chalk one up for the little guy county worker, nice job stickin it to the man!