Can you share a story where a corporation put you before profits?

There’s nothing inherently malignant about the word “corporation.” There are many types of legal existence for conducting business, and a corporation is just one among the choices.

People tend to think of corporations as huge, untouchable entities that act entirely for the greatest profit and shareholder benefit. The term “corporate” often gets used in a disparaging manner.

The reality, though, is that any business might be incorporated—as examples, a neighborhood bakery, dry cleaner, barber, day care center, restaurant, or shop might be a corporation. Most corporations aren’t public-traded behemoths; they’re closely held, either by a single owner or small group.

So, given all that, yes, I’ve had countless, generous experiences with corporations. There have been so many pleasant encounters over the years, when owners and managers put my satisfaction above the day’s profit.

20 plus years of corporate work here. Not once.

Never ever.

Corporation that I worked for footed the plane fare and hotel costs for a colleague (best friend) and his spouse to travel to MD Anderson in Houston when he was first diagnosed with cancer.

My cousins son was born with a blood disorder. He has to go in for treatments once every three months. His child is now in his mid twenties.
My cousins company, a very large garbage company, flew his wife and child to the place this was done, in another state, for the many years my cousin worked for them.

Health insurance.

But other than that, no. The.profit they make goes to overhead. Which includes saleries, and employees benefits etc.

There probably are, some great corporations out there.
I know of ZERO. Especially, in regards to working, for a corporation. THAT, is a special type of Hell.

Many corporations that have investors, will maintain the appearance of sharing profits for charity, or try not to appear like the heartless greedy people they are, by trying to have good customer service.

For small businesses, they almost have to be self serving, and go after every fraction of a cent. Otherwise, they may not survive…

A LOT of small businesses, and smaller corporations or franchises, fell during the Covid years. The largest corporations, made record profits.

I don’t hate a tick, for being a tick. But the greedy people, running the corporations I am aware of, are choosing to be parasitic…

Oh wait, we did finally get our 401k match back that was cancelled during Covid.

Well of course profits are #1.
And in return we get to take advantage of what ever service they provide.

When I worked for CellOne a kid( late teens) came in with his mom to discuss the bill.
Kid started carrying on about profits and that’s all they’re after, yadda yadda.
Mom was looking at him a little mortified.
I said “Profit is bad?”
He said “Yes!!”
I said, “Well I kinda like my paycheck.”

No rational person, would expect a for profit company, not to be privy to profiting.

The problem is the greed, which drives the desire for continuing or increased profit, regardless of circumstances.
In most cases, things new things are very profitable at first. Then the demand is met by imitation products, and overall sales make manufacturing cheaper. When the market for a product decreases, the big time corporations don’t want to hear it. If their current CEO, can’t keep profits at a certain level, or even have an overall consistent raise in profits, a corporation will just find a CEO that can.
This almost always results in quality reduction, and people notice.
Take car dealerships, for example.
There are thousands of unsold $100k-$220k SUVs, and pick up trucks sitting on lots around the country.
Why are cars SO expensive, all of a sudden?
Greed.
A $200k truck, is a $50k truck, with $30k options, and an almost 100% dealership mark up.
Some will only let you finance a vehicle through the dealerships bank. So they are hitting you multiple times.

The dealerships, are in a terrible situation now. They can’t give away, these vehicles. So. They try to incentivize customers by offering more for trade ins, and better financing. Often however, these incentives are simply not enough.
Not to mention, the quality of some of these vehicles pales in comparison to a 30 year old vehicle in value.

It turns out, people aren’t lining up for the Cybertrucks either.
In response, Musk had to slow production.
Slowing production, is usually done by not working your employees as much.

Employees, trying to make $950/month car payments also, and of course struggling mightily economically.

This means less spending of disposable income, and more spending using credit cards with high interest rates.

If it weren’t for the dems and Biden, the pharmaceutical companies would charge whatever they wanted for insulin.

When times are tough, a normal person cuts back on non-essentials, and hopes for things to improve, so they can one day return to the good ol days.

Corporations, especially in a capitalist society, don’t feel that way. There are NO excuses, for not making constant or increasing profits. Many small businesses, cannot simply dictate the prices for their goods or services. In tourist towns, people live large during tourist season, then scrape by in the off-season. They are playing the hand, they are dealt.

As we saw in 2008, greedy corporations, not only don’t have to be fiscally responsible. They usually profit, from mistakes their greed brought them.
Those banks gave people WAY too many loans, that weren’t realistically going to be payable.

I read the other day, there are over 900 million credit cards in American people’s names.
So there are exponentially more guns, and multi-thousand dollar debts, in America, than people…

The wealthy have ALWAYS leaned on the middle class. Now. The middle class is shrinking with each day.
The MASSIVE disparity in wealth, IS THE number 1 problem.

It is not remotely sustainable, to chase record breaking profits.
It has repeatedly gotten people into great difficulties.

There IS such a thing, as good enough profit. Where everyone wins.

^^ There is a statement made here that is a bit of a leap. Tesla slowing down and making less is one thing. Their production workers make on average $48,000 per year. I don’t think they are making $950 monthly car payments. That logic doesn’t flow.
Also 30 years ago American automakers made terrible vehicles with inferior materials.

The rest of your points are valid.

^The national average, is $734—$747. Sorry, I was referring more to the payments I know some of my friends are paying.
Still. A crazy amount, for a car…
AND, such high prices, have ripple effects.

My parents bought a giant full size RV, with a diesel engine and it looked like a black bus. I think they bought it new, in like 2010?.. And they paid/financed, that $100,000 RV. At the time, I thought $100k, for a vehicle is INSANE.
Now. 10–15 years later, it’s more expensive for the new Ford Broncos. (That are alledgedly cursed, with a porr engine.)

My Z28, in 1998, was used, with only 2,000 miles. It had NO frills.
I think someone special ordered it, because it had A/C, and a nice radio, but the windows were roll up. It was just the LS1, the 6 speed, and everything else eas basic. I think it was under $19k.
A lot, at the time, for me.
But the car, could fly.
Back then, you could get a new Z28, or SS, for under $30k.
Considering HOW fast those cars were, that was wild.
To get that type of performance, I would have had to pay for a European of Asian car, way more expensive.

I’ve been looking for a new motorcycle, but I’ve realized that ALL of the bikes I like, have computer crap all through it.
Different “modes,” to drove in.
I’m not sure if anyone has seen the DCT clutches on the newer Hondas, but instead of foot gears, you have a little trigger button, for shifting on the left handle bar.
TOTAL NIGHTMARE.
I’m now reduced or getting comfortable with chasing down a nice used bike, with NO computer crap. Like a 20+ year old bike is what I’ll probably buy…
My mother JUST got a washer and dryer. I’d rather pay the same, for a brand new 1990’s pair of GE’s.

I think there were some absolutely great vehicles, in the 90’s. Vehicles that still had carbs, or at least a simple fuel injection system, and no plastic crap covering everything and wires for useless stuff running everywhere.
I would give a lot, to get a brand new 1988, or so, Chevrolet truck or Blazer, with a 350 V8.
It would still have actual metal (no, it’s not a 1950’s tank,) and if ot was manual, it would be especially easy to maintain, and it would survive the current world better. I had a sidestep 1988 Chevy 1500, with a 305 V8, and a stick, that was very simple, but you couldn’t help but love it.
In retrospect, I wish I never traded it, although I upgraded to a 1998 Z28. That car was crazy expensive, in every way. Modular body, on a non-track car?
And it dented, really easily.
It was insane, to drive with the 6 speed. Although it had a “gear skip” feature, I hated. Where it would not let go straight ro 2nd, after 1st if I was at a certain RPM. It would want to save fuel, and go straight to 3rd. You had to fake to 3rd, then pull ot back to 2nd. 2nd WAS nuts though.
I could see people getting into wrecks often, if it didn’t force you to 3rd.
My insurance was more than the car payment!
I have had a LOT of vehicles.
The older Chevy trucks, and cars with the 350, were VERY good vehicles.
My 2001? Blazer “Extreme,” had a 4.3 V6 and5l 5 spd manual, which was little different from the 350, just with two less cylinders.
I’ve had two Z28’s. Great cars, for tall people.