[Jamo]

I think everyone is in agreement here. For me, honesty and keeping one's word are the two cornerstones...pretty damn near impossible to be a labor negotiator otherwise. Some of my clients have had union contracts for decades...long-term relationships dictate being able to see down the road a bit.

I agree with Doug...loyalty for services and products really count the most. As old-fashioned as it sounds, we're committed to Sears for appliances, etc. "Whole-House" warranty for decades (something they ought to offer again to new customers...we're grandfathered in) has paid off in convenience (you call one number, whether it's the big-assed Sony TV or the washer) and money. I do the same thing with hardware stores. Fresno Ag has been around for a century...where else would you find the correct long bolts for the English-made front fans sitting on the shelf?