Heh. I was tempted to say "And where's Studebaker today?" but I figured it'd just fan unintentional flames from people taking it too seriously. Sounds like it happened anyway though.

I've no idea who or what Studebaker is. Apart from the cars.

Exactly. ;) It was a cheap shot at quoting the customer service policies of a brand that didn't survive. But the topic's probably been beaten to death already.

Yet they lasted 44 years. Very few corporations last more than that, and none last forever. Where is the Dutch East India Company today, or Anaconda Copper? Yet they were giants of their time.

Apple, Microsoft, Google, they'll all go in their time, too.

Yet they managed to falter during a time when Americans still loved their gas-guzzlers. And both the companies you mention lasted well over 44 years which, aside from being red herrings, rather weakens your point.

Like I said though, cheap shot, not to be taken too seriously. Short version of my actual viewpoint is that there's no reason for either side of a transaction to be dickish. I can't agree that "the customer is always right," any more than I could that the merchant is. Knowing when to walk away from a transaction is a good skill to have...though even then, there's no need to throw a fit in the process.