So who wants to be a superhero...cool HJC helmets

[Jersey mike]

Or even a character from Star Wars.

http://www.hjchelmets.com/hjca/marvel/

http://www.hjchelmets.com/starwars/

They all look good but my 2 favorites are the Ironman and the X-Wing Rebel.

[Lyonardo]

I like the punisher lid, but I'm not going to pay good money to Disney for the privilege of advertising for them.
Believe it or not, when I was a kid brands used to give their merchandise away, and sometimes pay in cash or more free stuff.

Now I work in IT, and get free "SWAG" all the time.  All covered in logos and branding. I just can't bring myself to pay for any of it.

[Gavin_Sons]

I guess you don't buy anything with logos on it then. You dont wear your favorite sportsball team shirt or even a valkyrie shirt? It would be awful hard to buy a vehicle with no brand. Or is this just something out of spite for Disney?

[Lyonardo]

Hey, I've been a comic book geek since I was 3. I'm not mad at Disney or anyone else for selling cool gear. Not trying to talk anyone else out of buying it, either. I'm just old enough to remember when wearing branded merch was seen as a favor to the company, so they gave it away.
So yeah, I never thought of buying a Valk shirt, or even for my Seahawks, or my favorite bands. I love them, but just not going to pay them to wear their advertising.

I do have shirts advertising computer gear and software though. I get branded mugs, briefcases, toys, even an Ipad, etc...  Free lunch, movie tickets, soccer and baseball games.
They're all branded with logos. Free industry SWAG (stuff we all get!)

On the other hand, I had no problem spending cash on the collection of superhero figures and statues in my office. So, to each their own.

I guess you don't buy anything with logos on it then. You dont wear your favorite sportsball team shirt or even a valkyrie shirt? It would be awful hard to buy a vehicle with no brand. Or is this just something out of spite for Disney?

[Jersey mike]

This wasn’t suppose to be a controversial topic, to,each their own. I,won’t be buying a helmet, but they are pretty nice and they do have some excellent detail work to them. I thought someone might like any one of them especially if they’re like me...a kid at heart.

[baldo]

This wasn’t suppose to be a controversial topic, to,each their own. I,won’t be buying a helmet, but they are pretty nice and they do have some excellent detail work to them. I thought someone might like any one of them especially if they’re like me...a kid at heart.

Those are pretty cool. My grandson really wants me to get the Iron Man....lol

And yes, any topic here can become controversial. It all depends on the players...... 

[KUGO]

Well, if this topic is controversial, then PLEASE let me weigh in, too!   

Although I DO think it's totally pointless to be edgy for the sake of it and that it's childish (trying to morph the most innocent of topics into something that they can somehow be combative about, which they would NEVER do if/when face-to-face, BTW), I totally get the point of not wanting to pay to advertise some other entity's  business.

I guess I first developed this attitude when I started an advertising company in the '80s when I lived in the Chicago area. I specialized in outdoor, landmark facilities' "billboard"-style electronic ID signage. Six Flags was one of my best clients and with my partner, the late Jeff Ward, I put up numerous interstate highway-sited "landmark signs" all across the country that had state-of-the-art LED (brand new at the time) TV screens seventy some feet in the air. (Take THAT, Lady Byrd Johnson!)  I not only sold the signs ($900,000++ was MY cost), but sold the advertising on them. Both the static signage and the video/visual ads. By the minute. THAT'S where the money was. And I got it from the Miller Brewings and Coca-Colas and airline companies of the world.

Once I knew what advertising was worth, and how it's value is actually monetized (it's "per impression", which opens up a whole 'nuther diatribe that I'll spare Y'all), you begin to realize that every time you wear a NIKE swoosh, you are making money for another company. Don't get me wrong. That, in and of itself doesn't necessarily bother me. BUT, if I can use that information to my advantage, I just might.  To wit:

I ordered a brand new 1982 Cadillac Seville (medium metallic silver, light grey leather, light grey phaeton roof; okay, it was a thing back then! Cut me some slack!) from Patrick Cadillac in the Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates. I got everything on it, and then some. They told me it was the most expensive Caddy they had ever sold, not counting limousines. We made the deal and the car arrived. I walked all around it and inspected it with the head guys. I think they were as proud of it as I was! After expressing my appreciation and pleasure with them for taking care of all of the special details I'd asked for, I then pointed to the blatant "Patrick Cadillac Dealership" sticker they had put on the trunk. I said, "I don't remember paying for that."  They said, "We don't charge you for that." I said, "No, I meant YOU haven't paid ME for that. What's it worth to your dealership to leave it on and have everyone who pulls up behind it on the Chicago freeways for the next couple years to know they could get one just like it at Patrick Cadillac? I know what you spend on your print and radio/TV ads, so I'd say that this is worth at least $500 to you guys." (Remember, this was early '80s, and that amount was what I thought I might get away with. I might ask for more today.) Bottom line: I got a $500 gasoline "credit card". All ya gotta do is ask.

And no, I don't have a darn thing against Disney. They had amusement parks, too.   

[Gavin_Sons]

Well, if this topic is controversial, then PLEASE let me weigh in, too!   

Although I DO think it's totally pointless to be edgy for the sake of it and that it's childish (trying to morph the most innocent of topics into something that they can somehow be combative about, which they would NEVER do if/when face-to-face, BTW), I totally get the point of not wanting to pay to advertise some other entity's  business.

I guess I first developed this attitude when I started an advertising company in the '80s when I lived in the Chicago area. I specialized in outdoor, landmark facilities' "billboard"-style electronic ID signage. Six Flags was one of my best clients and with my partner, the late Jeff Ward, I put up numerous interstate highway-sited "landmark signs" all across the country that had state-of-the-art LED (brand new at the time) TV screens seventy some feet in the air. (Take THAT, Lady Byrd Johnson!)  I not only sold the signs ($900,000++ was MY cost), but sold the advertising on them. Both the static signage and the video/visual ads. By the minute. THAT'S where the money was. And I got it from the Miller Brewings and Coca-Colas and airline companies of the world.

Once I knew what advertising was worth, and how it's value is actually monetized (it's "per impression", which opens up a whole 'nuther diatribe that I'll spare Y'all), you begin to realize that every time you wear a NIKE swoosh, you are making money for another company. Don't get me wrong. That, in and of itself doesn't necessarily bother me. BUT, if I can use that information to my advantage, I just might.  To wit:

I ordered a brand new 1982 Cadillac Seville (medium metallic silver, light grey leather, light grey phaeton roof; okay, it was a thing back then! Cut me some slack!) from Patrick Cadillac in the Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates. I got everything on it, and then some. They told me it was the most expensive Caddy they had ever sold, not counting limousines. We made the deal and the car arrived. I walked all around it and inspected it with the head guys. I think they were as proud of it as I was! After expressing my appreciation and pleasure with them for taking care of all of the special details I'd asked for, I then pointed to the blatant "Patrick Cadillac Dealership" sticker they had put on the trunk. I said, "I don't remember paying for that."  They said, "We don't charge you for that." I said, "No, I meant YOU haven't paid ME for that. What's it worth to your dealership to leave it on and have everyone who pulls up behind it on the Chicago freeways for the next couple years to know they could get one just like it at Patrick Cadillac? I know what you spend on your print and radio/TV ads, so I'd say that this is worth at least $500 to you guys." (Remember, this was early '80s, and that amount was what I thought I might get away with. I might ask for more today.) Bottom line: I got a $500 gasoline "credit card". All ya gotta do is ask.

And no, I don't have a darn thing against Disney. They had amusement parks, too.   

I wish I was interested in reading all of that, but I'm just not. My point was it is very difficult to buy things that are not branded or trademarked. I get not wanting to do free advertising for a company. The same reason I make vehicle dealers take their stickers off any vehicle I buy.

[BobB]

I wouldn't mind the Star Wars lid, but only if it comes with laser cannons for the front of the Valk...

[Lyonardo]

Well, I surely didn't mean to cause any controversy by bringing up logos and advertisment.
Just casually talking about the subject... but I realize that tone doesn't come across online.

I do like that Punisher skull helmet. I'd just like it more without lettering printed on back.

This wasn’t suppose to be a controversial topic, to,each their own. I,won’t be buying a helmet, but they are pretty nice and they do have some excellent detail work to them. I thought someone might like any one of them especially if they’re like me...a kid at heart.

[Lyonardo]

Wow, I definitely didn't think I was being edgy. Or combative. Just chatting about those helmets.
Wasn't trying to be a jerk.

This reminds me of an email conversation the other day.
One guy sent out a group message saying lets go  for a ride and grab a "hawaiian pizza".
Another guy said he hated pineapple on pizza, but he would come and get something else.

Before you know it, emails were flying back and forth and people were getting genuinely pissed off!
We make plans all the time like that, back and forth on where we're going to eat.

But somehow, because it was online, the same conversation went south real fast.

Well, if this topic is controversial, then PLEASE let me weigh in, too!   

Although I DO think it's totally pointless to be edgy for the sake of it and that it's childish (trying to morph the most innocent of topics into something that they can somehow be combative about, which they would NEVER do if/when face-to-face, BTW), I totally get the point of not wanting to pay to advertise some other entity's  business.

I guess I first developed this attitude when I started an advertising company in the '80s when I lived in the Chicago area. I specialized in outdoor, landmark facilities' "billboard"-style electronic ID signage. Six Flags was one of my best clients and with my partner, the late Jeff Ward, I put up numerous interstate highway-sited "landmark signs" all across the country that had state-of-the-art LED (brand new at the time) TV screens seventy some feet in the air. (Take THAT, Lady Byrd Johnson!)  I not only sold the signs ($900,000++ was MY cost), but sold the advertising on them. Both the static signage and the video/visual ads. By the minute. THAT'S where the money was. And I got it from the Miller Brewings and Coca-Colas and airline companies of the world.

Once I knew what advertising was worth, and how it's value is actually monetized (it's "per impression", which opens up a whole 'nuther diatribe that I'll spare Y'all), you begin to realize that every time you wear a NIKE swoosh, you are making money for another company. Don't get me wrong. That, in and of itself doesn't necessarily bother me. BUT, if I can use that information to my advantage, I just might.  To wit:

I ordered a brand new 1982 Cadillac Seville (medium metallic silver, light grey leather, light grey phaeton roof; okay, it was a thing back then! Cut me some slack!) from Patrick Cadillac in the Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates. I got everything on it, and then some. They told me it was the most expensive Caddy they had ever sold, not counting limousines. We made the deal and the car arrived. I walked all around it and inspected it with the head guys. I think they were as proud of it as I was! After expressing my appreciation and pleasure with them for taking care of all of the special details I'd asked for, I then pointed to the blatant "Patrick Cadillac Dealership" sticker they had put on the trunk. I said, "I don't remember paying for that."  They said, "We don't charge you for that." I said, "No, I meant YOU haven't paid ME for that. What's it worth to your dealership to leave it on and have everyone who pulls up behind it on the Chicago freeways for the next couple years to know they could get one just like it at Patrick Cadillac? I know what you spend on your print and radio/TV ads, so I'd say that this is worth at least $500 to you guys." (Remember, this was early '80s, and that amount was what I thought I might get away with. I might ask for more today.) Bottom line: I got a $500 gasoline "credit card". All ya gotta do is ask.

And no, I don't have a darn thing against Disney. They had amusement parks, too.   

[Tony C.]

They all look good but my 2 favorites are the Ironman and the X-Wing Rebel.

Cool! I like Ironman, too!   

[Jess from VA]

Well Kugo, I think that was a very interesting read, and thanks for sharing it.

A lot of us have a diverse employment experience, and it often makes good reading.

I very clearly remember my dad having a different conversation about the dealer ID on the car, which back in those days was a piece of chrome lettering and two holes in the trunk lid to mount it.

He said take it off, or I'm not buying the car.  And fix the two holes so I can't tell they were there.  And they did.

What I'd like to know is how Madison Avenue thinks they produce good TV commercials when 95% of them make me want to shoot my TV.  I know, I am not the target audience.  (Idiots must be the target audience)

[Rams]

Well, if this topic is controversial, then PLEASE let me weigh in, too!  

 I then pointed to the blatant "Patrick Cadillac Dealership" sticker they had put on the trunk. I said, "I don't remember paying for that."  They said, "We don't charge you for that." I said, "No, I meant YOU haven't paid ME for that. What's it worth to your dealership to leave it on and have everyone who pulls up behind it on the Chicago freeways for the next couple years to know they could get one just like it at Patrick Cadillac? I know what you spend on your print and radio/TV ads, so I'd say that this is worth at least $500 to you guys." (Remember, this was early '80s, and that amount was what I thought I might get away with. I might ask for more today.) Bottom line: I got a $500 gasoline "credit card". All ya gotta do is ask.

And no, I don't have a darn thing against Disney. They had amusement parks, too.  

Have done the same thing on every new vehicle I have ever purchased.   Most of them I had to order because I want a certain kind of vehicle equipped the way I want it, not the way some sales manager thinks will sell off of the lot.   I always write into the contract that no dealer stickers are to be applied and yet, it always is.   That has always resulted in a trip to their body shop or detail man to have it removed.    

I also refuse to buy my favorite team's logo shirts and hats.    I have several but every one of them was presented as some kind of gift.     I am guilty of actually paying to have the Valkyrie logo pic applied to the back of my RV toy hauler.     Yeah, I'm proud to show off the fat lady......   It is, what it is.    Honda isn't making much off of selling our girls any longer and for me it's a tribute to the sexiest bike ever produced.    

Reference the Disney helmets, I don't think so.    Helmets (for me) are all about function and comfort.   Not about impressing the kids.     

Rams

[Jess from VA]

Helmets (for me) are all about function and comfort.   Not about impressing the kids.

I had to have this Icon Dragon helmet when it came out about 8 years ago.  It's called the Maniac, but I think it's more like a dragon; even has a bit of dragon drool coming out the mouth.  And it makes me look like I have hair again, in back.

I've only worn it about 3 times (COLD days), because I just don't like wearing full face helmets much.

I don't know if it impresses the kids, but I scared one in the gas station once and made him cry (I was sorry about that, it was not my intention).  The art work is pretty amazing, and I don't want to scratch it up like I do all my DOT halfs.  



One of those impulse buys from a bike store discount table (half price), with a perfect fit.

[KUGO]

The responses above made me remember one other time when I bought a Lincoln years ago. They had put the sticker (so no holes, though I certainly would have howled at that, too) on the trunk, even though I had asked them not to, in advance. I complained and said I wanted it removed. The salesman gruffly did it himself with a razor blade and seriously gouged the metallic dark grey paint. I ended up with a newly painted trunk lid and he ended up without a job. If he hadn't been so pissy about taking it off (or just not putting it on in the first place, per my request) and then purposely being careless with the razor, I wouldn't have mentioned it to the dealership owner, a client of mine at the time.