'Brand' Value - Est. Common Ground

[12pups]

On the money, fnord! Cool stuff sneaks into these posts sometimes.
Having trouble with this one, yet:

Look back at the word origin for "brand" and you'll understand what it means. It's a label and nothing else.

I was with you until the very last three words. What's with the "and nothing else." The first part there has tremendous significance. But then you added "and that's all it is."
???
Put your name on a marriage certificate and see if it's a "label" and nothing else. I lost my house, my life savings, and half of my retirement for doing that!
I checked up on the original meaning of brand, and it originally meant the same thing it means now: "mine." Steal a cow once that has a brand on it. See if there's "and nothing more."
We trust brand names because the company signed it. They're proud of it. If you look up synonyms for brand, you'll find "identification, distinct type." One gave the example of "brand of incisive humor."
In your posts, Woodsroad, you demonstrate a "brand" of humor distinctive to you. It's not just perception that it is distinctive. It has tangible, quantifiable components to it. Analysts can measure what percentage is surprising ambiguity, how much is wry or ironic, what portion is based on puns. They can compare yours to others. It's your "brand." The elements aren't yours; the way you assemble them is.
Same as pipe companies. One brand does differ from another. But it's not that one briar tastes better.
I don't know how Stanwell and Peterson and Dunhill stack up against each other as a whole. I only know that if I have a chance to get a steal on a new pipe, and I see one of those brands on it, I will trust it a whole lot more. Those are established brands with large customer followings. Any of them, I'll give a shot.
Brand is real. It matters. But which brands enhance your personal smoking experience, oh that's entirely subjective. That's personal.
Can't really be about taste, though. That's up to a specific, individual pipe and its history of use, the tobacco in it, how it was filled, how it was lit and piper combination ... not a brand. No one is arguing with Dr. Hanna about that. (Not in these forums, anyway. Evidently Hanna ran with some people who said they could tell them apart blindfolded. But I haven't heard anyone in Pipesmagazine say they could. Hanna is unopposed on his primary point).

 

[woodsroad]

Dolmar invented the chainsaw and still makes the best one

Dolmar has been owned by Makita for a few years now.

Having trouble with this one, yet:

Look back at the word origin for "brand" and you'll understand what it means. It's a label and nothing else.

I was with you until the very last three words. What's with the "and nothing else." The first part there has tremendous significance. But then you added "and that's all it is."

Here you go:
" Old English, of Germanic origin; related to German Brand, also to burn. The word originally meant 'burning' or 'a piece of burning or smoldering wood' (sense 3 of the noun); the verb sense 'mark permanently with a hot iron' dates from late Middle English. The noun sense 'mark of ownership made by branding', based on the latter, arose in the mid 17th century, and from it is derived sense 1 (early 19th century)."
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/brand?q=brand

 

[woodsroad]

HA!
I think the hope is that they can sell the runt of the litter on the reputation of their Best Of Show.
BTW, Have you bought your BaccyPacker © Massaging Shoe Inserts yet? How about the WonderPacker© push up bra? "Look Like Pam Anderson, Smell Like Capt. Black"

 

[saint007]

Very difficult to revive a brand once the image had been damaged. There are few exceptions, but one that comes to mind is Chrysler.
Once an almost dead brand, Chrysler's Ram Trucks are kicking ass in terms of sales in the USA (I don't work in the automotive field so let me be clear. I work in broadcasting).
The new 2014 Ram EcoDiesel (Cummins) is one sweet truck getting 28-30 miles per gallon in the 1500 model.
Fiat owns Chrysler and they have greatly benefited by the R & D of previous owner Damlier Benz. In hindsight, DB sold Chrysler way to soon.
I've been waiting on Chrysler to introduce their CNG models since CNG is so readily available with CNG filling stations popping up everywhere. I may have to change my mind and pull the trigger on the 1500 EcoDiesel. .

 

[settersbrace]

It's the wood, it's all about the wood.

 

[rangerearthpig]

I usually associate the company ethos with a brand. In other words, if I use a brand name of ANY product, I choose it because of their reputation, customer service, solid reviews, and overall performance. I rarely choose a brand soley for cosmetic reasons, although craftsmanship aesthetics will always factor in at some point.
When it comes to pipes, I cannot usually afford the top brands, unless they are estate pipes. I look more at functionality, how it feels in my hand, and how well it is pieced together. I've been very happy with the majority of the pipes I've acquired through this philosophy.

 

[cigrmaster]

For my money I take a company or an individual's name and determine if I am going to get a good value for my money.
When I buy commercial insurance for my business, the name of the underwriter is of huge importance to me. I will check a companies name with Am Best who is a rating company for insurance companies and make sure it has a rating of at least an A. I want to make sure if I have a loss, I get paid. My favorite company is CNA as they paid me all the money I needed in a timely fashion when I sustained a loss.
When I buy a car, I take the name of the company into account before I make a purchase. Back in 2003, I bought my dream car ( Jaguar Vandenplas) because I was confident it would be a great car( and it was) because it had a good name. The rumors of Jaguars being a mechanical nightmare was based on problems they had with their electrical systems from the 70's and 80's. After I did my research and found that these electrical problems had been fixed back in 1994, I was confident in making my purchase.
This past June I was in the market for a car and chose a Lexus because of the reputation it had for being one of the most reliable cars on the market, plus I loved how the car drove.
When I buy pipes I buy them based on the name of an artisan who I have experience with or from an artisan who has been recommended to me by a friend or dealer that I trust. I do not buy pipes based solely on looks or because it has a famous name.
Brand name is very important to me as it gives me something to go on. I can do my due diligence and then determine if it is something I am interested in. I like a certain type of loafer for my dress shoes, the name of the company is Mezlan. I have experience with that brand so I am confident when I buy something from them, it will perform to my expectations. I just bought each of my daughters a new computer and I chose Toshiba for both of them. I have owned them in the past and have had great luck with them so I stuck with them. I am very brand loyal when it comes to certain things especially when I have had good experiences with a certain company. The first color TV my dad bought when I was a kid was a Toshiba, that thing lasted over 20 years so I feel confident every time I purchase one of their products.
I loved the first Rad Davis pipe I bought so now I own 18 of them and love every single one, again I am very brand loyal. I could care less if anyone else likes a Rad, as long as I like them that is all that matters to me. I know tons of people love their Dunhill pipes, I don't happen to love them so I don't buy them anymore. I gave them a fair shot but for whatever reason they just are not for me. I don't own any just to say I own a Dunhill.
People should buy what they like and not worry one bit if anyone agrees with their choices.