Companies I Promote for Free

We all have them -- companies that we love. We love their products, services, stores, and the like. We tell others about them and spread good news about them in exchange for nothing (other than they allow us to buy stuff from them and make the experience pleasing.) I thought I'd share with you my short list of companies I promote/tell people about simply because I love what they do:

• Vanguard -- I've used them for years and have never been disappointed in them. Great customer service and low costs. I wish they were an advertiser here at Free Money Finance, but I'm too small for them. ;-)

• Costco -- Great prices and a pleasant shopping experience. Plus, I love their easy online photo store. Simple to order pictures and make our annual picture calendars. Also has a great return policy.

• Nike -- If it's good enough for Tiger and Michael, it's good enough for me. (My wife is rolling her eyes at this one.) ;-)

• Hampton Inn -- Great place to stay -- affordable and decent breakfasts and (usually) good workout rooms. Plus they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee (which I've used a few times -- they do back it up with action.)

• Subaru -- Love my Forester. I'd add Toyota to this list too. Have had a few of them and they've always performed well.

There's my list -- what's yours? Share your favorite companies with us all in the comments below.

Comments

[Lance]

Honda - I've been a customer of their automobile since the early 1990's. Great cars, great experiences with customer service.
Vanguard - I agree, they are great, love the choices in index fund and the low costs.
Home Depot - After recently visiting the Olympic Training Center in Colorado, I am more impressed with how Home Depot treats their employees, and I am continually impressed the the knowledge of the people working there.

Lance

[Joey]

LL Bean, particularly for outdoor equipment. Reasonable prices, great service, quality products.

I'd also echo Hampton Inn and Vanguard.

[Stopped Clock]

Yup I agree - Honda, Hampton Inn, Vanguard are on my list of great places to take my business.

[Austin]

GrandCentral.com - They offer a great services and their customer service is terrific.
T-mobile - I've had them for 10 years with no complaints other than the occasional bad handset that they quickly replaced. Everytime I've had an issue they are quick to respond.
Tigerdirect.com - Purchased my last 3 computers and countless items from them. They even called me to see if I knew the memory I selected wouldn't work with my pc. I've never seen better prices either.
Academy Sports - (a regional sporting goods mega-store) Best prices and helpful employees.
Vanguard too.

[Eric G.]

Just to name a few...

Tivo - life would be over without this and their company.

TD Ameritrade - yet to have a problem using this as a daily stock trading account.

Sony - I've never ever had a problem with an electronic product of theirs. I still have a stereo system that works like the day I bought 14 years ago.

[Moneymonk]

Similiar to your list. I will post mine tommorow on my blog.

[Jumpcut]

Totally agree on the Subaru. I have a 2002 Forester...in nearly 6 years all I've done is change the oil and it still looks & rides like new. Not a single repair. I've never had a car that's so reliable.

[Patrick]

USAA Federal Credit Union. It is only open to Military members and their fammilies, but it is quite possibly one of the best banks around. They also have investments, insurance, mortgages, etc. I wouldn't change banks for anything.

Toyota and Honda are great for vehicles.

Fender and Martin for guitars. :)

[Mike Guzzo]

Vanguard? Absolutely!

[Cindy]

I give a HUGE second to USAA. Their services are spectacular. I can whole-heartedly say I love my bank/mortgage provider/insurer/credit card company, not many people can! (They were ranked #1 in customer service by Business Week... followed by Nordstroms, among others).

My husband and I have had several great experiences with Penske rental trucks for long-haul moves. Very new trucks.

[Michael]

Schwab - excellent no load funds & low cost index funds plus unparalleled customer service

Honda - love my dependable 1994 Civic EX coupe 125000 miles and still running like new

[Rob]

Honda without a doubt. My parents bought me an Accord while I was in college (only 3 years ago actually) and it still runs great at almost 195k mile - I've put 75,000 on it in the last three years. Needless to say, Honda will always have my business.

Google - I don't think I need to go into too much detail here.

[Dave]

Nissan - I leased an Altima and I needed to extend the lease. I was able to speak directly to the person responsible for lease extensions. In addition, they called me to remind me of all lease return procedures, and they had notes on all prior conversations. The car performed with no problems the entire time I owned it, and it was a great car for the money.

[c]

Costco--great prices, great quality Kirkland brand products, also fabulous for books, DVD's and gasoline. And their bakery products are the best.

Toyota/Lexus--So realiable. My first Toyota had 222,000 miles when I got rid of it, my second had 171,000. Amazing cars that just kept going and going. I'm now on my first Lexus and can't imagine ever getting anything else. Drives great, FABULOUS customer service, and again, so reliable.

Coach--quality product and amazing customer service. Their policy if something gets damaged/broken even after you've had it for years, is great. Free repairs, and if they can't fix it, they replace it with something similar or store credit.

Eddie Bauer--pretty much all of my husband's clothes come from here. They are a little on the pricey side (they do have great sales, though), but they last seemingly forever. My husband is extremely hard on clothes, but they seem to hold up and look great wash after wash. I also love the quality of their wrinkle-free pants and dress shirts. Makes my life much easier :)