We have just informed Geico that we are going elsewhere for car insurance because their advertising spokesman R. Lee Ermey has not been fired for making this statement at a Toys for Tots rally. His offensive comments begin at 2:35.
Mrs. Crystal Eyes wrote this letter to Geico
My husband & I have been Geico customers for many years.
Your spokesman, R Lee Ermey, has offended us so profoundly that we are
planning to go somewhere else if you don't fire this man. He appeared
on l2/l0/l0 at the Horseshoe Casino in a benefit for Toys for Tots &
said "We should rise up & stop this Administration which is not
going to quit until they bring this country to it's knees".
In addition, he said the Obama Administration would "impose socialism,
driving us into bankruptcy & destroying our country".
Your spokesman does NOT represent my values or my views. I do not
expect GEICO to be a partisan, political springboard for FOX News. I
expect you to insure my cars....period. Mr Ermey is hurting your brand.
Our polices expire 2/l5/ll....unless I hear that you have fired
this man, we will go elsewhere. You fired actor Lance Baxter (AKA DC
Douglas) when he called Freedom Works & left a voice mail criticizing the Tea Party. I demand you do the same for Mr. Ermey. Fire this guy or we will go elsewhere.
Geico's response
Thank you for sharing your concerns with us. Let me assure you, we
value your opinion and your business. The expressions made by Mr. Ermey
are his own personal views. He made a public apology through his
website at http://www.rleeermey.com/... which may no longer be available
for viewing at this time.
Again, thank you for sharing your concerns with us. Your comments are
being forwarded to our Marketing Department.
and our response back to Geico
We have decided NOT to renew our policy w/ Geico due to your refusal to
fire your spokesman, R Lee Ermey.
Ermey's partisan comments regarding President Obama last December were
so offensive that we have chosen to change to another insurance provider beginning
2/l5/ll.
Bottom Line: It feels great to be a politically selective consumer. I loved informing the Geico Marketing Department that having a right wing spokesman represent their brand name has cost them customers.
The best part-We found the same coverage with another company at a much cheaper price.