On the topic of reputation Buffet was once quoted as saying, "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'

On the topic of reputation Buffet was once quoted as saying, "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently." So while he no doubt guards his reputation carefully if you follow him at all you'll notice he is also very much a sales man and often promotes his businesses and products. Berkshire's annual stock holders meeting is like a Berkshire brands convention and Buffet himself encourages people to take the opportunity to patronize the businesses. In that sense I don't find this surprising at all.