Yes... this is really the critical point of difference between this and vote-buying and circle voting. In those other situations, the motivator is immediate ROI and profit.... so, when that is threatened... everyone jumps ship.
For SBI, it is the gifting that is primary motivator... and so when the hurt comes, we accept it and keep giving. ROI is not the primary motivation.... still, that doesn't mean that we can't get scared and intimidated though.