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Amaris
Guest
I support local businesses. Hell, I am a local business. I'd like to reach a point where local businesses help one another to stay afloat by working together.
Do you try to support local businesses?
- Thread starter Miss Chicken
- Start date
Well, yes and no. I try to buy local produce, which isn't very difficult in California. I especially love buying corn from my hometown, it just tastes so much sweeter knowing it grew up in the same place as me! 
However, for non-food items I mostly buy things online because it is cheaper. And also because I prefer shopping at home by myself as opposed to stores with human contact - I am not a people person at all. And especially at the smaller local shops, they always want to talk to you when you walk in and it makes me feel uncomfortable. I really would like to be left alone when shopping.
However, for non-food items I mostly buy things online because it is cheaper. And also because I prefer shopping at home by myself as opposed to stores with human contact - I am not a people person at all. And especially at the smaller local shops, they always want to talk to you when you walk in and it makes me feel uncomfortable. I really would like to be left alone when shopping.Yes, but only to a point. I'd never pay %25 over an online price, but if a price sounds fair I wouldn't bother.
I'd say a savvy independent shop actually has a better chance than some of these big box retailers if they can carry rare/hard-to-find stuff. Borders in the UK is gone because everything they sell can be found online more easily and cheaper and media sales in the UK have shifted massively to online. The only big media chain we have left is HMV and they're struggling; likely they'll be selling off the Waterstones book chain soon. If they can't figure it out I figure they're finished within five years. Specialty shops like the Forbidden Planet comic/manga chain seem to be doing well though.
I'd say a savvy independent shop actually has a better chance than some of these big box retailers if they can carry rare/hard-to-find stuff. Borders in the UK is gone because everything they sell can be found online more easily and cheaper and media sales in the UK have shifted massively to online. The only big media chain we have left is HMV and they're struggling; likely they'll be selling off the Waterstones book chain soon. If they can't figure it out I figure they're finished within five years. Specialty shops like the Forbidden Planet comic/manga chain seem to be doing well though.
I support then whenever I can. It depends on the business. Some of them are good while others are not.
What I like with most local businesses is that things are sometimes more convenient. For example, I once had to do a BIOS update to fix a problem with an HP laptop. The update fried my chip. HP wanted to replace the whole motherboard, even though the motherboard was fine. A local business just flashed the BIOS chip and did the trick. While the people at the HP shop had the tools to do that, they simply could not because the company line was to replace the motherboard.
What I like with most local businesses is that things are sometimes more convenient. For example, I once had to do a BIOS update to fix a problem with an HP laptop. The update fried my chip. HP wanted to replace the whole motherboard, even though the motherboard was fine. A local business just flashed the BIOS chip and did the trick. While the people at the HP shop had the tools to do that, they simply could not because the company line was to replace the motherboard.
I think that's just it. Local businesses can compete with internet retailers: they just need to play to their strengths, and find their niche.
One of the biggest advantages that traditional stores have over the internet is the convenience of just walking in, and then walking out with your purchase just a few minutes later. That's an edge that online stores will never be able to beat.
The biggest advantages that online stores possess, by contrast, are low price and variety. You can always get in-demand items cheaper online. And you can always get rare and specialized items online, if you're willing to pay.
This requires good business sense on the part of traditional retailers. Since they can't stock as great a variety of goods, or offer the same prices, they have to know their potential customers, anticipate their desires, and find a price that's high enough for them to turn a profit, but not so high that it outweighs the convenience of RL shopping.
If local businesses can't compete with prices I can get elsewhere (such as online) they won't get my business. Simple as that. Why do I care if they're local? I just want my product at a reasonable price, and if stores are going to rip me off, they don't deserve a cent.
Luckily my local stores for most of the stuff I buy (such as computer parts and DVDs) are quite well priced, so they do get my business. I don't mind if a shop is a little bit more expensive than online, as I do like to see products in person first, and it's quicker, but sometimes the difference between prices here and overseas are just huge thanks to our typically poor dollar.
Luckily my local stores for most of the stuff I buy (such as computer parts and DVDs) are quite well priced, so they do get my business. I don't mind if a shop is a little bit more expensive than online, as I do like to see products in person first, and it's quicker, but sometimes the difference between prices here and overseas are just huge thanks to our typically poor dollar.
Not really. I prefer the anonymity of big stores (if I have a question, I'll ask, but don't fucking follow me around please) or unbeatable range of choices of online shops. Pretty much the only time I'll go to a local store is if I know exactly what I want and how much it costs beforehand.
Some things I buy online, but I'm lucky to live in a small city that has several good small local shops, not to mention an excellent weekly farmer's market with top-quality local produce. I pay for that quality, but it's worth it.
Some months ago I brought my virus-riddled laptop to a local computer repair shop. When I brought it back home I was having trouble accessing the internet. This was during bad winter weather and, though the fellow who could help me was snowed at his rural home, he phoned me at home to try and help me anyway. I'd never have received that kind of service from a bit chain store.
Some local shops which sell similar items work with each other rather than against each other. For example, the two main yarn shops I frequent purposely stock different brands so that they help rather than hurt each other's business.
There have been some small shop owners who were complete plonkers, but they didn't stay in business for long, and rightfully so.
Some months ago I brought my virus-riddled laptop to a local computer repair shop. When I brought it back home I was having trouble accessing the internet. This was during bad winter weather and, though the fellow who could help me was snowed at his rural home, he phoned me at home to try and help me anyway. I'd never have received that kind of service from a bit chain store.
Some local shops which sell similar items work with each other rather than against each other. For example, the two main yarn shops I frequent purposely stock different brands so that they help rather than hurt each other's business.
There have been some small shop owners who were complete plonkers, but they didn't stay in business for long, and rightfully so.
I did my part today and greatly benefitted. Went to the local garage for my MOT (annual car inspection for the non-UK residents who may not be familiar) after feeling like I got ripped off by a national chain shop last year (Kwik Fit). Very courteous and professional and didn't try to make me replace anything that didn't need replacing. First time I've asked for an MOT and minor service and left with just that!
The Kwik Fit had been okay the year before, but last year they seemed to have gotten some dodgy management - a hazard of chains. Never again!
The Kwik Fit had been okay the year before, but last year they seemed to have gotten some dodgy management - a hazard of chains. Never again!
I try to support local businesses as much as possible, but the local shops that sell electronic equipment can't hold a candle to the big box retailers for price and selection.
Non-chain restaurants, mechanics, hobby stores always get my business until they prove that they don't deserve it. We had an independant sandwich shop that stated out well and had a lot of business, then something happened and the quality of ingredients dropped and the prices went through the roof. It seemed like everytime I drove past the parking lot was empty, and I went in once again to give it a try, and the kid behind the counter was stoned off his ass. Jimmy Johns was way better.
Non-chain restaurants, mechanics, hobby stores always get my business until they prove that they don't deserve it. We had an independant sandwich shop that stated out well and had a lot of business, then something happened and the quality of ingredients dropped and the prices went through the roof. It seemed like everytime I drove past the parking lot was empty, and I went in once again to give it a try, and the kid behind the counter was stoned off his ass. Jimmy Johns was way better.
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Amaris
Guest
This is why I chose a service business. In terms of product and price, I can't beat the local Walmart, Target or Meijer.
QFT
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Amaris
Guest
For the business it's local, and that's a rather stringent requirement, really, unless your local mom and pop business has a full run manufacturing facility.
Almost religiously so! -In fact, if I had a religion it probably would be to support local shops...
Computer parts, wine, kitchenware, batteries, clothing (and fabrics), groceries, cheese, fresh fish, books, records (you know; the big mostly black vinyl thingies!), paint, hardware, spices and canned(/dried/frozen) goods from exotic places, used items, pet supplies, coffee (and tea) and possibly a lot more, are all things I can get within an eight minute walk from where I live -and then there's the farmers market twice a week just around the corner.
But then... I tend to buy a lot from IKEA (my local lamp shop has a lot of fabulous lamps but none that will work well with fluorescents or LEDs
) and ALDI (whenever they have a special offer on things I need; cheap keyboards, seat cushions for patio-furniture (next week!)) too, so I'm also part of the problem 
Computer parts, wine, kitchenware, batteries, clothing (and fabrics), groceries, cheese, fresh fish, books, records (you know; the big mostly black vinyl thingies!), paint, hardware, spices and canned(/dried/frozen) goods from exotic places, used items, pet supplies, coffee (and tea) and possibly a lot more, are all things I can get within an eight minute walk from where I live -and then there's the farmers market twice a week just around the corner.
But then... I tend to buy a lot from IKEA (my local lamp shop has a lot of fabulous lamps but none that will work well with fluorescents or LEDs
) and ALDI (whenever they have a special offer on things I need; cheap keyboards, seat cushions for patio-furniture (next week!)) too, so I'm also part of the problem 
Nowhere Man
Commodore
As much as possible, it's hard with Wally world in existence though, prices ar too low. I feel bad because I know what they do.
Where i live you can reach just about any store within 15 minutes. So everything is a "local" business. I do try to use the mom & pops when i can but sadly most are gone! And when there is a mom and pop if they are competitive price wise, i'll go to them. Otherwise i'll hit the big box. My intentions are good but my wallet makes the decisions.
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