Buying Local vs Internet

[PineRidge]

The Internet has made it easy to save time and gasoline so that's where we shop the majority of the time.

I always compare prices to items offered at eBay then decide where I will be sending the money.

 

[gws]

I try to support the local folks but I have to look at my bottom line as well. I assume most places will not have parts for what I buy from them when I will need parts. Make life much easier.

If I can get a part and have it shipped across the country and its cheaper than the local guy.. Hello UPS man...

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> I try to support the local folks ... </font>

Think of it this way: When buying on things online you ARE helping local folks -- they just may not be local to you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[slowrev]

I wonder how long it will be before we are ordering direct from China ?

Ben

 

[PineRidge]

Ben when you take into consideration all the goods that are made in China some of us already do.

 

[Mark4510]

I find that, for me, most of the time the best deal costs me a bit more money up front. Most anything that has a motor in it or more than 3 moving parts I try to buy locally so I can take it back to them and they can show me what I am doing wrong. I might pay a bit more but how much would it cost if I had to go somewhere and pay for that help or information?

If I cannot find it or order it locally, I have no problem going online. Same thing if the price is significantly different. I think the last things I ordered online were all horse tack. There was a manufacturer that was going out of business and I wanted a bunch of the product the carried. There were 2 dealers in my area that sold the brand did not have the item in stock and did not want to order it. That being the case, I went online and purchased since I was very confident I knew what I would get. The other reason I tend to buy locally is that many things I buy have a “feel” I am looking for. Boots need to fit my feet, reins have to fit my hands and have the right heft, a saddle has to fit my horse and then my ever growing backside, and my bale feed should have the right look and smell. I could buy all those things online but I sure hate the negative surprise when it’s not what I really want/need. I guess the last reason I buy locally is that I just like the relationships I establish over time local guys. I run into many of the local retailers outside of their store and, in some cases, they become pretty good friends.

I admit that I will “shop” online to see what my options are and to see what others opinions are (such as TBN/CBN offers) but mostly I buy locally. Maybe I am behind the times……

Mark

 

[GerardC]

<font color="blue"> Think of it this way: When buying on things online you ARE helping local folks -- they just may not be local to you.
</font>

As much as someone orders out of your state, others are ordering into your state. I think it all balances out.

 

[bgott]

The thing that is driving me nuts with local business' is the "we're out of that" syndrome. I don't get much of that on the 'net. The local stores will order the stuff, if they think about it, and half the time they will order the wrong thing. If I order something on the 'net I usually get it within 3 or 4 days. Local, 1 to 2 weeks. I would call ahead to see if the local store has what I need but, with the exception of my local first stop Ace Hardware, they either leave you on hold or lie to you about availability, or both. I've had a couple of internet used book sellers lie about stocks but they fixed it in a day. The only other screw up I've experienced was with a company out of Australia but they resolved the problem immediately, hugely in my favor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[EddieWalker]

Funny you mentioned having problems with Ace. I have one fairly close to me and another on my way to Lowes. Both are aweful for having anything in stock. If they do have it, they only have one when I need two or more. I don't even bother to stop there anymore, it's just not worth the time.

 

[slowrev]

The local retailers being out of stock on items is a sign of the downward spiral of the locally owned retailer. The first big hit was the superstores like wally world, then came internet sales....More people are buying on the internet so buying less locally. The local dealer sees sales are down and cuts costs by cutting inventory, so he has less selection so you go to the internet, etc.. Eventually we might not have any real choice but to shop on the internet. Oh some local businesses will survive, but many will not....