Buying Local vs Internet

DocHeb · Apr 11, 2005

I messed up and overtorqued the oil reservoir plug on my Husqvarna Chainsaw - cracked it right in half. I went looking for the part at my local lawn service shop where I bought the saw two years ago - "now we sell Stihl and don't carry Husky any more, don't have parts". He referred me to another store five miles away. I looked around and noticed he doesn't sell Ariens mowers any more (bought from him 12 years ago, have had it in twice for overhauls) which means he isn't stocking parts and the next time I'll have to wait for parts to be shipped in. He's currently closing out the Weber BBQ line (bought one from him last fall). Didn't ask him if he'll have parts for that.

On the other hand, the fuel tank on my 17 year old Craftsman snowblower cracked. I went on-line Thursday night, found the part in about four clicks - it was on my doorstep Monday morning - FedEx airshipped for $4.95.

I've tried to support the local guys, but this is ridiculous. Fool me once - shame on you; fool me three times - who else is there to blame?

Since I have to look for these parts on-line now, why not just buy the original equipment on-line?

Highbeam · Apr 11, 2005

I agree. I see no reason to support a business that does not support you with dependable, excellent, customer service and competitive prices. Our society is changing in this direction, in part because the "free market" became much larger with the internet and competition is fiercer. We are willing to sacrifice some convenience in the search for cheaper products.

Look out for #1, and number #1 is you.

Deerlope · Apr 11, 2005

I like shopping on the internet and with fuel prices going sky high there will be a lot more of it. I just let my fingers do the walking on the key board.

OkeeDon · Apr 11, 2005

I search for everything on line, and do all my research that way. I look at Ebay, various on line sellers, and any other infor I can find. Then, if I find I can buy it locally without too much of a price penalty, I'll do that first -- often because I'm a compulsive type who doesn't like to wait. But, if my perception in that buying local carries too much of a penalty, I don't hesitate to buy on line.

GerardC · Apr 11, 2005

I do a majority of my shopping on-line. Can't beat the prices and the convenience is unbeatable.

Inspector507 · Apr 11, 2005

Chris,
That may be one of the reasons I tend to shop Sears. I know I can have a part in a few days instead of driving all over town.

frank_f15 · Apr 11, 2005

I try to support our small town businness, but ONLY to the degee that i don't get OVERPRICED and UNDERSERVICED. I buy a lot of stuff online, not only for price but also for convenience.

frank_f15 · Apr 11, 2005

( That may be one of the reasons I tend to shop Sears. I know I can have a part in a few days instead of driving all over town.
)
Iknow a lot of people bad mouth sears , but i for one think thier porduts on the whole are no worse than many others and the parts i oder for my 13 year old craftsman GT are delivered quick. + alot of the parts can be had locally as they are the same parts used in many other brands. had to rebuild the starter motor last year and went to a local shop and they had the kit, seems that starter is common.

slowrev · Apr 12, 2005

I like to buy local whenever practical. By local I mean locally owned, so I know I am putting money into the local economy. Some things just don't work too well over the internet. Ever try on shoes via broadband ? Actually I buy very little over the internet, I do buy tractor parts and such by phone.
Ben

EddieWalker · Apr 12, 2005

I'm like Don. When I need something, then I start looking for prices on Ebay and various websites to learn about prices and options. I can spend and hour on the computer, have my morning cup of coffee and visit a dozen stores.

Sears has a good website with lots of parts for repairing there products online. I have an odd sized 43 inch lawn mower. I went to the store for a belt, they said go to the repair store, who suggested I buy it online. The reasoning was I coudl have it shipped directly to my place that way and not have to come back to town to pick it up. I asked why they couldn't have it shiped to my place, but he didn't know why.

If I'd just gone online in the first place, I'd have saved half a day of running around Tyler looking for a belt when I ended up buying it online anyway.

PineRidge · Apr 12, 2005

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 · Apr 12, 2005

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 · Apr 12, 2005

I try to support the local folks ... 

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 · Apr 12, 2005

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

Ben

PineRidge · Apr 12, 2005

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

Mark4510 · Apr 12, 2005

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 · Apr 12, 2005

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


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

bgott · Apr 12, 2005

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 · Apr 13, 2005

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 · Apr 13, 2005

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....