JustaShooter
Regular Member
I saw the following exchange in another thread and rather than derail that thread I though I'd post here and see what others think:
While that is your choice, that approach certainly has its drawbacks in my opinion.
I choose to shop and buy locally whenever possible. I am willing to pay a small premium to keep my business local - and by local, I don't mean chain stores, and certainly not big box stores. I regularly hear folks decry the degradation of the communities around them and when asked where they buy groceries, items for day-to-day needs, hobby or recreational supplies, whatever, I inevitably hear Walmart, Lowes, Amazon, etc.
Now, don't misunderstand me - I do buy from those places but only after trying to shop & buy locally. For example, we have a local market that sells many foodstuffs at prices below chain grocery prices - it isn't as convenient as one-stop-shopping at Walmart or the like, but in that case we actually save money. But even if I didn't save money, I know the quality and freshness of the products I buy there is well above what I can get elsewhere.
Other times I'll pay a few dollars more - maybe 10-15% or so, to keep my money local - like when shopping for optics or other sporting goods. I can usually beat my local guy on price by a bit if I shop online or go to Walmart, but I get the value of his expertise and product knowledge, I get to hold the item in my hand and inspect it before purchasing, and I know that if I have a problem I have a person I can go back to that can either help me with a problem or facilitate the return or replacement. That is worth something in my opinion, and I refuse to do what I hear others doing which is to use the local guy for product selection but then make the purchase online or elsewhere.
On the other hand, if the local guy is noticeably overpriced, I'll let them know, and offer what I feel is a fair price. If they decline, I will go elsewhere - as I said, I'm willing to pay a small premium, but I will not be gouged.
How do you make your purchase decisions? Is it all about the price or do you give consideration to other factors? What are those factors and how much weight do you give them?
Eschew Big Box. Buy Mom&Pop.
I buy whatever I can get that offers me the most value for my money. I don't give a crap whether that outlet is a big box or a Mom & Pop.
While that is your choice, that approach certainly has its drawbacks in my opinion.
I choose to shop and buy locally whenever possible. I am willing to pay a small premium to keep my business local - and by local, I don't mean chain stores, and certainly not big box stores. I regularly hear folks decry the degradation of the communities around them and when asked where they buy groceries, items for day-to-day needs, hobby or recreational supplies, whatever, I inevitably hear Walmart, Lowes, Amazon, etc.
Now, don't misunderstand me - I do buy from those places but only after trying to shop & buy locally. For example, we have a local market that sells many foodstuffs at prices below chain grocery prices - it isn't as convenient as one-stop-shopping at Walmart or the like, but in that case we actually save money. But even if I didn't save money, I know the quality and freshness of the products I buy there is well above what I can get elsewhere.
Other times I'll pay a few dollars more - maybe 10-15% or so, to keep my money local - like when shopping for optics or other sporting goods. I can usually beat my local guy on price by a bit if I shop online or go to Walmart, but I get the value of his expertise and product knowledge, I get to hold the item in my hand and inspect it before purchasing, and I know that if I have a problem I have a person I can go back to that can either help me with a problem or facilitate the return or replacement. That is worth something in my opinion, and I refuse to do what I hear others doing which is to use the local guy for product selection but then make the purchase online or elsewhere.
On the other hand, if the local guy is noticeably overpriced, I'll let them know, and offer what I feel is a fair price. If they decline, I will go elsewhere - as I said, I'm willing to pay a small premium, but I will not be gouged.
How do you make your purchase decisions? Is it all about the price or do you give consideration to other factors? What are those factors and how much weight do you give them?