I'm all about supporting a local business, but

[NightWatcher]

I go into the shop and ask about a specialty item and the owner says he can get it for me in about a week. He then turns to a computer and goes to the same website where I can buy the item for $45 and then he tells me it would run me $65. Why should I pay him $20 more than it would cost for me to get the very same item in the same amount of time from the same site (with free shipping) that he has to order it from?

I'm all about supporting local businesses but this is just plain silly. This guy will soon find himself out of a job. He provides no professional service or knowledge base and obtains his stock and orders from the same internet stores that any of us could use.

Would you pay $65 for an item that you could get yourself for $45 all in the name of supporting a small local business?

[Xyzse]

1. I have a smart phone and I'm not afraid to use it

I tend to show the price that I can get online plus shipping with some local businesses.

I'd only buy such a thing if it is exactly in their store at the time I arrive.

Otherwise, I would buy it online.

Still, car parts, I've been lucky with some small stores not Pep Boys.

[dr.strangelove]

2. Local businesses are about service

I might buy it if it was an item I might need to return. The store should handle such things. If you do not think the $20 upcharge is worth it, tell him. Maybe he can reduce it, maybe not. It might be an item where it is better to get it yourself.

[Denninmi]

3. Depends on the business.

Some I would. I know I pay more at the local bike shop I frequent, but I have a relationship with the staff, they do have great knowledge and give it freely, treat me like a VIP customer, and have saved my butt more than once on maintenance/repair issues.

I love the place and am rooting for them, so I pay a bit more and hope they can hold their own against the cycling world's equivalent of big box stores, such as Performance Cycle.

[NightWatcher]

5. exactly! Champion Cycle is a small local shop

and I'll go get inner tubes from them when I could get it for half online or at wally world. They know their shit and treat people right.

[Phentex]

6. Not like that I wouldn't...

but it depends on what it is. I can't think of too many instances where I would pay more for the same thing.

[Wait Wut]

7. It depends...

...but, not usually.

I'm obsessive about researching everything I buy. Not just for price, everything. There is a local 'natural' food store down the street. I went to buy my DIL some jojoba oil. It was $15 for a 4oz. bottle. I wasn't prepared for that. I went online and found the same size, brand, etc. - 2 for $10. Free shipping.

This local store is infamous for overcharging, but they offer a lot of overpriced 'healthy' options that people either don't know they can get cheaper or don't care.

Another much smaller natural food store opened about 4 blocks away. Their produce is exceptional and very, very affordable for organic. They don't have the selection the other store does, but what they do have is reasonably priced. I'm terrified they won't make it, though. The husband and I buy as much as we can there before going anywhere else, but the parking lot is usually empty.

[ConcernedCanuk]

8. I try to deal in town, but it is a small town.

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Only 2,000 souls, so not a whole lot of choice.

I buy much of my stuff on-line - do my "shopping" at my own leisure, without spending a nickel in gas.

Sit here with my beer, or a meal, and sometimes spend days (a few hours at a time) to research what I want.

Then order it through PayPal or a prepaid credit card.

Items get delivered to the Post Office or our local Purolator outlet, then I pick them up when I go into town for necessities.

No pushy salespeople to deal with, I get to wander about my 28 acres, and enjoy momma nature.

I love my new home, private and quiet. Yup, I paid a little bit more for some things than if I'd went to the nearest city,

A 3 hour round trip with no stopping - so about a whole day lost to save a few $$, but not really when one factors in the gas cost and the wear and tear on the vehicle.

I tried to order some parts for my old 4x4 in town recently, parts supplier said he couldn't find them.

Well, I came home, and after an hour I ordered them on line

6 days later, they are here!

He's a parts supplier, I am not - I found them - what's the matter with people?

I hear lately his business is suffering.

No surprise there.

CC