Do you support your local shops?

[cantdrv55]

I’m trying to but man, things from Amazon are so much cheaper! For example, today I bought one HID headlight bulb from the one auto parts store in town. I have shopped there since HS but switched to online shopping when that became a thing. One bulb cost $95 but at Amazon it’s only $66! This may be the last time I’m buying from the mom and pop. Their customer service has always been great just like their inventory but $30 differential for a bulb is nuts. If I can wait a bit, it’ll be Amazon for auto parts too going forward.

[A930Rocket]

I hate to admit it, but I’ve gotten worse over the years for personal stuff. I’ve never liked shopping, other than hardware stores/Lowe’s/HD. I’m in and out.

Being in construction, I buy a lot of stuff at lumberyards, Lowe’s, and Home Depot. The kind of stuff that you can’t buy online.

Consumer purchasing has changed to, have to have it right now and cheap.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

There is the element of "does it fit?"

Hope springs eternal.

(see what I did there?)

[wildthing]

The bagel shop 5 minutes away... some family-owned local restaurants... that's pretty much it. Everything else is online, or bought from a store that's part of a national or regional chain.

[Rusty Heap]

mom and pop auto parts shop all the way........they know their stuff, I'm blessed.

I'll pay more, but they great me by name when I come in for service.

[Sooner or later]

Yes I do. To me, lower cost is far less important as supporting the local community. They know me by name and I get top line service.

[Dantilla]

I do not have an amazon account.
Going into town to run errands is enjoyable.

[p911dad]

Since Covid came along, we have been shopping online a lot more but I still go to Mom and Pops when I can. Amazon is not always the cheapest or best of course, I recently put a pair of Brooks sneakers in my Amazon cart and my credit card app signaled that a much better deal was with another retailer, saved over $40. by paying attention. For misc. auto parts stuff I usually first go to NAPA, as around here they are locally owned.

[pmax]

This is the south bay.

What local shops ?

[Steve Viegas]

Originally Posted by pmax

This is the south bay.

What local shops ?

And that is what happens to local shops when everyone goes online...

[Por_sha911]

When the local shop gives crappy service and doesn't try to assist me then I have no regret saving money online. If they show some level of caring or service then I don't mind spending a few extra bucks to buy locally.

[Evans, Marv]

Living in a rural area without any "local" stores, I do a lot of shopping online. The thing is, it costs more in gas to drive into town and back than I can save by finding a decent deal at a local shop, & that doesn't count the time involved. Most times shopping online and paying the shipping is a lot cheaper.

[unclebilly]

I support businesses who provide assistance. If I get screwed around, or have my time wasted, I take my business elsewhere.

I expect local parts stores to have what I need in stock. I can order it in too, just as fast and usually way cheaper.

My time is more valuable to me than keeping a local store open that hires rude, incompetent, apathetic idiots. I also live out of town so driving to town to get some $5 item costs $10-20.

[sc_rufctr]

Do you support your local shops? - Yep always and I look for products that are not made in China.

[Bill Douglas]

I do. I say "I do" hesitantly. If the local shops are way over what I can buy it online for I go for the cheaper option.

But often I can't be bothered remembering what I've bought online and to look out to see that it's actually been delivered. When I can just drive around the corner - got it, and end of subject.

[aigel]

For most hobby stuff you can't just go to a store anymore. Bicycle example... that used to be pretty straightforward what you need to buy and you'd get parts at the LBS. Now? Have you bought anything for a MTB? "Ah, you need a rear wheel? Ok, is it regular, boost or super boost? How about the brakes, disc or rim? Oh, disc, okay - is it 6 bolt or center lock? How many spokes does it have? 28, 32 or 36? What color, black or silver?

Of course things have degraded to the point where you can't even go get something basic like motor oil or printer cartridges locally anymore. 50% of the time I find the shelf with an empty spot with the product and price label staring at me.

The way we do business has changed many times over the years. Malls are dead and so are many local stores. It is unfortunate, because small businesses are a great way to keep money in the local economy and in local families. But that's just retail. Hospitality, construction, services etc. are still there and probably will remain for a long time. You won't be able to order a haircut on Amazon. Even though we all tried.

G

[ckelly78z]

My local bike shops all want mega $$ for the smallest parts, and pcs...let alone the $1500+ starter bikes they sell. I understand the service that I would get, but I have always been a DIY guy, and usually don't need coddled.

As far as hobby shops, I don't even know where the nearest one exists....50-60 miles away ?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

yes and some times Amazon is more expensive. I've checked a few times and was surprised.

That said, there are things I can only easily get on Amazon so I definitely use it.

[ramonesfreak]

Depends on what it is that I want


Guitars. I can buy online an expensive guitar or other music gear on a zero interest monthly payment plan with free shipping and a no questions asked return policy if i don’t like it. Further, local stores have a lousy selection. So, how can I say no to that deal. I haven’t bought a guitar locally in 15 years at least.

Stores just don’t stock what I want, usually. Remember when you would go into a hardware store and they would have a display of all the current Case knives models?

Remember when there was a hi fi shop on every block?

The marketplace has changed for many reasons.

Basically I buy food locally and I support my local record store with few exceptions

When I lived in NYC it was different. With some effort getting off my butt, I could find almost anything I wanted being offered in a store somewhere but NYC was basically the worlds biggest shopping mall, at least it was then

[oldE]

Local as I can get.
The hardware store is owned by the son of the folks who started it. I have known the family for 40 years.
Local mechanic: I used to work with his dad.
Small used car dealership: we bought our first VW from them in '82. Seven vehicles later, the father has died and his son is the guy who gets my business.
These folks are the ones I do business with, not only because I have known them for a long time, but because they run their businesses well. They treat me with respect, hire good people and treat them well.
Yes, there are things I could buy cheaper elsewhere, but I don't buy a lot so I'm okay with keeping money in my community.

Best
Les