February 4, 2006
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A bit of good advice from my Motorcycle list. Names removed to protect … um, names removed.
> What I’m trying to say is that i feel a
> bit bad for trying them on the shop and
> then buying them on the internet. Does
> anyone know the feeling?Response 1:
I weigh each of those decisions carefully, because I want my local shop to stay in business so I can try stuff on there. If it’s a few bucks more, I buy it at the local shop, the price of having a local shop and not having to pay for shipping, and for immediate delivery.
If the Internet place has a MUCH better price, I give the local guy the opportunity to match it or get closer to the price. If he gives me attitude, I leave and hope he goes outta business.Response 2:
I normally come clean and tell the shop that I’ve found it on the net at x pounds cheaper. Though they can’t normally match the price ( they have shop overheads that internet companies don’t) they will often offer some discount as a result and then I buy from the shop.
This has a number of benefits:
a.. I get to see the exact product I’ve ordered before I actually buy them.
b.. I get a discount of some sort.
c.. I support my local shop – otherwise they may not be there tomorrow.
d.. I can return them easily if they’re faulty, leak after 6 months, etc, etc. – Try doing that with an internet company – it can be done but what a lot of hard work packaging it, posting it – and paying to post it – getting a refund or a different product . . . . .This relates to a concern and consideration I’ve had for some time. There’s a lot to consider about this question and how you answer it makes a difference.
I like these general responses. It supports your local businesses and workers without being taken advantage of. It also gives you more flexibility in how and why you “vote with your dollars”.
In a culture which defines us as “consumers”, all questions relating to how and what we choose to consume becomes a very important decision.
