Supporting local businesses

[Reschsmooth]

This is very general, but relevant to many members - we are bombarded with options to buy grey or simply buy products from online, overseas retailers (such as Amazon) as opposed to supporting your local bricks & mortar or even local clicks & mortar retailer.

Many of us will take the cheaper, online option instead of supporting the local retailer because it makes financial sense to us.

However, I often bemoan the loss of local businesses due to the inability to compete on price. Part of this is because consumers find it so easy to source [mis]information from the web and use a retailer as simply a transaction portal as opposed to a buying experience, including advice and service.

A good example is a local bookstore - I believe it has been around for ages and shows no signs of leaving soon, but they are more expensive than Amazon or even Dymocks.com.au. This bookstore employs [presumably] local people. I am familiar to the proprietor and a few of the employees. (Although many of my purchases are gift cards because I refuse to buy Halmark).

Is this notion of supporting the local retailer at the expense of finding the cheapest product a romantic ideal that is not practical in reality?

Is the move towards online retailing at the expense of local bricks & mortar business symptomatic of the loss of community and the "stuff you" attitude prevalent today?

Interested to find out what everyone thinks.

[gstark]

Patrick,

A good question.

However ...

However, I often bemoan the loss of local businesses due to the inability to compete on price. Part of this is because consumers find it so easy to source [mis]information from the web and use a retailer as simply a transaction portal as opposed to a buying experience, including advice and service.

The issue of advice and service is somewhat important to me, but I don't see that being factored into your polling options. I think that it is worth paying a premium in order to recieve such advice and service.

Just how much extra to pay is a difficult question to answer, but so too is the question of from where one can obtain such advice and service: sadly, the traders who are able to supply knowledgeable staff are few and far between; when located, they should be treasured.

[mozzie]

I think there is a misconception of big businesses as being impersonal. Sure to an extent global trading giants or evel local superstores are homogenic body corporates stifling out all sense of individuality and product diversity BUT I dont agree that it is the same for service.

I go to my local bunnings a fair bit and I know a good 50% of the staff (in the relevant areas) fairly well. I know where they live, what they do on weekeds etc. This is also the case for my local borders where I know a few of the staff simply because i have been there often enough. To an extent this is also true of some of the other shops i regularly go to.

Ok so this doesnt extend to online - but take Poon and HKS - people here on the forum seems to have a very personal relationship with him? (but again thats an anomaly for sure).

It may just be a generational thing but I dont hold a romanticised notion of the local store. I have grown up in an era of convenience and possibly because i am not very rooted in a particular suburb or society (having moved a lot) i dont hold such notions dear.

I stongly believe that one should never try and become a sheep to follow the crowd by one should equally not try and NOT be a sheep just for the sake of being different.

[Reschsmooth]

The issue of advice and service is somewhat important to me, but I don't see that being factored into your polling options. I think that it is worth paying a premium in order to recieve such advice and service.

Just how much extra to pay is a difficult question to answer, but so too is the question of from where one can obtain such advice and service: sadly, the traders who are able to supply knowledgeable staff are few and far between; when located, they should be treasured.

Good point, Gary.

However, how many people, knowing they can go online to get a better price, will seek that service for free (e.g. "which camera should I get?") and then go online to buy it cheaply?

I have no evidence to back this up, but if this occurs, why would the B&M retailer bother employing knowledgable staff when all they need is a kid who can operate the EFTPOS terminal?

I have grown up in an era of convenience and possibly because i am not very rooted in a particular suburb or society (having moved a lot) i dont hold such notions dear.

That is also a valid point, particularly relevant to those who are more 'nomadic'

Interestingly, and not to argue, I would have thought your local shop (be it Borders or the indie bookshop) would have been more 'convenient' than ordering online, paying for shipping and awaiting delivery?

[surenj]

On the whole I think the 'local businesses' will need to rethink their business models, make drastic changes, inorder to survive this climate. Otherwise they will perish. Money usually trumps all other reasons moral, ethical, humanitarian etc etc etc. At least this is how life works in general. Unless you are telling me that the local shop is not there to make money?

My 1 cent anyway. 2 cents is too expensive!!!

[gstark]

The issue of advice and service is somewhat important to me, but I don't see that being factored into your polling options. I think that it is worth paying a premium in order to recieve such advice and service.

Just how much extra to pay is a difficult question to answer, but so too is the question of from where one can obtain such advice and service: sadly, the traders who are able to supply knowledgeable staff are few and far between; when located, they should be treasured.

Good point, Gary.

However, how many people, knowing they can go online to get a better price, will seek that service for free (e.g. "which camera should I get?") and then go online to buy it cheaply?

I have no evidence to back this up, but if this occurs, why would the B&M retailer bother employing knowledgable staff when all they need is a kid who can operate the EFTPOS terminal?

Can we perhaps turn that question on its side?

I've frequently been in stores, seeking information, only to be confronted by an insufficient number of untrained staff, many of whom have difficulty even spelling "POS", let alone operating a terminal, let alone being able to offer me some advice on the product I was hoping to purchase.

By way of contrast, I've been a customer of the mechanic who services my car(s) for over 25 years. He's honest, he's knowledgable, employs knowledgable staff and ensures that they are trained to his satisfaction before he lets them loose on my cars ...

How many business owners would cut off their right arm to be able to claim that they've been able to secure their customers for maybe even ten years, let alone twenty five?

I'm firmly of the opinion that most of us will happily pay a reasonable price - not just the cheapest - when we can see that we're getting value for our dollars. The concept of what exactly a reasonable price might be will vary between each of us, and of course there's also the issue of whether we're buying something that can best be described as a commoddity, rather than something that is somewhat specialised.

[surenj]

Just how much extra to pay is a difficult question to answer

Some of the items would be around $500 for a 10% price increase.

local bookstore

Recently I bought the "hot shoe diaries" from the local Dymocks as the delivery and availability elsewhere was abyssmal. In that case, I didn't care about the price as long as I got the book in good time. In this case, on the same day!

traders who are able to supply knowledgeable staff are few and far between; when located, they should be treasured

Definitely. This is extremely relevant when it comes to technology. Due to wide dissemination of information on the web, the local shops would need very keen staff to keep with the constantly changing knowledge. This would be too costly IMHO.

Also as mentioned before, the nomadic lifestyle doesn't really allow any permanent bonds to be formed between the customers and the shops. Get rid of the gypsies I say!

[Mr Darcy]

This is a very difficult issue.
I will try always to buy locally, and from a small independent retailer. For example, I will always choose a small "greasy joes" over one of the multinational fast food outlets, even when I am in an unknown area. This is partly because the food is usually better, and all the profits are going back into that local community (it need not be mine). OTOH, in many small towns, the local fast food strip can be the main employer in town while the independent employs only within the family. The percentage that stays in the town may be smaller, but it is spread wider.

I will always support a knowledgeable local over the internet. If they have helped me with the decision, they will get my money. If you go to them for advice, then buy online because its cheaper, then the next time you need them, they may not be there. If you follow this to its logical conclusion, your local community will be destroyed in time as more and more local businesses go to the wall. Even if you do not expect to stay in that community long enough to see it happen, if we all look after our communities, they will all flourish and wherever we move it will be great. If we all support only the internet stores, then ultimately, that will be all that's left. Then where will we be.

Having said all that, I will at times buy online, simply because it is more convenient, or cheaper (usually only if the local price is out of my reach) or because the particular widget is only available O/S (e.g. RRS gear) or for some other half baked justification I come up with at the time.

I WILL NOT however buy through e-Bay for any reason. When the time comes that it is the only way to buy groceries, I will book my appointment with Dr. Death.

[Ant]

Interesting topic and one that opens a large can of worms. Part of the issue goes right back to the manufacturers. I have worked in two industries (diving and IT) where I have seen the wholesale price (to the importer, not even the retailer) be set at a level equal to the retail price in the US. You then have to add on transport, margin for the importer, retailer... etc. This all equates to a situation where I can buy three items of certain dive gear, imported, grey market (I hate that term), for the same as the retail price in Australia.

The question then becomes who to blame... The importer for not negotiating a better deal? I have seen one importer go hard with his manufacturer and get a better price.

The retailer for accepting those prices? I think apathy and greed apply here.

I personally think that, until parallel imports create a significant impact on the domestic market, all of the members of the supply chain, through apathy and greed, are not going to go out of their way to rectify the issue.

Ant.

[sirhc55]

Obviously this is all very personal.

Why do I buy locally and what do I buy? Convenience really and I buy food (where else would I buy it). But for everything else I research what I want to buy.

My biggest complaint is service in Australia. For example I purchased locally, a piece of HiFi gear that cost me $1300. When, within weeks, I had to approach the dealer with a problem they could not give me an answer. I went home and email the manufacturer in the US and within hours I had the answer and actually became a beta tester for them in the PAL scenario. Kudos to the dealer zero, to the manufacturer 100%.

When I can buy from all around the world and pay less and receive the item faster than from an Australian dealer then that’s what I will do each and everytime.

I’m fed up to the back teeth with oiks in the retail environment who have little knowledge of what they are selling and even try to convince me that I’m wrong on something I happen to be an expert on, fecking idiots

Sorry folks but money is not sh*t and does not stick to the wall when you throw it away so I tend not to throw it away especially on incompetent local retailers.

[mozzie]

it seems to me there are two separate arguments - intertwined surely- but still distinct. On a forum such as this with laregly 'techs' and moreover 'techy males' one side is better represented than the other.

There is a pruely moral arguement for shopping local which is kind of picked up by:

OTOH, in many small towns, the local fast food strip can be the main employer in town while the independent employs only within the family. The percentage that stays in the town may be smaller, but it is spread wider.

so the alturistic view of cossumerism having a social obligation attached to it, which if it is a view you ascribe to, means that incompetency is less of an issue.

If however the crux of the matter rests on the total package being service, product quality, professionalism and competency then matter at hand is entirely different.

It seems most are arguing the latter on this thread

[Reschsmooth]

it seems to me there are two separate arguments - intertwined surely- but still distinct. On a forum such as this with laregly 'techs' and moreover 'techy males' one side is better represented than the other.

There is a pruely moral arguement for shopping local which is kind of picked up by:

OTOH, in many small towns, the local fast food strip can be the main employer in town while the independent employs only within the family. The percentage that stays in the town may be smaller, but it is spread wider.

so the alturistic view of cossumerism having a social obligation attached to it, which if it is a view you ascribe to, means that incompetency is less of an issue.

If however the crux of the matter rests on the total package being service, product quality, professionalism and competency then matter at hand is entirely different.

It seems most are arguing the latter on this thread

Personally, I don't support incompetence - no point encouraging more of my behaviour!

Seriously, we all know camera stores, for example, where Grandma Graflex knows more about a digital camera than the sales person. Local or not, I am not suggesting supporting them as it is arguable that kind of business is based on employing the cheapest labour to move merchandise.

But, you are right - there are two arguments. One relates to buying a consumer package (product and service) and the other relates to buying the product or commodity only. Two examples illustrating my behaviour:

I used to shop at Borges when they had a shoppe in Crows Nest, even though they were more expensive than a lot of alternatives, because they provided me with good customer support. I would not want to be one of those people who go to Borges, use up their time asking for advice, and then buy via Poon for a cheaper price. That is not the kind of person I am.

Secondly, I am going to buy a heart-rate monitor shortly and know exactly which one I want. A local sports store offers it for about <10% more than I can buy via other online avenues. I am happy to support the local business in this sense even though I know it is costing me $10 or so more. For one, there is the local support and secondly, I know that, when I go to buy it, I can pop down the store and pick it up. But, that's me.

[surenj]

I WILL NOT however buy through e-Bay for any reason. When the time comes that it is the only way to buy groceries, I will book my appointment with Dr. Death.

Greg, when that time comes, hopefully all of us would have had a visit from Dr D. Still, I have some of my colleagues who buy on woolworths online!!! Also, it's very useful for immobile/disabled people who are keen to live.

I am happy to support the local business in this sense even though I know it is costing me $10

I agree on this. This would be about 5% of the price however. Where would you draw the line? $20 ? $50? What if you found out that the local store is $200 and there is a sale on the net for $100? What if the newer model is the same price on the net? If it's supporting the community, which one would one choose now? If it's about saving hard earned cash, which one would be chosen?

[Reschsmooth]

I agree on this. This would be about 5% of the price however. Where would you draw the line? $20 ? $50? What if you found out that the local store is $200 and there is a sale on the net for $100? What if the newer model is the same price on the net? If it's supporting the community, which one would one choose now? If it's about saving hard earned cash, which one would be chosen?

It comes down to a relative thing - if $20, $50, etc was only a relatively small fraction of the price (I use 10% as an arbitrary figure), I would possibly be indifferent. Your example of a $200 local price on sale on the net for $100 represents a 50% discount which is significant.

I also relate it to how much the difference in dollar terms is worth to me at any given time (not from a fiat currency perspective, but from a broader perspective). For example, I could service my car and save, say, $200. Or, I could pay $200 for a mechanic to do it because my spare time is worth more than that. This is getting off topic...

[gstark]

I WILL NOT however buy through e-Bay for any reason. When the time comes that it is the only way to buy groceries, I will book my appointment with Dr. Death.

Greg, when that time comes, hopefully all of us would have had a visit from Dr D. Still, I have some of my colleagues who buy on woolworths online!!! Also, it's very useful for immobile/disabled people who are keen to live.

Ok ... let's talk Woolies for a moment. Where they have the new, self serve cashiering terminals.

Who uses them, and why?

Who refuses to use them, and why?

Who is ambivalent about them, and why?

I am happy to support the local business in this sense even though I know it is costing me $10

I agree on this. This would be about 5% of the price however. Where would you draw the line? $20 ? $50? What if you found out that the local store is $200 and there is a sale on the net for $100? What if the newer model is the same price on the net? If it's supporting the community, which one would one choose now? If it's about saving hard earned cash, which one would be chosen?

When can I take delivery?

If the store has the item in stock, I will gladly also pay more to be able to just take the item, and not have to rely upon unreliable delivery services.

I think that delivery services, be they store delivery services, FedUPS, OzPost, or whomever have a real hide in charging us for their services but refusing to be able to guarantee a target delivery time. If I buy a pair of shoes (or whatever) then I choose the colour, size, style, etc .... but when I buy a delivery service, I get to choose ... not a damn thing. Maybe the date.

If I buy something in a store, the price should be inclusive of delivery if that is required, as dictated by the nature of the product. If they are going to charge me extra for delivery, then the details of that delivery should be my choice, not their's.

There, that feels better.

[mozzie]

Who uses them, and why?

Who refuses to use them, and why?

Who is ambivalent about them, and why?

I use them because they remind me of libraries and I don't get enough of a chance to go to libraries these days so I am living vicariously through Wollies (although when my library frist put them in I was rather peeved).

They are a sign of 'convenience' despite it being slow/inaccurate and at times ridiculous (but oh such joyus fun!!!!!)

[surenj]

I use them because they remind me of libraries and I don't get enough of a chance to go to libraries these days so I am living vicariously through Wollies (although when my library frist put them in I was rather peeved).
They are a sign of 'convenience' despite it being slow/inaccurate and at times ridiculous (but oh such joyus fun!!!!!)

It is always great to get the femail perspective... As already pointed out, we only get the mail perspective in tech forums.

[surenj]

Just a suggestion for Gary; If this topic is of enough interest, perhaps you could consider posting the poll on the portal page so that more people contribute with the votes for the poll to be more representative?

[Reschsmooth]

If the store has the item in stock, I will gladly also pay more to be able to just take the item, and not have to rely upon unreliable delivery services.

I think that delivery services, be they store delivery services, FedUPS, OzPost, or whomever have a real hide in charging us for their services but refusing to be able to guarantee a target delivery time. If I buy a pair of shoes (or whatever) then I choose the colour, size, style, etc .... but when I buy a delivery service, I get to choose ... not a damn thing. Maybe the date.

That is a non-quantifiable factor that people may often not take into account (a bit like the backward bending supply curve of labour)- what is the worth to you of being able view, hold, inspect and then walk out the door with the item?

But, in a sense, a lot of this discussion is off the topic of considering the value to the community of supporting local business.

[sirhc55]

Any business is in the business of making money therefore I deem it my right to spend my money wherever I wish. If this entails local then OK, if it means O/S then OK, if it means eBay then OK.

I personally don’t give a toss as to where and on whom I spend MY money, after all it is my choice. . .

I think it is fair to say that if a required item is outside of the personal shopping experience then to buy on line is OK and in doing so search for the best price.

[chrisk]

A local sports store offers it for about <10% more than I can buy via other online avenues. I am happy to support the local business in this sense even though I know it is costing me $10 or so more. For one, there is the local support and secondly, I know that, when I go to buy it, I can pop down the store and pick it up. But, that's me.

how much of that decision is based on the fact that you can pick it up as opposed to supporting the local store ? i would suggest to you that the "picking it up part, is the clincher here.

i like this poll and the topic, perhaps a year or 2 ago it may have generated more discussion but nowadays, online store service is pretty damn good and brick and mortor joints are even worse.

theres 2 things that piss me off about B&M. first of all the RIDICULOUS pricing some of them have. before i bought the d700 from Poon, i rang Ted's and asked for a price on a d700. do you wanna know what they quoted me ? $4600. FOUR THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS ! when i pointed out that even ECS had them much cheaper they simply said "go get it from there." well i for one refuse to buy a damn thing from ted's ever again. thats just highway robbery and they are BANNED from my list and if anyone ever asks me where to go buy stuff locally i will say AVOID ted's at all costs.

and secondly, in most cases the service and expertise does not match the price premium. if i was genuionely getting great service and some other kind of tangible, (or intangible), benefit from B&M then i may consider it more seriously but you generally get nothing. I have bought i dunno...$6000 worth of gear from ECS and personally taken people there to spend another $10k, thats in the past 12 months. all the stuff i got was very good prices, (advertised, not some personal deal), a tad more than online but maybe $50 only on $2k lens' which is fine with me.

but does their service warrant loyalty ? hmmm...i would say not. its not that they are unfriendly, but after that much money, (and more importantly multiple vistis showing a pattern of current and potential future buying), there isnt really much difference in the way i am treated or responded to than some guy that walks in and buys a d40 with a kit lens.

here is a business thats not huge. they have the time to spend with you eveyr time i've been there, (midweek), and theres never been any attempt on their part to enquire about what i do, would you like a coffee, we have an event coming, hey look at the new d3x...do you wanna fire a few frames ? to me this is just sheer and utter incompetance and indifference as opposed to any mean spiritedness. so "whats in it for me ?" answer: not much.

[Mr Darcy]

(not from a fiat currency perspective,

So what have you got against the Italian Lira?

[Glen]

Patrick, I think your point about supporting the guy who gave you the advice is very good. Now if only more had bought from Borge's I would still be able to stroll up the street and buy my printer paper!

[darklightphotography]

This is an interesting question. I used to be a strong supporter of local product/retailers, but lately I have formed the opinion that the overseas guy has just as much right to make a living that a local guy does, and in many cases has a greater need. So now I try and think of the bigger picture when buying, for example I buy Vietnamese rice over Aussie rice because they have the water to grow it where we don't.

Regarding camera gear, Nikon's policy of "grey market bad, local good" means I usually buy from a local bricks and mortar store so I have NPS coverage.

theres 2 things that piss me off about B&M. first of all the RIDICULOUS pricing some of them have. before i bought the d700 from Poon, i rang Ted's and asked for a price on a d700. do you wanna know what they quoted me ? $4600. FOUR THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS ! when i pointed out that even ECS had them much cheaper they simply said "go get it from there." well i for one refuse to buy a damn thing from ted's ever again. thats just highway robbery and they are BANNED from my list and if anyone ever asks me where to go buy stuff locally i will say AVOID ted's at all costs.

I have had a quote different experience with Ted's, when they matched ECS's price on a D300, and threw in a 3 year warranty as well. I'd say it was my good looks, but some of you have seen me.

[phillipb]

The way I see it, it's horses for courses.
For example, I buy from my local fruit shop even though he is slightly more expensive then the bigger chains because his fruit is a lot fresher and it suits me to dash across 1 block away whenever i need something, but I'm happy to purchase online when what I'm buying is the exact same item (such as a lens) at a cheaper price.
I can't see all brick & mortar shops disappearing, some things you just have to see, touch or try on before you buy and if a shop is suited to online shopping, then they just have to adapt or die out. I worked for a company that was 100% brick & mortar 20 years ago, they are still going strong but now only have a head office in Victoria and reps in each state.
As far as knowledgeable staff is concerned, I reckon you can find more knowledge online than any one person can supply (Gstark excepted )

[colin_12]

I will generally buy local if it is feasable and convenient. As mentioned it is great to walk away with your purchase.
I will also support hose who support me/us as this seems right to do.
Definately a curly one this.

[Reschsmooth]

Patrick, I think your point about supporting the guy who gave you the advice is very good. Now if only more had bought from Borge's I would still be able to stroll up the street and buy my printer paper!

Eggsactly. I almost only went on Sat mornings and I was often the only one there. They did stock some very nice paper.

The question for them is: for a reduction in retail traffic, do they have to increase their margins, further worsening their competitive disadvantage or do they try to squeeze margins to try to stay competitive. It is almost a vicious cycle.

Any business is in the business of making money therefore I deem it my right to spend my money wherever I wish.

Chris, no-one is trying to refuse you the right to spend your money wherever you wish.

Someone previously brought up Poon - by buying from the forum, you are supporting your local community. So, assuming the same price and access, would you buy via the forum or via HKS?

[mikecarlotto]

It is a very odd times these days because it is very easy to purcahse and research everthing online. I've bought from both B&M and online.

I think it depends on price and the item to be honest for most people, I'd say if something is substaintally cheaper most people would take the cheaper option. I couldn't justify an extra $200 on a $1200 lens just to buy it locally.

Customer service? Most stores are terrible I find, with staffs only knowledge of how to work the register, even then it's been hit and miss.

[ATJ]

I have a current example, which I'm wrestling with at the moment.

I'm in the market for a universal remote for our home theatre. All my research has been online in forums and reading specs, etc. I'm now ready to buy...

I know I can get the one I want for around $90 including delivery from eBay. The eBay person is based in North Ryde (hmmm... I wonder if I could pick it up as it's only 10 minutes from the office). JB HiFi have the same remote for $129, so I could pick it up from Penrith (after hassling with parking etc.) Harvey Norman might have it, but I'd have to visit the showroom to find out. DSE don't appear to have it.

So whom do I support? None of them provided me with the advice that helped me decide which to get. The eBay guy has over 70,000 pieces of feedback so they are obviously in business. Why does someone more "local" deserve the business over them?

[Mr Darcy]

Two interesting current examples.
1. I am in the market for a roll of paper to print panoramas ATM. I went to my local shop &ordered a roll of Ilford Gallerie. Not something Graham normally carries, but he was happy to order it in for me. ETA 3 days. He rang after two & said it was Out of Stock at the local wholesaler & would take a week or so to come from the main distributor. "No problem" I told him "I'm in no hurry" I spoke to him again today, and the distributors no longer bring in the rolls, so he cannot supply it. He said he would look into alternatives for me. At that point, I got onto the web and have ordered a roll of Epson Semi Glossy direct from Epson. It should be here early next week. The paper will actually be more expensive as Epson are charging retail as well as postage.

2. There was a small, but very good French takeaway just up the road. We used him occasionally. We dropped by tonight only to discover he has gone out of business. As has the local Cupcake shop much to our waistline's relief, but our tatebud's grief.

[Onyx]

I tend to tow the 'support local businesses' lines... I'm not averse to buying online, but the majority of my purchases have been via local businesses - it's only when I physically travel overseas that I take advantage of the cheaper prices and buy locally while there.

Like my previous photographic purchase, a D200, I could have saved ~$300 by buying grey market, but instead I chose a local dealer because I stupidly thought a local warranty meant something (Now I'm prepared to pay $300 more to have a grey market item in future just to avoid having to deal with Nikon locally)...

Or more recently when obtaining my new mobile phone - I went down to my local 3 store to get one instead of via online just to give some local guy behind the counter a commission instead of the call centre worker in Mumbai. In this case it costs the same to me no matter what option I choose, buy having been employed in the Australia manufacturing industry previously (a dwindling sector in the workforce), I do what little things I can to secure jobs - I'm a little sensitive to that as I'm currently jobless....

I'd never trust a word spoken by any store employee no matter what, so there's no incentive for me to buy from a place offering the best 'advice' per se, but after sales support is one I'm prepared to pay for - especially with modern electronics failing at the rate they are, if the shop could handle warranty stuff on my behalf, I'd be much happier to let them do so than having to deal with call centres on behalf of the manufacturer/wholesaler/distributor or some such entity up in the supply chain.

[Killakoala]

I am one of the 'Value For Money' people.

If what I want is available overseas, locally or down the street then I will buy based solely on 'Value For Money.' That equates to cost price to me plus how much it costs to get it to me or pick it up.

As I travel a lot and have moved far too many times to remember, I tend to not have any bias towards local businesses as they are of no importance to me. If I buy locally in Shoalhaven, all I am doing with my money is assisting some worthless Bogan and his/her drug habit. I am happier to send that money to somewhere I don't live. (If I buy in Tasmania, I am happier to buy locally, to a greater degree than in the Shoalhaven.)

That said, the things I want to buy are generally not available locally anyway, so it's a moot point. With the exception of consumables, which I buy at a local supermarket, usually Woolworths and also services, which are generally impossible to purchase online.

If I am about to purchase something expensive, I will do lots of research online and though my social and professional networks and make a decision after careful consideration. If it is available locally, then I will purchase locally but if a local business has to 'order it in,' I am reluctant to ask for that option. I am more likely to order online as mail-order usually gets things to me faster. (Based on experience)

I am not a loyal customer. In a world where I am forced to give (high income taxes), I prefer to do what's best for ME when I can. Kevin Rudd made me this way.

As for books, I either buy from a local second-hand book store, airports or off Amazon as the books I buy are not usually available from 'normal' book stores, with a few exceptions.

Photographically, I prefer to buy from Poon through this forum but it's been a long time since I bought anything new.

/end high horse

EDIT - I forgot to mention that I don't trust Ebay any more.

[Ethan_09]

Hey All,

Long time Visitor, first time joiner/ poster. So take it easy on me

Firstly I research on the net for prices etc. I am talking electronics and camera gear here.

I generally have a rule that I support local business first. By this I mean local business in my town/area. BUT only if the price is right. So say 10% more or so is ok with me. Having said that they do have to work for my business. If I walk into a shop and no one walks up to me and asks if I am right (I might have a couple of grand in my pocket ready to go) then I walk out after 5 or 10 minutes.

Then I will go back online and seek out an Australian Supplier to buy from. Then failing that I will go international.

I do think it is important to try and support local business but sometimes it is just impossible for whatever reason. (No stockists in Australia etc)

Oh yeh I try not to buy Australian Rice either

[gstark]

Hi Ethan, and welcome.

If I walk into a shop and no one walks up to me and asks if I am right

If I walk into a store and am asked by the staff if I'm "right", they will usually be on the receiving end of some unsolicited sales technique advice, if not invective. For me, there is nothing worse than a "you right?" question on the part of a so-called salesperson. I think it's rude, unprofessional, and inappropriate.

But that's just me, and I'm a grumpy old fart.

[sirhc55]

But that's just me, and I'm a grumpy old fart.

+1

[Reschsmooth]

Oh yeh I try not to buy Australian Rice either

That almost sounds as if you think Australian rice growing is a less than productive use of our limited water supply. Next you will be saying growing cotton in Australia is environmentally inefficient!

[Ethan_09]

If I walk into a store and am asked by the staff if I'm "right", they will usually be on the receiving end of some unsolicited sales technique advice, if not invective. For me, there is nothing worse than a "you right?" question on the part of a so-called salesperson. I think it's rude, unprofessional, and inappropriate.

But that's just me, and I'm a grumpy old fart.

Ah yes I do agree , It can be annoying but I mean when I go into a place looking for a specific sale.

Oh yeh I try not to buy Australian Rice either

That almost sounds as if you think Australian rice growing is a less than productive use of our limited water supply. Next you will be saying growing cotton in Australia is environmentally inefficient!

Well indeed, but it is harder to boycott Australian Cotton since a little bit of it is still made into products in Australia by Australian companies.

[CraigVTR]

But that's just me, and I'm a grumpy old fart.

You are not alone.

For the record, I don't buy rice.

When I have made the decision to buy something I want it then and there, if that means getting off my backside to go to the shops I will buy online. Not fussed about where it comes from, but if I order online I look for a competetive price. If I need to buy in person I will do it locally in my community as the few dollars extra it costs is better spent there than in the coat of fuel to travel the 40 minutes to the coast shops. Good for the envoronment as well.

I despise shopping and avoid them as much as possible so when I buy online I stay away from the shops and have the added excitment of seeing if OZ post can deliver it on time and in one piece.