MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Would you leave a small shop in the lurch?

npw32jnw

The money saver should have checked out costs before going to the little shop. Once you place the order there, you should continue. However I don't hold the same opinion where it is larger stores who are taking me for a ride (on the bike...!)

Anyway, I agree with the other posters who say that the service you get from a smaller shop is worth a little extra. I work in an industry which is price conscious but service reliant, and most don't want to pay extra for better service....

happyinflorida

I'd stay with the small shop, definately as they had done me a big favour by doing a small service completely free of charge and that would be worth far more than the £3 saving at Halfords.
I'd also be far too embarrassed to tell the smaller shop if I'd bought the pedals at Halfords - in view of what he had done, the freebie service, it would be so rude - I just couldn't do that! I'd also feel too guilty if I didn't let them know at all, just bought the pedals and didn't inform the small shop, no I couldn't do that!

jgriggle

Definitely the small, local shop. It's worth pointing out though, that big chains don't always equal bad service. The big shops often have less employees than you would think and they are usually a fairly small, close knit team, much like the smaller places (they're human, after all). I work for a large chain of stores that sell baths(!), but our particular store is a franchise. So although you are dealing with a big name, on a personal level you are dealing with (and I work for) a small, family run business. And we give great service! So not all big chains are bad. The trick is to shop around, and remember that the best deal is not always the cheapest price.

englishmac

npw32jnw wrote: »

The money saver should have checked out costs before going to the little shop. Once you place the order there, you should continue.

Yep, I agree. Do your homework and then make your choice. Cheapest definitely isn't always best. Might still go with a higher price depending on what it is I want/standard of service and aftercare/my budget but would never dream of doing the dirty when I have made the deal.

dbfisokay

In these identified circumstances; No. Apart from the dubious morality of it all there is the practical issue of continuing to live near the shop and bumping into the owner. Those of reduced ethical standards and emotional frigidity may be able to pull it off but is it really worth it considering the additional service given? Comes a point at which penny pinching strips away common decency and social cohesion.

Cerisa

no way. Stick with the small shop. I'd be tempted but.... jst no.

tinribs69

I would definitely stay with the small local independent shop.It had already done a complimentary service and that would have been worth more than a measly £3.00.We need to keep the small independent shops open,they are important.:j

sparrer

My local cycle shop, run by an older gentleman who has been in business for 30+ years, is about 1/2 a mile away. Halfords, 'run' by a gaggle of youths who don't have please or thank you in their vocabulary, and even worse a few spotty weekenders just there for the money, is 6 miles away. Even without taking into account travelling cost/time or a full service for £3 there's just no contest.

Small traders may initially seem more expensive but the 'extras' they often include more than make up for the so-called service at the hands of the big stores. When did Halfords last give away a valve cap or part-used puncture repair kit to an 11 y/o ? It's no surprise he's been in business so long.

Patricia_Eddie

Yes Yes Yes definetly the independant trader - what goes around comes around and you may well need him again. He has done a free service - thats worth your loyalty if nothing else!!
:j

HAUGHTON7705

I would not leave the local shop in the lurch. I like everybody else would pay the extra three pounds. Their time alone would have cost more than that to give it a 'free' service. I would look at it as having paid a very small fee for a service and good customer services is priceless.

I have bought and had bikes serviced by Halfords in the past only to be stung when It comes to buying spare parts. They have you over a barrel as their spare parts are an 'odd' size or rarely seen in local bike shops and have to be specially ordered so you end up going back to Halfords themselves.

LOCAL SHOP EVERY TIME