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

trejoy

Yeah, I agree with everyone else. The service and friendly attitude was worth £3 anyway. I don`t know how Halfords stay in business. I saw a sat-nav cheap on internet, I went into local store, it was £50 more!!, assistant said that it was only cheaper if I ordered on internet. I got the same sat-nav at the internet ptrice from an independant store, with good service.
:j:beer::j

yenners

I'd definitely stick with the small shop.

supersmith

Another vote for the small shop - as they have given a free service and it's only £3 difference. Especially with a bike as it is something that is likely to need fixing again.
However if the local shop was much more expensive then I would have to think twice as I cannot afford to spend lots to keep local businesses going, much as I like having the local shops around.

knottbay

If you go to Halfords after the small shop has done this, you are guilty of poverty mentality. To save a few pounds at the cost of severing relations with someone who has done you a good turn, your need for contact with real human beings is obviously very very low.

elyobelyob

Wouldn't be in Halfords in the first place ...

paul30661

Surely (yet again!) you're asking the wrong question?
I can't imagine that there are more than a handful of people who would not begrudge £ 3 extra to an independant shop in return for customer service. The question is where their threshold is, I.e. would you still go with the local, (and you assume more expensive - but it isn't always) independant if the difference was £ 10, £ 25, £ 50 or £ 100 ?

If people feel that strongly about local shops / small traders - then use them:eek:
Or - if you go to the large retailers to save £ 10 / £ 20 / £ 30, would you write a cheque to your local shop for the difference. :rolleyes:

What people say they will do is usually very different to what they will do in practice.

stevecounsell

I pass up the offer of the £3 off at Halfords because the local shop had given me a free service on the bike already and I'd feel morally obliged to stay with them. They'd also ordered the parts for me in good faith.

Essentially I'm paying £3 for a bike service. A great deal in my opinion.

Furey

halfords are idiots. never let them service or assemble a bike, its downright dangerous. stay local.

DanB_2

i agree with Paul. Its the wrong question. Its clear and obvious that most people will support the local guy. So apart from most small businesses do ask for a deposit, and most businesses keep stock of frequently sold items, and any serious bikers wont go to Halfords, then I can tell you why I WOULD use Halfords.

If I was in constant use of my bike I wouldn't give it a second thought to get my bike back on the road over morals or £3. There are other reasons, but my point is, its not about the money, or the loyalty. Its the practicality and time which I do place value on.

*Louise*

If they had been so helpful and gave a free service, I would just wait for the shop to get them in.

I'd be happy to pay £3 more considering the service they provided.