Would you buy locally?

Kez100

I'm a real devil of an MSE'er. Nothing to do with this site - I was born that way.

Now, I hate shopping. I live in a pretty rural area, very few shops, and so am delighted to buy from the internet as I can get the very cheapest supplier for whatever I want and it gets delivered.

Now, I also believe in karma, and in the present economic circumstances I have woken up to reality. There are some small indie shops on my doorstep and perhaps I ought to support them.

Now I need to make an electrical purchase. I didn't know what I needed and popped into one of these family owned concerns. They told me what I needed but they have none in stock. They will be in sometime next week.

I cam home and checked on the internet. I can save 10% which is £40.

The little MSE'er in me says get it online. The caring karma side of me says, no, this guy helped you and amazon (or whoever I use online didn't, and couldn't). With economic circumstances what they are, if he is suffering from a drop in trade, he may not be here next year if people all use online retailers.

What would you do?

lostinrates

Our local electrics man does servicing and repairs too. He's also up for a bit of bargaining. How about asking your local what the best they can do is? They are unlikely to match the price, but might come nearer or offer something that makes it feel good value?

Kez100

If he would fit it for free (rather than £20 which he charges but he did say I could fit it easily myself so I might want to save that fitting fee by doing it myself) that would help, I suppose. I probably can fit it but I am not the worlds best constuctor - I take too long reading the instruction manuals; I confuse myself.

We live less than half a mile from his shop and he has an assistant so does leave the shop on a regular basis.

For all my MSE hunting skills, I'm not good at haggling! I could say 'If I order one in advance, will you include fitting?' That's not too difficult to say, is it?

ukcarper

I cam home and checked on the internet. I can save 10% which is £40.

trouble is if you and everybody else does not little shops no advice

lostinrates

Kez100 wrote: »

If he would fit it for free (rather than £20 which he charges) that would help, I suppose.

We live less than half a mile from his shop and he has an assistant so does leave the shop on a regular basis.

For all my MSE hunting skills, I'm not good at haggling!

I'm not either, DH isn't bad. I tend to be very honest

''I would like to buy this from you, I really do want to support local business but I also need to consider that I'm not Soraya Kashogi and I have to be a bit careful...is there some way you can help me do want I want to do in buying it from you'.

It was easier a few years ago, a wink and a smile and much fluttering of eyelashes. ;)

Kez100

ukcarper wrote: »

I cam home and checked on the internet. I can save 10% which is £40.

trouble is if you and everybody else does not little shops no advice

Exactly.

To be fair to me he didn't have any. If he did I would have bought one then and there. I didn't go in in purpose to tap him for advice with the intention to buy elsewhere. I went in to ask for advice and buy and he couldn't supply. It was my natural MSEer that made me check tonight.

I have never particularly noticed him beause I have lived in the virtual world of working in the day in the middle of nowhere and online convenient delivered shopping. I have now woken up to the reality of small family business. However, there is still the MSEer in me which I need to negotiate with to enable me to buy from him at 10% more.

A_fiend_for_life

Costs in distance buying might be return to base(?), waiting in all day for a delivery, cost of components if you repair it yourself.

Who delivers the new machine - the retailer or a parcel company? Will they take the old machine back or will you have to pay for heavy uplift from your council?

Kez100

Don't have an old machine - this is a new item. Delivery is never a problem as it goes to my office and there is someone there all the time - that is why I have become such a online shopping freak. It's not big so replacement would be easier than if it were but I do get your point about repairs. However, online I do actually get two years guarantee as well, I had forgotton that.

Thrugelmir

Kez100 wrote: »

I'm a real devil of an MSE'er. Nothing to do with this site - I was born that way.

Now, I hate shopping. I live in a pretty rural area, very few shops, and so am delighted to buy from the internet as I can get the very cheapest supplier for whatever I want and it gets delivered.

Now, I also believe in karma, and in the present economic circumstances I have woken up to reality. There are some small indie shops on my doorstep and perhaps I ought to support them.

Now I need to make an electrical purchase. I didn't know what I needed and popped into one of these family owned concerns. They told me what I needed but they have none in stock. They will be in sometime next week.

I cam home and checked on the internet. I can save 10% which is £40.

The little MSE'er in me says get it online. The caring karma side of me says, no, this guy helped you and amazon (or whoever I use online didn't, and couldn't). With economic circumstances what they are, if he is suffering from a drop in trade, he may not be here next year if people all use online retailers.

What would you do?

Print the page that shows the selling price of the item online. Take it into the shop and bargain. You might be presently surprised by their reaction.

Most of all respect their position if they are unable to compete.

geoffky

get him to meet you half way..both happy = good deal

Martinslovechild

Kez100 wrote: »

I need to make an electrical purchase. The little MSE'er in me says get it online. The caring karma side of me says, no, this guy helped you and amazon (or whoever I use online didn't, and couldn't). With economic circumstances what they are, if he is suffering from a drop in trade, he may not be here next year if people all use online retailers.

What would you do?

Break into the guy's shop at 4am Sunday morning and steal the item???
Only kidding!! :beer:

I'm with geoffky - do a bargain with the fella and you might be pleasantly surprised.