Should I support my partner's employer or buy the cheapest?

Mr_Toad

Leeward wrote: »

READ WHAT I SAID before jumping to conclusions...!
As the PRODUCT wont vary, the PRODUCT isn't an issue. All the other factors are!

Therefore its a matter of negotiation between retailer & purchaser to reach an amicable deal for both parties. The shop sets its minimum price, the purchaser sets their maximum price and they discuss other pro's & con's to settle on a deal they're hopefully both happy with.

The purchaser isn't interested in the retailers mark up, profit percentages, its rates bill, purchase price, volume discounts, overdraft interest rate, advertising costs, etc. The purchaser just wants the best deal at the best price, don't we? If the retailer can accommodate, great. If not, oh well, someone else will. That's competition for you.

Oh, I ran a successful multi million retail store for 15yrs so have some idea of the concept. Sales don't have to complicated. Buying stuff can be simple. If we want it to be...

I did read what you put.

You stated that the item shouldn't vary from shop to shop. The product doesn't vary but the price paid by the retailer does vary from shop to shop and that is down to bulk discounts given by the manufacturer.

Pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap.

pawsies

It would be far easier to return the product via your partner than to buy online and pay return costs

aileth

It'll be probably a lot more expensive overall if she lost her job, rather than saving a couple of quid here and there on items.

However, our local electrical store is actually a lot cheaper than big names!

Leeward

Voyager2002 wrote: »

The key is that they have a business model that is different from the major chains and on-line stores: they provide good, personal service. So it is up to every customer (including you) to decide, for each purchase, whether that level of service is needed or not, and to accept that service is not free. What is not acceptable is to go to a shop like this for advice, then use that advice to buy cheaply over the internet (and in the extreme, come back to the local experts for help using the product purchased cheaply elsewhere).

I agree entirely. My specialist shop sold items that could be bought cheaper on the internet and I was regularly expected to match the online price. I usually offered a better price but reminded the purchaser of the 'unseen' benefits they received from a local expert compared to a distant warehouse. This worked regularly but not always. In those cases, I reminded the customer that whilst they shouldn't have any problems with the item they bought online to save a few quid (on a £1000 caravan awning sale), if they couldn't work out how to erect it they would have to either try sorting their problem with the warehouse telephonist (who's very good with a phone & reading the company script but knows nothing about awnings) or pay my workshop rate for my expertise when needed.
That it was their choice, just as it should be...

Mr_Toad

Leeward wrote: »

I agree entirely. My specialist shop sold items that could be bought cheaper on the internet and I was regularly expected to match the online price. I usually offered a better price but reminded the purchaser of the 'unseen' benefits they received from a local expert compared to a distant warehouse. This worked regularly but not always. In those cases, I reminded the customer that whilst they shouldn't have any problems with the item they bought online to save a few quid (on a £1000 caravan awning sale), if they couldn't work out how to erect it they would have to either try sorting their problem with the warehouse telephonist (who's very good with a phone & reading the company script but knows nothing about awnings) or pay my workshop rate for my expertise when needed.
That it was their choice, just as it should be...

Now you're talking.

Completely different to white goods.

I would never buy something like an awning on-line, unless I'd had the same model before and knew what I was doing, or it was so cheap that even after paying a local expert to sort it out I still saved money.

Augustus_the_Strong

I'd say buy your electrical goods at this small shop, if you're sure they really do offer good service, and keep your partner happy. Save money on other types of shopping.

takman

I would never purchase from a small shop if I could get it cheaper online. Before I purchase anything I always research it online you can find a lot more information online than any 1 person could possibly know.
I think it's silly to go into a retailer and reply on their opinion on what the best product is to buy. Even if they were the most knowlegeable person in the world you can still only buy what they have in store which is limited compared to online.
If I buy online and their is a problem I can package it up and get a courier to pick it up and send it back. This is a lot easier than having to travel back to the store during opening hours which is usually when I'm at work .

supanova75

If the shop may be closing because nobody uses it, then what is the point of supporting it to keep it there - nobody uses it!! Your gf could get another job in the new store :j

If you and a small handful of other supporters are the only ones keeping it going, as opposed to actual customers, the shop is taking up valuable high street space, so you're actually not doing anyone (except maybe the store owner) any favours.

It's a fact that people want cheaper and convenient these days, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that!

cazpost

In our town we have a very good local electrical shop. I have bought several items from them. I always find out what I want by doing online research,then go in and ask if they can match the price.They are usually pretty close or throw in a freebie(ie extra hoover bags ) ,do free delivery/installation ,when it suits me, and are available for repairs and maintenance,again when it suits me . They are always friendly and helpful and if they can't supply it,will tell you where to get the best price/deal. This shop has been runing,under the same management for over 50 years, because they offer the best service.
Several years ago my cooker died and I went to a large,out of town retailer. They had a great price on the cooker I wanted BUT I had to wait 2 weeks,and pay an extra £80 or so for installation,removal of old one etc. I went in to the local shop, expecting it wouldn't be able to help and had the exact same brand deliveredand installed the following morning before I went to work for £10 more than the large store,but free delivery/installation.

It isn't always about the price !

mumturner

I work in a small independent card and gift shop which has been trading for 25 years this year. We cannot afford to compete with the likes of card factory , mr t and all the other cheapie card retailers. Instead we have gone the other route and stock the more expensive card companies that people will pay for on a special occasion . Also British made cards and gifts that you don't find in every other shop.
However we did have 3 other shops that have had to close due to high rents etc and the number of customers who told us they wished we weren't going. Maybe if they'd have shopped with us a bit more often , we wouldn't have had to close.
I can sympathise with both sides