Saving money is the key point but what happens when all these retailers close shop because of online shopping?? If online shopping is the only means , wouldn't they raise they're prices when they corner the market?
Retail Stores vs Online shopping.....what is your Opinion?
- Thread starter Chronic Cat
- Start date
Bnorth
Active VIP Member
It's easy to setup an online store for those with the prerogative. If existing retailers start to gouge someone else will come in and take their business away.
Frosty19
Active VIP Member
My $0.02
Like's been mentioned, I will shop local if I need it ASAP (if it's in stock locally is another issue that seems to come up more and more lately) or if it is a large item where shipping is not feasible. I also try to avoid online when it is clothing etc. that requires sizing. Every brand of something fits differently so I find I almost need to try it on to make a call.
Shopping online is great for the most part. Cost including shipping is usually substantially lower, shipping is quicker than local guys "ordering in" and I get it all delivered to my desk at work so I have no extra travel time to pick up. Biggest thing is make sure you read the full description of the item(s) to make sure its authentic or exactly what you want. Returns are a PITA online IMO.
Product mark up is ridiculous in Canada and with basically everyone here having instant access to the internet you'd be dumb to not at least take a look online for certain items, especially non-essential things.
Like's been mentioned, I will shop local if I need it ASAP (if it's in stock locally is another issue that seems to come up more and more lately) or if it is a large item where shipping is not feasible. I also try to avoid online when it is clothing etc. that requires sizing. Every brand of something fits differently so I find I almost need to try it on to make a call.
Shopping online is great for the most part. Cost including shipping is usually substantially lower, shipping is quicker than local guys "ordering in" and I get it all delivered to my desk at work so I have no extra travel time to pick up. Biggest thing is make sure you read the full description of the item(s) to make sure its authentic or exactly what you want. Returns are a PITA online IMO.
Product mark up is ridiculous in Canada and with basically everyone here having instant access to the internet you'd be dumb to not at least take a look online for certain items, especially non-essential things.
I support local when its possible.If price is inflated beyond reason then buying elsewhere is no problem for me but would probably mention price to local retailer to see if they want to try keep their customers happy by discounting .
LUCKY 7
Active VIP Member
when the local cat dealer closed the branch and went with e-commerce and gave the mines a bit of a discount they now hurry up and wait for their orders or they pay for the hotshots and that means their going their savings. or the mines stock more and that can add up too.
Rene G
Active VIP Member
Hmmm, I’d love to hear more about these..
neilsleder
Active VIP Member
I will pm you so I don’t derail this thread
Let's not forget that the local retailer is employing your neighbours, paying property taxes to ensure we can have clean drinking water, sports facilities, fire departments, policing, and roads to drive on. The employee can then afford housing, helping to pay taxes, and to increase the value of your own property over time by ensuring people want to live in your community and buy your house when you are done with it. If everyone shopped online there would only be us little old residents paying way higher taxes to ensure even basic services. Who wins then, us or the businesses in some of these countries using essentially slave labour and providing no benefits?
For these reasons alone I always try and shop local.
For these reasons alone I always try and shop local.
ABMax24
Active VIP Member
We try to shop local when its feasible, particularly for food, we always buy meat from the local butcher shop instead of the grocery stores.
But we also won't pay significantly more or wait long periods of time if I can get something online cheaper or quicker.
For example I built a computer for my brother for Christmas, I priced the parts locally and came out to $3500 and 4 weeks for delivery, I ended up buying it all online with a couple parts through Amazon and the rest from Memory Express and shipped to my door was a total of $2500, and I had all the parts in a week. I even talked to the local shop about this and they were well aware of this, they have shifted their focus to building turn key systems with full tech support for businesses as they cannot compete with online retailers and big box stores on most consumer grade computers.
But we also won't pay significantly more or wait long periods of time if I can get something online cheaper or quicker.
For example I built a computer for my brother for Christmas, I priced the parts locally and came out to $3500 and 4 weeks for delivery, I ended up buying it all online with a couple parts through Amazon and the rest from Memory Express and shipped to my door was a total of $2500, and I had all the parts in a week. I even talked to the local shop about this and they were well aware of this, they have shifted their focus to building turn key systems with full tech support for businesses as they cannot compete with online retailers and big box stores on most consumer grade computers.
Rjjtcross8
Active VIP Member
The nice thing about buying locally Is that you can physically see what you are buying. I have bought a few things online but I still prefer local buying.
zal
Active VIP Member
I prefer buying locally. Without support, they won't be there when you do need them. Service from them is usually better than the computer. Returns are a pain in the ass online.
I understand why it's more. Freight, wages (everyone deserves a pink house with white picket fence), insurance, land taxes, rent (if you can't afford to buy), utilities etc.
Buying local, you're supporting friends, families, your town. Just my opinion.
I understand why it's more. Freight, wages (everyone deserves a pink house with white picket fence), insurance, land taxes, rent (if you can't afford to buy), utilities etc.
Buying local, you're supporting friends, families, your town. Just my opinion.
pfi572
Active VIP Member
^^^^
Agree with above but has to be within reason.
Not going to pay double for same item .
Agree with above but has to be within reason.
Not going to pay double for same item .
^^^^
Agree with above but has to be within reason.
Not going to pay double for same item .
Depends on the over all savings. I'm not going to order some thing for 10$ if I can get it for 20$ right now.
If you are going to save a couple grand might be different, but then again I like to look at more expensive items before I buy them.
My 2 cents
pfi572
Active VIP Member
Exactly.
zal
Active VIP Member
^^^^
Agree with above but has to be within reason.
Not going to pay double for same item .
Ya, but now you're dealing with buying power. The less overhead a company has (all that was mentioned above), the more you can buy. Also, it depends and most likely these online companies are with some sort of buying group. More buying power, better savings, sell for less and still make the same as a brick and mortar shop would at their "double" price.
Going in the sled trailer to melt snow after the ride and defrost before if needed.
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