Shop local!

sullivlo

I had two lovely experiences yesterday and I want to share them to promote the importance of shopping local.

- I asked the man in my local bike shop to order something for me. Yes it is cheaper to buy online but I like to give him business when I can. I went yesterday to collect it and he handed it to me. I went to give him my card and he waved it away and said he had a spare one at home and that I could have it.

- I then went to a new coffee shop that had opened nearby that is dog friendly. I brought the dog, went in and ordered a coffee. Handed in my card to pay (it was before the coffee had been made) and he said that he doesn't take cards. I said I'd pop back later but he said not to worry that I could drop money in some other time and to take a seat.

Two local shop experiences. No cash spent - even though I did try - but I left with a warm feeling inside and a drive to continue to shop local.

Obviously I dropped in the cash for the coffee, and I regularly spend money in the bike shop, but it still gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

Bobblehats

Tried my local ‘indian’ last night?

Never again...

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

That's the difference I find when using local shops, besides them getting to know you, they go further with their customer service and welcome. Of course they often have to, due to the competitive edge larger online stores have and local shops need to find their USP. Local stores that are unwelcoming or inflexible all too quickly go to the wall.

freshpopcorn

i find shopping local is a mixed bag to be honest.

Sometimes it's lovely great and relaxed.

Other times when the business is the only one there they can threat you like crap.

sullivlo

freshpopcorn wrote: »

i find shopping local is a mixed bag to be honest.

Sometimes it's lovely great and relaxed.

Other times when the business is the only one there they can threat you like crap.

Oh yeah, I know that there's a mixed bag. I have, obviously, also had negative experiences with local stores, but I will always give them a chance where possible.

anewme

I spotted two antique style lamps in a local shop I thought might suit my hall but might be too big. Owner knows me to see from going in and out.

She told me to bring them home, try them for a few days and let her know. I said I'd pay by card and she could refund me if they didn't work and I'd take them back. She wasn't having any of it and said just leave my phone number. The transaction was 400 euro.

The lamps are now sitting proudly in the hall, paid for.

sullivlo

sullivlo wrote: »

I had two lovely experiences yesterday and I want to share them to promote the importance of shopping local.

- I asked the man in my local bike shop to order something for me. Yes it is cheaper to buy online but I like to give him business when I can. I went yesterday to collect it and he handed it to me. I went to give him my card and he waved it away and said he had a spare one at home and that I could have it.

- I then went to a new coffee shop that had opened nearby that is dog friendly. I brought the dog, went in and ordered a coffee. Handed in my card to pay (it was before the coffee had been made) and he said that he doesn't take cards. I said I'd pop back later but he said not to worry that I could drop money in some other time and to take a seat.

Two local shop experiences. No cash spent - even though I did try - but I left with a warm feeling inside and a drive to continue to shop local.

Obviously I dropped in the cash for the coffee, and I regularly spend money in the bike shop, but it still gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

If they were all like that we would.

Bobblehats

What is it they try and sell us “more for less”? I’m in the strange situation where I end up paying more for less than the more upmarket; adjoining postcodes. However that works out..

Your Face

5 Euro for a pack of chocolate digestives - the local shop can get fooked.

One eyed Jack

sullivlo wrote: »

I had two lovely experiences yesterday and I want to share them to promote the importance of shopping local.

- I asked the man in my local bike shop to order something for me. Yes it is cheaper to buy online but I like to give him business when I can.

I think that’s an important takeaway for any business really - repeat custom is the most sustainable business model. If customers have a good experience, they’re more likely to remain loyal in spite of being able to get a cheaper service or the same product elsewhere.

As a consumer though, it’s important to know when to buy local, and when to shop around. Sometimes the value of customer loyalty is not always recognised by local business owners.

sullivlo

Your Face wrote: »

5 Euro for a pack of chocolate digestives - the local shop can get fooked.

Well that's one thing not to buy there so. I'm not saying that everything should be bought local, I'm just suggesting that we try to shop local where the overall cost isn't going to be more expensive.

Local cafes are an example. Probably similar prices to the main chains, but the quality of the food/coffee is, imo, much nicer.

It's cheaper to buy a tray of cans in the supermarket than to buy a feed of pints in the local, yet people go to the local because it adds to the sense of community, and you can order another drink with the nod of a head.

sullivlo

sullivlo wrote: »

Well that's one thing not to buy there so. I'm not saying that everything should be bought local, I'm just suggesting that we try to shop local where the overall cost isn't going to be more expensive.

Local cafes are an example. Probably similar prices to the main chains, but the quality of the food/coffee is, imo, much nicer.

It's cheaper to buy a tray of cans in the supermarket than to buy a feed of pints in the local, yet people go to the local because it adds to the sense of community, and you can order another drink with the nod of a head.

The coffee might be better but the facilities never match up.

I’d always be wary of falling into the “big shop = bad, small local shop = automatically sound owner” trap too.

sullivlo

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

The coffee might be better but the facilities never match up.

I’d always be wary of falling into the “big shop = bad, small local shop = automatically sound owner” trap too.

Nobody is forcing you to shop local. All I’m saying is that I had a very positive experience and I think that we should give local shops a chance if it suits.

And as for the facilities not matching up... in the nearest place to my house there’s a little shopping centre with a few local shops and a butchers etc. There are two coffee shops - one chain one and one owned by a local. The local one is far superior - cleaner toilets, decent WiFi, comfortable couches and homemade food. Not to mention - cheaper than the chain and better opening hours, oh and an area where kids can play if they want.

There’s never a contest anymore if I’m in the village and fancy a coffee.

LirW

My local places are a mixed bag really. The butcher just doesn't get my business because he's a creep and tries getting a bit too personal with the female customers.
The pubs are underwhelming but the local coffee shop is absolutely amazing. The hardware store staff is sound too.
We have the owner of a well known furniture store business living in the village and he's a great lad too.
I get my fruit and veg delivered from the farm up in the mountains, a crusty operation but a pleasure to deal with.

I don't shop local for the sake of it, if I'm not happy with what I'm getting or how I'm treated, I'll take my business elsewhere.

sullivlo

sullivlo wrote: »

Nobody is forcing you to shop local. All I’m saying is that I had a very positive experience and I think that we should give local shops a chance if it suits.

And as for the facilities not matching up... in the nearest place to my house there’s a little shopping centre with a few local shops and a butchers etc. There are two coffee shops - one chain one and one owned by a local. The local one is far superior - cleaner toilets, decent WiFi, comfortable couches and homemade food. Not to mention - cheaper than the chain and better opening hours, oh and an area where kids can play if they want.

There’s never a contest anymore if I’m in the village and fancy a coffee.

Don’t get me wrong, I use things like a proper butchers (hard to find), etc these days. Proper farm shop for fruit and veg can’t be beaten either.
The problem a lot of the time is parking though for a lot of shops. Like as much nicer as a coffee is in a small local cafe, the big car park at the circle k just out weighs it every time.

Snails pace

Shop locally here too where possible and the butchers source local livestock and then the farmers market has all local veg. I bought my car locally last year. Could have bought it for €400 cheaper up north. Had the car about 4 months and i had to change the tyres. Local dealer put 4 new Kuhmo tyres on it for €100. Since then a relation and 2 of my friends bought cars off them.

anewme

I always shop local and personal if I can.

I really disagree with people using local services for expert advice and then shopping online to buy based on those recommendations.

Your Face

sullivlo wrote: »

Well that's one thing not to buy there so. I'm not saying that everything should be bought local, I'm just suggesting that we try to shop local where the overall cost isn't going to be more expensive.

That's what most people do anyway.

Jaysus its like people just suddenly realise how the world works and then feel the need to preach about their newly found knowledge to everyone.

Guy:Incognito

I buy all my cups of coffee online, yeah, its cold when it arrives ,but it's cheaper.

freshpopcorn

I generally like to buy most things in shops. Sometimes they are local and others they are chains.
I think at Christmas all I bought online were books.

Irish Guitarist

There was a good second hand record shop here about five years ago. I used to spend a fortune there. I was spending far too much so I said I'd better stop going in. The owner saw me walking past the shop one day and told me I should come in. I told him I was a bit broke and said to just come in for a visit if I was around the town later and that I could pick out a couple of records for free. I went back later that day and picked up a couple of cheap records. He told me to get something better. I ended up getting about €40 worth of records free of charge. Unfortunately the shop has since closed down.

ReginaldSmythV

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Don’t get me wrong, I use things like a proper butchers (hard to find), etc these days. Proper farm shop for fruit and veg can’t be beaten either.
The problem a lot of the time is parking though for a lot of shops. Like as much nicer as a coffee is in a small local cafe, the big car park at the circle k just out weighs it every time.

A bigger problem, I find, is they only open the usual hours. Even opening until 6 is no good for people trying to make it to the butchers after work. The tesco up the road is 24/7, though, so when you're stuck that's where you have to go.

MrMusician18

It's all well and good saying you'll give service to the local guy but at what price. I was doing a little DIY job and looking for some specialist machine bolts. The local guy was looking for €3 each, when I could get them online for 20c. I was in no hurry but if I was stuck for them I'd have been left with no choice.

Another particularly annoying example if during busy season on the farm, when something breaks the only place you'll get the part it the local dealer who will absolutely rob you with his prices - look online and the part will be 1/3 the price - but it's no good since you need it there and then before the weather breaks. As a result of his strategy he's the last resort and never a choice for parts when there's time for getting it elsewhere.

What I'm trying to say is that some local traders absolutely take the piss with their premium for having it there and then - meaning I don't feel bad for passing them when I can, even if they offer a good service.

And yes I know that may mean that one day they won't be there with the part that gets me out of a pinch.

branie2

Does Dunnes count?