I enjoy not purchasing from big, greedy corporations so yes, I do my best to buy local from small businesses every chance I get.
Do you shop locally and support your local small businesses?
- Thread starter coach_z
- Start date
Unfortunately, I don't find myself often able to support local businesses when it comes to the aquarium hobby. Beyond them not usually having anything even close to the livestock I want, or being way overpriced compared to places like Big Als or other internet retailers (who imo still count as small businesses), it's generally just much easier to shop on line and get it over with. That said however, I do make a point to shop locally with small businesses as often as possible, and being employed by a small business myself, do appreciate when people make the extra effort to do so.
I don't feel there is any intrinsic value in a store based on where it is headquartered. Whether that means a local business headquartered in a single shop, or a large big box corporation headquartered in an office building.
The things that make a local business valuable are different from what makes a large corporation valuable. Small local businesses get their products from the same sources as large corporations. Unless you mean "locally produced" which you didn't say. In this respect the value that large corporations offer is lower price for the same product, generally smaller businesses will offer better individual service on those products.
For some items there is no significant benefit to the service aspect, so price is the deciding factor (Toilet paper, video games for example). For some items, service is the deciding factor (scuba gear, fish gear, jewelry)
I didn't vote because none of the options take these matters into account. Rather they appear to set up a false dichotomy that Large business = unethical, small business = ethical.
The things that make a local business valuable are different from what makes a large corporation valuable. Small local businesses get their products from the same sources as large corporations. Unless you mean "locally produced" which you didn't say. In this respect the value that large corporations offer is lower price for the same product, generally smaller businesses will offer better individual service on those products.
For some items there is no significant benefit to the service aspect, so price is the deciding factor (Toilet paper, video games for example). For some items, service is the deciding factor (scuba gear, fish gear, jewelry)
I didn't vote because none of the options take these matters into account. Rather they appear to set up a false dichotomy that Large business = unethical, small business = ethical.
i would but i only a have a petsmart me. i have to drive 45 minutes to get to a real fish store, but it is the best one ive ever seen so its worth it 
I try to as often as I can, even if I spend a couple of dollars more. I feel that "charity begins at home" and that includes shopping locally. I also support the local school even though I don't have any children - I feel it helps the community.
