Do you shop locally and support your local small businesses?

[coach_z]

I am really curious what the general consensus is on our board about shopping locally for anything (non-fish related products) from day-to-day goods to electronics/appliances/books/food etc.

Do you buy locally from your local small business owners? do you feel that there is an intrinsic value for paying more for a product that is bought in your local neighborhood?

or

Is cost saving only important to you by purchasing from big box stores, online, or through other various corporate chains. You dont prefer to support your local businesses.

I feel that people have lost sight of the benefits of buying locally. Local businesses support the surrounding areas in many ways beyond providing goods and service(s). If local businesses have the financial means (because they are supported by their community) they donate back to their community to local schools and charities, run local food drives.

So, how do you like to shop?

 

[lindsey crashed]

while sometimes its necessary for us to shop somewhere like sam's club or something for our grocery needs, we still help local business in many other ways. lots to do and buy here... austin is pretty big on shopping local and we definitely support it.

keep austin weird!

 

[msjinkzd]

I support as many small businesses as possible. They donate to our community events and support our local children's organizations.

 

[Eupterus]

I do both. Sometimes I'll buy locally, other times I'll mail order to save money. And sometimes it's a conflict. Being lower middle class means I have to make the most of the money and can't always go with my morals.
I hope when I'm wealthier I can buy locally more and buy more organic foods.

 

[Somervell]

Coach Z, do you think maybe the way you framed the question might make people less inclined to give an honest answer? The way it is worded makes it look like the respondent is a selfish so-and-so if the choice isn't "everyday."

There are people who might prefer to shop at mom and pop stores, but are not necessarily in a position to overlook price for a cause.

 

[coach_z]

Coach Z, do you think maybe the way you framed the question might make people less inclined to give an honest answer? The way it is worded makes it look like the respondent is a selfish so-and-so if the choice isn't "everyday."

There are people who might prefer to shop at mom and pop stores, but are not necessarily in a position to overlook price for a cause.

i think you are perfectly correct, thanks for the input...i didnt proofread and might have caught that if i did. unfortunately the poll cannot be easily edited....unless a mod does it for me

 

[I Ate A Cake]

I almost always support my local businesses when it comes to reefing. However, I have bought things from online and other people online, but only twice or three times.

For freshwater, I always buy locally.

 

[blue2fyre]

See we have a set budget for every month. If I can buy the exact same thing at two different places, but one is cheaper then I'm going to go with the cheaper one. But if one is better than the other than I will buy the better.
I know you said non fish related but I'll give a fishy example. We have 2 "box" pet stores around here that carry about the same thing but their fish are meh. I have found with good diet and clean water these fish can still turn out really nice.
Now we also have a small fish store that carries more expensive fish, BUT their fish are more colorful and generally healthier. They also can get in much more exotic stock.

So really it depends on what I'm looking for as to which store I go to.

 

[Lycanthropic]

Sometimes. There arent alot of small stores in our town, they all keep shutting down. and why would I go to a store for something I dont need lol

 

[Riiz]

The only times I will not buy it locally, is of course it is not available or getting a store to order for you, is a pain. And second if the item either so over-priced, for example my favorite LFS has really good deals and quality fish, but their equipment can sometimes be double an online price or even petsmart.