Keeping it local ???!!!....

There are some good local sources but I have found it has taken awhile to find them.

For most items, I am so far out that I have to order them from online. I have tried to pick them up at the local big boxes but they are so poorly run that the shelves are empty and then I end up wasting gas and time.

 

But those are big chains that already killed off the true locally owned shops.. Just like B&N killed all the corner bookshops.

In a way its poetic justice they are now getting killed off by online.

Its even worse in corporate America. The CEO of my company made 150x what an entry level engineer gets last year... probably 500x what somebody in the grounds crew makes. And my company is by far not the worst in this regard.

CEO pay limits anyone? Maybe a minimum wage hike so you could live on it?

Oh wait, that makes me a commie pinko trying to kill the American dream

Hold on, you are up there all the time and you dont know about RC Buyers Warehouse in Nashua?? The grandaddy hobby shop of all hobby shops? I used to make a pilgrimage up there a few times a year but now its pushing an hour and a half drive . I called them last week to price out fuel, they want 24.99 a gallon for Powermaster 15% now, and I can get it shipped to my door from tower for less even with the hazardous materials surcharge so its hard to justify the drive.

But every once in a while... that place is model builder heaven..

 

Around here that isn't true at all...... I personally know a lot of the people and their produce is grown locally. Same goes for the farmers selling meat. I can go to their farms and pick out what I want.

 

I haven't noticed this either... but then again most of our farmstand are small family operations.

We ahve a Turkey farm in town and they sell turkey pot pies and such.. the kitchen is right behind the counter and you can watch them being made so you know its legit.

 

I've noticed that our local hardware store has certain intems as cheap or cheaper than Home Depot.

 

As a younger consumer I was a custom to buying simply by price... The older I get the more I look for quality, and knowledgeable staff. Now that I've joined the family business as an majority owner I really try to buy locally, but we all must watch our own bottom line. For the most part I am able to buy better quality for the same price or less then the big box stores, especially when I figure in travel costs. I remember when I was a teen local prices where way over priced, but now it seams like everyone local is trying there hardest to keep there prices in line with the bug box stores, my business included... I work very hard to keep my prices lower then my competition and demand a higher quality end product.

In my case, as a post frame and steel frame contractor, my business has picked up drastically since we have made the move to purchase locally, both in business and personal. I've created a good working relationship with local business owners, and they purchase from me because of it. There customer see my buildings and also purchase from me. Now I'm not driving a new truck... yet... but like I was telling a long time customer of mine just yesterday, I went into business to make money, grow, and stay in business. I'm not looking to get rich on every job, but a little on each job adds up to making good money.
OK sorry for the overly long soap box post.. I totally understand the OP's stance and can agree with him... but wanted to share my belief and experience.

~Nathan

 

Here is a great example of why I try to buy local. When we bought carpet in looked at name brand carpet at Lowes just so I would know what the prices were and then I went to our local carpet and flooring store and chatted with them I ended up getting better carpet for the same price as they had in stock extra rolls priced really well.

Now fast forward 2 years I starred having an issue with the carpet and this isnt cheap carpet it was about as high end as you cod get from a well know brand. I called the local carpet store and they sent an employee out the same day who walked in the house and said yes you are right it shouldn't be doing that stop by the store and pick new carpet out whenever you have a chance and we will be out to out it in. They did all if this at no cost to me and not one single piece of paper work or hassle. Try to get that service at Lowes.

They also said many many times they can beat Lowes prices but people have a Stigma that local will always be more expensive and don't even give them a chance.

 

When I refinanced my mortgage I went with the local bank who's headquarters are three miles down the road. Figured I'd keep my money local, do what's good for the local economy, plus the president of the bank lives a few houses down the road. I wanted to cut my interest rate and get away from the national conglomerate bank at the same time.

I went through with the refi, and they sold the mortgage before I made my first payment. The company they sold it to sold it after I made my first payment. Guess where I ended up? Another national bank. And I paid about $600 more than had I just done the refi with the national bank who had my mortgage to begin with. Lesson learned. Guess I should have asked if they planned to service the loan long term.

I do like my local hardware store. Great people, prices are a bit higher but I still save money in fuel not driving 20 miles round trip to the box store.

 

The local hardware store around here has a HD and TSC less than a mile away to compete with. They manage because they have a knowledgeable staff and specialty stuff that the others don't stock. Might pay a little more but you have it when you need it.

The local flooring place beat the lumber liquidators price on our hardwood choice and has stood behind there work too.

 

Most of our jobs are state and federally funded water plants and sewage treatment plants. And most require that the steel be made in the USA. It's actually getting to the point where getting pipe fittings made in the US is harder to find and special order. Some take months to get.

I refuse to buy lumber at Lowes. That place just aggravates me!

 

jharkin
not a rc guy ( but do watch them at a field in billerica sometimes ) i do still buy a train car now and then even though i have no where to set them up.

i grewup living in hobby shops all the local ones are gone .

there is a great hardware store in arlington ( next town away ) and there are 2 good lumber yards also , in my work i use mostly hardwoods and i buy those mostly in nh

i do miss smaller stores and service

 

I'm lucky in that I have an equipment storage yard in one of the cities and I go by the HD to get there. Only problem is its hard to stop in and break up the day when its bawlztothewall busy season. Saddle time is billed at $130/man-equipment hr and March till Dec its 7 days a week. When we get busy I order online at night after the work is done. Price and 24 hr convenience shopping is a plus for me. The local hardware is closed at 5.

 

It is a mixed bag. I'm betting the mom and pop places suffered when everybody started driving cars. Now you can get fresh food out of your season because of improved access. That is what is driving this. Access and choice. We have multiple little towns all about 6 miles from each other. Many with unique shops and services not on line. Like the butcher shop and bakery. Many local credit unions that do a lot better than the banks that are all now just branches of big name banks. Still many local auto repair shops. Several farmer's markets. Hardware stores large and small. There is a new one locally owned being built just three miles from me. Proving they can still compete. Choose the right location, offer the right product or service. Maybe you can't continue with that bookstore, but maybe you can with a doughnut shop.