I'd like to support local businesses, but...

Bruenor · #1 10/19/08, 08:35 PM

Ok, here's the situation. I'm looking at getting some bags of dirt for a couple of raised garden beds I'm building. I can go two minutes down the road and pay $2.49 for a 40 pound bag from a local business, or drive 10 minutes down the road to a Menards and get the same thing for $0.99.

I usually like to buy from local businesses, but with those prices, what else can I do? Has anyone else run into this type of situation?

**clovis** · #2 10/19/08, 09:31 PM

I did the same thing a few years back.

I thought I could skimp and save with the Walmart brand 'soil', which turned out to be clay or better yet, trash.

Buy the brand name stuff. You get what you pay for.

Clove

sgl42 · #3 10/19/08, 10:38 PM

all soil t'ain't the same. i'd ask the local store to explain how their soil is different/better. also, you might ask about getting a better price too.

--sgl

MorrisonCorner · #4 10/20/08, 03:37 AM

I'll back that up.. I bought "soil" from Home Depot.. some 12 bags of it because it was "such a deal." It was also primarily ground up and not composted pine, mixed with clay, and smelled foul. I dumped it well away from the garden.

steff bugielski · #5 10/20/08, 05:01 AM

My theory is; if I can afford it I go with the little guy. All things being the same.

unregistered29228 · #6 10/20/08, 05:11 AM

We also bought some "cedar" mulch from Lowe's once because it was half the price of the mulch from a local nursery. Turns out it is made of ground up shipping pallets, and just tinted red. It carried a mold spore which shot little black dots all over the siding on our house. It cost more to get the problem fixed (power wash house, replace mulch) than to just do it right the first time....

Callieslamb · #7 10/20/08, 08:28 AM

I think perhaps when we say, "support local businesses" we need to add - that give quality service/goods. There are locals that are crooks too. Support the businesses that you feel worthy of your support. Often they will save you on one item while costing a bit more on another.

Mrs. Homesteader · #8 10/20/08, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steff bugielski

My theory is; if I can afford it I go with the little guy. All things being the same.

This is pretty much what we do too. So many times we are thankful for that local Mom & Pop store, but then by pass them except in emergencies. They go under and then we realize what we lost.

michiganfarmer · #9 10/20/08, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruenor

Ok, here's the situation. I'm looking at getting some bags of dirt for a couple of raised garden beds I'm building. I can go two minutes down the road and pay $2.49 for a 40 pound bag from a local business, or drive 10 minutes down the road to a Menards and get the same thing for $0.99.

I usually like to buy from local businesses, but with those prices, what else can I do? Has anyone else run into this type of situation?

all the time. I pay the higher price

Murron · #10 10/20/08, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruenor

I usually like to buy from local businesses, but with those prices, what else can I do? Has anyone else run into this type of situation?

Yep. Being frugal and supporting local can be challenging, for sure. So, we've adapted....

Just a "for example" - Take bacon. Wallyworld bacon sure is cheap, and DH could eat it often. But I'd rather spend the extra $ buying locally raised/processed pork, and be content with DH eating it once a month.

Shepherd · #11 10/20/08, 11:28 AM

I support the local businesses as much as I can afford to. But I'm not beyond talking to the manager or store owner and saying "Look, I can drive an extra 5 miles and save $xx by going to such-and-such... can you give me a better price than this?"

What's the worst that can happen? They'll say no? So... at least I tried. Many times I'm pleased to find they'll drop the price!

#12 10/20/08, 11:33 AM

I'd buy one bag of each then open and examine. You'll soon know what to do.

.....Alan.

marvella · #13 10/20/08, 11:39 AM

the big box store makes money by selling in quantity. the local guy stays in business by selling quality.

you get what you pay for.

Quint · #14 10/21/08, 01:01 AM

I try to buy local. I really do. However, I won't subsidize substandard products and I won't subsidize poor service. If you're selling junk at a high price just because you're local and people don't want to drive over 100 miles round trip to a big box or large retailer then you won't get a cent from me. If you're selling a product that is the same, or better quality at a reasonable price and providing decent customer service then I'll buy from you.

It's the same attitude I have in regards to American car companies and the like. Produce a product that is the quality of your competition that is priced competitively then I'll be happy to buy your product. I won't subsidize crap out of some sense of misguided patriotism. That does you a disservice in the end. If people put up with miserable quality and engineering just out of misplaced patriotism and because someone waved a flag in front of them then the industry is doomed. They'll keep producing crap until they go broke.

PAcountry · #15 10/21/08, 01:42 AM

try to remember that when you shop at a big box store you are shopping at a local business.

They employ your neighbors

MaineFarmMom · #16 10/21/08, 05:33 AM

Then we need to say "locally owned business." Big box isn't a mom 'n pop, locally owned store. It's assumed that a local business, regardless of ownership, employs your neighbors.

I shop locally when it makes sense because I want people to shop here. If the money I spend stays in the community rather than being deposited into a corporate account my community benefits. I'd much rather keep it here. There are times that I can't do that because I can't justify the expense difference. I have to find a balance between local and my own check book balance.