The "Local store" moral dilema...

[Dagoob]

Couldn't quite decide which forum to put this in, but I'm certainly a newbie when it comes to buying things so, I figure it'll be ok here

I always feel I want to support my local stores, of course buying online has many advantages... So I'm going round in circles about how I feel on this--so this post will probably burble around in circles too. Sorry.

Basically, I'm in the market for monitors. The guy at the local store was helpful and took time to move things around etc. when I went to audition. I've not totally made my mind up about what I did listen to, and:

* The monitor selection at the local store moves slowly, you can tell because it's old versions of monitors etc. He'd prefer me to buy open box. I don't want to do that.

* Because I'm not totally convinced, I think I want to end up with a couple at home to compare and return one. So if I get them from the store they special order new boxed for me, and end up being stuck with what I return. Doesn't sound like it's helping the store.

* Online return policy is better (longer). Sure I'd have to pay shipping back unless it was faulty, but the store's 10 day policy might have a restock fee.

* He said he would price match, so that's ok--but then I'll pay tax on top. Price of "supporting the locals" I guess.

Basically I'm really leaning towards online for this purchase. It seems to make more sense. But at the same time I feel like I've already wasted the guys time if I do that, and it would be nice to be able to listen to what he does have one more time which would be REALLY wasting his time if I buy online. Not exactly starting off on the right foot when it comes to fostering a good relationship with the local store.

It feels like I'd like to explain how I feel to him, but then he must sort of know it already, and I feel that expressing it could sound rude?

To top if off I'm in the market for a job right now, and given the lack of suitable opportunities in the area for me, this local store has my resume (though they don't appear to be looking for anyone at the moment).

What would you do?

DG

 

[scrubs]

Well, dude, I feel your pain. But, the local guy is a businessman and he knows the realities of market economics as well as anyone. Be up front with him. Tell him you want to buy from him to support his business, but his return policy doesn't fit your needs. Explain that online stores are much more flexible in this regard. If you are committed to definitely buying a set of monitors from him, make that clear and suggest that he let you take a couple of pairs home and try them out for a few weeks (i.e. - match the return policy of the online retailer). It's a guaranteed sale for him, even if one pair comes back. I would suspect his markup is such that selling the monitors as opened would not be a significant loss. Even so, that is just part of doing business.

 

[boingoman]

Yeah, it's tough road, especially if you have any conscience, at all.

I kinda go both ways, supporting when I can, and being realistic when I have to.

More and more, MI is becoming like any other big retail business. Economy of scale helps prices, but small guys get squeezed.

I usually go by how much support I can get, and how fast. I make a living doing sound, so I need the best support possible. If my local guy is gonna charge more for something, I want to know I'm going to get something for my money. I usually buy mics local, for instance, as my local guys stock them, and I can drop by and pick up replacements if I have a problem.

Special orders, though, pretty much go by price, as my local guy can't do any better on service, and has no stock to draw on if I have a problem.

What is special order for my local guy might be a stock item for an online store.

 

[distortedrumble]

when i bought my first set of monitors, i went back and forth all over this site and reviews on websites and opinions by the local shop here. in the end, i was so worried about monitors being damaged in the shipping process that i bought them from the local store. the online and store price were both $299.99. free shipping online but wait three days to get them. or pay the tax at the store and take it home that day.

 

[Rokket]

when i bought my first set of monitors, i went back and forth all over this site and reviews on websites and opinions by the local shop here. in the end, i was so worried about monitors being damaged in the shipping process that i bought them from the local store. the online and store price were both $299.99. free shipping online but wait three days to get them. or pay the tax at the store and take it home that day.

i think Distorted hit on the key point: Do you want instant gratification or do you want to save a few bucks.


It is a tough choice, but I don't think it's a moral dilema....

 

[Dagoob]

Um, there is no instant gratification to purchasing from a local store when they have to order what you're purchasing, because you want it new and boxed. The moral dilemma appears because the local store can help decide what you (or in this case I), want to purchase, but then you can abuse that time, effort, and help and purchase elsewhere.

For me they've only helped to narrow it down. I might be second guessing them, but I feel I'm going to be more of a hassle as a customer if I order two new boxed pairs (one of which they may not even be able to obtain through their normal distributors anyway), at matched-to-online prices, with the clear intent of returning a pair (possibly, but doubtfully both pairs).

Online that's not a big deal--but to a store which clearly moves through their monitor stock slowly I'd be lumping them with yet another open box item they aren't selling.

At least, that's how I feel right now, tomorrow I might have gone around the loop again

DG

 

[distortedrumble]

.....ok heres another spot of instant gratification. if you order it from the store, it'll be there before 5, sometimes you can pick it up at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. UPS doesnt stop by my place until after 4 pm and sometimes as late as 7 pm. as for the moral delima part, personally i feel that if the store has to order it then they are no better than the online site. at that point your dollar is fair game.

 

[mixsit]

There's no saying the kit you get from the on line store hasn't been opened, tried out, returned (and abused?) either. I don't expect them to eat all my returns.
Picking monitors seems to be one of the toughest purchases too.
Wayne

 

[MikeOscar]

Here's how I look at it. I buy locally if the shop is willing to work with me. If they are generally helpful and friendly and accomodating and knowledgable, I don't mind paying 10%-20% or so more depending on the item. Even if they have to order it, as long as they're prompt and take care of shipping hastles like unpacking, repacking, returns, etc, I don't mind paying b/c it saves my time and energy for more important things.

In fact, a really good shop can keep you from following a really bad route. I've had local shops (unrelated to recording or electronics) say, "I can order 'X' for you, but its really not worth bothering with because of 'Y' and 'Z'. Why don't you try 'Q' or 'P'?" I try 'P' let's say, and find that its a much better product and 'X' was a real stinker.

In online or magazine reviews you can't always tell about a product, but if you have someone who is truly knowledgable that you can trust, it can save you a lot of time and effort in the long run. But if its between buying from a 'Mega-Mart' (where they hardly even notice whose in the store) or online, the real question is just price and convience.