buyers/sellers-market

[gmeyerga]

Here's the dilemma:
Should one trade with the convenient local store and its prices, or should one go for the lowest internet price?
Case in point for a chartplotter:
Local store: $ 500
Favorite web store with knowlegeable customer service: $420.
Lowest webprice (including s&h): ＄ 375.
Where is the threshhold?
Price matching is not the answer! The local store will gouge me for
$500 but match $375 if I'm not a sucker? I will shortcircuit that
loop! But what when the price difference is more moderate? Where
does one draw the line?
(I, for one, have gone for the lowest price lately because the local store is poorly stocked and the knowlegeable service is hit or miss.
But I miss being able to be a trusting customer at the local store.)

 

[rb437]

Here's the dilemma:
Should one trade with the convenient local store and its prices, or should one go for the lowest internet price?
Case in point for a chartplotter:
Local store: $ 500
Favorite web store with knowlegeable customer service: $420.
Lowest webprice (including s&h): ＄ 375.
Where is the threshhold?
Price matching is not the answer! The local store will gouge me for
$500 but match $375 if I'm not a sucker? I will shortcircuit that
loop! But what when the price difference is more moderate? Where
does one draw the line?
(I, for one, have gone for the lowest price lately because the local store is poorly stocked and the knowledgeable service is hit or miss.
But I miss being able to be a trusting customer at the local store.)

I think it depends on what kind of service you may need after the sale and are you supporting a local business or a national chain? In my case, I bought a new 6hp Tohatsu from the local dealer this year. I found the best price I could on line and then went to the local dealer and asked if he could match it. He did. I had to pay sales tax because I bought locally, but I figure it's worth that small difference because I want that local dealer to be there if I need him. A month later I bought a solar charger online for $49.00 that I could have paid $79.00 for the same exact charger at West Marine. If I have trouble with the the charger, I'll most likely have to send it back to the manufacturer or just buy a new one anyway, so service after the sale was not so much of a consideration. I've spent enough money at West Marine over the years, so I don't feel bad about spreading my business around. The bottom line is this: I work hard for my money and I will spend it in a way that I get the most I can for it. I will always give the local business a chance before going elsewhere. My experience is that if you ask the local business to be competitive on pricing they will try.

 

[Steve Dion]

If they are going to match the $375 price then you may want to consider if you and 400-500 others decide to purchase from the "Lowest price website", they may not be there in the next couple of years. If the store is NOT profitable (and they will still make money at $375) the store will close and you will then need to drive a considerable distance to overpay for those nuts and bolts (screwing you for those screws)!

I agree that this is B.S. that they are charging that much more, but this is life. One of these days they will see the light and get their prices more in line. They really don't need to be the least expensive, but they could be competitive.

 

[Deleted member 78819]

I support the ship's store at the local marina when ever I can without feeling like a total idiot. I know the local owner is trying to support a family and keep a marina maintained. He needs all the extra money he can get. He tries to compete with the online sources and will discount his prices as much as he can to compete. If he is in the ball park I'll go with him. I don't want his business to fail. I want to see local suppliers survive. If they fail, pretty soon the web based suppliers will have us by the nuts and local service will be a thing of the past.

 

[Ross]

Just recently I bought a new pressure canner on line from Goodman's in Florida. I could have purchased the same canner from my local hardware store for 28 dollars plus tax more. Do I have a problem with the prices at the local store? No! They have been in business for more than fifty years and they know what they must charge to stay in business. They fill a very real need and I buy there often for small stuff for a job. But for large purchases I shop for price if local service is not a concern.

 

[RichH]

I support the ship's store at the local marina when ever I can without feeling like a total idiot. I know the local owner is trying to support a family and keep a marina maintained. He needs all the extra money he can get. He tries to compete with the online sources and will discount his prices as much as he can to compete. If he is in the ball park I'll go with him. I don't want his business to fail. I want to see local suppliers survive. If they fail, pretty soon the web based suppliers will have us by the nuts and local service will be a thing of the past.

Damn good post, Steve
;-)

 

[yacht cranes]

Very nice and informative post.. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[tommays]

On Long Island i have all kinds of marine stores everyplace and not one really has what i would call one stop shoping

So i get most of my stuff by UPS

My favorite store has very littel in stock BUT orders in as i need at very fair price with the PITA being i need to drive down and do a face to face list and then pick up a few days later

 

[Tim C350 April IV]

Didn't (don't) people have the same dilema with respect to shopping at the small town, locally owned, long time retailer vs. that new big-box store "out by the interstate"? The long time argument has been that the Walmarts of the world will end up driving all the local merchants out of business. In many cases, I believe that's true.

In all fairness, do you go to the local merchant, check out the merchandise, touch it, ask questions, do your comparison shopping, maybe even open the package, then go home and buy what you want online? In a lot of respects, you're using that local merchant's services without compensating them for it. I'm not suggesting that we should spend stupid amounts for products just to patronize local, I'm saying that we should be honest with ourselves and pay a "fair value" for the service provided - if that service is having a place to touch and feel the product, to ask questions, to get it Saturday afternoon at 5:45pm when you need it Sunday morning to go fishing, etc.

Good Luck!
Tim Brogan
April IV C350 #68
Seattle

 

[Winkfish]

Very good point, Tim. I use local merchants when I can, to a point. Yes, they've got a living to make and families to support, but so do I. Plus, I'm married to a Scots woman.

 

[PKFK]

Good price matching in Ottawa....

Our local chandlrey has a store policy (in big letters on the window, as well as on their web pages) that they will match any Canadian price.....and they do.

I therefore try to buy most of my stuff locally.

The exceptions are stuff that they don't stock - then I mail order it at lowest cost and save myself a trip to the store, and also there is some stuff that seems to be outrageously priced in Canada - and then I order it from the states (the SBO store is my first place to check online - 'cause they provide this site !)

Paul