Those rotten bastards

I am getting onto a soapbox a little here, but supporting businesses in your local community is much like all of us promoting those businesses that support keeping our sport and hobby alive through land use. Those jobs that are provided by those local busnesses provide wages for our neighbors, friends and families and they also provide a tax base that keeps our fire departments going and streets paved. If that is lost, who is giong to make up the difference? There is a big push going on in our local community of "Got Local, Buy Local".
 
Absolutely, Paul. I am a big fan of Amazon's book services-- but I don't really buy anything NEW-- so their access to small shops nationwide, who DO get paid, is an excellent fit for everyone involved. But this is not that, and I think it sucks. :D
 
Local business doesn't get my business just because they're local. All things being equal, I, like all consumers will go where it's cheapest.
If I find an ARB fridge cheaper on Amazon will I buy it there rather that from Cruiser Outfitters? No, because there's an increased service level with Kurt, a level Amazon isn't matching.
If Kurt knew nothing about the fridge, didn't stock it and I had to wait to pay retail plus shipping, am I an idiot? I'm buying from Amazon.
 
JL Rockies said:
Local business doesn't get my business just because they're local. All things being equal, I, like all consumers will go where it's cheapest.
If I find an ARB fridge cheaper on Amazon will I buy it there rather that from Cruiser Outfitters? No, because there's an increased service level with Kurt, a level Amazon isn't matching.
If Kurt knew nothing about the fridge, didn't stock it and I had to wait to pay retail plus shipping, am I an idiot? I'm buying from Amazon.
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Thank you and I agree. I'm the same way, I'll spend 50% more on a book if it comes from a local book dealer that has a vested interest in keeping great books around, I spend more on metal detecting and prospecting gear to keep our local mom/pop shops in town and supporting the hobby. I buy my communication gear from the local ham shack if nothing else so I can ask him questions when I need an answer. If I'm buying a part for my computer, best internet price wins. Thanks for your support!
 
with many items it's not just the thing you're buying, it's that relationship the local place CAN have (but doesn't always) with their customers. CruiserOutfitters is good convenient example. You're not going to get just a product, you'll get some good knowledge, maybe talk about what you're doing with the vehicle, where you're going and hey! let's talk about the Swell and whatever mysterious location within. :D

Amazon can not commodify that.
 
Only thing I have ever purchased from Amazon was a set of front bump stops for my Jeep, it was a choice of either them or some other online retailer. I typically look at the DI for something I need before looking in stores, and it is usually local.
 
Wow, that's interesting to say the least. Yet another shadow job people are going to be doing. Not only are we all scanning our own groceries now, but we get to serve as market analysts for Amazon too! This race to the bottom is hurting everyone. Even though Amazons profits are hitting records right now, if you look at their profit per item over the past few years, they've tumbled quite a bit. The only thing keeping them going is volume. It can't last. My fear is what happens when that happens.
 
Stephen said:
Wow, that's interesting to say the least. Yet another shadow job people are going to be doing. Not only are we all scanning our own groceries now, but we get to serve as market analysts for Amazon too! This race to the bottom is hurting everyone. Even though Amazons profits are hitting records right now, if you look at their profit per item over the past few years, they've tumbled quite a bit. The only thing keeping them going is volume. It can't last. My fear is what happens when that happens.
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You sure about that? I 'd LOVE to see your source :)

Keep it local and shop at overstock.com instead :p
 
Buying local is great, you pay extra state taxes to boost the revenue and the overall sale price eats up the discount you got. Now you have to drive to the store and put fuel in your car to get there plus the time it takes to purchase and get out of the store. Then with advertisement and window sales you might spend more than you wanted. So for the consumer it is cheaper to buy online, no taxes, no time, hassle free price match, no driving and dodging other shoppers, etc.. I agree with others on the customer support, if the customer does not come first then I guess Amazon does. This country is based upon convenience and laziness. One thing with Globalization is that retailers locally are still selling imported products we all buy on a daily basis, yes the retailer gets a small profit and the state gets their taxes. Most stores on Amazon are CONUS or stateside offering the deals, so buying from them would benefit American retailers in subtle ways, but not exactly help Utah. Buy local can mean Utah or USA, I am more concerned about how this country as a whole is doing rather than Utah.
 
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I often feel like when I walk into local shops that my business is not desired. -Of course this is probably due to employees, and not a store owner (I hope)-
I needed a computer part the other day, local shop wanted over $10, amazon put it on my door step for $1.27... I wanted the Moab trails book, I think it's about $26 in moab??- got it for $16 on amazon, and then they refunded my money because they advertized it as hard back.. So it ended up being free.. For me, bottom dollar wins.
However, I by more stuff off KSL than should be legal, So plenty of my dollars go directly into our community...
 
I bought the MOAB Trails book at the 4x4 Outpost... I have no idea how much anyone else was selling it for... just sayin'
 
JL Rockies said:
Google and pick an article from one of many sources.
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That's what I figured, I'm talking margins, not earnings. If you think for even a second that anyone outside of a few groups within Amazon really knows what their margins are (other than speculations) then you're only kidding yourself. With higher volume comes better margins, why do you think Walmart can sell below every other retailer...because they dictate their margins. The tell their partners what they will buy for and if they don't like it they can go sell elsewhere. Obviously, if the partner wants to move product and a lot of it, they deal with it and find a way to make it work.
 
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