Retail Stores vs Online shopping.....what is your Opinion?

Chronic Cat · Jan 28, 2019

This topic is on my mind more often than I like. I'm huge on supporting local retail business when ever I possibly can, plus I'm impatient so I really like getting things asap. I went out today to grab a small thing for our clothes dryer. The female side of the latch to keep the door closed. Found them online for $4.79Ca for a 3 pack. After a phone call I found them locally at our appliance repair shop. I drove down to grab them assuming they'd be more but not a crazy crazy amount. "That'll be $23.09 sir", I nearly choked on my own tongue.

I should also mention, these pieces I got today are from the same manufacturer with identical part numbers. 100% same item. A common failure.

Ive found more and more of this recently, making it extremely hard for me to buy local.

Same thing for an intermediate steering shaft I needed for my cummins this past Wednesday, called all around the city, to 6 different places and was quoted $420-$470. Found an online distributor with a retail location for local pickup and I paid $226 tax in. Wtf right?

Im quite curious as to what method the rest of S&M usually uses for most medium priced items in life.

Lol Pic of my $23.09 dryer latch.

fnDan · Jan 28, 2019

I like to buy local if I can and I think I'm paying a bit more for the convenience of getting right there.
More often than not, I buy online because of the huge difference in price. If I go to the dealer, they want to sell me OEM at $$$$. I can go online and decide to spend $$$, $$ or $. I have some choices.
Sometimes delivery times will send me back to the local shop.
I recently had an eye exam. Afterwards they started showing me lenses. The prices were $650, $750 and $950 just for the lenses. I'm checking out online for those today.

machinehead · Jan 28, 2019

Two recents :

Sensor for KOSO temperature gauge.

$26 online + $11 shipping estimated 2 week delivery.

Local shop $35 to order in.

Decided to support local shop (TCI Imports, listed as a KOSO distributor)

Ordered end of November, still have not received yet.

ITEM 2:

Spark Arrestor for FMF PowerCore 4 Exhaust

Online $26 CDN + $10 shipping.
Local shop $43.99 - in stock.

I think it's hit and miss.

You want to support local business, however.

Online ordering is getting easier, with faster deliveries with Amazon and similar outfits.

Plus it's fun to track , and get exciting treasure in the mail

LBZ · Jan 28, 2019

Especially when you forget you ordered stuff and then two or three weeks later.......surprise lol.

Cat401 · Jan 28, 2019

I am a huge proponent of supporting your local "whatever"....but if that local guy is not willing to be competitive, bye bye.

But a person needs to factor in freight and possible cross-border charges before supporting your on-line supplier....

sho · Jan 28, 2019

I live in Revelstoke so things are a little harder to get at times, so I usually will shop online. I do find if I shop through Amazon I really have to watch who I am buying from, as sometimes they are not very clear on where the item is located. and it takes over a month to get here on boat, and not the actual product. The best options is a Canadian retail store online.

firstdoo · Jan 28, 2019

I try to support local independent businesses. (Could care less about the big guys) I’ll pay a little more as long as their prices aren’t out to lunch. As for online shopping, it’s mainly Amazon. And when I do shop on amazon I only buy if I can get it prime. (Free 2 day shipping)

gunner3006 · Jan 28, 2019

I would love to shop online more. I’m a tall guy. 6’5 290. I’ve had a couple bad experiences were the sizes were wrong and returns were worth it. Parts an consumable items yup, cloths, not a chance.

QMAO · Jan 28, 2019

I also would like to shop localy more, but I don`t like being advantage of price wise. I have learned to shop around and get to know the prices on items I am looking to purchase.
Many times the items are substantually cheaper on line. But you have to look at the quality and compare apples to apples. I have learned also that many items, whether they look identical or not, all come from the same factory.

Bnorth · Jan 28, 2019

I buy from local retailers when possible but usually find they don't carry the item I want or it's very expensive. Was in a local dealership today looking at helmets. Klim F5 is $386 USD online as he's showing me the colours he can get. Says yeah I can do it for $699 cdn. fawk off bud.

Cableguy · Jan 28, 2019

I get a pretty good discount on parts from lordco but rockauto still averages 40% cheaper
so if i need today lordco
if i can wait 3-4 days rockauto
My son is a amazon prime member he gets some great deals but alot of chinese **** too

LID · Jan 28, 2019

I’ve noticed some crazy price differences between amazon.ca and amazon.com on the same items.
Not sure if it’s Canadian amazon vendors jacking prices or what

mclean · Jan 28, 2019

I have used Zenni Optical multiple times now with no issues at all. For that reason. Eye exam is $50-80, which is fine, but then the places around me only carry high end brand name designer glasses for $300-600 just for frames and then you have to pay another few hundred for the lenses. I've bought numerous sunglasses on Zenni now, polarized and all the nice coatings shipped to my door for $70, and they look better than my $700 polarized prescription Ray-Bans

fnDan said:
I like to buy local if I can and I think I'm paying a bit more for the convenience of getting right there.
More often than not, I buy online because of the huge difference in price. If I go to the dealer, they want to sell me OEM at $$$$. I can go online and decide to spend $$$, $$ or $. I have some choices.
Sometimes delivery times will send me back to the local shop.
I recently had an eye exam. Afterwards they started showing me lenses. The prices were $650, $750 and $950 just for the lenses. I'm checking out online for those today.

pfi572 · Jan 28, 2019

Costco for prescription glasses is a good option as well.

Chronic Cat · Jan 28, 2019

I'm going to have to start shopping online more I think and have patience. Try and shop local though. Too good of savings to be had. Quite often if I can't find it in Camrose I'll rip to the city for it. That's even more cost added right there. But I don't think of that. I'm one track minded. I need that item it seems.

I recently bought some front strut assembly's for a beater Sebring I have. Same part number, Napa wanted $770 for them and I got them for $259.00 online. Free shipping even.

When using Amazon, I only use Amazon.ca as it is Canadian and generally just has Canadian listing and prices. Quite often shipping is even free if it isn't on Prime.

Ive had a few smokin deals from rock auto, but they can't be big bulky heavy parts to be shipped. Been stung on the shipping.

Brokerage is a biggie too. I built a 9 sec 1/4 car with 80% of the components coming from the states. Nobody stocks the stuff here and has to order it, fawk it, I'll order it myself and save some bucks. Except I didn't factor in the extra $100.00 bill at the door upon each delivery.

moyiesledhead · Jan 28, 2019

I've all but given up on shopping local. Got tired of hearing "we don't have it in stock, but we can order it". Well so can I! :rant:

Couch · Jan 29, 2019

Mixed - have to support local especially if you're in a rural area as delivery $ and wait from online can be greater. Good to have local hardware shop for convenience.
Sometimes $ is much lower for same item and i can wait - sometimes it's unreal ...just bought a knock off Webasto cab heater for $250 delivered and I likley could not return the empty box to China for that price. No doubt that its more difficult to be competitive as a bricks and morter location - everyone thinks you are making a fortune and wants a piece of the action.

tiger666 · Jan 29, 2019

I find nobody stocks much locally,they allways have to order it in.I understand it's to keep overhead down but ordering online has gotten so easy that I don't know why anybody would get a local shop to order it in.

neilsleder · Jan 29, 2019

Couch said:
Mixed - have to support local especially if you're in a rural area as delivery $ and wait from online can be greater. Good to have local hardware shop for convenience.
Sometimes $ is much lower for same item and i can wait - sometimes it's unreal ...just bought a knock off Webasto cab heater for $250 delivered and I likley could not return the empty box to China for that price. No doubt that its more difficult to be competitive as a bricks and morter location - everyone thinks you are making a fortune and wants a piece of the action.

Those heaters work great!

neilsleder · Jan 29, 2019

I find myself getting my shopping done online more and more. Local is great but I work hard for my money and if I can get stuff cheaper and save then I will.

Retail Stores vs Online shopping.....what is your Opinion?

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