benick wrote:

"George" wrote in message
...
dpb wrote:
benick wrote:

"dpb" wrote in message
...
benick wrote:
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Not to hijack the thread but if the local business can't compete
you are only prolonging the agony..Their are plenty of ways for
locals to remain competive , starting a co-op to increase buying
power , diversefing products , providing more advice ,being open
on the weekends ect. ,ect..

OTOH, if locals simply get into the habit of either going online or
out of town routinely, it doesn't matter what the local merchant
does, either.

As for the "agony" part, one soon can learn what real agony is when
there no longer is a local grocery, pharmacy, whatever, entirely.

At that point most gladly admit they should have been more
aggressive in supporting local merchants but it's too late.

--

If the reason local folk "get in the habit" of going online or out
to the outskirts to Walmart ,Sears,Target , Cosco , Homedepot ,
Lowes ,Walgreens , Best Buy , or the mall , ect. is because said
local merchant isn't OPEN , doesn't have the inventory or is more
expensive ,

...
That isn't necessarily the only reason at all...often it is simply a
habit that has become engrained or an attempt to save a few pennies
by avoiding local/state sales taxes; meanwhile actually spending as
much or more in either travel or shipping.

I used to live in a smaller community just down the road a half-hour
from a larger place--as just one example, people regularly complained
about lack of places to eat in town. Yet, now matter how many
attempted to cater to that demand over a 10-15 year period, the
persistent habits were never overcome and none managed to survive and
yet people continued to complain there was "nowhere in town" when it
was definitely not true. The same phenomenon occurred in other retail
trades as well.


The biggest thing that locals have to contend with is few people
actually pause to think. They let all of the big box whatever
marketing do it for them. You could do a great job but the big outfits
can buy mindshare.

My friends' brother owns a local appliance shop. He is part of a co-op
so he is quite competitive. He and his staff are quite knowledgeable
and will do whatever extra it takes. They also open long hours just
like big box. The problem is big box tells everyone how wonderful they
are with constant marketing and folks simply drive the extra 10 miles
to the mall because locals "must be evil".

Or the local deli in my town. It is a true evil mom & pop place. They
make real soup instead of pouring it out of a bucket and make great
subs on really nice quality rolls baked by a local Italian bakery. I
mention the place whenever I have an opportunity and the usual answer
is "but it isn't subway.." When I think of subway I think consistent
mediocrity. Marketing tells another story.


Like I said people don't like running all over creation to get the
things they need...Just because they make great subs or sell competive
appliances doesn't automatically mean they will make it if they are off
the beaten path with a lack of parking and don't advertise

Who said that? I simply remarked how many have become trained to follow
big box without thinking.

....LOCATION ,
LOCATION , LOCATION....Instead you just call shoppers stupid...That
works really good...LOL...

I am not the merchant. I explained the phenomena.