local shopping

[drobertson]

This thread is coming from an ongoing issue.  An issue that has for years affected all of us through the years, but more seemingly in the face of late.  There is another thread on the effects of internet purchases on businesses, expressly in regards to expos' and shows.  My issue is a little closer to home,,, in regards to the occasional maintenance purchase of belts and bearings,. my latest is the rear drive belt on the mower.  To keep this quick and to the point, the one of our boys had here in town was 26 bucks, plus tax, the same lower end cheap one for 10 bucks online. After the battle of getting the belt off, before it broke, (to insure) the right size, I was in no mood to wrangle, haggle, and they were not either,,the smart remark about Chinese kids and their hooks and needles pushed me to the online purchase, be here thursday, for 7 bucks less and the original replacement to boot. so, yes I'm ranting , I like to keep it local, but there are times when a message needs sending.  Not sure it matters, but there has to be a better happy medium.

[joasis]

Our local supply house sells 5 gallon buckets of hydraulic oil for $45 to $80+, depending on grade, and it isn't a main brand. 18 miles away I can get it for $21 on sale...better grades for $29. Now this is imply dumb. I try to support our local business, but after the guy who owns the store hired an out of town contractor to build his new shop, my loyalty departed.

Our local grocery store is competitive as best as they can, and I support them. But some items I buy elsewhere, due to brand, or like detergent, it is dirt cheap at Sam's Club compared to local.

If our local store goes away, then buying online for even groceries will be the new norm.

[Ox]

We, as consumers, have to watch our bottom line the same exact way a store owner has to watch theirs.  I understand that the overhead forces store owners to jack up the price.  I also don't see a way out of this problem of local stores closing due to increased online sales, which is due to lower prices which in turn is because of lower overhead costs.

[Crusarius]

don't forget raising the minimum wage to the point that you can now buy a house working minimum wage. So now there is no incentive to ever move up in the world. You can work any job afford to buy a house. so many lazy ppl will be complacent with that.

Plus the small businesses can't afford to hire ppl with the rates so high. And to really top it off its hard to find good help. now you have to pay even more for bad help.

[Kojba]

don't forget raising the minimum wage to the point that you can now buy a house working minimum wage. So now there is no incentive to ever move up in the world. You can work any job afford to buy a house. so many lazy ppl will be complacent with that.

Plus the small businesses can't afford to hire ppl with the rates so high. And to really top it off its hard to find good help. now you have to pay even more for bad help.

I know laboring on a sawmill is no easy task, but I have two young guys who occasionally help me mill.  It has gotten to the point that neither one will work on weekends, or when it is "too hot", or "too cold".  One is 42 years old, the other is 31.  Both have kids, both claim to need the money, but neither can show up when I need them.  They will show up when they are desperate for money, but that is it.  Welfare checks come out on the first of the month (food stamps too I'm told), so I can forget them until the middle of the month.  I'm 60, broken my back twice, dislocated both shoulders, broke my wrist in 23 places, and have 6 fused vertebrae in my back.  I still work,,, all month long. 

I'm not bragging, not complaining, but I really worry for our country.  Who will work when our generation dies?  If not for welfare and freebies, I don't think the younger folks could make it anymore.  I have no problem with people who can't find work, or someone who is disabled getting relief, but healthy young people who have an opportunity to work don't deserve a handout. 

Changes to the economy have come, and local businesses will be a thing of the past, just like the horse and buggy, oil lamps, and the old country store.  Time and innovation dictates change, and the change is inevitable.  Just glad I can still work, and will work as long as I can.  I feel better when I'm tired, have money in my pocket when I'm tired, and can afford a cold beer when I'm tired.  It all comes from doing what needs to be done.  If someone has to order online to buy a product, I don't blame them one bit.  If you find a way to stretch a dollar buy traveling a few extra miles, or cutting out a few frills, go for it.  At the end of the day, it's your hard earned money, and you need to make ends meet for you and yours....

Sorry for the rant.  I guess I'm a little tired.   

[Ox]

Crusarius - these are well and true thoughts on the matter and thanks for bringing them to light

Kojba - good man.  I do as much as I can every day as well but am getting worse and worse every year.  Thankfully I have my family to help me.  If I was a true hermit I'd be screwed.  Also, I know the type of guys you were describing.  They're everywhere.  Only work when have to and this is why they'll never get any better in life.  Hand to mouth and then whine that there's never enough money.  Whining from their seated position on the couch.

[furu]

Everyone of these posts has hit the nail firmly on the head. 
One can not disagree with a thing that has been said because the statements are accurate and true.

Kojba
 Your statement about where we are going to be in the not too distant future, is in fact scary.  I know we like to bash the Millennials (gen Y) for very good reasons but they are not the only group that has issues.  We have bred a country of folks that want a handout for nothing because we have given them a handout for nothing for so long. 
I have met some of the Gen Y millennial folks lately that make me feel good for the future.  They have stated that they reject their generation and refuse to be part of it.  Of course they can't really but the attitude is so refreshing to hear that may, just maybe, there is hope. 
If enough of like minded young folks can reach critical mass then there is hope.

[drobertson]

I'm not sure if my little walk out sent a message or not, I do know that after flopping the block and hitting one of the local pawn shops, a good friend and brother in Christ and asking about his latest Good news on their first born! He mentioned after I vented a little that I was not alone, many folks around town are disgruntled with the pricing and attitude that has been projected..so, without getting into the last days scenario, our world has progressed for the worse in many area's. And I believe as written, this too shall soon pass,.  A pretty nice rain falling right now,,

[bandmiller2]

I'm in my early 70's and thankful I was born when I was. I don't like the road our country and the world is taking. Frank C.

[Ox]

Frank - I believe, and have been told by many others, that your generation got the best this country had to give.  I'd love to say that I believe the future will be better but it would be a lie.  How can it?  With all the evil minded, socialist, communist minded liberals hell bent on ripping the fabric of this nation apart?

I honestly think the only way to make this country work is to have "sanctuary cities" and even "sanctuary states".  Basically a system of succession.  People are way too divided to make any kind of head way on anything anymore.  In my head I can see the coasts being liberal and the middle and south being conservative.  Yes, many people will have to move but that is a small price to pay.  Some won't be able to move for some reason.  I don't know what to say to them.  There is never a perfect answer.

Edit:  spelling

[Stevem]

Something about going to hell in a hand basket!  Not if but WHEN. 
No big turn around coming.  20 year soonest.  Maybe over the cliff sooner.