Supporting small business

how do you balance the importance of supporting small business in times like these versus supporting large companies (with more employees)

I want to make a point to support small business, but I am not sure how "good" that is.

Re: Supporting small business

my FIL is a small business owner. i always try to support them as much as i can - even if it means spending a lil more here or there. small business owners are the backbone of this country so i try to do what i can ya know? my FIL is the hardest working person i have ever known.

Message edited 9/30/2008 2:38:20 PM.

Re: Supporting small business

i try to support small businesses when I can -- primarily small local non-chain restaurants and local music stores.

after a long and awful ordeal i am making an effort to not patronize best buy anymore...

but i do still shop at chain grocery stores and i dont completely disregard convenience

Re: Supporting small business

My husband is a small business owner, he's a contractor. This economy has a HUGE effect on his business and therefore our lives.

Having said that, I do my best to support the small local businesses in our town but if it's going to be too much of a burden on us financially, I don't b/c we just simply cannot.

Case in point - There is a GREAT local pet supply store. They sell our dog food there but the same 20# bag goes for $10 less in the local super market.

While I would LOVE to give him the business we just can't afford to do it. BUT, on the other hand I do buy all of our dog's toys and advantix there so that does help.

So for us, it's a financial thing. We do what we can to support local biz while keeping our bottom line in mind.

Re: Supporting small business

As someone who's family has a small business, the support from customers is huge.

In our industry, our biggest competition is online businesses.

There aren't many "big businesses" that we compete with.

Re: Supporting small business

I would love too, but unfortunately with the way this economy is I need to shop at whoever has the best deals..

Re: Supporting small business

DH owns a small business. He does lose some business to large sports superstores like Sports Authority or D!ck's but most of his customer are loyal. Also, since it is a "hobby" I feel like people are more likely to walk into a small store and chat and get REAL advice instead of just asking some 15 year old kid who was in the exercise machine section last week. I hope so anyway!

Re: Supporting small business

Posted by Ophelia
I want to make a point to support small business, but I am not sure how "good" that is.

Re: Supporting small business

Posted by neenie

Posted by Ophelia
I want to make a point to support small business, but I am not sure how "good" that is.

I honestly can't see how its a bad thing? I agree with other posters though- i buy from small businesses in my town as much as possible, but there's also times where i draw the line b/c the mark up is just wayyyyy too much (eventhough i understand why). My parents were small business owners and it's amazing to realize how much they depended on their customers, so i guess it's hard for me to understand how it could be bad. In either case, you're reinvesting money into the economy, so its still good.

Re: Supporting small business

Posted by neenie

Posted by Ophelia
I want to make a point to support small business, but I am not sure how "good" that is.

I honestly can't see how its a bad thing? I agree with other posters though- i buy from small businesses in my town as much as possible, but there's also times where i draw the line b/c the mark up is just wayyyyy too much (eventhough i understand why). My parents were small business owners and it's amazing to realize how much they depended on their customers, so i guess it's hard for me to understand how it could be bad. In either case, you're reinvesting money into the economy, so its still good.

Re: Supporting small business

Posted by Ophelia

Posted by neenie

Posted by Ophelia
I want to make a point to support small business, but I am not sure how "good" that is.

I honestly can't see how its a bad thing? I agree with other posters though- i buy from small businesses in my town as much as possible, but there's also times where i draw the line b/c the mark up is just wayyyyy too much (eventhough i understand why). My parents were small business owners and it's amazing to realize how much they depended on their customers, so i guess it's hard for me to understand how it could be bad. In either case, you're reinvesting money into the economy, so its still good.

I had good in quotes b/c I didn't think it was necessarily the right word, but I couldn't think of another one.

I guess what I am saying is...is it worse to support local business but then having the big company cutting hours and laying off...or is it better to help the bigger guy, at the potential peril of the small business...

I don't frequent chain restaurants EVER for this reason...I always support local restaurants...but in that I am now furnishing my home...I'd like to spread the wealth and do some good in other area. kwim?

Re: Supporting small business

Re: Supporting small business

Posted by Ophelia

Posted by Tilde


Also, a store in NY benefits from someone buying something at their store in CA. Unless business drops SO low that they start closing down locations, everyone is basically "safe" or as safe as you can be in retail.

.

I see what you mean. good point. I won't care about the big guys again

Re: Supporting small business

Posted by Tilde

Posted by Ophelia

Posted by Tilde


Also, a store in NY benefits from someone buying something at their store in CA. Unless business drops SO low that they start closing down locations, everyone is basically "safe" or as safe as you can be in retail.

.

I see what you mean. good point. I won't care about the big guys again

:whew: good thing, i got worried for a second.

Re: Supporting small business

Posted by Ophelia

Posted by Tilde

Posted by Ophelia

Posted by Tilde


Also, a store in NY benefits from someone buying something at their store in CA. Unless business drops SO low that they start closing down locations, everyone is basically "safe" or as safe as you can be in retail.

.

I see what you mean. good point. I won't care about the big guys again

:whew: good thing, i got worried for a second.

although, regionally there are lay offs and such if a particular store isn't hitting numbers with the big guys....so job loss on a local level can occur even if the bigwigs are still sitting pretty.

Re: Supporting small business

Posted by Tilde


That is true BUT it will take longer - bc there is more support behind the scenes. And if you want to get into all of that that you should only shop non union and help those that are most in danger of being let go.

Re: Supporting small business

Posted by Ophelia

Posted by Tilde


That is true BUT it will take longer - bc there is more support behind the scenes. And if you want to get into all of that that you should only shop non union and help those that are most in danger of being let go.

you fascinate me ~

Re: Supporting small business

I have been shopping in our town a lot more then ever!!

We have a drugstore in town like CVS and that is where I go now. And we also have a small supermarket that I now use and a a few other business'.

I see a lot more people going to the stores in town now. I am so happy about that

Re: Supporting small business

I shop locally - at little boutiques and stores in town - whenever possible. I do this because my town has a thriving little downtown area that is absolutely beautiful and it would make me very sad to see it go away. And because I really like the shop owners.

But there are things that you just can't get in a little store and bargains you just can't afford to miss by shopping in a big store. So I balance it as best I can.

Re: Supporting small business

I make it a point to shop locally. I have a hardware store locally that I will go to instead of HD. Their prices are a little higher but convenience and service play a role.

Right now I'm considering a door installation and really don't want to go with Lowes or HD..I may use a local contractor.

I shop at local farm stands when I have the time to shop in multiple places.

I use a local butcher shop almost exclusively as well.

Re: Supporting small business

For me, all things being equal, I definitely try to support small businesses. Living on the upper west side in the city for 6 years, I have seen so many small businesses close, and chains come in. Being the daughter and wife of a small business owner, I definitely try to support them.

But if there is a big price difference, I will go with the cheaper option (usually the chain).

Re: Supporting small business

I work for a family owned small business. We are a mfg co. I hope that people still support us!