Amazon vs. Local economy

[psbfan9]

I want to say first, this is nothing against those of you, Adam, that order from Amazon. Maybe I'm over thinking this, but...

I'm on my feet 10-12 hours per shift. I'm wearing a black Docker's dress shoe and my feet are effing killing me. I started looking around for a 'comfortable' dress shoe and found Ecco Shoe's. I went to a local store tried them on, got some info, and realized they are great shoes. Of course the pair I want are $139.99 locally. I found them on Amazon for $89.38.

I want to support my local economy, but damn, $50.00 savings is kind of hard to pass on. I'm torn...

Any thoughts?

Amazon.com: ECCO Men's Helsinki Lace-Up: Shoes

 

[Steve81]

There's something to be said for supporting the local economy, and good service is worth paying for in my book. I recently purchased a pair of running shoes at a local store where I got one on one service with a guy who actually looked at how I ran and walked, measured my feet, and then came out with a few shoes to try on and test out. I walked out of there with a pair of shoes, satisfied even though I'm sure I could have probably gotten the shoes for less online.

 

[its phillip]

I'd buy em from amazon

 

[dkane360]

I want to say first, this is nothing against those of you, Adam, that order from Amazon. Maybe I'm over thinking this, but...

I'm on my feet 10-12 hours per shift. I'm wearing a black Docker's dress shoe and my feet are effing killing me. I started looking around for a 'comfortable' dress shoe and found Ecco Shoe's. I went to a local store tried them on, got some info, and realized they are great shoes. Of course the pair I want are $139.99 locally. I found them on Amazon for $89.38.

I want to support my local economy, but damn, $50.00 savings is kind of hard to pass on. I'm torn...

Any thoughts?

Amazon.com: ECCO Men's Helsinki Lace-Up: Shoes

Thoughts on shoes or where to purchase? For shoes, here's my recommendation:
Johnston & Murphy: SHULER SIDE GORE VENETIAN - Dark Brown Tumbled Calf

On the purchasing recommendation, I say buy on Amazon. It's not like Amazon doesn't hire people from local communities. If the price difference weren't that large, I would say buy in store. $50 saved is $50 earned

 

[slipperybidness]

There's something to be said for supporting the local economy, and good service is worth paying for in my book. I recently purchased a pair of running shoes at a local store where I got one on one service with a guy who actually looked at how I ran and walked, measured my feet, and then came out with a few shoes to try on and test out. I walked out of there with a pair of shoes, satisfied even though I'm sure I could have probably gotten the shoes for less online.

For some, Amazon is the local economy. They do have a huge presence in Dallas, TX. The truth is that it's a tough competitive market and if the B&M can't compete on price then I will go elsewhere.

But, if I go into a store and spend a lot of time with them, then I will buy from the local store and not go home and order online. Especially from the smaller (usually electronics) stores that will let me come in and play with their toys all I want and not hassle me to buy something. That's something that you just can't get online, and I support these businesses and choke down the extra $ associated with that business model.

Here's a tip on the shoe purchasing. I went to a local running shoe store, where they watch you walk and run and see how your foot hits the ground, then bring out some shoes. I had them bring out about 3-4 pairs that were a good fit for me. I chose the style that I wanted that day and payed them the asking price that is about $50 more than an online price. I just consider that the fee for their expert service. But, now I know 3 other brands and styles that work for me, so I order online. I supported their business model financially, but I made sure to get my $ worth out of it.

 

[Adam]

I offended by this personal attack!

I agree with the others- I'll pay for good service. Although I have used Best Buy rarely as a showroom before buying, I don't tend to take advantage of local service and knowledge and then go buy online. I'll also always give them a chance to match (or do something to get close to) online prices from trusted stores. I won't pay extra for bad service, though, especially from someone who uses the "I have to pay more for the building and to keep the lights on." Okay, fine - so you're less efficient. Capitalism will address that.

Buying local has some meaning to me, but Amazon employs people, too. If I lived in a small town, it would mean more to me. I imagine that my choice to buy local or buy online probably has no impact on local employment or economic well-being.

So, my advice is to give the store a chance to match Amazon's price. If their time and effort was what led you to want those shoes, then I'd lean towards buying from them because they "earned" it. That's my two cents, anyway.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Thoughts on shoes or where to purchase? For shoes, here's my recommendation:
Johnston & Murphy: SHULER SIDE GORE VENETIAN - Dark Brown Tumbled Calf

On the purchasing recommendation, I say buy on Amazon. It's not like Amazon doesn't hire people from local communities. If the price difference weren't that large, I would say buy in store. $50 saved is $50 earned

I only wear Johnston & Murphy dress shoes, best shoes out there. I don't have any "SHULER SIDE GORE VENETIAN" but now that I have seen them, I'm getting a pair.

For some, Amazon is the local economy. They do have a huge presence in Dallas, TX. The truth is that it's a tough competitive market and if the B&M can't compete on price then I will go elsewhere.

But, if I go into a store and spend a lot of time with them, then I will buy from the local store and not go home and order online. Especially from the smaller (usually electronics) stores that will let me come in and play with their toys all I want and not hassle me to buy something. That's something that you just can't get online, and I support these businesses and choke down the extra $ associated with that business model.

Here's a tip on the shoe purchasing. I went to a local running shoe store, where they watch you walk and run and see how your foot hits the ground, then bring out some shoes. I had them bring out about 3-4 pairs that were a good fit for me. I chose the style that I wanted that day and payed them the asking price that is about $50 more than an online price. I just consider that the fee for their expert service. But, now I know 3 other brands and styles that work for me, so I order online. I supported their business model financially, but I made sure to get my $ worth out of it.

I completely agree with you. I would never waste the store's time and resources and then go buy online. Now if it's an item that doesn't require me to research at a store, then you bet I buy online and save money.

Shoes are really a difficult item to buy online since the fit is so important.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Crap...now I want the slip on's and this pair of boots.

Johnston & Murphy: BURCHFIELD SHEARLING BOOT - Brown Tumbled Full-Grain/Shearling

Thanks a lot for spending my money.

 

[dkane360]

Crap...now I want the slip on's and this pair of boots.

Johnston & Murphy: BURCHFIELD SHEARLING BOOT - Brown Tumbled Full-Grain/Shearling

Thanks a lot for spending my money.

You're welcome

Can I spend your money on me now?

 

[Irvrobinson]

I want to say first, this is nothing against those of you, Adam, that order from Amazon. Maybe I'm over thinking this, but...

I'm on my feet 10-12 hours per shift. I'm wearing a black Docker's dress shoe and my feet are effing killing me. I started looking around for a 'comfortable' dress shoe and found Ecco Shoe's. I went to a local store tried them on, got some info, and realized they are great shoes. Of course the pair I want are $139.99 locally. I found them on Amazon for $89.38.

I want to support my local economy, but damn, $50.00 savings is kind of hard to pass on. I'm torn...

Any thoughts?

Amazon.com: ECCO Men's Helsinki Lace-Up: Shoes

The dilemma isn't really local versus Amazon, it is the practice of "show rooming", where you use the local B&M store as a showroom, and then order from the internet store for a better price.

There are ethical and personal integrity aspects to this, though it is highly unlikely the B&M store owners are oblivious to the better pricing on the internet. In other words, they know their pricing isn't competitive, and they're hoping to snare sales at those prices anyway.

I agree with Adam, I'd ask them to match the price. They might, and whether they do or not you have a clear conscience. And that must matter, or you wouldn't have posted about it.

 

[j_garcia]

You can buy at Amazon this one time A lot of places match Amazon now because they are being forced by most states to open local stores so that the states can collect tax (where applicable) They just did this in Ca, so I have no problem buying from them when the price is lower.

 

[JerryLove]

If I have a local vendor who has spent some real time and effort with me to help me find what I need: I will pay a premium to purchase the result of that effort from them.

If I have wandered into a Best Buy to listen to some gear, then I will give them the opportunity to get my business by approximating the best price (I'll pay a little more; but not a lot).

If neither the showroom nor salesman has been at all useful: I'll buy where has the best price / most convenience.

 

[its phillip]

If I spend a lot of time in a store trying on a bunch of shoes and asking for salesman expertise, I would probably buy there (if the prices weren't super high). If I just go in and try on a shoe myself, I'd rather buy from amazon. Nothing wrong with shopping around.

Anyway, I've never heard of that brand, but I'll check em out.

I also don't have any johnston & murphy shoes, but I'll check those out too. I usually wear florsheim or clarks. Allen edmonds is another brand with nice shoes, but I'm too poor to buy them at full price

 

[j_garcia]

If I have a local vendor who has spent some real time and effort with me to help me find what I need: I will pay a premium to purchase the result of that effort from them.

If I spend a lot of time in a store trying on a bunch of shoes and asking for salesman expertise, I would probably buy there (if the prices weren't super high). If I just go in and try on a shoe myself, I'd rather buy from amazon. Nothing wrong with shopping around.

Agreed. If I need help and someone answers my questions and helps me figure out what I like, I will buy from them.

I also don't have any johnston & murphy shoes, but I'll check those out too. I usually wear florsheim or clarks. Allen edmonds is another brand with nice shoes, but I'm too poor to buy them at full price

I wore Clarks for years and I love them, but now I don't have to wear a "monkey suit" at the new job so I wear my Vans to work At home, I wear feet.

 

[jonnythan]

All three of you would probably be better off if you bought from Amazon and sent the local shoe dealer a check for half of the difference.

Just buy from Amazon.

 

[gmichael]

If a B&M store can at least come close to the online pricing, I will gladly pay a little extra for the service. It all depends on how much higher they are, and how much service they gave me. I often do much of my research online and already have an idea of what I want, if and when, I walk into a store. I have to take that service into account as well.

 

[TheWarrior]

They both serve a purpose, point is don't abuse the Stores, for example, going in to try on a motorcycle helmet with your sweaty head to determine size, and then buy it online. Thats what we call, a Douche.

 

[j_garcia]

All three of you would probably be better off if you bought from Amazon and sent the local shoe dealer a check for half of the difference.

Just buy from Amazon.

I don't buy shoes on Amazon And pretty much for everything else, if I can get it on Amazon, I will. If I hadn't gone into a local store, I would not have found these

Super light, super comfortable.

http://www.olukai.com/

 

[psbfan9]

Adamzon!

I appreciate all the comments. I will ask the local store to match or at least get me close to the Adamzon price. I spent 10 minutes with an hourly employee that was very helpful.

I'm commission only and have spent 45 or more minutes with people that go to Lowes, HD, or Best Buy and buy. The other side of that, I have had people come in from those same stores and buy from me. For the exceptional service I give them of course...

Dkane, Thanks for the Johnston & Murphy link!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You're welcome

Can I spend your money on me now?

I'm not sure, I may be about broke since the slip-on's are $135 and the boots are $195.

I'm going to run to Dillard's and try them on and then buy them online...