I hate having to choose but it’s inevitable. Local business usually can’t match the prices of the large name staple companies, but the idea of the monopoly companies controlling everything and eating all other competitors sucks.
All my local theaters are buying bought by AMC, local theaters just can’t match the quality of screens, seats, or price, or all three. Amazon is not only cheaper but much more convenient than shopping local (although you often get worse quality at Amazon). Most small shops don’t have the space or logistics to support bulk products and therefore can’t match wholestores like Costco or Sam’s Club.
Where do you draw the line and how do we balance these things?
What’s your view between saving money by shopping the big almost monopoly companies like Amazon, Sam’s Club, AMC theaters, vs supporting local small business but getting charged more?
byu/ALDIsNumber1Fan inFrugal
Posted by ALDIsNumber1Fan
12 Comments
I try to buy local when that’s an option and I can afford it. If I buy from a chain, I try to choose the least evil one. Aka never shop Amazon, Walmart, or Sam’s club. Will shop from Costco and Aldi, etc
I tend to take it on a case by case basis. I live in the southeast so a lot of the small businesses are owned by Maga people who I will not knowingly do business with. Not a lot of competition grocery wise so not much of a choice in that department however
I shop small when I can and when it makes financial sense. Typically for our dogs or unique things for our home, etc.
We don’t use Amazon anymore as their return policy has become trash. We lean into Walmart because we aren’t upcharged (like Amazon) for grocery delivery. Heck, Walmart just picked up a $4.59 return this morning from my home — I didn’t have to go anywhere!
PS. We don’t have Aldi in Oregon
Buy what you can afford
If I’m buying the same mass produced product, like OTC medication, ziploc bags, aluminum foil, or lighters, I’ll buy from a large company. Same if it’s something that is more effectively formulated from a large company, like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, or office supplies.
If something requires an artisan to make it, then I’ll buy from a small business. This includes greeting cards, wine, potters, books, and clothing.
Comparing places with different qualities of goods is not fair. Amazon is rarely cheaper for similar products anymore.
In general, it depends on the price difference, the convenience, and the overall experience.
The money I used to spend supporting small businesses is now going in my gas tank. I can’t afford meat … from anywhere. Vegetables WILL be cheaper at our local market stand once the season gets rolling, so there’s that. But I used to pride myself on buying local milk, meat, cheese and baked goods. But I can’t afford the premium anymore. I hope I’ll be able to again. But I don’t know
Realistically I can’t shop for groceries or household things from local stores. They simply don’t exist.
.the only small business that exists in restaurants. That’s the best I can do.
I do whatever is most convenient for me. Amazon for pretty much everything except food. Costco for food. Or if I just need one thing like two lemons or something I’ll stop at the closest store to grab it.
I don’t think Amazon is typically cheaper. It may have been at one time, but I hadn’t found that to be the case before I canceled Prime, and as you mention, quality is typically not that great.
I am super frugal. Some might say cheap. But I am also fortunate that I am not poor. I understand that some folks may need to shop at Amazon or Walmart if they’re cheapest, and I give them grace.
But I would never step foot in a Sam’s Club, when Costco better aligns with my values. Ditto Amazon for books, when I can use libro.fm instead of Audible, and they share the profit with an independent bookseller of my choice. And I can use bookshop.org for print and ebooks and they’ll do the same. But I’m even more likely to use my local library for those things.
Honestly the number of local or mom-and-pop shops that carry the kinds of things I buy are getting fewer and farther between. But I’ll shop a farmer’s market, even though they’re more expensive, for example. And if I can find a local or mom-and-pop place to fill my need, I’ll use them.
I believe that you as an individual can do more good with your resources (if you choose to do so) than big companies can do bad with their equivalent profit margins.
For example, if there’s something you need that’s $30 cheaper on Amazon, get it on Amazon. You can do way more good for others or yourself with that $30 than the bad Amazon can do with the $2 profit margin they get from your order.
But, if an apple is $0.25 more expensive at a regional grocery chain than Walmart, get it from the regional chain. The difference is negligible to you and you support something less monopolistic.
I have to go big. Delivery from walmart, I am wheelchair bound. Amazon for what walmart doesn’t carry.
Yes, I own a vehicle and still drive, however many times due to weather and or pain levels I can’t.
Also, the local shops are NOT wheelchair friendly. Even the ones that are theoretically due to their building, they have aisles too close together or are so cluttered that I can’t get through.