Why buying local really counts

I had a conversation a few years ago that has stayed with me all this time. This man and I were talking about the "local" label.

[Sal]

I agree, but don't always do it. I have to wonder...who else agrees, but doesn't always do it, too? I'm talking about price. Local products have been overpriced to the point of avoidance at many places. I love what is available, it's just too darned expensive! If we all want to make a point and avoid chain stores and keep our monies local, the local businesses need to make the same choice by making thier products and services available(affordable). Instead of renting individual stores, why not come together in a larger area to save on rent? Money will continually get tighter here for a while, I see many of our local businesses closing if changes aren't made.

[carpe diem]

Nice idea but impractical. Flat wages (3% increase a year doesn't amount to much) coupled with enormous gas and food costs now make shopping around a luxury. I only go downtown when I have out of town visitors. And, the internet is cheaper and easier as well. That's reality.

[keep counting]

Where it counts most is my pocket book! I'll stick to online shopping until local gets reasonable. Did you know that you can buy organic on Amazon? Free shipping over $25!!

[LOL]

It only took a few years to offer a comeback?

I'll let you all know in 2011 how I feel about all of this.

[Here is funny bits]

The Times-Standard isn't local, so why are they running this story, when the Times-Standard is owned by the McDonalds of newspapers?

[Masked Patriot]

Crappy idea. Local person gets rich and then retires to Florida with all our money.

At least places like Costco pay a living wage.

[anonymous]

Why didn't she mention all the Arcata gardening supply and hydroponic stores and the several homebrew suppliers? How much of what's sold locally is created locally? Doesn't at least half of the purchase price go the the non-local supplier?

And why would I want the local merchants to make such a good income that allows them to bid higher for houses, real estate, businesses and rental properties than their customers(me) can? Isn't it the rule in organizations that people higher up make more? So if the business owner makes more than me, the customer, who is higher up?

I'd rather my money go out of town, like my investments. At least I won't have to compete locally with someone bidding against me with money that I gave them.

[Masked Patriot]

nothing is made local anyhow, one only has a choice to make between grades of junk from China- and with the coming steel shortage in China soon there will be no choice to even make as ACE hardware shelves will be empty.

there is no soil decent for farming here local anyhow it's why they raise cows.

[Buckaroo]

Masked Patriot wrote:

nothing is made local anyhow, one only has a choice to make between grades of junk from China- and with the coming steel shortage in China soon there will be no choice to even make as ACE hardware shelves will be empty.
there is no soil decent for farming here local anyhow it's why they raise cows.

Soils great here, but you can't plant in ground covered with houses.

[Skippy56]

I believe most do shop locally and agree with the thought. But, if there are things that some use daily that can be purchased much cheaper through the Internet.

To name a few: Medical supplies, books, furniture and clothing. The first item, medical supplies anywhere outside of California is cheaper. Books you can purchase used or new and still get a great deal.

If one is on a limited income, shopping locally for things you need daily is not practical.

[Anonymous]

Everyone is on a "limited" income, some are just more limited than others. Bill Gates has to balance his checkbook too. If by "limited" you mean you can't save money, eking out a meager existance or on SSI/welfare, and without skills to trade, I'd call that indigent and marginal. Best to check out Dr. Kavorkian, soon.

[Ted Sillanpaa]

The McDonald's of newspapers. That's close to the truth. Media News Group would be like McDonald's if McDonald's bought out Burger King, Jack In the Box, Carl's Jr., all the hometown-owned fast food places, etc. Media News bought up 12, 13 daily newspapers in the Bay Area and 13 weeklies. It all started years back when it bought the T/S and the Tri-City Weekly. So...indeed...it has been awhile since the T/S had local leadership with local footing in more than service clubs and and the Chamber of Commerce. So, that would actually account for why the story here was written by a member of the Arcata Chamber of Commerce...I think this type of story deserves more reporting from somebody who's not going to profit from only looking at one side of the story.

http://focusonnorthcoast.blogspot.com/

[Skippy56]

Anonymous wrote:

Everyone is on a "limited" income, some are just more limited than others. Bill Gates has to balance his checkbook too. If by "limited" you mean you can't save money, eking out a meager existance or on SSI/welfare, and without skills to trade, I'd call that indigent and marginal. Best to check out Dr. Kavorkian, soon.

For sure you are correct, maybe my choice of words was in error. Maybe I might of used "fixed"instead of "limited". And many fall under this group because of disability, age and so forth; like your retired parents, grandparents, or other relatives disabled - You would wish them to check out Dr. Kavorkian?

[Bruce]

We just need full Capitalism so I can buy as cheap as I can, no matter what hippies think.

They can go through the Pelosi types and whine all they want.

[Shop Henderson Center]

In Eureka, Henderson Center is a great place to shop local. A bike shop, a bakery, a baby store, a pharmacy and so much more!
Everyone is super friendly and truly cares about their customers because they care about their businesses. Keep your money local! If you can get it cheaper online, it's worth asking them to try to match it. It can't hurt.

[Ron]

Interesting... Julie is a mortgage broker... I suppose all of the mortgages she arranges for her clients are thru local financial institutions... yeah right...

[Masked Patriot]

abolish the Federal Reserve bring back accountable main street banking.

[Anonymous]

Sorry Skippy, last time I looked, Social security gives a annual COLA which means its not "fixed". And retirees get deferments on property taxes, senior discounts everywhere, subsidized lunches, etc that reduces their expenses way below working people. And they aren't paying for child raising, commuting daily to work, or buying houses so the COLA is often larger than the amount of their personal inflation. Its a fact that seniors, as a group, are financially better off than middle aged people. Your personal experience notwithstanding.

Someone who isn't working can't expect "raises" for experience or productivity that working people get. So they should invest money and get increasing income from appreciation. IBM just increased their dividend by 50%, that's how retirees get "raises".

And yep, Dr. Kavorkian is much more humane than the system that makes people who have severe chronic illnesses endure years of suffering and great expense. And that includes almost all people these days, including my relatives.

[me_too]

I'll take my business online where I have more variety with reasonable prices. I can wait 3-5 days for my goods to arrive. Some local business are so smug and pompous. I'd expect an article like this to come from someone in Arcata. Trying to justify limiting progress on the North Coast.

[burrito boy]

ya know about a month ago I drove up to home depot to try and save money in a bathroom remodel and let me tell you places like that carry low quality products, they may have a good name on the package but half of the crap I purchased was defective or just fell apart, I find that local businesses carry the same products but they seem to be of better quality. lesson learned local shopper for now on. although I must agree with me too local busineses need an attitude adjustment there are a few establishments that if you show up when they open you will sit there for up to thirty minutes waiting for there lazy asses to get there .