Indy

[Zom]

I'm flat broke, so by necessity I'm an independent consumer. I have to rely on cheap food sources where I can find them.

 

[Nom De Guerre]

Well it helps to be frugal as well, I spent my living allowance on groceries today (most of it); but I get paid on Tuesday a nice sized chq and get even more money as Xmas approaches. Thankfully, I stay with my friend up here who charges me next to nothing. It's all about managing your money well

 

[wannaberocker]

Our family runs an indy store.

It's hard to be independent, especially today where big corps like Walmart, Starbucks, JC Penney, Forever 21, and alike all run the blocks.

I'm not completely an independent consumer, but I try to be. It's very difficult to become 100% independent consumer/owner, but it's not impossible.

Supporting independent stores is the best way to boost the economy and feed families, in my opinion.

Really? What makes indie stores better for the economy? Do big businesses not employ people and help them feed their families?

 

[Zom]

Well it helps to be frugal as well, I spent my living allowance on groceries today (most of it); but I get paid on Tuesday a nice sized chq and get even more money as Xmas approaches. Thankfully, I stay with my friend up here who charges me next to nothing. It's all about managing your money well

It's also about being able to acquire and maintain a job, which I've found easier with independent businesses. Walmart couldn't care less if they let someone go, but if you have a problem at work under the employ of an indy business, typically you have the opportunity to speak with the owner of the company face-to-face.

 

[wannaberocker]

I'm flat broke, so by necessity I'm an independent consumer. I have to rely on cheap food sources where I can find them.

If saving money is your objective. Then you should find lower prices at the bigger chains.

 

[Nom De Guerre]

It's also about being able to acquire and maintain a job, which I've found easier with independent businesses. Walmart couldn't care less if they let someone go, but if you have a problem at work under the employ of an indy business, typically you have the opportunity to speak with the owner of the company face-to-face.

Yeah that would definitely come into play. Perhaps learning a trade would help? There's always a shortage of skilled workers here.

 

[Jupiter Drops]

Really? What makes indie stores better for the economy? Do big businesses not employ people and help them feed their families?

Like I said, it was my opinion. Not everything has 100% advantages in this world. However, Wal-Mart or Forever 21 that we know today didn't start out as a billion dollar big corp. It all started out small. Independent stores try to keep their customers happy because they know well enough that it's their business to do so, or else they lose business. They have regular customers and try to know their faces. Independent stores also have endless possibilities to expand. They also help the family or partners-in-business who start a store tremendously.

They may not be like big corps, but independent stores operate just as well. They don't ship their jobs off to another country; they keep the jobs here and work with the labor laws here.

I was really disappointed when I learned that big corps like Wal-Mart and Forever21 use cheap labor source and pollute the environment severely. They abuse to their employees overseas, produce cheap quality materials, and sell their items for more to their customers. That's why the rich are getting richer, but it's not helping them or over here because now disadvantaged countries are having more income. So the shipping prices and stuff are getting more pricy for the big corps to handle. If they don't act soon, they will be flooded with complaints from their employees and alike because they were abused, paid unfairly, etc.

By supporting independent stores, you can help a small business expand and help your country people keep their jobs fairly and not at Wal-Mart where they produce cheap quality items at cheap prices.

In any case, it's an opinion.

 

[Zom]

If saving money is your objective. Then you should find lower prices at the bigger chains.

I don't find that to be the case. Usually the bigger chains are more expensive, and I'm able to find food that isn't "name brand." Occasionally I have to shop at the big chain stores, but I prefer not to.

 

[Jupiter Drops]

Say hello to these facts:

Top Reasons the Walton Family and Walmart are NOT “Job Creators”
The High Cost Of Cheap Fashion | On Point with Tom Ashbrook
Bob Herbert: Why Walmart and Big Retailers Should Pay Their Workers More
Children pay high price for cheap labour
https://staceyswimme.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/consumerism-and-cheap-labor/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99mXrWc9RI

And much more...

 

[Blank123]

I don't find that to be the case. Usually the bigger chains are more expensive, and I'm able to find food that isn't "name brand." Occasionally I have to shop at the big chain stores, but I prefer not to.

interesting. the economy must be different there than here.

Here, its why the big box stores succeed where the mom and pop stores cannot. They can provide the deals that the smaller independent establishments can't.

 

[Zom]

interesting. the economy must be different there than here.

Here, its why the big box stores succeed where the mom and pop stores cannot. They can provide the deals that the smaller independent establishments can't.

On some products, that's the case, but many of the businesses that I frequent are also ministries (especially for things like food). I negotiate a small donation or service (such as an hour of work), and I'm able to get a portion of food for a week or so.

 

[Jupiter Drops]

You know, just because you're paying something for small price, it doesn't mean that you get the better end of the stick by the end of the day. You pay for cheap labor, so your job will also go to another country for more cheap labor. That's how it works.

 

[Blank123]

On some products, that's the case, but many of the businesses that I frequent are also ministries (especially for things like food). I negotiate a small donation or service (such as an hour of work), and I'm able to get a portion of food for a week or so.

ahhh, that makes sense.

You know, just because you're paying something for small price, it doesn't mean that you get the better end of the stick by the end of the day. You pay for cheap labor, so your job will also go to another country for more cheap labor. That's how it works.

yup, i know it very well.

 

[Jupiter Drops]

On some products, that's the case, but many of the businesses that I frequent are also ministries (especially for things like food). I negotiate a small donation or service (such as an hour of work), and I'm able to get a portion of food for a week or so.

We should have more businesses like these.

 

[PetLuv]

No, at least not to the point of avoiding certain stores. I do buy from stores in the city rather than go online.

Not for any economic reasons really, just that if money leaves my hand I want to have something else in it and not have to wait 4-6 weeks to get what I paid for.

 

[wannaberocker]

Like I said, it was my opinion. Not everything has 100% advantages in this world. However, Wal-Mart or Forever 21 that we know today didn't start out as a billion dollar big corp. It all started out small. Independent stores try to keep their customers happy because they know well enough that it's their business to do so, or else they lose business. They have regular customers and try to know their faces. Independent stores also have endless possibilities to expand. They also help the family or partners-in-business who start a store tremendously.

They may not be like big corps, but independent stores operate just as well. They don't ship their jobs off to another country; they keep the jobs here and work with the labor laws here.

I was really disappointed when I learned that big corps like Wal-Mart and Forever21 use cheap labor source and pollute the environment severely. They abuse to their employees overseas, produce cheap quality materials, and sell their items for more to their customers. That's why the rich are getting richer, but it's not helping them or over here because now disadvantaged countries are having more income. So the shipping prices and stuff are getting more pricy for the big corps to handle. If they don't act soon, they will be flooded with complaints from their employees and alike because they were abused, paid unfairly, etc.

By supporting independent stores, you can help a small business expand and help your country people keep their jobs fairly and not at Wal-Mart where they produce cheap quality items at cheap prices.

In any case, it's an opinion.

Ill keep it short and sweet. YOur Opinion is not based on any economic reality which basically makes everything you said a complete fallacy.

 

[Jupiter Drops]

^ Um, so the part about Wal-Mart, Forever 21, and alike are also completely false then....


It would help a lot if a lot of businesses were on home ground.

 

[wannaberocker]

You know, just because you're paying something for small price, it doesn't mean that you get the better end of the stick by the end of the day. You pay for cheap labor, so your job will also go to another country for more cheap labor. That's how it works.

In political fantasyland yes that is how it works. But economic realities are very different than political scare tactics.

 

[Jupiter Drops]

Can you please explain to me?

 

[wannaberocker]

^ Um, so the part about Wal-Mart, Forever 21, and alike are also completely false then....

Very much so. I mean it makes for good political speeches and people eat it all up like hot cakes. But all those big bullet points dont have any bases in economics. Which in turn render those points to be flawed and invalid.