Just curious what the thought on this is. I know I like to support the local guy when possible. I will even pay a little more to get it locally. I am sure there are many others that feel this way as well.

But I was just wondering how much more other people are willing to pay to buy local, I know a few bucks is no big deal, but a few bucks over many items really adds up. I know sometimes you can get free shipping, and that really makes a difference, and if you don't have to pay sales tax that makes a difference as well.

For example an item I'm looking at is $100 locally and only $87 online. Buy the time all taxes and shipping are added in. So to $13 to have it in hand, and support the local guy is worth it, after all the way small business are closing today, I'll do all I can to support the little guy, after all it's my opinion they will probably be willing to go a little more out of there way to help you when you really need it.

I nearly always check internet prices before I start looking local. That way I know who is trying to stick it to me. If it is just a few dollars, I will buy local.
Recently ordered a part for Kawasaki Mule on EBAY (new in box $30 with free shipping and no tax). It was the same brand of part that dealer was selling. Checked two local dealers. Dealer price was $150 + tax. No brainer.

Depends on what it is.

WOW that is insane, yeah defiantly would have went the same route you did.

Don't get my wrong I like the little guy, but you gotta draw the line somewhere.

Its awfully hard for a local brick-and-motar store to compete with online retailers. Consider property taxes, utilities, insurance, etc. And perhaps worst of all, local firms have to collect sales tax. All of this adds up to an unfair advantage for out-of-state internet sellers.

But increasingly, online retailers are being required to collect sales tax too, which is only fair. I bought a book online from Amazon.com last week and had to pay sales tax.

Just like the next guy, I don't want to pay any more than I have to, but its refreshing to see the leveling of the playing field. Texas and other states should require all online sellers to collect sales taxes for the state in which the buyer lives.

We will have to pay more, of course, but what's fair is fair.

It is defiantly get harder and harder for the local guy, and that stinks because when you have an issue you can't fix, you gotta take it somewhere.

I also just got some stuff on amazon and had to pay sales tax.

Part of me would like to get save every possible penny and get everything online, but then my wife would begin to wonder why I am getting so many packages in the mail. LOL.

I don't mind paying 5-10% more, especially from a mom and pop, but I don't appreciate bein gouged for 20-30% or more . For instance, I got in a bind and needed some tie-down straps. Small town mom/pop, my only option, stuck me for $26 for a four pack. Saw the identical brand at Walmart a couple weeks later for $15. That's bull hockey.

Part of the problem is that the "small town" store that had the item probably paid his supplier $20 for the four-pack.

We try to, we don't mind paying the little bit extra for getting an item locally. The stores we shop are mostly locally owned, we get good customer service and if there is a problem it gets taken care of. Some items are just not available locally, even with special orders, unless I want to buy a case instead of just one. We usually skip the big box stores, because we usually get better service at the local stores, and I can get in and out in half the time.

When its a store I like, I don't mind paying a bit of a premium. For any of the generic big box stores, I order everything online, unless I actually want to test it out first.

I like to check online places first before I see what the local scene has. Some people charge outrageous prices for no reason.

I also like to check the online prices, then compare. Was actually just looking at 2 items today and was $60 plus tax or $46 so about $20 difference. Now I don't mind paying extra sometimes, but it adds up, and that $20 is a box ammo or half tank of gas. Either way you like to help the little guy, but save the most.

thank god taxidermy can't still be ordered online via Amazon or outsourced to China. I think for now we are safe.