I was just interested in asking this: How many of you ever consider buying local made or HQ'd brand products when you are making a purchase? For example: If you were a local person or had a local business in Houston, would you buy a Compaq or HP computer because that company has a big work force in Houston and employs thousands in the area? Or Dell in Austin? My orthodontist said that he made sure that all his computers in his office were Compaqs because he operated 5 miles from the HQ and tons of clients had parents that worked there. Do any of you guys ever take that into account when buying any kind of products? I guess in Houston almost all oil products have a big presense in the area so that doesn't really count, but maybe a TI calculator over a casio or something like that. Or wherever you might live. Just wondering.
before they were bought by Tom Thumb, I used to shop at Randall's primarily because they were locally owned. now i just shop there because i like it best. bought a compaq years ago from the compaq works factory outlet...but we buy dell for our office
When I buy OJ - I always buy Minute Maid. Besides that, not really. I always try to buy "Made in the USA" products. I do favor: Dr Pepper or Mr. Pibb Coke over Pepsi (barely, thanks to Diet Cherry Coke) Continental Airlines over all others Compaq/HP over Dell (for servers, not desktops/laptops)
When it comes to high-end products like televisions and computers, I figure it's all going to some big company no matter where it's HQ are. So I just pick the one I like best. But, if it's the choice between buying something from a chain retailer or a local mom and pop shop, I try to give my business to mom and pop. I do this a lot with plants and birdseed. I go to local Buchanan's nursery and Wabash feed store instead of Lowe's. We've debated doing this with our catfood but, dammit, when you go through one 25-lb bag every six days, that every-11th-bag-free promotion at Petco REALLY helps.
I try to buy local, or from companies I like (or at least not from companies I don't like!!). This often means paying more. Once I accepted that this is what I wanted to do, and that I'd be willing to spend 10% to 15% more, it made a lot easier to do.
When I go out for dinner I usually prefer local resturants over national chains. They almost always have better food and service. I also tend to buy electronics that are made in the US or England with the exception on TV's and computers. Cars on the other hand...
I only buy clothing made by local companies, I dunno about food though...I try to just make sure the vegetables dont have animals in 'em.
I really don't care where I buy my products for the most part - I just look for whatever's the best deal on what I'm looking for. I have an aquarium, and I'd go broke paying for stuff for the aquarium if I bought from mom & pop stores. I bought a $40 filter online that costs about $90 and even $120 in some local stores. That's insane. For computer parts, I always buy online, unless I need something really quick. I like putting what I want and need in a computer and not relying on Dell's or some other manufacturer's sites giving me a quote then ripping me off when I want to make changes to their default configurations.
What about private labels at a grocery store? They make a killing off those private labels. Don't get me started on store discount cards.(the ones where you have to have the card to get savings) That is such a joke. This is their way to do one of two things: 1) jack up the price after the sale 2) product change ... as in reducing quanties. Even though the name brands make private labels, they are not the same ingrediants. Some products matter ... some don't. I usually go for the cheapest, unless its meat products.
