Quote:
Originally Posted by Kali Yuga
I concur with meraxes; protectionism -- whether on a national or local level -- does not work. If the small shop can't offer something (convenience, quality, service, atmosphere etc) that the national chain does not, then no amount of encouragement or pleading to "buy local" will work. And if you were running a small business, do you really want your customer base to be built on pity and parochialism?
I.e. if you're going to zap Walmart, it doesn't make much sense to decry the fact that they are a large, efficient, national chain. I'm reasonably certain there are other grounds to criticize them.  |
I agree. I hate Wal-mart and refuse to shop there and just pay more at places like Target etc. for the same stuff as Wal-marts are just terrible shopping experiences.
But I don't feel that bad for the small shops that go under either. Just the nature of the free market. Off goods and services that make people want to come to your shop over chain places, or you have no purpose. Service is really key. I'll pay more for things from places with good service.
Of course, the problem is many don't have the budgets to do that and have to shop where ever is cheapest, even if they hate the experience in those stores.