Would you rather buy from Big Box stores or the little guy?

[Snapshot]

Amazon website runs 24/7 worldwide handling thousands of transactions every minute

 

Healthcare.gov........not so much.

What better way for the Fed's to make $750 million disappear.

[CouesWhitetail]

I prefer to buy from the little guys whenever I can, but I have to admit Amazon is making it way too convenient to buy anything you want at a reasonable price and shipped fast. Often times I stop at the little local stores and they don't have what I want, so I go to Amazon then.

[firstcoueswas80]

Whoever has what I need at the best price gets my business.

[Heat]

When Big Box stores can save you as much as $150 per rifle, paying the "little guy" is not a smart option, especially for a working man with mouths to feed. Even more so when the "little guy" is far from hurting or going hungry. I can't afford to make the "little guy" rich. JMHO!

[Curtis Reed]

I am the "little guy" just as much as a small business owner. I need to save my money as much as I can.

[rcdinaz]

I buy most products based on service, and yes I will pay a little more if the service it worth it. A lot of times great service can come from Amazon based on ease of purchasing stuff, getting quickly, and ease of returns. For archery, and a lot of outdoor equipment, ATV and auto service I would rather find a local independent that cares about their rep and their customers.

 

So I guess I don't have one answer. Bass Pro, Cabela's, and Sportsmans all are pretty hit and miss. Some great folks in the fishing and archery areas at times but guns & optics tend to be a complete lesson in frustration and poor information. A lot of people hate the REI but I will give them credit for having actual experts.

[Xnt]

I regularly buy from small shops when larger big box places have cheaper prices. However, I happen to be blessed with a better paying job than I deserve. If I weren't, I probably wouldn't do so as much. Examples include a local archery pro shop, as well as local photography and musician stores. Many of the large box places have incompetent dufuses working there anyway. Sometimes they just stand there with their thumbs up their butt when you clearly have that "little help?" look on your face. In the case of my bow I like knowing that I'm going to get the same guy and he instantly remembers my bow when he sees me walk in the door.

[bonecollector]

There plenty of "little guys" selling on Amazon as we'll. I know I have seen Ross Outdoors sell items on Amazon.

 

Online purchases are so much easier when you know what you want and don't need to check it out first.

[Coach]

_{Bonecollector hit the nail on the head with his last post. If any of the "little guys" want to, they can be part of Amazon or even Walmart.com - these sites don't just sell what they stock, they sell on behalf of thousands of online vendors. If you have a product to sell, getting it in front of as many buyers as possible is crucial. Don't rely on people finding your site, get it on the sites everyone is already using.}