Market Research: Buying local vs. online. Please help!

1.Perishable would be my #1, I only buy local that is if I can make it a day trip I will buy
2.Fragility is very close 2nd. Always get insurance for the replacement of broken items. Large transport companies always have insurance for items they are shipping. I have shipped item from over seas, US and within Canada. I have not had much trouble.
3.Availability If I can't fine it local or semi local I shop world wide to get the best buy.
4.Tech support is good, but the best tech support comes from the manufacturer more produces are putting in print that you should contact them and not the company you bought the product from.
5. Shipping is not a worry as I get insurance on almost everything I get shipped If it arrives broken then the insurance kicks in and it is cheep to get.


I have run small business before and worked in large shipping companies also and insurance is just a cost of doing business. whether it a small company or a personal perches get insurance, the first time you need it you will be glad.

edit: I forgot to say economics keeps the world economy going around and helps keep people employed.
There you go.


Bill

[Funky_Fish14]

For Livestock:
-Availability (Because I only buy specific specimens, that are exactly what i want)
-Fragility
-Perishability
-Ease of Shipment
-Technical Aspects

I list it this way because if I want a specific animal/livestock, it is unique. All animals, corals, etc... are unique, no two are alike. If I want an animal, I will pay whatever for it, from wherever. Desire for a specific, exact product outweighs all technical aspects/problems associated with it's purchase.


For anything else(dry goods, food, etc..):
-Technical Aspect
-Availability
-Ease of shipment
-Fragility
-Perishability

The reason for this order, is due to the fact that if something is very complex or detailed, I'd prefer to get a chance to view/understand it in person if I can... following is availability (which is also linked to price, I wouldnt consider the item 'available' locally if it is twice the online price, per se)... Whether shipment will take forever or not is basically the following reason, then fragility/parishability, I dont really care. Most retailers will typically replace stuff I didnt break myself.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Chris

(If you draw me, keep the $20 dollars as a 'refund' from another 'poor' student, haha)

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

1) Perishability (I don't like shipping livestock in winter for instance)
2) Price - Cost/benefit analysis (how much am I really going to save online vs LFS)
3) Availability (with J&L, OA, & other lg. sw retailers here, can't one of them bring it in?)
4) Shipping (again cost/benefit analysis - will shipping costs negate any savings?)
5) Technical support

I don't often resort to ordering stuff shipped in just because of the added cost & risks involved, especially with so many sw retailers in the area.