There are many economic reasons for shopping local; creating jobs in your town, keeping money in the community, better for the environment. But how do you personally benefit from choosing a local business over a big box store?
Personalized Service
Doing business with a nearby company likely means that you personally know the owner or at least a few members of the team. When you have a relationship with a business, the people helping you are more knowledgeable about your needs and are better able to assist you. A local business is also more likely to bring items into stock that you frequently purchase for a more convenient experience.
Reliable Deliveries
Ever order something online that NEEDS to arrive by a certain date and then doesn’t? Why is your order being delayed by the storm on the East Coast when you live in Washington? Buying local means that your order is coming from somewhere nearby so it is more likely to arrive on-time and in good condidtion. Local delivery drivers that frequent your business or home also know where packages should to go and who needs to sign for them.
Better Customer Service
If you’ve ever dealt with a large corporation, you know getting help can be a nightmare. You’ll call a 1-800 number, only to be transferred several times and put on hold. Even when you speak to a customer service representative, that person is so far removed from the decision-making process, there’s little concern that the company will lose you as a customer. When you shop local, the business owner is usually directly connected to every employee in the store. That leads to a personal approach that often means any problem you have is taken seriously.
Small businesses are also hiring for quality, not quantity so the team you work with is knowledgeable about the products and services they are selling. With a local business, you are also likely to be assisted by the same people, so you’re greeted with a friendly face (or voice!)