Ok Guys, I need to Vent

[prlyles]

Every year, here in Elkin, we have what is called Light Up Night. The downtown merchants spend thousands of dollars providing Santa, free Buggy rides, free entertainment, every store stays open late and gives away gobs of stuff. People from 3 counties pack the downtown. They are here because they can get all this free stuff and get into the Christmas spirit and they don't have to spend any money. All their Christmas money is going to Walmart's, Amazon, etc. These people are scared that their neighbors, or people they know who run these businesses are going to make a little money. I guess it is what it is, Merry Christmas.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Trying to follow here. Is your complaint that they don't spend money at stores like yours that are locally owned and instead shop at corporate big box stores?

 

[prlyles]

Trying to follow here. Is your complaint that they don't spend money at stores like yours that are locally owned and instead shop at corporate big box stores?

Yes it is.

 

[UNC71-00]

Every year, here in Elkin, we have what is called Light Up Night. The downtown merchants spend thousands of dollars providing Santa, free Buggy rides, free entertainment, every store stays open late and gives away gobs of stuff. People from 3 counties pack the downtown. They are here because they can get all this free stuff and get into the Christmas spirit and they don't have to spend any money. All their Christmas money is going to Walmart's, Amazon, etc. These people are scared that their neighbors, or people they know who run these businesses are going to make a little money. I guess it is what it is, Merry Christmas.

Running a small retail business is unbelievably tough. Consumers don't think about anything but unit cost.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Yes it is.

I apologize about that and can only imagine how tough it is to compete against the big box stores, especially in a more rural area. The convenience of Walmart is just too much for most people to pass up, especially like I said, in rural areas where there's less selection of stores in general.

I'm assuming the purpose of the event is to drum up business for the local Elkin stores, but instead people only attend for the free handouts?

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Running a small retail business is unbelievably tough. Consumers don't think about anything but unit cost.

And there's this too. Walmart can go way low on price and that's all the consumer will consider. I tend to be fine slightly overpaying two particular local restaurants here for lunch because they're both mom and pop owned places. Most people don't think that way though. They don't consider the people behind the business they're patronizing usually.

 

[prlyles]

Running a small retail business is unbelievably tough. Consumers don't think about anything but unit cost.

No, it's more than that. I beat the big boxes in a lot of areas but Walmart has done a great job in marketing that makes people think they're the cheapest. plus it's something else, in a small, town people really hate to see their neighbors, friends, etc. make any money. It sounds crazy but it's a fact. I hear it almost every day, people set aside money every week to spend at Walmart and what is left over they will spend at local places.

 

[prlyles]

I apologize about that and can only imagine how tough it is to compete against the big box stores, especially in a more rural area. The convenience of Walmart is just too much for most people to pass up, especially like I said, in rural areas where there's less selection of stores in general.

I'm assuming the purpose of the event is to drum up business for the local Elkin stores, but instead people only attend for the free handouts?

Yeah, that is pretty much it.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

No, it's more than that. I beat the big boxes in a lot of areas but Walmart has done a great job in marketing that makes people think they're the cheapest. plus it's something else, in a small, town people really hate to see their neighbors, friends, etc. make any money. It sounds crazy but it's a fact. I hear it almost every day, people set aside money every week to spend at Walmart and what is left over they will spend at local places.

Hmm....interesting. I've never heard of this. Why do you think that is? Not saying you're wrong by any means, I'm just wondering why people would have that mindset. Seems to fly in the face of small town America values.

Is it like a jealousy thing? Like "I don't want that guy to make money from me when I'm barely making any money myself" ...?

 

[Blue2010]

No, it's more than that. I beat the big boxes in a lot of areas but Walmart has done a great job in marketing that makes people think they're the cheapest. plus it's something else, in a small, town people really hate to see their neighbors, friends, etc. make any money. It sounds crazy but it's a fact. I hear it almost every day, people set aside money every week to spend at Walmart and what is left over they will spend at local places.

This is one of the truest statements I'll ever see you make, prlyles. I'll spare you the details, but I understand very well what you're getting at here. Hang in there... My mom told me growing up - just accept people for who they are and you'll be much happier in life. Jealousy is human nature for most...they feel more comfortable when you're at-or-below the level they are.

 

[Louigi]

Free market capitalism. some win, some lose. deal with it.

 

[prlyles]

Hmm....interesting. I've never heard of this. Why do you think that is? Not saying you're wrong by any means, I'm just wondering why people would have that mindset. Seems to fly in the face of small town America values.

Is it like a jealousy thing? Like "I don't want that guy to make money from me when I'm barely making any money myself" ...?

To tell you the truth I don't know but it's real.

 

[prlyles]

Free market capitalism. some win, some lose. deal with it.

You are 100 percent correct and I do deal with it.

 

[bleeduncblue]

Gotta admit, we have a long standing love affair with Amazon Prime! Pretty sure we have single handedly kept our local UPS hub in business.

 

[Blue2010]

Gotta admit, we have a long standing love affair with Amazon Prime! Pretty sure we have single handedly kept our local UPS hub in business.

My wife LOVES Amazon Prime. We don't ever shop for essential stuff in the actual stores anymore. But I do go to local mom & pop places for a lot of things b/c I'm a snob for certain things...like one local place here makes blueberry syrup, and I refuse to eat pancakes with anything else. There's still a niche for small, local shops that Amazon and the mass-production types can't touch.

 

[Louigi]

You are 100 percent correct and I do deal with it, by whining.

FIFY

 

[prlyles]

FIFY

Not so much whining as a comment on human behavior I guess.

 

[coryfly]

Wal-Mart is ruthless. We have four big supercenters here and 3 of those Neighborhood markets. It is pretty crazy considering the size of our city. Their goal with the markets is to kill the dollar stores. I don't think they will win that battle though.

 

[prlyles]

Wal-Mart is ruthless. We have four big supercenters here and 3 of those Neighborhood markets. It is pretty crazy considering the size of our city. Their goal with the markets is to kill the dollar stores. I don't think they will win that battle though.

They're putting up dollar stores at every crossroad in N.C. it seems.

 

[TarHeelMark]

My dad used to run a small business (bicycle shop) and hated Wally-World for their ruthless desire to run stores like his out of business. Most of the repair work that he got was from the cheap bikes that people bought at Walmart.

 

[heelbent]

We shop the downtown Benson stores exactly because they are our neighbors! The HH6 runs a bank in town and several of those folks bank with her. We don't mind spending a little extra because it keeps the local economy rolling, they are our friends, and it's just a smart thing to do if you value small town life.

That being said we busted up Wallyworld pretty good last night for the granddaughter. I'll be an Prime today as well looking for gifts. It's awfully convenient to sit at home in my robe and click. Free shipping is pure manna from the gods.

 

[coryfly]

My dad used to run a small business (bicycle shop) and hated Wally-World for their ruthless desire to run stores like his out of business. Most of the repair work that he got was from the cheap bikes that people bought at Walmart.

I have a buddy with a bicycle shop. He is apparently doing pretty well here but the affluent here are kind of obsessed with riding bikes in traffic on one lane roads so normal people have to wait on them.

We shop the downtown Benson stores exactly because they are our neighbors! The HH6 runs a bank in town and several of those folks bank with her. We don't mind spending a little extra because it keeps the local economy rolling, they are our friends, and it's just a smart thing to do if you value small town life.

That being said we busted up Wallyworld pretty good last night for the granddaughter. I'll be an Prime today as well looking for gifts. It's awfully convenient to sit at home in my robe and click. Free shipping is pure manna from the gods.

Yeah, we like going to little stores when we can but certainly go to Wal-Mart as well. There aren't a lot of small retail places here. There is a really cool little Mennonite store about 30 minutes away that we love.

 

[strummingram]

I learned about 17 years ago that brick-and-mortar stores are becoming obsolete.

 

[coolwaterunc]

Amazon rules all. The only time I go shopping is for groceries, and definitely not at Walmart.

 

[BillyL]

Before Prime, I could order something from Amazon and it would be here in 2 days minimum, rarely did it take 3 days for the item(s) to arrive . . they were quick to process their orders and get it to UPS. After Prime was initiated, the orders took 4 or 5 days, maybe longer to arrive . .

If, you order a lot from Amazon, Prime is certainly cost justifiable . . IIRC, the original cost to the membership was just $79 . . an even better deal than it is now.

 

[UNC71-00]

The only chance a little store has to compete is to have a niche. Or to sell things that consumers have to see/test before buying such as furniture.

 

[chick_bleeds_carolina_blue]

Amazon Prime has tons of benefits. I can read books and magazines (that I previously paid 20+ for subscriptions for like Food Network and HGTV mag) for free, the prime music is okay but it isn't Spotify or Apple.

As for people doing online shopping, it is easier and many will order things online at Lowe's and then come pick it up just to avoid actually getting a cart and browsing through the store, which is odd to me but whatever. I order some things online but other things I'd prefer handling in person before buying.

We have a little mom and pop place here run by the Amish that I love. It's like an old general store with a deli and lots of organic foods and farm fresh items so I love shopping there over any grocery store but sometimes I just have to go to a Target or Publix.

 

[Raising Heel]

All their Christmas money is going to Walmart's, Amazon, etc.

Amazon just opened a grocery store without a checkout line

 

[prlyles]

Amazon just opened a grocery store without a checkout line

I already have a problem with people picking up stuff and just walking out!!!.....lol