$200.00 well spent

[Cuilidh]

I had a salutary lesson this week with regards to making purchases cheaply on the internet vs. from a local supplier.

My poor old printer has been on its last legs for the past year and I finally got fed up with it last week and ordered a replacement.  I went to our local small stationer who took a fair bit of time researching options and comparing prices of toner, etc. for me.  We finally settled on a model so I then looked it up on the internet to see how much it was going for there and, would you believe, it was $200.00 cheaper on the internet – what a huge difference in price.

However, this was what they call a “no brainer” our local guys had done all the work for me and would also install it so I ordered through them – apart from the fact that they had taken the time to do the research, the difference of $200.00 was worth it to have someone do the work for me.

As it turned out, this was precisely the correct decision to make as the printer was faulty.  Our local guy went back to his shop, rang the supplier and a replacement printer came in this morning and the faulty one taken away – I’m just waiting for the guy to come in and install it for me now (my fingers are crossed that this one will be OK). 

Now, this was a big, bulky printer (a small business multi-function centre, so not a small machine).  Had I purchased this off the internet I would have been faced with major hassles ringing the supplier, arguing down their throats that the item was faulty then, once they agreed to an exchange, re-packing and returning the machine to the supplier then having to wait for a replacement machine.

I reckon my $200.00 was money well spent.

[obbie]

Yes Marina, Its the small bricks and motor shops that deliver the service..

I won't buy on any deal sites anymore, after bad service.


it would have cost you more than $200 in stress, buying online.

[Yvette]

Well done Marina it is good to support the local and small business if possible 

[judydawn]

I agree with you Marina and having your local supplier on hand for future problems is essential.  I bought my latest printer from a small local shop just 5 minutes away so if there are any problems I can just take it straight back to him.  I can buy my ink cartridges at the drop of a hat instead of having to go all the way to the largest nearest shopping centre.  I've had 4 home printers, the first one lasted well until a picture slid off the wall and broke essential connections at the back of the machine and rendered the machine useless.  The next 2 were completely hopeless and returned within a very short time to a big named electronic shop, no problems getting  a replacement for the first then a refund for the second but I then decided to try my local chap for more personalised service.

[Halex]

I agree with you too.

My pc for example, I had to drive twice north of the river & it still hasnt been replaced. If I had bought it in a shop I wouldhave made one trip & had a refund or a new one by ow. i must ring them when I can drive again without pain.

I agree with supporting local business to keep them afloat.

h

[cookie1]

That's a lovely story Marina. I have only ever bought one thing over the internet. I can usually source them somewhere locally.

[Frozzie]

I think that's the plus of small businesses now and the selling point .. The service !!

[gertbysea]

Exactly!

Gert

[droverjess]

Agreed!

[obbie]

The service is what we go out of our way to give, the extra pump we lend you, when we are fixing yours. The advice 7 days a week, the breakdowns we fix on weekends. ect..

some times it pays off.

I wish we had more shops here.