Phil

DC,
How you been?

Site sure has changed over the years.

cabrio993

Do you always buy where is cheaper?

I don't mind spending more and buying locally to support my local economy. At the end, we all benefit from it.

Spending money wisely doesn't mean just spending less money and watching out for yourself in the short term, but how it really affects you, your community, and your economy in the long term. That's not being a puppet, that is just being truly a wise consumer.

Mark in Baltimore

Alex, you're kind of proving my point...

IXLR8

Most smart shoppers including businesses do, especially in our competitive world.

The only guy benefiting is the business owner. The money is better in my pocket than his. When a local whines that I am buying stateside, I just tell them to make up the dollar difference out of their own pocket and I'll buy here. They always shut up pretty quickly.

Two car dealers, same product, same everything; do you buy from the one who charges a grand more?

Here is one for you. Would you alienate a "user" if he had some good information to pass along that you needed?

cabrio993

I buy from the one that provides me with better service and value. regardless of price, within reason.

That store owner that you want him to make the difference has a mortar and brick store to pay for, employees, taxes, etc. All that so you can walk in, open the boxes, try things, tell him that you can buy it cheaper on the internet, and leave. That's why he probably shuts up. He's just being polite.

If everybody thought the same way as you do, there would be no more stores /businesses for you to walk in, browse, and test products, we'd be buying everything from the web, cheap, all the way from China directly delivered to your door.

Let's bring this back into context, we are talking about $17 after all, right?

Mark in Baltimore

Sadly, Sergio, the answer is "yes".

cabrio993

Sad indeed!!

IXLR8

And that I get when buying stateside. Far too many businesses up here have the attitude that they are doing you a favor. Many of us have had it with that.

I wasn't referring to a store owner; I was referring to local forum members up here with their heads stuck in the sand that get so bent out of joint where I shop, like its any of their effing business.

As for operating costs, so do all businesses, even the ones I deal with.

I don't do that! But I did give one the option of meeting the price on a ~$1000 order because prices were close. He did, after a lot of pondering...and we're talking 10%.


I do not need to test a Porsche part or a bottle of Mobil 1. They are free to also get into the mail order business or to compete.

You don't run a business, by the way?

I'm not renewing!

cabrio993

I do run a business, but a service oriented one. I don't have a store front, but I do understand about business costs and how business need to make a profit to exist to provide a service/product to you.

As far as for you renewing. No need to tell us, I wasn't expecting you to. Why should you? You can get everything you need from here for free.

Ed Hughes

So, since you're living off the land in your adobe hut and driving your Porsche on the wooden tires you made by hand, you must be banking some money-hopefully in a SMALL local institution-by not supporting ANY billion $ companies.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

You are a wise & enlightened person,....

True words.

Unfortunately, thats close to the truth.

Not EVERYONE in the Porsche business drives late model cars (or motorcycles) and lives in a grand house. With some exceptions, its not the cash cow that many folks believe it to be. Many people such as myself receive gratification and great personal satisfaction from working in this industry since its both a good deal of fun and rewarding by helping people achieve their objectives and enjoyment from their cars.

Any business providing a service (including parts) requires sufficient profit to cover the overhead and provide a little sufficient capital for the equipment required to do the job.

These businesses also comprise the deepest knowledge base and experience when someone needs assistance, service, and parts. If this has little or no value to someone, certainly thats the best argument to shop at the lowest price points.

Naturally, its JMHO,.....

(this thread has kinda jumped the tracks, however I felt that a general response about perceived value was needed)

cabrio993

Thank you sir!

You give me too much credit.

I'm just tired of hearing people whine about spending a few bucks to get something back.

As Ray Calvo would have said...Dumbnuts!

jw97C2S

You're right, I donate to billion dollar companies all the time. I was using google to search for a product and said to myself "self, I've been using google for years and am concerned that they might start inundating me with ads." So I hit paypal and sent them $25. That should stop future ads from popping up.

Next I went to yahoo and said "even though there are ads on the site, they might put up more if I dont send them $20 (I donated less this time since I prefer google and would rather they remain on top). So I...

Ed Hughes

I referred to purchases of any kind. You seem to have a problem with Capitalism.

vern1

This has gone so far out in left field.....although it is entertaining.

IB runs the site for profit. Take the word "Membership" out of "Membership Fee". They charge the "Fee" if you want access to OT and Classifieds (should be called an "OT and Classifieds Fee" frankly but IB is smart and introduces "Membership" into it so people feel loved). I was a "Member" before but didnt pay the "Fee" again when it came time to renew as I didnt use the services they were charging for. If I do then I will once again pay for it.

We are all "Members". The "Fee" has nothing to do with Membership nor artists, nor museums nor any other the other strange things people have used to defend their Membership Fee or lack thereof

However, keep at it as it makes for good reading at lunch.......