The real bargains won't be at Dowling Village, North Smithfield, Woonsocket

Monday, April 4, 2005

It's really funny how you just assume that the Big Box stores with all of their tremendous buying power could be cheaper than the local guys. Lesson #1 - never assume! Those of us who have been around for a while have heard the true explanation of the word 'assume', and it isn't good.

Case in point: Over the past two weeks, I had occasion to buy materials to make some home repairs. One of them involved replacing some galvanized stovepipe. Being the technology buff that I am, I immediately went to the Internet to find, a) a supplier, and b) the best price. Naturally the two giants came to mind, Lowe's and Home Depot. A search of both sites revealed that they carried some of the materials I was looking for, but not all. (Seems it's now 'out of season'!!!). I did
get some prices on what was in stock. With few other options, I checked my very local hardware store and found, not to my surprise, that they not only had all the materials I needed, but at a better price. Well, no rocket science involved here. Local business 1 - Big Box 0

Then, with all the rain, I decided, for practical matters, to get a back up sump pump. Again, I employed the Internet method of research. Both Lowe's and Home Depot showed a pump, but neither had any in stock. The Lowe's version was a cheap plastic version for cheap money, (you get what you pay for!). Home Depot showed a quality pump at a hefty price. Back to my local hardware store. Again, no surprise - they not only had the same top quality brand as Home Depot, it was 15% cheaper; and it's in stock. I had it in my home in less than 15 minutes. Even after taxes, I was still well ahead of the game. Local business 2 - Big Box 0

The point being folks, future malls like Dowling Village and the MEDzone are not the panacea you 'think' their going to be. Even with the 3.5%MED zone tax, I made out much better locally. Once the 'big guys' drive out all the small businesses, you're at the mercy of these guys. If you need something and it's not in stock, they a) special order it, b) you pay an up-front special order fee, c) you pay their price, and d) you wait around for it to arrive.

Just as a side note for those of you who might need things in a hurry (aka-emergency), the web sites tell you to call the local store for availability. You better get a coffee and make a lunch because you're going to be there for a while. By the time you're through with the computerized sales pitches, selections and finally get to the department you need, kiss off 15 minutes. (ask me how I know?) When I called the local stores, I immediately got a human that knew the answer to my question in under a minute. Of course you can always fight the traffic, drive to Home Depot and wander around 15 acres of warehouse in hopes of finding what you need.

I'm not a businessman trying to promote local businesses. I'm just a retired guy on a fixed income who has to make his dollars work their hardest. There are thousands more out there just like me. I have done my homework and I just want you to know that the picture being painted just doesn't show the true colors. The brilliance will fade quickly as the "big box" stores drive everybody else out. I've read studies which show that they don't reinvest in the communities - they invade. One study suggested that less than 14% actually makes it back to the community, while with small businesses it's closer to 50%. It's your choice. Give this some long, hard thought before you welcome them with open arms.

Donald P Gagnon
North Smithfield, RI