Choosing The Lowest Price May Cost You More

By Anastasia and Michael Tsouroupakis

The Benefits of Patronizing Smaller Businesses

In light of Target’s failed foray into our Canadian market, we would like to take this opportunity to remind you of all the reasons you should chose to patronize small and family owned and operated businesses over the big box chain stores.

When you ask someone why they choose to shop at a big box chain store rather than their neighborhood small and family owned operated facilities, their answer is singular; Price. In the retail sector it is generally understood that bigger stores offer the lowest price because they can secure a ridiculous deal from the vendor allowing them to undersell their competition. This is no longer the case, most small businesses have come to realize that they need to stay competitive in order to survive, and everyone now goes above and beyond to offer you the best bang for your buck. However, if you are only basing your decision on price your are in essence short changing yourself and your community. Sound extreme? Not if you really stop and think about it. Most big box chain stores in the name of low pricing overlook, customer care and product diversity, and in your quest for the lowest price you are sacrificing being treated as an individual. We who own and operate our own businesses remember your name when you walk through our doors, we remember the little things about you; how many kids you have, where you mentioned you wanted to take your next family vacation, and we even remember how you take your complimentary coffee. Why? Because we identify and relate to you on a personal level, to us you are not a number contributing to the bottom line. Each one of your concerns is urgent to us, and when you seek resolution you are speaking to the owner rather than invoking a customer service phone tree trying to reach someone in another time zone who has the authority to resolve your problem. Furthermore, big chain stores answer to only one higher power; their shareholders, and any decisions resulting in your satisfaction are incidental. Small and family owned and operated businesses answer to YOU and ONLY YOU because without YOU there is no US.

Finally, small and family owned and operated businesses have a vested interest in your community and your neighborhood. We participate in the communities we are located in by providing employment, by donating time and resources to local community centers, schools and charities.

So the next time you are deciding whether to patronize a big box chain store or the small and family owned and operated business remember, your decision will not only impact your wallet but the community in which you and your family live.