Economics from another post

[jengineer]

to spin off from Timmy Mac-1

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?action=post;quote=506149;topic=52892.0;last_msg=506149

The trend is vividly seen when a Lowes or Home Despot opens up within 4 miles of a neighbourhood hardware store.  The folks flock to the big box because it is cheaper both in price and quality.  Unless your daddy taught you right the consumer will go for price over quality.  Heck we see that with just about every appliance you buy today.  Sewing machine break buy a new one, toaster won’t toast. Don’t put in new burners just buy a new one – why – well the new one is cheaper than the parts.  By mixer is 20 years old – the gears are metal not plastic.  My sewing machines are both Singers a treadle and a portable both made before WWII. 

When doing a major restoration the house built in the 50’s the previous owners punched holes in the hollow core doors and had dogs that trounced the bottoms.  In 20 feet I have 13 doors wild.  I looked at getting replacements.   From the big box the doors were thinner and the jamb was square cut rather than chamfered.  The quality stunk but the price was right.  I ended up skinning one door for the laminate to fix 2 others and kept the originals.  When I couldn’t find quality handles and knobs at either store I remembered a small town store a mile from me.  Guess what the owners and employees knew what they had and where it was and were able to help me properly.  You don’t get that at the big box.  The local store carried quality but it had a price, they carried the “hard to find” but it had came with a price.  Now that the bigh box has them shuttered  now travel 15 miles or more to two other stores that will be in the same predicament.

So what does this have to do with the price of pellets?  Well now that the Big box has killed the competition they can either stop carrying the stuff that sat on the shelves and did not move, seen it happen or what was once a loss leader (sell it at below cost to put the other guy out of business) they now jack the price up because they are the only ones that stock it.  Legalised monopoly.,  The same thing is happening with the pellet makers.  Oh hey you will import to the US and guarantee  standing order. Jump on that band waggon.  Meanwhile sell the pellets cheap, loss leader, to get the market share, get exclusive rights to import and now you have a monopoly. Jack the price up meanwhile your local owner goes out of business.

The consumer is looking at the near term bottom line and not the far term future cost.

je

[mrb02334]

I went to Wal Mart yesterday, they did not have a single Crosman pistol, but they had a bunch of different Gamo pistols.
Also no Crosman pellets, only Gamo. I don't know about you but I'm not a fan of anything Gamo! So this only proves what Tim Mack said and the post above.
Jon

[Roadworthy]

Without going on a rant I'll agree with the above.  The local hardware store will have the stuff for my old house.  If it's not in stock they know where to get it.  I may pay a little more for having it shipped in, but it's not a big box "special order" fee.  I can get a price at the big box for a new appliance.  I can then go to the local appliance dealer.  They will not match the price (they can't, not enough volume) but they will work with me and come up with an agreeable price.

Stick with "mom and pop" if you can.  They will appreciate your business.  When they go out of business you are trapped by Walmart and the big box stores.

[robert w]

up on the square in the county seat, the hardware store don't carry tiawanese stuff . just made in usa stuff. I usually buy there unless its a thing they don't carry . id much rather support local buisnesses. I bought my 3 bsa essential scopes from our local gun store for $ 5. more than any other place. but no shipping either . and he knows me by my name same as up on the square . big box stores just know your wallet . look at a jerrys sporting goods catalog at a gun dealers. they have it on the front no box store guns. I found out the same gun sold at a box store isn't as good as 1 ordered from jerrys

[RedFeather]

Best around here is the local, old True Value.  Had real hardware stores but they've been forced out.  Last one was told to move - intersection being expanded and a ramp would take their place.  Moved to a nearby shopping center but was ended when the landlord raised the rent 300%.  Now it's a laundrymat.  Oh, and there is a three story restaraunt on the spot where the ramp was supposed to be.  Sure do miss them.