brick n morter vs online...cheaper than the other?

[smalltank]

Thought I would ask...not much here in SoCali as far as mom n pop shops...online almost seems better

 

[jtb]

I find that I can get tings cheaper online, but if I find a mom/pop shop with something, I will by it even if it costs a little more then online, mostly just to support wetshaving.

 

[crfcom]

Its just convenience and selection for me. Online is easy, and you can always find what you want somewhere. It''l be at the house in a few days, even if it's coming from UK. I love that I can get things from all over Europe and UK from my sofa.

 

[PugslyCat]

I went online for a soap binge late last year and stopped buying anything after that. Then I discovered a local shop with supplies. He has some blades and soaps I would like to try as soon my will power fails and I break from the 2012 SPP Sabbatical. In general I would like to support him as much as I can.

 

[TheVez2]

If you only need one or two things, B&M stores will usually be better because you can save on shipping. Plus you are supporting local businesses. If you are a repeat customer and they get to know you you can always ask them to get additional items. If you want to stock up and you can place a big enough order to get free shipping, then online is usually a better deal.

 

[Zerandise]

As a small business owner I try to buy from B&M shops. I am willing to pay more for the item in question to support my local community and keep my money local. The more I am able to pass to my local shop the more he is able to keep in stock. the more I sit on my couch and order from a faceless warehouse the less he has in stock and the sooner he will close leaving me no choice but to send my hard earned money to some other country or province. At our local shop, The Copper Hat, I am even willing to hold back my order until he has the time to get it in stock if need be just so he gets my sale.

 

[garyg]

If there's a local B&M I will support them 100%. The problem is we are already down the slope, in just awhile all the choices you will have will be at ChinaMart, or CVS. CVS will lose, then the only place you will be able to buy locally is the GUM Department Store, bring your standing shoes & babuskas. Then, when the states losing sales tax step up, we'll be whining because Amazon charges tax ..

I'd rather not buy from a sofa, sorry

 

[Teabag]

I tried my local Shavershop on the weekend for the first time. Lots of electric shavers on display. I asked for an alum block...no...styptic pencil....no....witch hazel....no. I got the feeling the girl had no idea what I was asking for. I had the kids in tow so couldn't be bothered trying to educate her and just ended up going online.

 

[Mick]

I am fortunate to have a nice brick and mortar shave shop that is within walking distance. I buy items from them they stock on the shelf but they only shelf 1/10 of what they sell online. Sure they will xfer anything to the store for me but it is nicer to walk in, pick it up, and buy it rather than ask them to get something they "carry" but do not "stock".

I have bought everything that they carry on the shop shelves and every time I go in I ask them when they are going to stock the T&H, D.R. Harris, MWF, TOBS, and Crabtree & Evelyn products that they sell online. They do stock Trumpers, Lucky Tiger, Edwin Jagger, l'occitane cade, Caswell-Massey, Derby blades, Penhaligon's, and Floris.

 

[El-a-Menthol]

Here in this part of Holland you can get De Vergulde hand line and Palmolive tubes.
You can get a lot of drugstore aftershaves though, but not many classic ones (like Denim). Since Old Spice is now owned by P&G I can get that.
I can get 1 type of DE blades, but have to especially for them to a specific store down town. I shave with Feathers, so no help there either.
So basically, with the rare exception I have no choice but to go online.
You have so much more choice and can get the world's best products.
Would be nice though, to also have a GOOD b&m store full of classical gear.

 

[Bad Robot]

Anything I want that I can find locally in a B&M store I will buy there. Stores will generally cease to stock what doesn't sell and I'd like to keep them in stock and in business. It's great that we can get stuff online but I also enjoy the instant gratification of picking something up instore.

 

[Big_OC]

Depending on where in SoCal you're located, you can visit some of the more reputable vendors. West Coast Shaving, Bullgoose, Razor Blades and More are the ones I can think of.