Do you support local companies?
 

Browsing the Hallmark store today over lunch to get my wife a Valentine's Day card, I wondered how many people in KC would not purchase a Hallmark product even if it was more expensive. I'm sure my limited spending won't make much of a difference, but I nearly always buy local if I can. I will buy Hallmark, eat at Applebee's over Chilis (even though it sucks), buy a Garmin GPS and use Sprint cellphone service.

Others might disagree. I have a good friend who works at Sprint. He said it's a known fact inside the company that their marketshare here in KC ("share of decisions") is no greater or worse than their national average. So people in KC won't bother supporting Sprint which is a huge economic engine here. I think that's crazy. I assume the same studies would bear out for Hallmark or Garmin.


Anyway, just wanted to get your thoughts on this.

I don't say that I "try" to use local. But sometimes it's just the best deal $$ wise.

we were going to the WWI museaum but Wal-Mart's selection of guns and people that stink like trenches was way cheaper.

I support single mothers. I tip strippers well.

You support Applebee's as a local firm?

I always try to go local if possible.

I go local if it comparable. I'll pay a little more, particularly if I have to travel, but they have to earn it. I'm not getting any premium locally for my stuff.

The ****

Yes. Almost always buy local and small and will pay more. Thankfully it's a huge trend in our town, and our store reaps the benefits. Also, if you live in KC and don't buy Hammerpress greeting cards, you suck. ;)

Can you even buy a card that doesn't say Hallmark on it?

I do....

Jesus. There is an amazing cottage industry of letterpress card companies right now.

My indignation is kind if feigned, but we own a store that sells a lot of this shit. Ironically my wife just got headhunted by Hallmark yesterday because of her work in the paper industry. She declined. Heh.

Look up Hammerpress (Kansas city based press that is awesome), sycamore street, rifle, sapling, smock, 1canoe2. All are awesome small presses.

I give every local business a chance when I have the opportunity but if they give bad service or sell a bad product I won't use them again.

Are they hiring writers? I think I could be a really good greeting card writer.

"Get well soon, unless of course you're hoping to die."

"Happy Valentine's Day. Be mine forever, or until that hot blonde neighbor wants me."

"Merry Christmas if you're not Jewish, in which case I'm sorry for your people's torment."

I buy Boulevard products. So yeah.

Topsys Popcorn!