Later today, I'm going to try to argue the efficacy of buying "Local." You know, not so much trying to twist your arm with sympathy, but really arguing that you might in the end be better off just buying it from a local store.
I suspect the whole "Buy Local" slogan is only marginally effective. I mean, it's better than nothing. I'm all for it. But I have a saying, "If you have to explain it, it's too late." You get the people who already instinctively understand or appreciate the value of it; you get the people who agree, but go ahead and buy from the Big Boys anyway whenever convenient, but who also might throw you a bone once in awhile whenever it's convenient ; and you get the vast majority who never think about it, and who don't really give a damn.
Right now, I'm going to, not so much argue that buying from the Mass Market is a good thing, but to acknowledge the reality of it's Dark Power.
Hot Dogs.
I love me a good hot dog. So I'm always willing to give a 'specialty' hot dog place a try.
But here's what I've found: I can get me a great hot dog, large and filling, at Costco for 1.50, with a drink.
Or I can get a 'specialty' hot dog for about 6.00 to 7.00, including drink. Usually the hot dog is slightly smaller, and less filling. It might have a bit more zing -- you know, it's German or Chicago or Spicy Italian. And -- well, I know there are all kinds of hot dogs, but, well, in the end a hot dog is a hot dog. In the end, I want to scarf up a nice hot dog, with relish and mustard and catsup.
And Costco does a good job of it. And it's very, very cheap..
What am I saying here? Am I a traitor to my entrepreneurial class?
Does it make any difference?
I do buy "Local" whenever possible, but it's often not possible.
I sort of quit arguing vehemently against the Big Boxes a few years ago. I mean, I'm still up for a good discussion, I still think I can make a good case for Local Retailers versus Big Box Empires.
But I just have to remember those damn Hot Dogs.
I suspect the whole "Buy Local" slogan is only marginally effective. I mean, it's better than nothing. I'm all for it. But I have a saying, "If you have to explain it, it's too late." You get the people who already instinctively understand or appreciate the value of it; you get the people who agree, but go ahead and buy from the Big Boys anyway whenever convenient, but who also might throw you a bone once in awhile whenever it's convenient ; and you get the vast majority who never think about it, and who don't really give a damn.
Right now, I'm going to, not so much argue that buying from the Mass Market is a good thing, but to acknowledge the reality of it's Dark Power.
Hot Dogs.
I love me a good hot dog. So I'm always willing to give a 'specialty' hot dog place a try.
But here's what I've found: I can get me a great hot dog, large and filling, at Costco for 1.50, with a drink.
Or I can get a 'specialty' hot dog for about 6.00 to 7.00, including drink. Usually the hot dog is slightly smaller, and less filling. It might have a bit more zing -- you know, it's German or Chicago or Spicy Italian. And -- well, I know there are all kinds of hot dogs, but, well, in the end a hot dog is a hot dog. In the end, I want to scarf up a nice hot dog, with relish and mustard and catsup.
And Costco does a good job of it. And it's very, very cheap..
What am I saying here? Am I a traitor to my entrepreneurial class?
Does it make any difference?
I do buy "Local" whenever possible, but it's often not possible.
I sort of quit arguing vehemently against the Big Boxes a few years ago. I mean, I'm still up for a good discussion, I still think I can make a good case for Local Retailers versus Big Box Empires.
But I just have to remember those damn Hot Dogs.