i would have bought the knife. i think that it is important to support locally owned shops, particularly in one's neighborhood. i recently bought an item from a local store that i know i could have gotten for half price on the net. it didn't bother me in the least because i feel like it is putting money back into the community in which i live.

a store like that in solvang depends on tourist dollars like your own, and fwiw, i think you made the right decision letting your wife buy you a knife there.

depending on the item I try to support local whenever possible. If it's a small locally owned business that caters to the things that I'm into(outdoor stuff) I'll gladly pay more to a point. Good solid customer service means that I'll pay a little more, if they help out their community then that a few more percentage points that I'll pay, and so on.... On the other hand if they're a bunch of selfish blowhards forget it, I'll go internet.

I have no problem with wal-mart. They're a double edged sword as are most things in life. Like it or not there is some good that comes along with walmart as there is bad.

Well said Jerrwhy. And Bruce, right on with the "yes dear"!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

i have a good friend who keeps a list of honey-dos.

honey do this...

honey do that...

seems to work for him <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I will pay full retail anytime I am getting what I perceive as an element of service in the purchase. For example, I feel it is very inappropriate to go into a retail shop to examine alternatives, determine what you like, don't buy, and then go home and purchase on the internet. You're not doing right by the merchant for the service the merchant provided in letting you examine and evaluate your potential purchase. You received value but you paid nothing to the retailer who delivered the value.

Like many others have stated, I enjoy having local retailers that allow me to better evaluate my purchases before I buy and I am happy to pay for that privilege. Maintaining a retail storefront is an expensive undertaking and I have no regrets in paying my share to have access to this resource. In Austin, TX there are even bumper stickers supporting the eclectic shops in and around the city. The bumper stickers say "Keep Austin Weird" and it's a "Buy Local" message.

Retail is just not good enough for me! I pay even more! My DF cost me $200. My FBM, nearly $500 with the sheath. When I was actually able to score a HRLM, BATAC, FFBM, DM, S6, and Guard at retail, I was thrilled!

Wow, have I got a deal for YOU ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm certainly not set in my ways when it comes to buying knives. I guess I'd be most like Kraz describes.

I tend to pay retail if I really want it right then

Business stuff is almost always bought online except for spacers or Beeswax..I get those local from some droogs