[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys,

I wonder how others feel on this topic.

We all like to have as much local trade as possible and d'ont like it when we see a 'foreigner' on our patch,

BUT,

Do we buy our leaflets, chemical etc locally where possible.

I always try to because I believe you get better service from people you meet , and there is always the reciprocal trade.

My printer does about 100,000 leaflets a year which I collect in small amounts,5 or 10 thousand.This keeps my wife happy as there are not too many leaflets' lying around' ,  and it keeps me happy because I pick up about £500 in work from my printer and his family.

A few weeks ago I left a card in my local cleaning suplies shop and last week I picked up £100 from it.

I know I could save money by finding the cheapest printer in Exchange and Mart  , but I would'nt get any reciprocal business so it would actually be more expensive.

Food for thought!

Cheers,

Doug

[Dynafoam]

Hi Doug,

Local inter-trade networking has worked well for me over the years.

Aside from the direct benefits you have mentioned, the simple fact is that the more local contacts made the better, especially since my only advertising is word-of-mouth. Plus the more that local economy is stimulated the better for every business in the area.

There are times when I have to buy from further afield but when I do it is for reasons beyond a simple price consideration.

[Fintan_Coll]

I always like to buy my vans and indeed anything else locally, especially from my customers if and when I can. However there are times when you need some special products you may have to go elsewhere.
For instance I cannot source either Solutions or One step anywhere in this Country(Ireland) and I have to import everytime.

[Ian Gourlay]

I agree with your sentiments .  And  I think I said somthing similiar regarding National Companies not using local Cleaning Companies.

However locally leaflets cost £15 to £20 a thousand when buying 10k at a time.

So regretably rightly or wrongly I vote with my chequebook

[paulchambers]

A local print shop in Si Ive's wanted 50p each for a A4 i also asked for a pack of pink paper . I didnt buy it at £15 i walked away laughing   Paul