File037

Buying locally

I give every effort to purchase locally. We are a small town of about 1500 people (census 2000). And we are about an hour from what I consider the "big city." So, it makes sense to buy locally vs drive time and gas just to save a buck.

But... I am already boycotting one of the two auto parts stores in town, mainly due to the owners attitude after I wanted to return a fan belt for a Jeep I had. My Jeep had an aftermarket AC unit so the stock belt didn't fit. So I returned it. He gave me grief because I waited a day before returning it. Then harped even more after he realized I paid with my debit card (I understand he probably got charged a fee, but from my knowledge he should get it returned from the bank). So, there's one business I refuse to do business with. But still I try.

So, anyway I got to the local farm store (which is part of a larger chain). *cough*Orscheln*cough* And I needed to get some bolts for the rear swing arm of the Bug. So I grabbed some lock washers, flat washers and nuts on the bolts, and threw 6 sets of them in the little nuts/bolts plastic bag (2 washers and a nut on each bolt). At checkout the lady rudely told me that the lock washers are not the same price and that "you almost got away with it" because I had washers and nut on the bolts. Even though the nearest sign to the lock washers was $1.79. So, as I was leaving the difference in price if she would have charged them all the same was 9 cents.

How does that ballgame heckler chant go... oh yeah, Nuts and bolts, we got screwed!