What would you do?

[jmendez29]

So I just found out through a friend of mine, that there is a homebrew store that just opened up in town. I found out about it a couple of days ago so I haven't had an opportunity to check it out yet.

As it happens, I loaned one of my biggest carboys to a buddy and in the process of cleaning it (after racking the beer out) it broke. So he went to the homebrew store yesterday to get a replacement and to check the place out. I asked him how much the carboy he bought me cost and he told me it was about $40. I happen to know the price is about $32 at another homebrew store that's about a 25 minute drive away.

So without checking the place out yet and just assuming most things, if not everything, will be more expensive at this place, I really want to support my local economy, and it doesn't get more local than in your own town (as opposed to the next town over?). But where do you draw the line?

 

[Jersh]

It's really hard to tell without a little more information on that one... I mean, 'about $40' could mean $36 as well, so until you go check the place out yourself and see where their prices are at then you can't make a decision. I'm assuming that a 25 minute drive probably means the place is 25-30 miles away, and since you're in Michigan it's a good guess that you're driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle, so one trip to the next town over might cost you 2-3 gallons of fuel, which nearly offsets the difference in price that you see on that carboy, and you have an hour longer to brew.... And it may be that the LHBS in your home town has priced equipment items higher and ingredients/consumable type products might be more competitive.

 

[david_42]

I factor in fuel costs and time. Since I have no LHBS, these both count heavily.

I always shop my local hardware store first, then I make the 30 minute drive to Lowe's. $6-7 for fuel and over an hour's drive is worth a little extra. Plus, they are quite willing to special order things for me because I make a point of shopping there. Might be a factor for a brewing store as well.

 

[northernlad]

How could you and why would you assume anythng about a store you have never been to? The higher cost of a "one time" purchase means nothing.

 

[fatherbigfoot]

Jersh not everyone in Michigan drives four wheel drive haha its not the same climate as northern Canada

 

[jmendez29]

It's really hard to tell without a little more information on that one... I mean, 'about $40' could mean $36 as well, so until you go check the place out yourself and see where their prices are at then you can't make a decision. I'm assuming that a 25 minute drive probably means the place is 25-30 miles away, and since you're in Michigan it's a good guess that you're driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle, so one trip to the next town over might cost you 2-3 gallons of fuel, which nearly offsets the difference in price that you see on that carboy, and you have an hour longer to brew.... And it may be that the LHBS in your home town has priced equipment items higher and ingredients/consumable type products might be more competitive.

Actually, about $40 meant that he couldn't remember if it was $40 or $42. And incidentally, yes, I drive a 4wd Ram 2500. But I can't carry very much on my motorcycle so that doesn't work too well. Any which way, I've been pretty good so far about planning out brew days and keeping extra essentials on hand so I don't have to make a last minute run for a hydrometer or something.

How could you and why would you assume anythng about a store you have never been to? The higher cost of a "one time" purchase means nothing.

I see where you're coming from and yes, I am making that assumption. However, all I'm asking for is what everyone else does. Until now, I only really had one place to go, or just order what I need. Now that I have options, just curious about it. I live about a mile away from where the town sets up the farmers market. I know I can get a lot of the vegetables cheaper in a store, but the idea that I'm supporting a local farmer really appeals to me. Obviously, I'm not going to spend three times as much on something and let the farmer gouge me on a price, so similarly I was just kinda curious if people thought the same way about a store front. How much extra would you spend to support a local business? 10%? More? Less?

 

[jmendez29]

I factor in fuel costs and time. Since I have no LHBS, these both count heavily.

I always shop my local hardware store first, then I make the 30 minute drive to Lowe's. $6-7 for fuel and over an hour's drive is worth a little extra. Plus, they are quite willing to special order things for me because I make a point of shopping there. Might be a factor for a brewing store as well.

I can totally appreciate this and I feel the same. I have a hardware store about two miles away and Lowe's is about 5. I still prefer to go to the hardware store if I can help it. Seems to me that they are more likely to know what I'm talking about and give me sound advice for what I need.

 

[Pappers_]

Its been a long time since i've bought a carboy and I don't really remember the details of what I'm about to write but . . . . hell, its the interwebz!

I think that carboy prices were sort of up in the air for a while. In fact, for a brief time it was difficult to get carboys. Something about Italian-made, Mexican-made, closing factories, price changes, some carboys were poorly made or of low quality, etc.

In other words, I'd be certain that you are comparing apples and apples before writing off the closer lhbs.

 

[goose1873]

if you have any winerys they are usually cheaper. as far as supporting the store...i agree you need to go check the place out before you come to any conclusions. Like you said, its in your town so go down the road and take a look...

 

[HPDrifter]

Another factor to consider is that a carboy will last a lifetime if looked after properly, so who cares if it's $35 or $45? Ten dollars difference factored over a my lifetime isn't worth worrying over. Now if it were hops or grain.. that only lasts a little while and if they are the same in both locations, then price comes into the equation...

 

[A4J]

I support my local shops first but there's no magic number price-wise for going to an out-of-town shop. I'm not much of a comparison shopper tho.

 

[lady_brewer]

I know that the price of carboys went up here quite recently... like $4 more... and they vary from $26-$34 here for 6US gallon one...

I buy some things at my most local store... even though I know it isn't the cheapest. I like that they are there when I need just one or two things. They do have a tendency to bug me on occasion. Like even if I did want to buy hops there (and at their prices, no thank-you) they never seem to have the types I would be looking for. I am thinking that I will by a sack of two row from them, since I can't get it by the sack any other way, and it compares to what I can order it for in smaller amounts.

I have a favorite LHBS... and that is because the last time I went there I spent $100, and he gave me the carboy that I was planning on buying at the time. Most times he throws in a kg of caps on a $100-$200 order. I know that his overhead is a lot less than that of the other shops, but there are people that make the hour drive to buy from him, when they are 5 mins away from the LHBS I usually go to. Also he is very nice, and knows what he knows, and doesn't try to talk about what he doesn't know (unlike the owner of an LHBS I really dislike...)

Anyway, now this is a rant.

To sum it up - buy local, but don't feel the need to get fleeced.

 

[goose1873]

I cant do it much longer...$3/lb for 2-row...$4 a pack for notty yeast. I'm done...

 

[Homercidal]

I would check out the local place and see what their prices are before making any decision. I'm pretty sure I know which LHBS you are talking about that's 25 miles away and they are pretty good IMO. Personally I would try to buy local if it's only a couple of dollars difference.

 

[Grimster]

I draw the line at my wallet, if I'm saving "a little bit" ordering online I'll try and stay local, if I'm saving a lot then so be it I order online.

If I have a "local" store meaning in my town or one the next town over, I factor my time at $12 an hour (not what I earn but for "hobbies" I bill myself $12 an hour it's just my quirk) and if I'm saving more then that I shop next town if I'm not saving enough to make the drive worth it I shop local. If either store manages to piss me off then screw 'em, Rebel Brewer is only 90 miles away I'll order from them and have 'em ship it.

 

[springer]

To me buying local is just about any reasonable distance to drive. The guy you buy the supplies from 25 minutes away may be buying stuff in your town or may live in your town . If they are the same price wise I go to whomever I get the best service from . Local doesn't mean the guy within walking distance anymore.


Case in point I need a carb rebuild kit for my Chevelle I have three choices I can buy it at Jeggs for 40$ and pay shipping or the guy a bout 1 mile from my house who is at 55$ or the guy that is about 10 miles away for 49$ +tax same kit 3 prices . I am picking up the 49$ one Saturday he has it set aside for me .

 

[MikeG]

I don't shop at my "local" LHBS (~ 5 miles away), I will drive 30 min to Brew Masters Warehouse or order online. I like the BrewBuilder thing anyway(quick and easy recipe order) and prices are better.

 

[jmendez29]

I draw the line at my wallet, if I'm saving "a little bit" ordering online I'll try and stay local, if I'm saving a lot then so be it I order online.

If I have a "local" store meaning in my town or one the next town over, I factor my time at $12 an hour (not what I earn but for "hobbies" I bill myself $12 an hour it's just my quirk) and if I'm saving more then that I shop next town if I'm not saving enough to make the drive worth it I shop local. If either store manages to piss me off then screw 'em, Rebel Brewer is only 90 miles away I'll order from them and have 'em ship it.

To me buying local is just about any reasonable distance to drive. The guy you buy the supplies from 25 minutes away may be buying stuff in your town or may live in your town . If they are the same price wise I go to whomever I get the best service from . Local doesn't mean the guy within walking distance anymore.


Case in point I need a carb rebuild kit for my Chevelle I have three choices I can buy it at Jeggs for 40$ and pay shipping or the guy a bout 1 mile from my house who is at 55$ or the guy that is about 10 miles away for 49$ +tax same kit 3 prices . I am picking up the 49$ one Saturday he has it set aside for me .

These are the kinds of answers I was looking for. Previously, my hobby was snowmobiles. I found a HUGE difference in prices for parts so I ordered almost everything online. On top of that, the local parts place hired punk kids for the parts counter and it irritated me every time I had to deal with them. So my decision was easy on both fronts.

I like the standard of $12 an hour, that's reasonable. But the other reference about local doesn't mean what it used to is also good. I'll check the place out this afternoon, and see what I think about it. If they're good people with reasonable prices, then that's my choice. Thanks, guys.

As for the other place, there's a couple people who work there (or used to, I haven't seen them in a while) who I would really rather not deal with. They are VERY opinionated about things and if you don't agree then you are flat out wrong and they aren't afraid to tell you about it. Otherwise, its a decent little place with good people.

 

[mosquitocontrol]

I buy lowest possible price unless I need it immediately. That's just my penny pinching nature. I only go to the LHBS on the rare occasions I need yeast quickly or forgot something in my bulk order.

 

[KellyK]

I also think part of supporting your LHBS is about the experience you have when you shop there and their role in the local brewing community. We are fortunate enough to have two excellent LHBS in about equal proximity to our house and we try to support both because the stores offer knowledgable staff and are very involved in the local brewing community, never hesitating to act as a drop off point for local home brew competitions or to provide donations for club events. The larger of the two has repeatedly volunteered free space for us to host club events, including our competition. Both stores welcome bringing in beers for trouble shooting or simple sharing. On most things, their prices are a bit higher than I could get on line, but I don't mind paying more to support a LHBS that is active in the brewing community. Also, if you want to support your LHBS but can find the same product on line for less, give them a chance to match the price you'd otherwise be paying (including shipping) on line. Frequently if you talk to the owner they will make this happen rather than lose the sale.

 

[Homercidal]

I never thought much about buying local until the Lowes in a nearby town forced the local lumberyard out of business. Now I have to drive 20 minutes to get a 2x4 instead of being able to get it 4 blocks away. I worry about the hardware store in town and hope that I wont' have to drive 20 minutes to get plumbing parts or basic hardware. 20 minutes doesn't sound like much, but when you add up the time of driving and add gas money, it's a PITA when you just need that couple of things right away.