I once lived in a similar location, with a 60 mile drive to work. (I'm
not a morning person either). My drive took me near a town...small city
that had suppliers for three or four large companies and many smaller
ones with some of those specialty machine shops. I gained a lot of
contacts through work. Metal suppliers 25 mile away will deliver to my
door.
Parts procurement for ham projects can be difficult in most places.
First, you need to locate them and then find the ones that will deal
with the individual.
We moved down here in 84 which drastically shortened my drive. My wife
ended up with about the same distance she had before. We are now retired
and live in a small, rural subdivision, but fortunately no HOAs.
Unfortunately the large trucks can't make it down our street so larger,
longer, heavy deliveries have to be via smaller trucks. We should have
chosen a better location, but with an acre lot I at least have room for
modest antennas.
No way would I drive 30 miles for parts, EXCEPT when I need them now!.
Big stuff? Probably. Ace and Tru-Valu are nearby which I do use. But
for most nuts, bolts, and screws, I go to the suppliers and purchase
them by the box. My fasteners shelving is better equipped than the local
hardware stores. I can get boxes of many sizes for what 4 or 6 bolts
cost me at the "Big Box" and hardware stores. Many of the local stores
do supply through the Internet.
It also helps that we are close to, or in, hunting, fishing, and water
sports areas.
Still, it's getting much more difficult to support the local, brick and
mortar stores.
There are no local, or even not so local, Ham stores. The closest is
well over a 100 miles.
73
Roger (K8RI)
On 7/9/2016 Saturday 5:30 PM, Don W7WLL wrote:
True Roger, BUT . . .
My location (and I suspect this is true for many on this reflector)
isn't where a wide range suppliers is available. One just doesn't run
to the local store for anything, it is a trip to a large town or city
taking a whole day or more!!!!! There is an Ace Hardware up in a small
coast town 6 miles north, but while having some SS and other hardware
it is very limited in scope, mostly really common stuff. The next
nearest hardware is a Tru-Valu south some 30 miles in another small
coastal town, same limited selection but a little better. Some 30
miles to the north in Newport is a Fastenal, again little in stock,
most has to be ordered out of a warehouse someplace so it is a wait.
Next stop are larger towns in the Willamette Valley like Albany,
Corvallis and Eugene (some 2 hours plus driving time) or larger ones
like Salem and Portland (3 hours driving time). While there are some
bigger fastener shops most again have a relatively limited 'in stock'
inventory and one has to rely a lot on their ordering for you, again
wait. Lots of driving and lots of fuel cost let alone time and wear
and tear, and I still have to bear shipping and handling costs (the
latter 'handling' bugs me as so many I;ve run across are outrageous).
Where prices are similar, landed at my place, I try to spread my
purchases around. But I sure do the comparisons, not just unit cost
but shipping/handling cost, return policies, responsiveness and other
attributes.
For all it's problems, those company's who have learned how to sell
via the internet and do it with integrity, have capitalized and done
well in what today is a very competitive cost driven market. Who ever
I purchase from, if the service is good, I am willing to pay a little
more to get what I need. And, I make sure that those I buy from know
whether I am satisfied or not. If not, I tell them why vs grumble just
to the XYL about it.
The US small business area from what I've seen is changing quickly in
terms of the market dynamics but most who have adopted quickly to a
huge internet marketplace seem to be thriving and growing more there
than in across the counter sales. Good to see people like DXE,
Metalwerks and many other small businesses who just feed the amateur
radio operator heeding to and filling in market needs. More important
is most I;ve dealt with appear to be listening to user inputs. I trust
all will do well and that I will be able to continue keeping my meager
station running whilst being able to shop from home at costs at least
no more than what I'd have to bear if I lived in a big metropolis
where there is a lot of competition and the product selection is
extensive.
Support your local business, but don't shoot yourself in the foot
doing it. I chose to live here so know I have to live with the cons.
IMHO,
Don W7WLL
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