Because of so-called "big boxes" and online stores, for many, only price is relevent. Undisputedly mass-marketers know the maximum price the market will allow and still contrive to manipulate it. Successful independent merchants don't compete with these outfits and must carefully consider their margins. When possible, dealing with an individual merchant affords the consumer invaluable advice and service for which others charge an extended service premium. People use different criteria when making purchases and they can be personal, yet business for smaller operations can become very personal. Sorry, this didn't start out to be a rant, and not an indictment of anyone's buying habits. At the least, it would be a kindness not to knowingly ask a retailer to service something he sells that you got elsewhere. Maybe this is part of what small business people would like to say but don't because it would sound "whiney". Shouldn't we try to buy locally while we still can?