Many believe buying "local" helps support the local economy and should be considered. Others, especially libertarian types like myself, believe this is illogical. However, I keep feeling there's at least 1 small legitimate benefit for buying local and I'd like to test my previous conclusion.
Benefits of buying the best deal from anywhere:
- You increase your own prosperity
- You increase the seller's prosperity if they best meet your needs
- You increase the prosperity of buyers of goods you produce using sellers goods
- You reward sellers who best meet your needs
- You contribute to the economy in the sellers location and wherever you sell indirect goods
- You increase the prosperity of everyone who buys at the same location you do
Benefits of buying local:
- You help keep that seller in business
- You help keep the seller of that type of merchandise more accessible
- You can help keep friends in business
- You may have a better feel for whether store owners share values
Conclusion:
References
- "Buying Local" Is as Senseless as "Buying Tall"
- Why Buy Local
- The Bad Premises Behind “Buy Local”