Ideas	Voting results and bounty paid	Comments

For food, it is quality and distance. Diamonds & high end jewelry, it is price or pawn shops. Clothing, it is yard saling for I am fluffy & nothing looks great. Cosmetics from friends who sell it. The rest consignment shops, yard/estate sales.
Suggested by minette

I will browse shops and gift shops and specialty shops as even if I'm not interested particularly just because if 1)It is near a restaurant/cinema I go to frequently 2)I've seen a special advertised. If you are a specialty shop then PLEASE advertise! My favorite anime shop went out of business and I never saw it advertised once in 2+ years! There are low/no cost options, just please try!
Suggested by Scott

Small towns have long-been the victim of scarcity thinking as big-box retailers come in and remove proximity advantages for small shopkeepers. Everyone starts crying foul, as they save money in bigger outlets, and eventually there's no more downtown merchants. Buying local is an initiative everyone should get behind, to bolster neighbors' efforts, and bring economic gain back to the locals.
Suggested by Ski

For some things local businesses can't be beat - I'd rather go to the local diner than a chain restaurant, and I've established good relationships with an auto mechanic and a dry-cleaner who have earned my loyalty (and my positive word of mouth). The same goes for the local comic shop. But some things (clothing and electronics come to mind) just don't seem to be as well-represented in the non-corporate sector, at least in my area. Availability plays a big role in where I'll shop - I'm not going to travel more than a few extra miles out of my way to patronize a small business.
Suggested by Michael

I am a pushover for young children. I always buy something from my neighbors and of course, I buy what I can afford from people I do business with. I like to help out as many people as I can. I will buy first from a friend than I will the store.
Suggested by minette

I like to help out the small business owners via Ebay, I know there are some big businesses but you can tell which ones they are. I get the best deals and faster service from them. Of course, I look for positive feedback of at least 50 or if the amount is not significant, I don't care.
Suggested by minette

I bought washer, dryer, fridge, range from local small business bc I knew they'd stand behind them. I will buy an HDTV from a chain & I buy furniture, clothing from chains bc the extra cost wouldn’t be offset by service. My dad's business sells gas grills & fireplaces that you could get @ a big box store for less, but he offers much deeper knowledge of the product, complete assembly & installation, & of course values his customers much more than some teenager @ Lowe's. Plus you can call with questions or problems & talk to the same person who sold the product. Same with my appliances; in addition, I was able to buy a used fridge that is MUCH nicer than anything I could have afforded new, even @ a big box, but I get the same service & support as if it was new - the big stores don't offer anything like that! Really it comes down to whether the specialized knowledge, superb service, & continued individual support is worth the extra price for each specific product I'm looking to buy.
Suggested by Meredith

My experience is that the girls who work at local establishments are way better looking than those who staff the big-box stores. For general ambiance and high-quality flirting, it's local all the way...
Suggested by Feezy

we know what to expect from national brands. a low risk decision. small businesses can actually have competitive advantages relative to big businesses. the service, atmosphere, inventory, etc might be better. but more importantly, the ability to cater to individual preferences. small businesses earn the majority of my business because they are more apt to cater to my individual preferences more often than big businesses which need to go through layers of corporate red tape to satisfy a request, taste, expectation, etc.
Suggested by Jusitn

Key to repeat business for small local shop is new inventory or least new presentation
Suggested by Larry

For big ticket items (electronics etc) it's all about price and convenience of sorting options so I go online. For gifts, food, clothes etc I usually go in-store (local or big box). Just because you're a local store, you don't automatically deserve my business -- that's the beauty of capitalism! If you're awesome, local (and competitive or offer extra perks) I'll shop in your store.
Suggested by Olivia

You can find things in small local stores that might never make it to the big chains. It keeps everything different from what 90% of the population has.
Suggested by Mark

it benefits everyone involved.
Suggested by Troy

for some things convenience just wins.
Suggested by Troy

with owners and other staff at local businesses.
Suggested by Troy

Local small businesses are usually much more likely to let me try something out, both in store and to take home for a few days. And, EXCELLENT customer service is pretty much self-explanatory.
Suggested by Hoon