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Is there an issue morally , hashkafikley,halachikly to switch over from your corner grocery store to the new super store ehich moved into town.
How much of a savings for example would be no shyla at all yo switch over.
The fact that the smaller stores may go under based on the local stayistics , is this a reason to not go shop at the new store.
Im sure there there are many variables. Looking for some insight and comments.
Just remember that for the most part halacha does not take emotions into consideration.Omg I’ve thought about these things too…
Umm, can we control the economy or economic trends? Collectively I guess.
Good question
This is a question for 30 years ago.
The relevant question today would be a super duper store vs. a plain super store.
We need an Einstein to answer this one….
It depends… If shopping at the big store will cost you more, then shop at the small one
If shopping at the big store will cost less, then there are two options;
1. If you’re on a tight budget shop at the big one
2. If you’re not on a tight budget or you know yours corner grocery guy or you way to help him, them shop at the small one
That being said the Rambam says that the highest form of Tzedakah is helping someone in his business… So I guess it’s preferable to go to whomever needs more your business to stay afloat…I think it depends…..on how much the savings are.
If they’re both frum yidden owned, then I don’t see why the size of the store would make any difference at all.
I shop at the bigger stores. The makolet will invariably be more expensive. Many of the makolets will insist on a minimum charge to use a credit card, which is in violation of their agreements with the credit card companies.
Assuming the smaller store offers a reasonable selection of grocery and specialty/heimeshe items in a clean facility with good service and the price differential is reasonable (for me thats about 10-20 percent premium), I will always patronize a smaller local store even with the higher price. However, for fresh produce, I find the smaller stores cannot really offer the selectoin and freshness of the larger stores and I generally go to the larger markets. Smaller heimeshe markets deservedly got a bad rap years ago for poor selection and service. As another poster commnted above, today, there are many moderately size kosher markets that offer a reasonable compromise between th two alternatives. Most OOT locations generally have only one successful location (e.g. Seven Mile in Baltimore) making the decision pretty obvious. The lack of competition sadly results in some markets that start out really good but gradually fail to maintain the quality of selection, don’t maintain their facilites and allow the service to deteriorate
Many of the makolets will insist on a minimum charge to use a credit card, which is in violation of their agreements with the credit card companies.
I don’t know about Israel, but in the US, the credit card companies are prohibited by federal law from stopping stores from imposing a minimum of $10 or less.
Rav Avigdor Miller said you should remain loyal to the original store you used. He shtelled Tzu the story of Avraham Avinu who stayed at the same motel on his way back from Mitzrayim as the way there. This part of the midda of hakaras hatov & neemonus.
How is advertising 3 for $5 & charging full price for a fourth “Shtik”?
Takes2: ShopRite and the major chains do that same shtick.
Joseph some shtik that customers try to pull us seeing a sale item 3 for $5 but ignoring the must buy 3 in the same ad. Ive had customers buy one box of tissues then question the price when they tell me but its 3 for whatever and i reply yes ma’am but you did not buy 3 which is a prerequisite to get the savings.
Even shtickier is when there is a sale price on something sold by weight – like chicken. 2 kilo on sale. But above 2 kilo, regular price. You pick up a pack of chicken, go to pay and find out it weighs 2.7 kilo, and you are not getting the sale you thought you were.
Yes, sales & special offers are very tempting, but there has to be fair competition, I agree & I see it in my business , but I don’t, you don’t, no one likes when your competitor drives you outright of business, it’s very unfair, & it’s not Yiddish like, (huhh, those days are gone)
Why is it unfair that someone who can offer a better price should get more customers?
Competition is always good as long as its competition and not causing the smaller stores to go belly up.
Should the bigger stores raise their prices so that the smaller stores stay in business?
At a few of the frum stores I’ve shopped in, the extent of the “shtick” of 3 for $5 is that the first two are $1.67 and the third is $1.66.
Halacha prohibits too much competition. As such, it may be prohibited to, for example, to open a shop too close to another similar shop. This must be adhered to despite goyish American law permitting and encouraging such competition.
In most peoples minds when a sign reads 3 for 5, means” at least ” 3
Really?
Honestly, that thought has never even crossed my mind before I read your comment.
Meno, you’re not most people.
More competition not only means better prices, but better service. No store has the right to my business
And frankly when many regular supermarkets sell enough kosher products including meat, chicken and Chalav Yistoel milk, the jewish stores better learn to compete because kosher is expensive enough as it is,
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