Advantages and Disadvantages of Big Box vs. Mom and Pop

In researching the effects of Big Business vs. Small Business on surrounding communities, I found a blog about the advantages and disadvantages of having a mom and pop and/or bug box store in your neighborhood.
Advantages of mom and pop store:
-Smaller, more personal shopping experience
-You can get help when you need it instead of waiting for someone to notice you standing there looking confused
-Parts can be ordered for you without someone complaining about having to do so
-Owner might know you after a while, making shopping there a conversation as well as a buying spree
-Employees usually offer better customer service in small shops where they feel taken care of by customers and owners alike
-Might already be one in your town

Disadvantages:
-Less of a selection than in big box stores
-Things tend to cost a little more due to the fact that they don’t buy 1,000,000 lightbulbs at once
-They might not be open late or on Sundays, hampering your ability to get what you need when you need it
-Owner might know you after a while, making going in there a chore if you don’t like him or her!
-More driving around town to different stores because no one store carries everything you need

Advantages to Big Business:
-Giant Selection of everything under one roof
-Most things are cheaper, sometimes by a little, sometimes by a lot
-These stores normally open earlier, close later and are open on holidays
-Can save money on gas by only going to one store instead of several

Disadvantages:
-Too many people, too crowded at all hours
-Difficult to get help when you need it
-Employees normally don’t give 2 cents if you are there
-Sometimes they force out smaller businesses, which in my eyes is not a good thing

As advantageous as both may be, the author believes that small mom and pop businesses are more worthwhile because it provides more personally than bigger stores. I think he does touch on many good points of Big Business that can be overlooked by someone attempting to trash on having large stores around. Yes they can monopolize the business of a neighborhood, but it provides a convenience for the public, especially in such a fast paced society. Also the availability of shopping. these days people work all days of the weeka and sometimes come home from work late at night. At this time most mom and pop stores are closed whereas places like K-Mart are still opened late. Also, things are slightly cheaper because they are bought in bulk in big box stores. This provied reason for the acceptance of big business in neighborhoods.


Link: http://www.mytwodollars.com/2007/01/02/shopping-small-versus-big-mom-and-pop-vs-big-box-stores/