keeping the money in the family
I think its a great thing to support frum stores and businesses. Its a smart thing all around, the money spent on shoes goes to pay the shoe store owner's tuition, which pays the rebbeim... etc. and why wait till someone needs tzedaka to help him out? Buy his products and prevent that!
Having said that, I would like to share two experiences I've had.
~ I went to a local non Jewish owned store where every shoe is 21.99. (cant beat that price). Didnt find what I was looking for, so I stepped into a frum shoe store. To my very great surprise, I saw the same exact shoe (same designer etc.) that I had seen in the other store for 21.99 being sold in this store for 80.00. I am not kidding. SO if it was a difference of a few dollars, I might say, Okay let me support a fellow Jew. BUT since it was four times the price, I start thinking, this guy is taking advantage of his fellow Jews! I mean, even if he sold it for double the price-- $40.00 is still reasonable for a shoe. and maybe the other store gets good deals. Whatever. But from $20 to $80 is such a vast difference, that tells me he is totally taking advantage, and that is just not fair. If you are gonna charge $80 for a shoe, at least make sure it is superior quality, not something really worth 21.99.
~And then there was the time I stepped into the shoe store which was advertising a BIG sale in the back room. So I went in to check it out. AS soon as I walked in the door there was a HUGE sign in my face, maybe 2' by 3', proclaiming that anyone who took a shoe off the rack and did not put it back was over on geneiva!!
Whew!
I put my hands in my pockets, and went on it.
Wouldnt you know it, every two feet that sign was repeated (in small) and on every shelf on every rack!!
I felt guilty just looking, never mind touching or trying on!
It was SOOO not conducive to shopping, so I left, checking my pockets again to make sure I wasnt a ganev.
I complained to a friend, who happened to know the owner. so he called him up and told him what i said. The owner told him how people try things on and make messes, etc. and it causes him a problem- he has to pay someone to straighten up, blah blah blah.
Okay, it must be frustrating for him, but really that is part of owning a shoe store. You cant go putting your customers on a guilt trip. A nice polite sign would be appropriate, not an accusal!
3 Comments:
If a Jew offers the same product as a non jew but at a higher price, one is not obligated to purchase from the jew. read below:
(from The Chicago Community Kollel's site http://www.cckollel.org/)
(regading the shop with 'genevah' signs, that is matter of personal preference, and I happen to agree with you 100%!)
Buying From Your Brother
Rabbi Avi Weinrib
When contemplating the purchase an item many factors are taken into consideration. The price, quality and return policies are all factors we consider before making a purchase. The Torah teaches us an additional component to be considered. Who is the owner of the shop where one wishes to shop? Is it one of our fellow brothers or not? In this week’s Halacha Encounters we will discuss the mitzvah of supporting our fellow Jews when buying or selling items.
The posuk states … When you make a sale to your fellow or make a purchase from the hand of your fellow…” The Toras Kohanim on this posuk teaches that when one is selling or buying an item, priority should be given to one from his nation. The interesting aspect of this halacha is that although Rashi on the posuk quotes the Toras Kohanim, neither Rambam or the Shulchan Aruch make any mention of it. However, the poskim including the Rema and Mishna Brura mention it and accept this halacha at face value.
PRICE DIFFERENCE
The question arises when there is a price difference: Is one required to purchase from a Jew? Additionally, if one can get a better price when selling an item to a non-Jew, may he do so? Is there still a requirement to give preference to one’s fellow Jew? The Rema writes that preference is given even when there is a price difference. The Chofetz Chaim qualifies this and rules that the halacha applies only when there is a small difference in price. In regard as to what is considered a “small” difference there is no clear guideline in the poskim. It would seem to depend on one’s financial situation and the size of the purchase. If one is buying many items and the small difference on each item adds up to a larger difference, we no longer consider this a small difference. The Chofetz Chaim adds that this only applies to items with no set market value. In such a case, even though one can buy from a non-Jew for slightly less, he should nonetheless give preference to his fellow brother. However, if an item has a set market value and the Jew is charging above the price, or when selling an item and the Jew wants to pay below the market value, one is not required to give preference to the Jew. One should note, however, that even when the price difference is more than a small amount, even though he is not required to give preference to the Jew, if one does he fulfills a positive Torah commandment.
As someone in retail for over 10 years, I have to agree with you about both issues.If you can't keep your price at least somewhat in the ball park, then don't sell that item, it will cause bad rap about your store. Also, here's a fact: customers (good & Bad) make a mess! If you can't deal w/that then your in the wrong buisiness!
Megapixel -
Perhaps these were negative experiences, but usually it's not so bad.
Besides one should spend up to a fifth more to support a felow Yid.
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