I fully agree in supporting your local stores.... especially local computer stores. They always seem to have the lowest prices. However, I have a few suggestions:
1. Buy small first and build up a relationship.
2. Check other local stores to see if their prices are reasonable.
3. Check to see that they are part of the BBB or accept credit cards (and not cash only) or anything to make sure that they are in there for the long run. (Not a fly-by-night store)
Local stores are great, but when you go out and blindly buy a computer at a family owned local store just because it's cheaper... you are ignoring the service and return policies which, in my opinion, are superior at your box stores. Try returning your shiny new computer at your family owned local store. Even if they allow it, you will be slapped with a restocking fee of some sort... and get ready for some resistance. They try doing the same thing at FutureShop.. they don't even ask any questions! (just make sure you have everything in it's original packaging and the receipt).
I'm not saying that all local stores are like this, but some are and you need to do your homework first.
Then there was this incident at Rona. All you plumbers out there will get a good laugh out of this. My temp and pressure (T&P) relief valve was leaking so I had to get a new one. I took the old one off my tank and headed to Rona. I couldn't find where they kept their T&P valves so I asked. The person showed me where the were kept and got me a new one. I looked at it and it different from the one I had in my hand. More precisely, the one in my hand was rated for 150psi and 210F, the one he gave me was for 125psi and 210F. I let the person know about this and he shrugged it off saying that the water coming into the house is only 70-80psi so it was well within limits. Doesn't he know that when water is boiled the pressure rises? Anyways, I took his word for it and went home and installed the new valve. 2 hours later while I'm watching TV, I hear a noise that was very similar to water gushing as if somebody turned on a hose. So I run downstairs... low-and-behold, the valve I just installed had opened (which is what it was designed to do when pressure exceeds it's rated limit) and was letting hot water out into the drain. After a few minutes of investigating, I determined that I really needed a valve rated for 150psi and that the tank's normal operating pressure was 150psi. So I went back and found out that they didn't have any T&P valves rated for 150psi. I went to Home Depot and they had the exact same one I originally had and now I'm a happy camper.
As any plumber can tell you, T&P valves are a serious thing. If you install it incorrectly or if you buy one that has the wrong rating, you run the risk of your hot water tank literally blowing up (the force of it can knock out walls and there are pictures on the internet that show this). Fortunately, the valve I bought was rated lower than the original so when the tank was trying to reach 150psi, the valve was opening at 125psi.
So the moral of the story? Well, I almost forgot...
No wait, it's not just Home Depot that have poor service people with poor knowledge.... they exist at Rona too.