Looking at some of the products I need to buy for this winter I struggle with the best way to purchase. I find a number of web sites that sell parts and plows and spreaders but I wonder what is it I really give up by going to the web?

I suppose common sense should rule the day - buy from the dealer the items that you need their expertise on and buy items off the internet that are not "mission critical." I struggle even with this as I would like to buy local but sometimes the dealer's price is so darn high. Do you just suck up the higher price to support the local guy or do you save your own wallet and go web and even purchase aftermarket parts?

Such is the struggle for the consumer - I guess it will come down to timing - I will get around to making the purchase and, as usual, by then I will be short on cash. The longer I delay the more I will pay - I guess that could be a slogan for any dealer - "The longer you delay the more you will pay."

Well, back to my pondering