Patronizing Jewish Stores

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 20 2004 Posts: 17151

I read the following:

Posted: Tue, Jun 28 2005, 3:13 pm Post subject: re: Patronizing Jewish Stores

Of course the correct thing is to patronize each other.

However if a product is substantially cheaper at a non jewish store I am not sure it would be wrong to buy it for cheaper.

Posted: Tue, Jun 28 2005, 3:21 pm Post subject: re: Patronizing Jewish Stores

correct me if I'm wrong but I once heard that if you can buy something for cheaper somewhere else and you purposely buy it from the jew just in order to give him parnassa, you can take the extra you spent and count it as maaser.
_________________
Levi- 9 yrs, Dovi- 8 yrs, Shevy- 6 yrs, Mendy- 4 years, Shaina Dina- 18 months

Posted: Tue, Jun 28 2005, 4:12 pm Post subject: re: Patronizing Jewish Stores

never heard of that one before Rolling Eyes

_________________
Please say tehillim for Elezar Menachem Mann Ben Rochel

Posted: Tue, Jun 28 2005, 4:17 pm Post subject: re: Patronizing Jewish Stores

Gold Member Joined: May 18 2005 Posts: 1254

One reason why I have no hesitation buying clothing from a non-Jewish store is that they let you return things. Sometimes the Jewish stores won't let you get your money back - you can only get a store credit. If the item was reduced then sometimes you only get a credit for the reduced amount and not for what you paid. Its hard to try things on in the store with the kids so I like to buy and take it home to try it on. Also I had shoes that broke after the first day and the Jewish store wouldn't take it back. I always shop by the Jewish stores for groceries.

Posted: Tue, Jun 28 2005, 10:29 pm Post subject:

Sadly the return policies at the jewish stores in ny keep plenty of shoppers away. The stores have to impliment these rules cause people take advantage.

I was once in a maternity store when a young chassidish woman returned a dress. The salesgirl then said to me, I am almost positive that this dress was worn. Probably for a simcha. But she still hads to take it back per the store policy.
What are people thinking? maybe they think, big deal, the store has no loss. I actually returned the dress. they can sell it tommorow.
BTW there are goishe stores that also offer only credit. (burlington)

Posted: Wed, Jun 29 2005, 12:14 am Post subject:

Then there are some jewish stores that don't let you return at all.
I bought a diaper pail and a non-jewish chain after 6 months I decided to take it back, cause I hated it. It was the worst diaper pail ever. This large non-jewish chain took it back for credit. The jewish store wouldn't take back even a diaper pail that a friend bought that I never used.

I only buy from a jewish store food and jewish items unless they really have a bargain on something.
_________________
Boy 10, Boy 8, Girl 7, Boy 5, Boy 3, Boy 15 months

Posted: Wed, Jun 29 2005, 3:52 am Post subject: re: Patronizing Jewish Stores

I believe there are halachos about patronizing Jewish vs. non-Jewish owned stores, but I don't know what they are. Personally, I have almost always shopped for clothes at non-Jewish stores outside of Boro Park and Flatbush because I prefer not to see my clothing being worn by everyone else in the street. Also, the one time I decided to buy a "Boro Park" outfit, I found it to be really bad quality - it fell apart after one season. But I do patronize Jewish clothing shops when I need kosher T-shirts and so on. Of course, this has nothing to do with wanting to patronize Jews; it has to do with them providing a service that non-Jewish stores don't.

Posted: Wed, Jun 29 2005, 5:55 am Post subject: re: Patronizing Jewish Stores

sadly enough I heard people doing that they keep the tag on and wear it for a wedding or something and then they bring it back to the store. one person said to me she just slips the tag off wears it sweats in it then brings it to the cleaners and then puts the tag back on and brings it back to the store for a refund. it is horrible but sadly to say people to do it.

what does patronizing mean anyway?

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 20 2004 Posts: 17151

will department stores/not-Jewish owned stores take your personal checks?

heimishe stores will often take personal checks though they may never see the money Confused

maybe this is why they are tough on returns - they don't want to get the bad end of every deal!

Posted: Wed, Jun 29 2005, 1:19 pm Post subject: re: Patronizing Jewish Stores

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 20 2004 Posts: 17151

I wonder how the department stores handle all the bum checks. I remember being in a Jewish-owned store once and they had bad checks hanging on the wall (I don't remember now, maybe it was to illustrate why they no longer accept personal checks!)

Posted: Wed, Jun 29 2005, 2:04 pm Post subject: re: Patronizing Jewish Stores

stem, you're behind the times. I haven't been to any BP store lately that didn't charge tax, and no one made a fuss about taking my credit card, unless the purchase was too small. The stores have become much more careful since some of them were "massured" on.

Posted: Wed, Jun 29 2005, 2:06 pm Post subject: re: Patronizing Jewish Stores

Ok, I'm really glad to hear that. I personally would never tell on another Jewish business (I don't think it's allowed halachikly)

Posted: Wed, Jun 29 2005, 4:48 pm Post subject:

OK my biggest problem with the jewish stores here in NY is their LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. They hardly have any customer service skills. Numerous times I have been treated like they are doing me a favor by letting me buy from their storesa dn that I am wasting thier time by asking questions. I would have to say thats my biggest problem.

Posted: Wed, Jun 29 2005, 5:08 pm Post subject: re: Patronizing Jewish Stores

Lashon Hara alert!!! Ladies, please be careful about speaking negatively about our fellow Jews..especially about whole groups of people.