Greg discusses the benefits of shopping locally in this episode of Ask The Expert. 800 CHAB radio presents Ask the Expert with Greg Marcyniuk of Heritage Insurance located in Moose Jaw.
Here's a full transcript of the episode.
Rob Carnie: Why shop local?
That's a question that's asked in the latest newsletter from Heritage Insurance — which is probably in your mailbox or sitting on your table with your mail right now.
Greg Marcyniuk, from Heritage Insurance, joining us on 800 CHAB's Ask The Expert today. Why shop local is a question that you've got on your newsletter. And in fact, you're featuring local businesses on your newsletter. Tell us the story.
Greg Marcyniuk: Yeah. What we're doing, Rob, for clients that deal with Heritage Insurance is we're reaching out to those that are here, they're locally-owned. And I really believe that the trend with the Internet, a lot of people are getting lazier. And they're going through there, just click, click, click, and we're done. But I don't think people realize the reasons why you should shop local, eat local and go local because, first of all, Rob, it really builds your community.
The casual encounters that you enjoy at neighborhood-scale businesses, the public spaces around them — building relationships with the community and providing community cohesiveness — they're actually the ultimate social networking sites taht really strengthen your local economy. And you know why?
I put these numbers off the Internet that every time you spend at an independent business here locally, three times more money actually stays in our local economy. And if you buy online, it's almost 50 times more, that money stays here within the community.
So, those are benefits that you can bank on right there. As well, independent businesses really help our community grow, and it gives us a distinct personality. I know locally here with Heritage Insurance — and there's lots of other businesses — they all really help locally, they give back to the community. And I'm a strong believer that you only get what you give back.
So, you know, 'You can buy it where you can try it," is what I say. And local stores enable that where you can go and you can try it, you can take it back and you could get real expertise. And, you know what? In the long run, you're going to save time and money.
So, I really believe that it's just beneficial for everybody, if you want a community to stay and be a community and build a community, shop local.
Rob: You refer to shopping online and what an impact that has, and that's locally too. I mean, you can shop online with local businesses and that the industry is growing.
Greg: That's for sure. I know myself, we do. A lot of our business is done through the Internet. And again, it's staying here locally. It's providing employment here locally. So I recommend, however you want — because we do have it ease — just as easy to purchase insurance online as you can anywhere else.
And I know when it comes to food, they've got SkipTheDishes and all those other good apps that are available. So again, I'm saying you can shop online, but please shop local.
Rob: And shopping for insurance online is as easy as going to your website, sir?
Greg: That's correct, nohassleinsurance.ca or heritageinsurance.ca. And we'd be more than happy to get back to you very quickly with a very competitive rate, giving you the best value for your insurance dollar.
Rob: And you can also join them in person at Heritage Insurance, right at the corner of 1st Avenue Northwest and Fairford Street here in downtown Moose Jaw. Thanks, Greg.
Greg: You're more than welcome, Rob. And have a terrific day.
(Video transcription by Speechpad)