So many choices for places to shop these days - big box stores, discounters, sales at high-end malls and specialty stores, and of course, the Internet. Everyone's looking for the best deal but what does that really mean? To me the best deal isn't just price; service is the value added that is priceless; and sometimes we overlook what our local businesses have to offer.
New England Appliances on Nason Street in downtown Maynard MA, my old standby for appliances for the past 21 years proved it again this past week. My six year old washing machine that I bought at there (after a terrible experience with a large national chain store) broke over the weekend so I called them to come out and fix it.
Long story short, the problem was a part that had they never seen brake before so it wasn't something they had in stock. Of course, it was two days before Thanksgiving, so we knew it would be a few days before the part would be in. Looked like I'd be spending the holiday at the laundromat - oh well, certainly there are worse things that can happen.
So I packed up my clothes and headed to the bank to get some quarters. While I was standing in line my phone rang; it was Ron, the owner, calling to say that when he got back to the store he checked a machine they had on the floor and the part was the same, so he took it from the floor model and said he could come over and fix it right then! Awesome I said! What outstanding service...
There's no way that Walmart or Sears or any on-line store could or would be willing and able to provide such outstanding service; that is something only a local store can do; and it is truly priceless!
I shop around too, especially in this economy everyone has to. But in the end, shopping locally is the best for quality, service, and yes, prices are competitive, and it;s it good for the town - a win-win for everyone.
Happy Holidays...and please consider our local shops for the holidays and all year long!
Buyers interested in purchasing a home in Maynard MA: it's time to get moving as the number of homes available continues to decline; only 24 single family homes for sale compared with 32 last month and 54 last year at this time; and 9 of the 24 already have accepted offers with contingencies waiting to clear. Additionally, there are 15 single family homes with sales pending; last month there were only 9 with sales pending. Pending sales will close in the next month or two.
Lower prices and fewer homes for sale are starting to have a positive effect on the single family housing market in Maynard MA. Closed sales for April and May were up and time on the market was lower. Currently there are only 34 single family homes for sale compared with 54 last year at this time. Seven of the 34 have accepted offers with contingencies to clear. Additionally, there are 15 single family homes with sales pending; these will close in the next month or two.
The condo/townhouse market continues to offer good values, but fewer on the market - 25 compared with 33 at this time last year. Prices range from the 170s for apartment-style condos; $199,900 to $298,900 for townhouse re-sales at desirable Deer Hedge Run, Oak Ridge, and Apple Ridge, where there are only 8 available, 2 of which have accepted offers. New construction townhomes starting at $329,000. There have been 10 closed sales so far in 2009; exactly the same number of closed sales for the same period in 2008.