I've seen a lot of posters saying that they buy fabric online and many that they buy from their LQS to keep them in business.

The reality is, it seems more and more people buy more and more online, at the expense of their local retailers who aren't getting that business. I know I've been guilty at times.

So, what do you buy online? And what do you use the internet to research, but would never buy anywhere but locally? Not just talking sewing... I mean anything you purchase online -- clothing, computers, tv, appliances, etc.....

(BTW- I bought some fabric from my LQS yesterday - for the record! lol)

Mostly quilt patterns that are different, material on here, books from book swap site things of that sort. My neighbor bought a Porche online, ebay and flew from FL to TX to pick it up. Had troubles with it driving it back home had to have repairs made. It sat in the side yard (looked like I owned it too) for few years where he polished it and worked on it. Then a few months ago he sold it and bought another one to work on, this time locally. Still sits on the side yard next to my drive way so I get the questions about my car?? LOL

I buy online because most of the time the prices are better and I'm lazy :oops: I mostly use online when buying in bulk because most times screen colors don't match the actual fabric (at least for me) and when it doesn't it becomes part of my stash for a future quilt. I mostly go to my LQS when I want something specific--like a matching border or binding.

I really don't like shopping, except at the fabric store of course. The thing I wouldn't buy on line is shoes, I want to try them on first.

I'm fine with buying fabric in person. I honestly don't chew through it the way some here do (I hand-quilt and I only do one quilt at a time, so I'm only making a small handful per year). If I'm looking for a specific color scheme or design, I'll buy it online, but part of the draw for me is going to the store, pulling out bolts, putting them together, and chatting with the shop assistants.

One thing I buy almost exclusively online is running gear. That stuff is expensive and most of the places to get that stuff around here are big-box stores--so they're not really hurting for my money.

I buy most of my faric online. The reason is because of the price. Even with shipping it is less expensive. I have rarely been disappointed in my purchases. Notions are often cheaper online. I buy my ink for my printer online. My husband shoes from "shoes for crews", and his parts for his 64 chevy!

I do buy fabric on line when I can't get what I need at the fabric stores. If I need bise tape, lace, patterns and so forth, I have to get on line cause you can't find any of that stuff in town. It is so hard to buy if you sew other than quilts.

I get my vitamins etc. online - prices are way cheaper. I don't buy a lot of stuff online or offline, besides the necessities.
I did buy my laptop on ebay and one for a neighbor (her money). Whenever I need anything I check ebay.
Oh and I get all my shipping supplies online.

Batting, 108" backing.
I prefer to buy fabric in person. I compare colors in natural light to make sure - monitors are not trustworthy enough for me.

Mostly make my purchases online... bad back makes shopping in stores difficult, and I'm very glad that I have access to stores online...

I use to love shopping, too..... but now, it's great to have UPS pull up in the driveway. Plus I usually have forgot what I ordered, so it's like Christmas when a delivery comes..lol

I only buy what I can't obtain from the local merchants. The postage is so high that you don't save much when you buy on line just for the heck of it.

Fabric.com has free shipping if you spend over $35., and their prices are pretty good, too. They carry the major brands.

I buy fabric online and sometimes at LQS. I don't have a very big stash so getting good quality fabric at discount priceshelps me a lot. If I was making like a new DGS quilt I would probably need to shop at LQ and Wal mart. We do buy soccer cleats for our 23 yr old online. He only wears certain brands and has bought at the same places for years. Also any type of soccer clothing he needs. We have a Shield here buy they only carry a couple of brands for soccer.

I wouldn't buy clothing or fabric online because I like to see and feel what I'm buying. I do buy games for the kids at Christmas time and prescriptions. If there is something I can only get online, the shipping cost is usually prohibitive.

Books

As much as I try to support my LQS, I just can no longer afford to pay her prices...new fabrics are up to $12.75 yard. I either buy online at a discount or use what I have...more and more I will be using what I have. I do buy patterns and thread at the LQS. I don't want to see her close, but I need to worry about me first.

I buy just about anything on the internet. It's easy to search and compare not only prices, but shipping. Sometimes it's cheaper to pay a little more at one place to get free shipping, etc. I've bought all sorts of things online...pasta, clothes, shoes, jewelry, household items, electronics, you name it. I have favorite shops for each and also use amazon and ebay a lot. My favorite time to shop online is Black Friday (actually that whole week there are deals). I avoid the crowds and get to select what I want at very good prices.

I buy a lot of fabric on line. I buy on ebay and I just bought a new computer from Dell.

I buy books online, fabric, rugs, clothes, furniture, lots of things. So many local stores are also online and I would just as soon have UPS deliver as fight the traffic. I do support LQS (almost weekly) and prefer local small businesses for any repairs done around the house.

Books, clothes, some meats I order online and they deliver the next day, pharmacy items, actually I will check online first for most things. I can order online at Walmart's site and pick the items up at the store, no shipping charges :D
There are still many things that I will only buy in person :D:D:D

I live in Canada and if you think fabric prices are high in the US, try Canada. I buy 90% of my fabric from the US online and don't feel guilty for one second. I also buy my quilting books from Amazon, online. If I find a good Canadian online fabric shop, I will certainly support them. We don't have a fabric store where I live so I would have to travel to another city and gas is high.

I do buy some fabric online and thread. Also get books, calenders, hair products, clothes, have bought 4 sewing machines online, Bath & Body Works products, whatever I cannot find locally I will order.

of course fabric, all notions, computers, dish and Direct TV satelite dish and acc. telephones, car parts, I bought an RV (40 ft Teton Home) Wine,games for WII and DS. I am not afraid to buy much of anything. This is the list that I thought about in about 3 minutes. Just know what price you want to pay before you start and go for it.

Absolutely nothing! I am so afraid of identity theft I just don't but on line.

Fabric of course,books,gifts and household items also candles etc

I buy a lot of fabric on line because the only store close by is Joann's & they don't have fabric lines. On line I can get all the coordinating fabrics to make a quilt.

It's tough for me to shop my LQS (hour away) every time I need fabric because I don't drive, and now that my DH has left semi-retirement and gone back to work full time, he isn't around as much. I usually try to hitch a ride to LQS with friends when possible but their schedule and mine don't always work out. So, I buy online, and I have bought online/phone order from my LQS when I knew exactly what I needed to buy and she had it in stock.

I buy very little online, maybe ink for my printer but that's about it.

While I like to support local businesses as much as I can, I live in a remote area and with the price of gas going so high, I have started shopping more on-line.An example- I'm going to buy an e-reader. The store that sells it is over an hour's drive away. I can buy it on-line for $120 less than the store sells it. What do you think I'll do?

I buy anything (except groceries) on line that I can get for less than I can get it locally. We live in a very small farming community and the closest larger community is 30 miles away. Often I can't find what I want there and with the cost of gas I am not going drive around searching for it. Usually save the sales tax and shipping is under the cost of 2 gallons of gas. I drive a Prius so gas would be 1.5 gallons for the round trip. Ann in TN

I don't put my card online=very paranoid about it. If I can't snail mail a check I don't buy

I always look in my LQS before i head online. Online I look at Connecting Threads, Fabric.com, KeepSakes, Quilt in a Day & Hancock's of Paducah to name a few.

I buy online because of the convenience of getting to shop in my pajamas. Not many shops close by.

I like fabric I can not find in the stores and ruler,also

It seems like so many fabric shops on line advertise jelly rolls and those sorts of things. You really can't see what kind of patterns there are in those rolls. I bought one at a LQS though and had the same problem. I really disliked many of the patterns in the roll and they really did nothing to make the stripes work together. Hard to win, but I prefer seeing and feeling.

I buy fabric online if I can't find what I want at my LQS. I have bought some clothing only if I really ,really like it and it is a good price with no shipping fee.

Sorry, I buy everything on line. Hate standing in lines and the service (if you find someone to wait on you) is less than good. Seems the South still cares but Northern Virginia---no way!!!

I shop online because DH and I spent all morning going from store to store looking for powder puffs. You would think we were from outer space the way most clerks looked at us. Evidently they didn't even know what a powder puff was. I came home and in 4 minutes I found two on EBay.

I know what you mean, had to laugh at your post. It's so frustrating today to not be able to find the most basic things not available anymore in stores.

I buy almost everything I need, except for food online, sure saves needless running around looking for things.

:)

I like shopping online from tried and true "stores". I have shopped at Amazon (books), QVC (Philosophy, kitchen gadges and small appliances, even a sleep number bed!). I also shop Ebay and just watch the seller's ratings and comments. I've also bought fabric online. The convenience makes it so easy and delivery to my door is a big plus! It just seems to be the way of the world. Someday we're all going to be self employed ebay sellers or something! lol

I buy shoes through places that have free shipping and returns.
Some fabric, christmas presents, puzzles, collectables on ebay.