There’s been a lot of discussion recently about a message from SportsPower Kadina to the Yorke Peninsula community—and I’m firmly in their corner. Because this isn’t just about one store. It’s about something much bigger: respecting the value of expertise, time, and local businesses that give back to their communities.
I’ve been on the other side of the counter
When I was a student, I worked in an electronics store.
I still remember the frustration. You’d spend 30–60 minutes with someone:
- explaining features
- comparing products
- helping them make the right decision
Only to hear:
“Thanks, I’ll go buy it online.”
At the time, it felt like your time had no value.
And here’s the reality: nothing has changed. If anything, it’s worse.
The uncomfortable truth about “showrooming”
Let’s be honest—buying online is not the problem.
We all do it. It’s convenient, often cheaper, and sometimes the only option.
But there’s a line.
If you walk into a store and:
- get fitted
- ask questions
- rely on a salesperson’s experience
- use their time to make a decision
Then that business has earned the sale.
Not the cheapest website.
Not a faceless marketplace.
The person who helped you.
You’re not just paying for the product
What businesses like SportsPower Kadina are offering isn’t just shoes on a shelf.
They’re offering:
- Expert fitting (which can prevent injury)
- Real-world advice
- Time and attention
- Confidence in your purchase
That has value.
And if we pretend it doesn’t, we’re effectively saying:
“Your knowledge is free—but I’ll give my money to someone else.”
That’s not fair. And it’s not sustainable.
The community side people forget
This is the part many people overlook.
Local businesses don’t just sell products—they:
- sponsor local sporting clubs
- donate prizes and support events
- employ local people
- keep money circulating in the community
SportsPower Kadina has been doing this for over 35 years.
So when people “showroom” them—use their service but spend elsewhere—they’re not just hurting a business.
They’re chipping away at the entire local ecosystem.
The community gets it
What’s been encouraging is how supportive the response has been. Reading some of the social media comments:
Belinda summed it up perfectly:
“If someone shares their expertise on products and their features and benefits and allows me to try for size then they have ‘earned’ the value of that sale, regardless of whether I can get cheaper online.”
And Leesa nailed the long-term reality:
“If we don’t support local businesses, they won’t survive. And when they’re gone, so is the chance to walk into a store, try things on, and get that in-person experience—we’ll all be left taking a gamble ordering online.”
That’s exactly it.
The $20 try-on fee? Completely fair
Some people push back on the idea of a try-on fee.
But think about it logically.
If someone is:
- spending time with you
- providing expertise
- helping you avoid the wrong purchase
Why shouldn’t that be worth something?
And importantly, the fee is deducted if you buy.
So really, it’s not a fee—it’s a commitment to fairness.
The future: choose convenience or choose community
Here’s where this leads if we don’t change behaviour:
- fewer local stores
- less expert advice
- no fitting services
- no community sponsorships
- more risk when buying
Eventually, we’ll lose the very thing we’re taking for granted.
My view
Buy online if you want. That’s not the issue.
But if you:
- use a salesperson’s time
- rely on their expertise
- benefit from their service
Then pay them for it.
Either through your purchase, or directly.
Because once those businesses are gone, they’re not coming back.
Supporting local isn’t just a feel-good slogan.
It’s a decision.
And in this case, it’s simple:
👉 If someone helps you make the right choice, they’ve earned your business.
