Vendor A has nice products and supports local regattas to you with donations or raffle prizes.
Vendor B has products of equal quality but is easily found online cheaper than vendor A. This vendor does not visibly support any local events to you.

How much more would you be willing to pay vendor A if at all? If shipping didn't matter and both items were identical, would you be willin to spend 10% more on vendor A?

It might depend on whether or not he promotes racist statements.

An individual consumer in USA's capitalist culture has very little power. One strength he does have is the ability to withhold how much he is willing to pay for products. Why should I publicly disclose such information?

Come on man. This is a legitimate topic, lets not bring more of that bull$hit into another thread.

I think it's great to see a vendor support out events by being there. I, for one, will give them my business. HOWEVER, I also like that we have a free forum here and will patronize Rick's store as well, just like I have Murray's. It boils down (for me) the feeling I get from where I spend my money. If they just want in my pocket, I won't go back. I've had Key Sailing go the extra mile for me and rushing to get me a part too, much better than my local store KO Sailing. Personally, I would like to make a better effort to shop from Rick more since he provides this forum as well as clincs and some top notch races.

"If shipping didn't matter and both items were identical, would you be willin to spend 10% more on vendor A?"

No. I doubt the validity of your hypothesis, there's always a difference. Also, money is a concern for me, the less I spend on other boat related things, the more regattas I can attend. So, indirectly vendors with lower prices are enabling my habit hobby.

It's offensive - and I wasn't the one who brought that signature here....and to be honest, that kind of stuff on a contractor's van or vendor who's giving me a proposal would affect my decision to hire them or not. That person/vendor/contractor's skill/talent may overcome it but he's already started half a step down if nothing else but from the display of insensitivity. We have sailors in our area that might take that tag line very seriously and I feel a bit of responsibility to call it out since the first time it got called out didn't stop it. I don't want my sailors/friends to think that through inaction we might actually condone that kind of atmosphere here.

I don't care if you think a view point, idea, person (me even) or action is stupid. Heritage / skin color is a different matter.

+1

+1

I dont care about 10% (unless we are talking BIG purchases) and I am willing to pay 10% more to support vender's I appreciate. I will pay in cash too to save them 5%

BUT I agree with Jake. anyone who drags offensive politics, racism, or just about any other kind of degrading viewpoint (via bumper sticker, or something i overhear) will most likely not get my business).