Do you support small local traders, even if it leaves you hugely out of pocket?

[gladbag]

We had a moral dilemma yesterday. I live in a small rural market town, and always try to use and support the local independent shops to buy most things (book shop, instead of cheaper Amazon, chemist, grocer, butcher, hardware, etc).
Yesterday our TV blew up rather spectacularly. Dh was thrilled as it meant a new flat screen one, which I'd stopped him from buying while our old one was servicable. Checked online for the model we wanted, then went down to little electrics shop in town. They had the model, but it was over £200 more than buying it online. The most they would discount was £30.
Now I'd have been happy to pay £50 - £80 more, especially as no delivery costs and we could take it home then and there, but £200?
We ordered online, and it's arriving tomorrow. So.... would you have done the same, and how can small shops hope to compete with the internet giants? Or is it just electricals and technology shops, where prices are changing and dropping constantly that will suffer?
Have I just contributed to the beginning of the end of small town shopping experience?
Your thoughts

yes it's all you fault you would have to be a mad to pay £200 over the odds

We would draw the line there and wouldn't have bought TV in local shop I'm afraid despite shopping locally as much as we can. £200 is a bit different to the small amounts extra you might pay for other things locally.

£200 is a lot but I do feel for the small shop owner - mainly because my dh is one.
One of the main complaints from (small) electical shops is that people come into their shops to get advice and decide what they want to purchase and then order it elsewhere. They also sometimes come back afterwards for advice on the equipment they bought elsewhere. These shops ultimately cannot survive. My dh works in photographics and he often cannot mark down an item any cheaper or else it will cost him. Most customers (touch wood) are happy to use him for smaller cost things as they trust his advice and he is very approachable.
We try to get most things locally and never buy fruit, veg or meat at the supermarket anymore. But it is difficult as although we have a very good local bookshop I do still buy at amazon and waterstones. I used to buy cd's locally till that shop had to close when Tesco opened.

Another thing - local shops can be cheaper than the supermarkets. My butchers and greengrocers bill is cheaper than when i shopped at supermarkets - but I have friends who don't believe that you can ever get cheaper than Tesco. It is very maddening.
Dh recently read a book called Shopped which is all about this. I would link you to it on amazon but that rather defeats the point...

I'm not sure what I would have done re the television, as it is such a huge saving to buy online. However, I also believe in buying from local shops where possible, and regularly use our local butcher, baker and greengrocer. The quality of produce is better in those shops, copared to Tesco, as well as being sourced more locally. I also used to use our local fishmonger and small independent bookshop/CD shop until they (sadly) closed down.

Message withdrawn

Thanks for the comments - I shan't feel too weighed down with guilt then.

Cupcakes, I completely agree, and often we do find real bargains in the local shops - but it must be very tough on your dh. This particular shop is great and the guy has been so helpful in the past with silly little electrical bits and bobs that we've needed, but I just couldn't justify (or afford) that huge difference.
He must sell some bigger items (TVs, washing m/cs etc) because the shop has certainly been going strong for the past few years, but I wonder for how much longer