Vampire capitalism. The brick and mortar stores that were owned by local merchants who employed salespeople, who kicked their income back out locally; are closing down and being replaced by warehouse workers in a few places around the country while the profits and wages focus ever more tightly. As a Seattle denizen, that’s local for me; but it’s a bad thing for most of us everywhere.
I must confess that I go to Costco and Barnes and Noble to check out their books. And then I get those books from the library. I DO feel a semblance of guilt, however. I’m just on a very fixed income.
Funny, I’m shopping the other way around: looking online for a product that best possibly matches my needs and then seeking hands-on and advice from sales people in the local shops. When satisfied with the consulting I buy there for the price we can agree on.
But that takes sales people who know the product and the market, not some minimum wage bum. If the price online is 15% lower or more than the price I can negotiate in the local shop then usually there’s something fishy about the online-shop or the product (like outdated model, used or refurbished without telling).
For the future I’m waiting for the shops in the city to agree on an delivery service. So whereever and whatever you bought will be collected and delivered in one batch to your doorstep with a text-alert.
In Rapid City we waste time and gas looking for things, to find out the merchants who beg us to “shop locally” don’t have them. Then we go home and order them from Amazon.
When the store shut down, what do you want to bet they complain?
I consider paying more at the store to be a convenience fee – I want it NOW, not when it can be shipped to me. Also, I want those stores to be there when I go shopping. I can’t stand people who shop like Betty.
Darylr: Yes!!! For those like me who prefer to read on the Kindle, most local libraries have ebooks for borrowing as well. Everyone should use the library regardless of your situation (financially or otherwise!).
Some stores, like Target, offer the same merchandise online as in the store at a lower price. If you want it the same day, you can pick it up in the store within a couple of hours. The pickup location is near the doors so you don’t even have to pass by other merchandise and be tempted to buy more. Maybe they’re trying to drive their brick-and-mortar stores out of business?
Thank goodness for Powells. Up in our neck of the woods—one of the last privately own booksellers. They are usually fairly crowded but worth it. Prices are also the same in store as online.
whahoppened about 5 years ago
Having to carry the packages helped control your spending.
DangerBunny about 5 years ago
Vampire capitalism. The brick and mortar stores that were owned by local merchants who employed salespeople, who kicked their income back out locally; are closing down and being replaced by warehouse workers in a few places around the country while the profits and wages focus ever more tightly. As a Seattle denizen, that’s local for me; but it’s a bad thing for most of us everywhere.
dlkrueger33 about 5 years ago
I must confess that I go to Costco and Barnes and Noble to check out their books. And then I get those books from the library. I DO feel a semblance of guilt, however. I’m just on a very fixed income.
unfair.de about 5 years ago
Funny, I’m shopping the other way around: looking online for a product that best possibly matches my needs and then seeking hands-on and advice from sales people in the local shops. When satisfied with the consulting I buy there for the price we can agree on.
But that takes sales people who know the product and the market, not some minimum wage bum. If the price online is 15% lower or more than the price I can negotiate in the local shop then usually there’s something fishy about the online-shop or the product (like outdated model, used or refurbished without telling).
For the future I’m waiting for the shops in the city to agree on an delivery service. So whereever and whatever you bought will be collected and delivered in one batch to your doorstep with a text-alert.
Dani Rice about 5 years ago
I can remember when the department stores free delivery. The more things change . . .
Ukko wilko about 5 years ago
In Rapid City we waste time and gas looking for things, to find out the merchants who beg us to “shop locally” don’t have them. Then we go home and order them from Amazon.
david_42 about 5 years ago
I’ve never looked at something in a store and purchased it online. Normally, I look for an item in a store, can’t find it, then order it online!
sew-so about 5 years ago
When the store shut down, what do you want to bet they complain?
I consider paying more at the store to be a convenience fee – I want it NOW, not when it can be shipped to me. Also, I want those stores to be there when I go shopping. I can’t stand people who shop like Betty.
Jeffrey Brown Premium Member about 5 years ago
What a horrible commentary on modern consumers – short sighted and petty. A local store is a gem – keep it open!
erin.adamic Premium Member about 5 years ago
GAHHHHH PEOPLE LIKE THIS MAKE ME SOOOO ANGRY!!!!!!!!! Do we WANT to lose all touch with reality?!?!?!?!?!?!??
Nicole ♫ ⊱✿ ◕‿◕✿⊰♫ Premium Member about 5 years ago
Darylr: Yes!!! For those like me who prefer to read on the Kindle, most local libraries have ebooks for borrowing as well. Everyone should use the library regardless of your situation (financially or otherwise!).
JP Steve Premium Member about 5 years ago
When I buy anything on line, they are not as advertised. Don’t fit, don’t work — and is the store still there if you need to return them?
SapphireSkies Premium Member about 5 years ago
Some stores, like Target, offer the same merchandise online as in the store at a lower price. If you want it the same day, you can pick it up in the store within a couple of hours. The pickup location is near the doors so you don’t even have to pass by other merchandise and be tempted to buy more. Maybe they’re trying to drive their brick-and-mortar stores out of business?
baraktorvan about 5 years ago
Thank goodness for Powells. Up in our neck of the woods—one of the last privately own booksellers. They are usually fairly crowded but worth it. Prices are also the same in store as online.