Brick & mortar stores vs. online shopping

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I went to WalMart the other day and was disappointed at the selection of 2-slice toasters available in the store and the ones there looked like demos. From their web page it looked like they had a lot more models and brands available. I grabbed a clerk and asked where a certain model was, She said that it was probably only available online, but if I ordered it online, they can ship to the store in a few days. Is the day coming where actual store buildings will become obsolete with all the online shopping?
 

I think it may be... we have the same problem here. Go online to the stores' website and they have loads of choices, but when you get to the store, they might have 2 or 3 and then we're told the same as you were..order online and it can be delivered to the store... irritating, especially if you've had to drive quite a distance to that particular store in the first place !!

I tend to buy online more and more these days for that very reason!
 
debodun said:
. Is the day coming where actual store buildings will become obsolete with all the online shopping?
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Absolutely! When you factor in the costs of maintaining a traditional retail store....the building, utilities, employees, etc.,etc., Nearly half of the price of a given item is going to this "overhead". I have shopped online for years, and I save at least 30%, and sometimes as much as 60% with my online purchases. About the only items I would not buy online might be clothing and groceries. Sears, KMart, and many other stores, are all closing retail locations, and big shopping centers are one day going to all be converted to apartments. About the Only retail stores that are growing are the Dollar stores...Dollar General and Dollar Tree.
 

I find that a bit irritating, myself. I really prefer to look at something in real life before I decide to buy. I mean, Rick and I do our share of shopping on Amazon, but when I go to a brick and mortar store, I would hope they would have a better selection. For someone who does not drive, or otherwise housebound, online shopping can be great, but not if you have to go out anyway to pick it up.
I am kind of torn, as I like online options, but the old me loves the window shopping aspect of things.
 
I have recently bought lamps, a good leather purse, and books online. The selection is better than most stores,
and they were delivered directly to my apartment. \I am now considering buying ready prepared meals online
for direct delivery. It suits me, as at 87 years, it is harder and harder for me to go to the big malls and I find
that the merchandise is often jammed in the aisle making it harder to get around with my walker.
 
hollydolly said:
order online and it can be delivered to the store... irritating, especially if you've had to drive quite a distance to that particular store in the first place !!
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Exactly what I was feeling.

Don M. said:
About the only items I would not buy online might be clothing and groceries.
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I like to try on clothes first. If you order online and you're not happy with it, you have the hassle of shipping it back and trying to get a refund.


I was amazed at the number of coffee makers they had on the shelves, bit only a few sad looking toasters.
 
debodun said:
Exactly what I was feeling.



I like to try on clothes first. If you order online and you're not happy with it, you have the hassle of shipping it back and trying to get a refund.


I was amazed at the number of coffee makers they had on the shelves, bit only a few sad looking toasters.
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The lack of traditional toasters on the shelves may be a sign that more people are buying toaster ovens instead of the traditional two slice toaster. A toaster oven can perform more tasks, many people don't have room for single function appliances in small apartment kitchens. It could also be a nod to all of the low carb eaters that no longer make toast every morning for breakfast.

Deb, It's time to get that credit card and start shopping on the internet!
 
I do nearly everything online- but when it's an online 'store' like Walmart, Target, etc., I have the items delivered to my residence.
It's also a good option when buying gifts for family members who live in a different state- I have the items delivered directly to them.
 
tortiecat said:
I have recently bought lamps, a good leather purse, and books online. The selection is better than most stores,
and they were delivered directly to my apartment. \I am now considering buying ready prepared meals online
for direct delivery. It suits me, as at 87 years, it is harder and harder for me to go to the big malls and I find
that the merchandise is often jammed in the aisle making it harder to get around with my walker.
Click to expand...

Tortiecat, the aisles being crammed is difficult for lots of people, too. I hate that.
 
I too shop online a lot....I enjoy taking my time, reading the reviews and looking for the best price in my recliner. I've only had to return a few things which is a hassle, but what else do I have to do..

My favorites are Amazon, Macy's and Overstock.
 
I think the days of B & M are over. It doesn't matter what chain it is. The merchandise is cheap crap. The price tag may say $24. Then you get 20% off. Then there's a "Holiday" sale, so it's $12. But the thing is, it is only worth $12. And even at $12, it's pretty shoddy. All the stores are turning into "dollar"stores.
 
debodun said:
I went to WalMart the other day and was disappointed at the selection of 2-slice toasters available in the store and the ones there looked like demos. From their web page it looked like they had a lot more models and brands available. I grabbed a clerk and asked where a certain model was, She said that it was probably only available online, but if I ordered it online, they can ship to the store in a few days. Is the day coming where actual store buildings will become obsolete with all the online shopping?
Click to expand...


I think that day is already here. The selection of merchandise in many stores is so poor that you either have to settle for something that isn't what you really want, or order what you do want online. I see that more and more here, and I hear that it is even worse in smaller areas.

I buy a lot of things online for that very reason. They just aren't in stores anymore -- and when they are, they cost more than they do online, even if you factor in shipping.
 
My student was just looking for a specific type of hunting boot, and did his usual online research first. Finding a style he liked at Dick's Sporting Goods, he went to the store expecting to find it.

Of course, they didn't have it in stock, but offered to order it for him.

He was quite upset, saying that he liked to try things on before buying.

I, on the other hand, bought a pair of UnderArmor tactical boots online and I'm more than satisfied. I'm glad I didn't have to bus all over the county trying stores (the vanishing sporting-goods type) looking for these boots.

I think the day will soon be here when you can try on virtual clothing to check for fit, color and material before buying it online, as well as perhaps tasting a sample of food before going to the online checkout.
 
SifuPhil said:
My student was just looking for a specific type of hunting boot, and did his usual online research first. Finding a style he liked at Dick's Sporting Goods, he went to the store expecting to find it.

Of course, they didn't have it in stock, but offered to order it for him.

He was quite upset, saying that he liked to try things on before buying.

I, on the other hand, bought a pair of UnderArmor tactical boots online and I'm more than satisfied. I'm glad I didn't have to bus all over the county trying stores (the vanishing sporting-goods type) looking for these boots.

I think the day will soon be here when you can try on virtual clothing to check for fit, color and material before buying it online, as well as perhaps tasting a sample of food before going to the online checkout.
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I wear a certain model of Nike sneaker as my everyday shoe, because it has the support I need for overpronating feet, is very comfy, and doesn't look like a clunky "old lady from a nursing home" shoe. It's a wee bit pricey, but not too bad, and wears very well. Anyway, I also did the look all over town thing for it here, but only one store carries it, in very limited sizes, and only in one super ugly color which even the old lady from the nursing home wouldn't be caught dead in. Anyway, I was worried about fit, but bought online anyway, and got it for less than I would have gotten the ugly color one for, even including shipping. It fits perfectly, and I've since bought another pair. It's getting to the point where you just don't have any choice but to buy online.

I certainly would never have thought I'd get to the point of buying shoes online, especially given the difficulty I've always had finding shoes that fit.

My one bitch with online shopping is women's clothing, where there is no attempt at anything approaching universal sizing. A size 10 in one brand (and even within brands but different models) may be too small, but in another brand (or model) may be way too big. Aggravating as all getout. The size charts don't help much either. Oh well, the aggravation of returning something is, to me, less than the aggravation of traipsing all over town trying to find something that just doesn't exist here anymore.
 
I bought my last toaster at Walmart a year ago for 7.77 and it still works great. All I wanted was a simple toaster and they had plenty of them. We have a great Walmart here in Friendswood, Texas. I love their fresh salads. I try to get there early as they have them ready by 8:30 am and I buy a few after I shop a bit. I buy a lot online especially amazon, Walmart and Qvc. Qvc has a line of clothes that fit me perfectly and if I need something I look there first. customer service is great also. What I like most about our Walmart is that if I ask what aisle something is on they always insist on showing me where it is. Since my stroke it is more convenient to buy online especially since I seldom have to pay shipping.
 
Toomuchstuff said:
I can't buy clothes/shoes online , but I buy alot of other things. I love to read the reviews and do my homework.
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Shoes and boots are the worst. I think most of them are made in SE Asia, anymore, and half of their factories don't seem to own a standard measurement tool. I wear a size 10.5, but I have shoes/boots labeled anywhere from size 9.5 to 11. I only buy After I've tried them on.
 
Brick and mortar stores will always be around but size will shrink greatly.

Personally, I've never enjoyed shopping so on line ordering suits me well. Most of my shopping is done that way. Only exceptions are items that need refrigeration like fruit, veggies, meats.

I'm not pushing Walmart but they do offers free delivery to your doorstep (Fed-ex in my area) with a minimum purchase of $35. Buy a $20 toaster and add grocery items that you would routinely buy anyway to bring total up to minimum. Delivery takes a few days and doesn't always come in same box but so what.

I doubt manufacturers like on-line shopping. It greatly decreases opportunities for introducing new items and eliminates impulse buying. On-line shopping makes it easy to stick to a list, something virtually impossible for many in a large retail store.
 
helenbacque said:
On-line shopping makes it easy to stick to a list, something virtually impossible for many in a large retail store.
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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce did a study a few years ago, and they concluded that most people spend an average of $3 for every minute they spend in a traditional retail store. The longer a store can keep you "occupied", the more money you will spend...on items that you may, or may not really need. I can certainly attest to that....every time the wife goes to Kohl's.
 
I bought our ceiling fans from HomeDepot.com online because their stores don't carry the particular one that I wanted. UPS delivered them.
 
Don M. said:
Shoes and boots are the worst. I think most of them are made in SE Asia, anymore, and half of their factories don't seem to own a standard measurement tool. I wear a size 10.5, but I have shoes/boots labeled anywhere from size 9.5 to 11. I only buy After I've tried them on.
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Hotter shoes. Made in England. They often offer free shipping and returns.
 
I just this morning had to return 2 shirts that I ordered online....they made the return exchange very easy, took about 10 minutes....I'm sure I'll have to pay the return postage, but even with that, online shopping is the way to go for me.
 
Another tussle with WalMart. I need a coin folder for my National Park quarters. I look at their Web site and according to that, they are available in stores. I went to the nearest WM and couldn't find any. I asked one clerk who palmed me off on another who was sorting women's garments. I repeated my request and she look like she didn't understand what I wanted and went back to her garment manipulation. I lassoed another and he showed me everything from coin rollers to coin sorters, but couldn't make him understand. At least he made an effort to ask someone else, but he came back saying "We haven't carried those in years." I said that the Web page indicated that they were in stock at stores, to which he replied that they may be in stores, but just not this one and I would have to call around to see who had any. Now there are only 2 WalMarts within my comfort driving range zone. I also tried to order online and there's a $12 shipping fee - 3 times what the folder costs. This is something along the lines of what I want:

quarters.jpg
 

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