Why do we keep driving to far away stores that are understocked, understaffed and don't care?

[sixdogs]

I recently spent 40 minutes driving to a big box store to get some auto parts, filters, household goods and supplies. I came back with only a headache. The big name store is in a smallish town so the auto parts were marked up higher than what I expected, but hey, I was already there.

It was hard to find the electric razor head I needed and I could not find a single employee to help. I read the package for a while and then a young employee came by and answered "if we have it, it's on the shelf" to each question. Heck, I could work there. When I asked where shop vac filters were, he told me construction and lumber. I knew that was wrong so had him look it up and it was somewhere entirely different. What a confusing mess and it happens more often than not.

So I went home, looked everything up on line and clicked away. My stuff will get here Wednesday, a (probably) nice guy will bring it to the door and I could have saved the wear and tear and gas money on something meaningful like intellectual consciousness .


Seriously, why even bother going to brick and mortar stores when we are more knowledgeable than them, when staying home is easier and no driving is required? Are they trying to self destruct?

 

[4570Man]

And people wonder why they’re going extinct. There’s a good reason why Amazon is the largest retailer in the world.

 

[sea2summit]

I'm gladly paying the folks near by a small markup because they have it, they're going to put those dollars right back into my community, and I don't have to support Amazon. I do buy stuff online but I'm trying to reduce that even further. Big name stores are all similar to what you described, it's pointless to go in there and risk your life for nothing

 

[Oaktree]

Seriously, why even bother going to brick and mortar stores when we are more knowledgeable than them, when staying home is easier and no driving is required? Are they trying to self destruct?

Maybe a regional thing? Most of the box stores anywhere near me seem to be adequately staffed, though most still seem to be advertising for help. As far as employees not "knowing anything", what else is new? You can't reasonably expect every employee to know where every item is...lots of item placement seems to defy logic even in the best of stores.
Stocking seems to vary by store...the Walmart closest to me has lots of empty shelves, another one 30 or so miles away was fine.

 

[tibadoe]

Online shopping for me. I hate to support amazon but sometimes you do what you got to do.

 

[4570Man]

I'm gladly paying the folks near by a small markup because they have it, they're going to put those dollars right back into my community, and I don't have to support Amazon. I do buy stuff online but I'm trying to reduce that even further. Big name stores are all similar to what you described, it's pointless to go in there and risk your life for nothing

You must have better private owned stores then there are here. Big box stores are usually the only chance I have of getting something. The private owed store usually doesn’t have it or is 50 percent higher.

 

[newbury]

Yup, the only thing is if the quality can easily be decreased by delivery. If I'm buying something that can be easily mangled I'll try and at least pick it up at the store.
But what is worse to me is the vast number of things no longer available at the store but only available by delivery. Just had to buy 3 small but common saw chains. Not available at the, store, but 2 day delivery.

 

[MossRoad]

....


Seriously, why even bother going to brick and mortar stores when we are more knowledgeable than them, when staying home is easier and no driving is required? ...

Because there's always a Chick-fil-A nearby. That's why.

 

[sea2summit]

You must have better private owned stores then there are here. Big box stores are usually the only chance I have of getting something. The private owed store usually doesn’t have it or is 50 percent higher.

Three places I use local are the hardware store, auto parts, and carhartt shop (how our town of less than 5k has one I’ll never understand). Hardware place is run buy a guy who’s gotta be 90 now, he has it or can tell you exactly when he can get it…or he’ll order it anyway just so he can heckle you when he has it (yes he’ll remember six months later when it shows up). Auto parts store has what I need, had to have them order one part it arrived the second business day after. Carhartt place has a pretty decent selection or they get in their order and they’re prices are better than anything I can find day to day online. Overall, I feel better dealing with them.

 

[MossRoad]

Just like when your wife wants to go to Kohl's. There's always a Dicks sporting goods and a Petsmart next door, a fast food place or two in the parking lot, and a lumber/home improvement place across the street.

 

[oosik]

O' Reilly's & NAPA are local. I have to drive an extra 15 miles to get to Wallmart. There is no shortages at any of these three stores. It must be a regional thing.

 

[TractorGuy]

I spent 3 hours and $20 worth of gas a while back trying to find a couple of 1/2x3-1/2 Stainless Steel bolts in decent quality. By decent I was willing to settle for 18-8 grade. The only stores in town that had ANY stainless in that size was Ace Hardware. I asked what grade they sold and they said they didn't know so I drove to the store and went to the bin with a magnet. Sure enough every SS bolt in the bin was magnetic. Not what I'm going to stick in the transom of a boat that will see salt water.

My want had nothing to do with cost. I simply wanted a good quality part. The size was even a compromise since I really wanted a 3-1/4" length. I tried calling a few places and got no help. One girl at a auto parts store told me to come look in the bin for myself. Two places said they had what I wanted and when I got there neither did. I was able to check stock for a few places that would have been open on Monday and neither had it in stock according to their web sites.

I ended up coming home and ordering 316 grade in the exact size I wanted from McMaster Carr. Their packaging for matching nuts and washers were 10 per pack so I went ahead and got 10 bolts just in case I needed them in the future. I spent $48 for my task that needed 2 bolts, 4 washers, and 2 lock nuts. Had it in 3 days instead of their usual next day.

 

[MossRoad]

Do you have a Fastenal branch near you? Pretty handy store for nuts and bolts.

 

[hayden]

I would love to buy locally, and do when practical. And some of our local retailers are really quite excellent. But so many retailers are killing themselves. As the OP experienced, poor stock and useless employees. And their answer is "we can order it for you". Screw that. I can order it and not waste my time going to their store twice; once to find they don't have it, and a second time to pick up an order? Are you kidding me?

A retail store brings value in only two possible ways; inventory and knowledge. As soon as they develop a track record of not having either, I stop going. Otherwise all they are doing is wasting my time.

 

[hayden]

I spent 3 hours and $20 worth of gas a while back trying to find a couple of 1/2x3-1/2 Stainless Steel bolts in decent quality. By decent I was willing to settle for 18-8 grade. The only stores in town that had ANY stainless in that size was Ace Hardware. I asked what grade they sold and they said they didn't know so I drove to the store and went to the bin with a magnet. Sure enough every SS bolt in the bin was magnetic. Not what I'm going to stick in the transom of a boat that will see salt water.

My want had nothing to do with cost. I simply wanted a good quality part. The size was even a compromise since I really wanted a 3-1/4" length. I tried calling a few places and got no help. One girl at a auto parts store told me to come look in the bin for myself. Two places said they had what I wanted and when I got there neither did. I was able to check stock for a few places that would have been open on Monday and neither had it in stock according to their web sites.

I ended up coming home and ordering 316 grade in the exact size I wanted from McMaster Carr. Their packaging for matching nuts and washers were 10 per pack so I went ahead and got 10 bolts just in case I needed them in the future. I spent $48 for my task that needed 2 bolts, 4 washers, and 2 lock nuts. Had it in 3 days instead of their usual next day.

Business goes to the companies that delivery the good - not as in USP or FexEx delivery, but in terms of having the products you need and one way or another getting them into your hands at an acceptable price.

 

[4570Man]

Do you have a Fastenal branch near you? Pretty handy store for nuts and bolts.

In my experience they’re sky high. Tractor supply and Rural King for regular stuff and Fastenal as a last ditch effort. Rural King has by far a better selection than tractor supply or Lowes at least the local stores here.

 

[ultrarunner]

Grainger still provides excellent service and prices with accounts not bad and in some cases cannot be beat with national account...

I can often order and have next day and never a shipping charge.

Summary might be Hope Springs Eternal or One Size Doesn't Fit All.

Several Go-To places near me have folded with many going back to the 1940's... they simply could not make the transition after the founder or founder's children passed... very rare for the third generation to take over... most are show me the money and have no real ties to the business operation.

The local ACE covered an entire city block... they really did have everything with long term employees... Floyd in plumbing was 79 and a master plumber got bored and worked the plumbing section the last 15 years... similar in electrical...

Of the 7 hardware stores around when I started only one is left and it is small with lots crammed in... but same for grocery stores, etc... either fled the city or shuttered.

These types of businesses are really a dying breed.

My own family business started by Grandfather in 1942 made it 70 years but closed at the third generation... the grand kids have better options than a 6 day work week...

 

[Jstpssng]

“Local” for me is at least 20 miles in any direction. One hardware store I used to frequent has been pushing their “online” service; order and it will be ready when you pick it up. They don’t seem to understand that if I’m going to order something online I’m NOT going to drive 45 miles to pick it up; it’s going to be delivered to my door at a considerable savings over their prices. (30% for Dewalt power tools, for instance.)
Upper level management developed a new floor plan which requires you to go through a “maze” lined with trinkets to get to the cash register. Apparently they make a lot of sales with it but there are also customers telling the manager that they won’t be back.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I haven't been clothes shopping in 20 years; try finding anything in 3XL Tall. Carhart, Cabela's, and Filson online is the only way to go. I'm a huge Amazon shopper as well, no more shlepping around the big box guys either.

 

[Doofy]

250 mile round trip through the mountains to get to the Big stores. I shopped locally for 58 years with only the occasional foray to the Big City.

Amazon has been a blessing for us because everything is delivered right to the front door now. Amazon prices are still 20-75% cheaper than buying locally. With a fixed income, every bit of savings helps.