Online Buying vs Brick & Mortar.

[Torvy]

@EddieWalker

Side note on LG. They sent a rep out from Shreveport to fix the dents in our new fridge (replaced the door). Good guy with some skills.

He gave me his card. Let me know and I'll share his info via PM.

 

[EddieWalker]

Quick update to my online buying experience of my LG Washing Machine from Lowes. They sent a text and then called at 9am to tell me they where 15 minutes away. At 9:17, it was delivered. They said they where out of Mesquite TX. I asked them to put it in my garage, which they did, and that was that. Super fast, easy and simple. I wasn't planning on being here, but decided to stick around since they where going to be here so early. I guess this is the future of buying appliances. Why take the time to drive to Lowes, wait for somebody to help you, and then haul it here, if it's in stock? Just go online and then it's here the next day!!!!

 

[3Ts]

There is an ACE hardware store 45 minutes away, Lowe's is 5 minutes closer. There is a feed store in town (10 minutes away) that carries some limited things, but handles tractor tires and other truly farm related stuff. ACE is expensive, but I use them if I need a few unusual parts. Lowe's is my primary construction supplier, but if I want cabinet grade materials, it's about 120 miles. Most of the things I need/want are not available locally or even within an hour drive, so Amazon gets most of my business. I've found that Amazon is NOT the cheapest but it sure is convienient, so for expensive items, i'll try to find the supplier and check directly with them. I usually do chores during the day and shopping on-line at night. If I have to shop in town, it pretty much takes up the day, so when do I get my chores done? I don't like working by flashlight. I've done it before and didn't like it then, so I only shop in town if I go in for groceries.

 

[jyoutz]

The small businesses cannot blame Walmart or online ordering for their downfall without acknowledging their own mistakes. They failed to keep up with current lifestyles. Most of these small businesses are open 9-5, closed weekends. In two spouse working families, people go shopping evenings and weekends. The small businesses are closed and only the big box or online sources are open at those times. I cannot buy anything from a small business if they are closed when I go there.

 

[Hay Dude]

Even out here away from the city, if I order from Amazon, the nice FedEx lady or nice USPS lady brings it to me tomorrow (often).

The problem with the small local stores is that they often don't want to step into the 20th century (not a typo). Nothing stopping them from putting up a website where I can see if they have what I need without driving into town, wandering around the store or asking a kid that knows nothing to help.

That being said, if it is something we know is carried at the local hardware store, we will typically get it there (unless price is too far off). Even on Amazon, we find it there and then seek out the manufacturer and try to buy directly if possible.

My local awesome hardware store/ Stihl dealer has some pretty cool on line features.

Let’s say I want to buy a Stihl chainsaw. If I go to Stihl’s website and look at a particular Stihl product, it will show up with a banner across the top of my local hardware store, the availability (in stock) and even the price. It’s also show optional bar & chain sizes with prices. I think it does the same with other brands.

Everytime I walk in, I feel welcome, treated like family, given a discount, and get better than expected advice. I WANT to go there. My son now goes there, too and buys work clothes, hats, etc.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Are you self installing?

There was a time when tires came with complimentary installation, bubble balance and flat repair…

Now these are all line item charges so why not shop best price?

Just saw this, so sorry that I am so late responding, actually when buying tires off of Ebay they offer a service to have the tires delivered to and installed at various local tire stores with prices starting at $25 per tire for mounting , balancing, and install. I can't remember the last time that anything was somewhat reasonable for install on new tires, so I was surprised with the Ebay deal.

 

[plowhog]

I go to Stihl’s website and look at a particular Stihl product, it will show up with a banner across the top of my local hardware store, .... Everytime I walk in, I feel welcome, treated like family, given a discount, and get better than expected advice. I WANT to go there.

I applaud supporting a local dealer this way. Unfortunately, most of the time it works the opposite.

I watched a highly successful, long term camera store grapple with the rise of internet shoppers. Everyone continued coming to their store for advice plus the ability to pick up and handle cameras and get the feel of them. But then a high percentage of them purchased online to get the lower price.

It turned the camera store from very profitable to unprofitable. After years of that, the store instituted a fee of $10 to handle a camera-- applicable toward purchase. It only slowed the decline and they were eventually driven out of business and the owners (and their families) lost quite a bit of money on the way down.

 

[plowhog]

The small businesses cannot blame Walmart or online ordering for their downfall without acknowledging their own mistakes.

It's not just small businesses.

Just in the last few days it has been announced by 3 companies that well over 1,000 pharmacies will be permanently closing soon.

CVS announces up to 900 stores will shutter permanently by 2024

CVS is set to close hundreds of stores across the country - as more stores move towards online sellers amid increases in crime .

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Hay Dude]

It's not just small businesses.

Just in the last few days it has been announced by 3 companies that well over 1,000 pharmacies will be permanently closing soon.

CVS announces up to 900 stores will shutter permanently by 2024

CVS is set to close hundreds of stores across the country - as more stores move towards online sellers amid increases in crime .

www.dailymail.co.uk

I think Rite-Aid also just declared bankruptcy.

 

[WM75Guy]

I think Rite-Aid also just declared bankruptcy.

Their bankruptcy filing was for protection from opioid lawsuits and a downturn in business.

Rite Aid Reportedly Preparing For Bankruptcy Amid Opioid Lawsuits And $3.3 Billion Debt

Rite Aid could become the latest company to declare bankruptcy as a result of lawsuits filed in the wake of the opioid crisis.

www.forbes.com

 

[riptides]

... Most of these small businesses are open 9-5, closed weekends. ...

Yup!

 

[MossRoad]

My wife works at a financial institution. Back before ATMs, people would go there on their lunch hours to conduct business. About that time, half the tellers would also go to lunch. So double the customers and half the staff 11am-1pm every day. I always found that strange.

I like the Barber shop model... closed Monday since they work Saturday.

 

[caver]

I've noticed some local business that used to be open until noon Saturday are no longer open on Saturday. Mom and Pop farm type store and an equipment rental place.

 

[MossRoad]

I've noticed some local business that used to be open until noon Saturday are no longer open on Saturday. Mom and Pop farm type store and an equipment rental place.

We've got a local feed mill that also has a farm store. It's only open M-F most of the year, but in spring through mid-summer it's open on Saturdays for flowers, seeds, mulch, and pool chemicals, etc.

 

[Omega Woods]

My local awesome hardware store/ Stihl dealer has some pretty cool on line features.

Let’s say I want to buy a Stihl chainsaw. If I go to Stihl’s website and look at a particular Stihl product, it will show up with a banner across the top of my local hardware store, the availability (in stock) and even the price. It’s also show optional bar & chain sizes with prices. I think it does the same with other brands.

Everytime I walk in, I feel welcome, treated like family, given a discount, and get better than expected advice. I WANT to go there. My son now goes there, too and buys work clothes, hats, etc.

My local Ace Hardware is like this. A family owns several of them in the area and they do a great job. Having said that, I do 75% of my shopping on line. 75% of that is on Amazon.

 

[WVH1977]

I am in the mall generation (80s) with Sears/JC Penny, etc. I like brick and mortar. Back then who would have ever thought Sears would go away. I used to look at the big Sears catalogue with all the toys in the back and cirlce eveything I wanted/wished for for birthdays and Christmas. I also really miss the days when you went to the music store to go through all the cassettes/records. Also miss going into the toy store to see all the toys in person. Usually all the specialty stores had salesman/women that knew their product. Like going to the shoe store and having the salesman size your foot, get the shoes, put them on your feet and tie them. That type of service is all but gone. I like talkng with folks that know what their business is. Not like going into Best Buy to talk with a purple hair, tattoos, rings in the nose and ears teenager about a refrigerator they know nothing about.

I do like shopping online in craigslist and marketplace to buy equipment, tools, vehicles, etc. Always looking for deals on items in there.

 

[WinterDeere]

About the only two things I still buy in a Brick and Mortar store are... wait for it... bricks and mortar! They're too heavy for UPS!

Joking, but it's not far from the truth. Aside from groceries and lumber or building supplies, nearly 100% of our shopping is online.

I grew up cursing the local hardware and auto parts stores for always closing before I got off from work, and being closed most of the weekend, precisely when I was working on projects. Then along came Heckingers, Home Depot and Lowes, who had better selection, better prices, and infinitely more convenient hours. I never understood why anyone was sad to see the mom-and-pop stores disappear, with their higher prices, shorter hours, and lesser product selection. I can only guess it came from nostalgia more than logic.

Now, ironically, people are lamenting the closure of big box and large department stores, due to online competition! Weren't those corporations the enemy, just 25 years ago? Weird.

Amazon was at my house three times today, dropping off 7 packages. Just another average Tuesday. They aren't the cheapest, but they're the fastest and most convenient, keeping me from wasting hours and gas driving around God's creation in my perpetual hunt for oddball items. I almost can't imagine how I managed before online shopping, and other than valuing a dollar or two saved more than an hour or two wasted, I have trouble understanding anyone who still prefers driving to a store for small items.

 

[Oaktree]

I grew up cursing the local hardware and auto parts stores for always closing before I got off from work, and being closed most of the weekend, precisely when I was working on projects. Then along came Heckingers, Home Depot and Lowes, who had better selection, better prices, and infinitely more convenient hours. I never understood why anyone was sad to see the mom-and-pop stores disappear, with their higher prices, shorter hours, and lesser product selection. I can only guess it came from nostalgia more than logic.

One reason I've heard many times was the lack of "personal attention" that the mom & pop stores allegedly provided and the box stores didn't. 9 times out of 10, I just want to get what I need and leave, and not be pounced upon by an employee asking if they can "help me".
Growing up in the 50s/60s/early-to-mid 70s we accepted stores' bankers hours because we didn't know anything different. At least where I live, stores being open Sundays wasn't really a thing until the late 70s, even grocery stores had limited hours Sundays.

Amazon was at my house three times today, dropping off 7 packages. Just another average Tuesday. They aren't the cheapest, but they're the fastest and most convenient, keeping me from wasting hours and gas driving around God's creation in my perpetual hunt for oddball items. I almost can't imagine how I managed before online shopping, and other than valuing a dollar or two saved more than an hour or two wasted, I have trouble understanding anyone who still prefers driving to a store for small items.

It depends for me. If it's something I don't mind waiting a week for, or something not easily available nearby I'll order online but I generally prefer to see the merchandise first. It's a bit over a half hour drive to a town with anything in the way of retail, so I'll set aside one day a week and pick up items I need same time as I do my grocery shopping.
Sometimes I just wanna get out of the house.

 

[deserteagle71]

we do still have a few old hardware type stores that have 6-7 employees manning the store, I'd bet their average age is 55 and know their stuff

The local hardware store here also has knowledgeable employees...but here's the problem. I live in a 33 year old house. Yet if I need to make, say, some plumbing repairs, the local hardware store does not carry any of the fittings that fit the older plumbing in my house. I have to get them on line. Same with parts for my old John Deere tractor...dealer doesn't stock the parts for it - he has to order them...and then I have to go pick them up. Well, I'd just as soon order them and have them delivered to my door.

 

[jyoutz]

The local hardware store here also has knowledgeable employees...but here's the problem. I live in a 33 year old house. Yet if I need to make, say, some plumbing repairs, the local hardware store does not carry any of the fittings that fit the older plumbing in my house. I have to get them on line. Same with parts for my old John Deere tractor...dealer doesn't stock the parts for it - he has to order them...and then I have to go pick them up. Well, I'd just as soon order them and have them delivered to my door.

I will shop locally and don’t mind driving around within reason. But if they don’t have what I want or tell me they have to order it, I will go straight to Amazon or eBay.