Addicted to Amazon

[Runner]

For many years, there was a store near me that specialized in appliance parts. It was one of those "go to" places that had EVERYTHING. If you needed a burner for a stove, you just walked in and they had it in stock.

Then, they started playing this game where they didn't stock anything and they would just order it for you and call you when it came in then sell it to you with their markup.

Then Amazon came along and and next time I went to the store, it was closed and there was a nasty note in the window saying "This store is closed because our customers started ordering products online. If you want to shop in the store, please visit our other location at ....."

They were the ones that stopped stocking parts and started inconveniencing their customers by ordering and making them wait, then have to make another trip.

So I have no sympathy for brick and mortar stores that don't carry stock.

P.S. I had never been to a Fastenall store until just a couple of years ago and needed some hard-to-find bolts. I found out that they had a local store, so I went in to give them a try. They had NOTHING in stock. If you wanted it, they had to order it. So I went home and ordered off Amazon.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I swear I'm hooked. It's the first place I look. [Amazon]

You are not alone. This has been the trend for many years.

 

[scootr]

Not complaining or criticizing, I shop at Amazon as well. Just find it kinda interesting that in "another thread" you are blaming store closings on something other than consumers' choices.

If you want to go here.... The economy is forcing many big corporations to close unproductive outlets and facilities resulting in job loss. Yes. SHEESH. Please no personal attacks or I'll report you to a moderator

 

[brewdog]

I'm joining a support group now to help me with my Amazon addiction.

 

[paulsharvey]

Sunday, I went up to Rural King to look for boots. I've had good luck with the Irish Setter, slip on boots, having bought the exact same pair two times in a row. Well, Rural King didn't have size 14 without steal toes; go home, and check Amazon, like $10 cheaper, 2 day delivery, and they have my size.

I do think some things on Amazon aren't worth it, but when you know the exact product, it's always worth atleast shopping them.

 

[paulsharvey]

I also have had mostly good luck with the cheap Amazon brands on tools, If you don't need it right Now. The hard part, you can get a set of 3/4" sockets and the ratchet foe like $129; but you need it today. Go anywhere else, and it's like $30 per socket, and $99 for the rachet, and it's hard to pay that when you know if you can wait 2 or 3 days, you can get the whole set

 

[scootr]

I bought my Pat's Quick Hitch on Amazon 2 yrs ago. Best price / fastest delivery.

Amazon.com

 

[Oaktree]

I guess I'm a bit of an outlier here, I maybe order from them 4-5 times a year. Granted, I'm at the point in my life where I don't need any more stuff, and if it's something available locally I'll just get it there ("local" being a relative term...most any retail is 30-45 min away) next time I'm in town. Of course, you can't beat AZ's selection and if it's not something I'm likely to find nearby I'll definitely order online.
I tend to "save up" orders until there's enough for "free" shipping (prime not worth the money to me). If there's something I need yesterday, I'm not apt to order it online unless there's no other option.

I have not been impressed by the (lack of) speed which Amazon orders are fulfilled. It's generally a couple days before they even start to fill the order (I usually get a message saying that anything else I order in the next 24 hr will be included in this one), and then there's the "label printed but not actually shipped" issue. Rarely do I actually receive an order in less than a week. They don't deliver here.

I typically get much faster shipping from walmart.com, though their website is much less informative. Pricing between the 2 is competitive.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I try the "mom and pop" stores things most of the time, especially my local hardware store I do give them lots of biz. But the really off the wall stuff, amazon no doubt.

 

[ponytug]

Hmmm...I try to buy from my local stores, but I find it can be an exercise in frustration, as the stocking locally seems to be pretty thin in all of them. Recent examples include the local big hardware store; no caulk other than white and black, no flexible tubing, and no mortar, while the local HD doesn't stock 1" conduit or most of their shower doors, only 2' sections of unistrut, nor many of the bolt sizes / types that I seem to need, and don't get me started on the wood quality. Then if they do have items, it seems as if the items are routinely 15-20% more than Amazon. So, it takes longer, is more expensive, plus wear and tear on the vehicle rather than buying it on Amazon.

Yes, we definitely get lots from mail order stores like Amazon, though not for screws or fasteners if I can help it. I have been burned too many times with poor quality. I used some old Amazon stainless screws over the weekend, and half of them cammed out just trying to screw the screws into previously drilled holes. Apparently the screws were only slightly harder than aluminum, so either not a real 316 stainless, or...

All the best,

Peter