Shopping Locally: Sure it's nice to support your local stores, but it's even nicer when your local stores have what you want. I wanted to bind some books, and I needed 5/6" bindings. I...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Sure it's nice to support your local stores, but it's even nicer when your local stores have what you want. I wanted to bind some books, and I needed 5/6" bindings. I had every size but that. I could have ordered a box from Amazon and gotten them on Wednesday, but I figured I'd drive into town and buy some at Staples. Staples, like me, had every size but what I needed. Since I was in town anyway, I went to Lowe's for some brass nuts and bolts - every size but what I wanted. So, I spent almost two hours driving forty miles, stop and go, and I came home with nothing. In about two minutes, I ordered the bindings from Amazon, and I'll have them on Wednesday. Three cheers for online shopping!

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Been there done that.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

It isn't just book bindings and nuts & bolts; it is nearly everything. Lets have a contest. Let as many as who want, keep a list of thing you wanted to buy localky but couldn't for a month. Then submit and some gentle, unbusy soul compile the list. Will we see any patterns?

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

Could it be the local stores don't have what you want because of Amazon and on-line shopping. More and more brick-and-mortar stores are closing because of on-line shopping. How many Sears, K-Marts, Macys, etc are closed or scheduled to close? I'm seeing more and more empty store fronts around here.
I had a hobby shop in the early '80s. Back then it was the mail-order houses. The buyers would go to mail-order to buy the high end items (model kits, R/C units, motors) since they could get that stuff for about the same price I bought it from a distributor. They came to me for the nickel and dime stuff. When I closed they had to order the nickel and dime stuff or travel 25 miles to the next hobby shop.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

EdJ0307 wrote:

Could it be the local stores don't have what you want because of Amazon and on-line shopping.

Yes, they didn't adapt with the changing times fast enough. Now they are paying the price.

Quote:

More and more brick-and-mortar stores are closing because of on-line shopping. How many Sears, K-Marts, Macys, etc are closed or scheduled to close? I'm seeing more and more empty store fronts around here.

Unless they adapt...all of them.

Quote:

I had a hobby shop in the early '80s. Back then it was the mail-order houses. The buyers would go to mail-order to buy the high end items (model kits, R/C units, motors) since they could get that stuff for about the same price I bought it from a distributor. They came to me for the nickel and dime stuff. When I closed they had to order the nickel and dime stuff or travel 25 miles to the next hobby shop.

Yep. It happens but some businesses figure it out and survive.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

EdJ0307 wrote:

Could it be the local stores don't have what you w... (show quote)

If Staples has all the sizes but the 5/16" I wanted, and Lowe's had everything but brass 3/8 x 1" bolts, I don't think Amazon is to blame. When the Staples computer saw that they were out of 5/16" bindings, it should have ordered more. Of course, it's possible that someone went in that morning and bought all they had.

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

Personally I have given up on the stores around my area and I now just order online from Amazon or whoever.

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

Ordering on-line is terrifically convenient but there are some things that I would only want to buy from a brick & mortar store, like clothing and shoes - both of which need to be tried on before buying.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

SueScott wrote:

Ordering on-line is terrifically convenient but there are some things that I would only want to buy from a brick & mortar store, like clothing and shoes - both of which need to be tried on before buying.

I can't remember the last time I bought clothes in a store, and that's not because I have a bad memory. I buy all my clothes online. I had to return one pair of shoes for a different size, but that was the only "problem."

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

jerryc41 wrote:

I can't remember the last time I bought clothes in a store, and that's not because I have a bad memory. I buy all my clothes online. I had to return one pair of shoes for a different size, but that was the only "problem."

Guys can get away with doing that but not women!!

Popeye Loc: LifIno

I don't care to shop in town. They usually don't have what I need so have to go online to the manufacturer. Have observed many of the younger clerks are extremely rude to the older populace. Purchased a package of 9 x 12 envelopes, 10 to a package. Cashier (young lady) asked with a sneer if she should get someone to carry my purchase out to the car for me. I told her, but the young man could carry it over to the return desk for me so I can get a refund.

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

Popeye wrote:

I don't care to shop in town. They usually don't have what I need so have to go online to the manufacturer. Have observed many of the younger clerks are extremely rude to the older populace. Purchased a package of 9 x 12 envelopes, 10 to a package. Cashier (young lady) asked with a sneer if she should get someone to carry my purchase out to the car for me. I told her, but the young man could carry it over to the return desk for me so I can get a refund.

Good for you!! I hope that in addition to requesting a refund you also complained about the attitude of that young woman!