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Shopping on-line is something I feel guilty about at times.
In the past few years, I have observed many small shops go out of business where I live.
I feel like my on-line shopping habits are a contributing factor to this.
I hate the idea that in a few more years, there will only be big box stores and shipping warehouses. There won't be any small shops anymore because they can't stay in business. They can never compete against the prices of the big chains and on-line retailers. This makes me sad for some reason.
I have some health problems, so on-line shopping makes it so much easier for me. I buy clothing, shoes, make up, hair products, household products, pet products on-line. I like that I can research products, read reviews, and find just about anything I could ever want on-line. I like not having to drive, find parking, walk all over the place. I like having items arrive on my doorstep.
I realize I am being a bit neurotic about this, but I do wonder how this trend for people to shop on-line and to always want to pay the cheapest price for everything is going to affect our society in the long run.
Shopping on-line is something I feel guilty about at times.
In the past few years, I have observed many small shops go out of business where I live.
I feel like my on-line shopping habits are a contributing factor to this.
I hate the idea that in a few more years, there will only be big box stores and shipping warehouses. There won't be any small shops anymore because they can't stay in business. They can never compete against the prices of the big chains and on-line retailers. This makes me sad for some reason.
I have some health problems, so on-line shopping makes it so much easier for me. I buy clothing, shoes, make up, hair products, household products, pet products on-line. I like that I can research products, read reviews, and find just about anything I could ever want on-line. I like not having to drive, find parking, walk all over the place. I like having items arrive on my doorstep.
I realize I am being a bit neurotic about this, but I do wonder how this trend for people to shop on-line and to always want to pay the cheapest price for everything is going to affect our society in the long run.
To a certain extent, yes. Then again, I live in a small town, have no car, and just don't get here what I want. A few weeks ago I ordered the components of my new computer online, some even from abroad. Since I am not wealthy, the price does play a role (paying 300 instead of 200 bucks for the same product is something rich people can afford, but not me), but also the fact that local stores seem to be buying standard crap in large amounts and then they want to sell that to me when I enter their shops. As soon as you want something even remotely out of the ordinary, they have to order it from abroad themselves or they just say, sorry, not available. At least with technology, they should employ someone who knows what people want, not just buy old crap hoping someone will be stupid enough to buy it. After all, this is the age of the Internet, even on a farm you can do market research...
Maybe this development is similar to the switch from small corner supermarkets to shopping centers...
Remember that not all online vendors are warehouse vendors. A lot are niche vendors or even people working solo out of their home. I buy from both types and have never felt guilty.
Log splitter I ordered yesterday? Twice as much at the local vendor.
Heavy Metal Goose Loads? "Never heard of them. Well I can special order them, $40/box" (a bit more than twice as much as mail order even counting shipping).
Gore-Tex/Thinsulate Waterfowl Parka? "Nope, but here's one from a company you've never heard of that isn't Gore-Tex or Thinsulate."
Remember that not all online vendors are warehouse vendors. A lot are niche vendors or even people working solo out of their home. I buy from both types and have never felt guilty.
I agree with this. I do enjoy finding products from small businesses on-line and feel good about supporting them.
Maybe a better question is - do you care about the loss of small businesses/shops in the area you live in?
No, because the ones I do patronize stay in business because the owners actually have a business plan and have cultivated a customer base.
The rest have "hobbyist owners" who cater to tourists and, in many cases, discourage locals from patronizing them. Besides, how many ashtrays with Get Your Crabs In North Beach does an individual need?
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