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Is shopping culture dying in the U.S.? By shopping culture, I mean physically leaving your house to buy things in a brick and mortar store.
Personally, I know some people who don't shop at actual stores anymore (except for groceries). They get everything from online 'stores'.
I think it already sucks that big box stores are all that are left to choose from in so many places in the U.S... let alone the fact that online stores are taking over from big box.
I think it's fun to browse around a store and physically see inventory. It's good to get out of the home once in a while.. Besides, not all prices online are cheaper than in-store prices.
There are a lot of things you almost have to see in person, I don't think that will ever really die. As far as shopping online for other things, I think it's great, saves time and gas, who cares.
...if it's something the Postal Service/FedEx/UPS can't break. I'll be damned if I'm dropping a grand on, say, a computer and having it shipped to me in a box.
People shop online because its convenient. It would of been done hundreds of years ago if the internet had been around. But no, I don't think that going to the store to buy something will ever die. I like the convenience of online shopping, and also I like to go browse to see whatever new stuff they are carrying, in person. Nothing beats being there. At least for new stuff.
I will buy a lot of things online; I get most of my DVDs, books, and music (mp3 downloads that I pay for) online. I even bought a fridge online. But there are some things I won't buy online like jeans, shoes, dresses, etc. I have to try them on.
I dropped about $7000 on goods purchased online on Black Friday/Cyber Monday. All of these items I did my homework on them, saw some of them in the store (since I happened to be there), but balked at the price.
Every item arrived very timely and unbroken. The TV I purchased was carried into my living and the box was removed so I didn't have to dispose of it. That's better service than if I picked it up myself.
Things I buy in stores still:
- groceries
- tools/hardware/etc for home renovations
- anything that simply cannot wait for shipping
- some shoes/clothing
The last is few and far between since I try to plan out birthday gifts, etc the best I can.
I will recognize that while I might be taking the jobs away from the retail sales people locally, I'm giving jobs elsewhere, including some local USPS, FedEx and UPS carriers. I'm also not paying sales tax to my city. Too bad the town wants nearly 10%. That is another deterrent to buying locally.
I hate to be hounded by salesclerks about signing up for their store's credit card, or to buy more stuff because it's on sale or whatever; or to be asked for personal information like your phone number when you check out. I don't like having salesclerks chasing me around a clothing store with stuff I'd never wear telling me it would look great with my coloring, trying to pressure me into buying stuff I don't want.
I think that if retail sales in brick & mortar stores are falling off, they need to reexamine their policies of hounding their customers.
You can avoid a lot of aggravation by shopping online.
I do almost all of my shopping on line now, with the exception of jeans and pants and groceries.
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