A shift in the way society shops

pikergolf · #1 03-30-2015, 08:27 AM

This article describes me to a tee, I do 95% of my shopping online. Anyone else buy the "new" way.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/futu...pers-1.3014235

tacomama · #2 03-30-2015, 08:33 AM

Yes. It's usually cheaper online anyways and more selection.
I am not surprised FS is being shut down. Anytime I went into one to purchase a product, I knew more about it than the salespeople, just by doing a little research beforehand. Always thought it was funny when I asked a question and they had to look at the box and read it to answer me, even if it was a simple question, wonder why their sales are declining...

Matt L. · #3 03-30-2015, 08:41 AM

Depends, if I can't find it locally or if it's really outrageously priced locally I'll go online. I still prefer to buy local when I can.

Wild&Free · #4 03-30-2015, 08:57 AM

I research online, and head to the store to buy usually. if I can find cost + shipping is less then in a store I'll buy online. Quiet often what I'm looking for is not available locally, or would require lots of window shopping to find, and I'm not into that so I'll order it in.

CaberTosser · #5 03-30-2015, 09:25 AM

I absolutely do that 'showrooming' technique, though it might not necessarily mean that my sale goes to an online retailer, it could be a place that doesn't stock the item but offers a better price.

Sooner · #6 03-30-2015, 09:41 AM

I still pay for everything cash and go to the tellers

Can't get your identity stolen with cash but I will use the CC every now and then. Have a debit card, never used it so far. It's funny how many people look at you when you pay for a big item with cash. Like your

. Training to be the old codger who refutes new ways of doing things and I am under 50

mcgimp · #7 03-30-2015, 11:11 AM

I research everything online and more often than not will buy online. I am tired of every sales person trying to upgrade or add extended warranty. I will shop at local business if they are reasonably competitive but generally avoid big box dealers. The last vehicle I bought I downloaded and printed out the details and took it to the local dealer and asked if they would honour it. They did and I bought it. That was at Toyota and can't comment on others.

elkdump · #8 03-30-2015, 11:19 AM

History repeats itself, 100 years ago most of North America depended on Catalogues to make retail purchases , Simpson Sears, Eaton's, too many others to list , fill out the form with your order, mail it in , receive your purchase by mail, either COD or prepaid order,

Now ONLINE rather than use a catalogue , pay with Credit,Debit etc,

midgetwaiter · #9 03-30-2015, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacomama

Always thought it was funny when I asked a question and they had to look at the box and read it to answer me, even if it was a simple question, wonder why their sales are declining...

This is pretty bad but I could live with that level of service. What I can't live with is the lying.

I know computer hardware well because that's what I do for a living and that gives me a bit of a leg up on understanding things like TVs and cameras. I never ask questions in Future Shop but I am occasionally asked to accompany somebody when they go to buy something and it is amazing the crap they try and feed people. The magic cables, the warranty, the "Sony guts" shtick...

If these guys want to figure out what made their customers leave they just need to look in the mirror.

josey · #10 03-30-2015, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midgetwaiter

I never ask questions in Future Shop but I am occasionally asked to accompany somebody when they go to buy something and it is amazing the crap they try and feed people. The magic cables, the warranty, the "Sony guts" shtick...

If these guys want to figure out what made their customers leave they just need to look in the mirror.

Agreed. As a woman I get a lot "we got this one in pink/red/whatever colour" like that's all that counts because I am a woman (aka total tech idiot)?!
I know more about tech that 99% of the sales people in big box retail stores. Futureshop and Best Buy are especially bad and therefore never see me.

Good thing Apple employees are way better. Definitely swing around their strategy as soon as they figure out they are talking to a Mac head.

Another store that doesn't see much of me is Chapters/Indigo. The prices are ridiculous! And you won't get the online Chapters price in store unless you pre-order online. Then it takes a couple of days for them to pull it off their shelf in the same store and stick your name on it to sell it for 1/2. I actually asked them once if they get that book shipped or pull off the shelf from the store and they actually only get shipped what's not in store.
They only see me in book emergencies (and yes, those exist).

Selkirk · #11 03-30-2015, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L.

Depends, if I can't find it locally or if it's really outrageously priced locally I'll go online. I still prefer to buy local when I can.

Ditto ^

Mac

fish_e_o · #12 03-30-2015, 02:06 PM

i've been finding that i can find better deals on the things i want in stores because they'll have better sales. it's now almost hard to find stuff on a real sale online.

pikergolf · #13 03-30-2015, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish_e_o

i've been finding that i can find better deals on the things i want in stores because they'll have better sales. it's now almost hard to find stuff on a real sale online.

This is very true, Amazon used to be a good buy. Now I only use them for their reviews as they are usually the most expensive option. The beauty of shopping online is that you can find the exact product you want at the best price. I'm finding the best price is sometimes at the little guy. As people flock to shop online there is some gouging going on, buyer beware, as always.

The sleepy little city I live in has very few specialty shops, if I have to order an item I'd rather do the logistics myself rather than trust an order to a shop, hence my use of the internet.

Grizzly Adams · #14 03-30-2015, 04:44 PM

Comment this morning regarding the demise of future Shop was people like to go to a store, experience the merchandise, then buy at the best price on line. Little puzzled here, have to be a pretty good price difference after you factor in the time and expense of going to the store.

Grizz

Wild&Free · #15 03-30-2015, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Comment this morning regarding the demise of future Shop was people like to go to a store, experience the merchandise, then buy at the best price on line. Little puzzled here, have to be a pretty good price difference after you factor in the time and expense of going to the store.

Grizz

Bought a higher end laptop few months back, $600 in saving vs. the only local shop who had it in stock. bought a 24" monitor as well and still had savings.

Selkirk · #16 03-30-2015, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikergolf

. . . Now I only use them for their reviews . . .

As a sidebar to this thread, I have lost a lot of faith in those reviews that are 'supposedly' written by past customers. It turns out that many of them are written by professional reviewers, who are paid to help promote the product.

Sad but true

Mac

Wild&Free · #17 03-30-2015, 05:09 PM

I read amazon reviews for the comedy.

pikergolf · #18 03-30-2015, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild&Free

I read amazon reviews for the comedy.

Lots of good reviews on Amazon, but you have to be able to pick out shameless plugs and shameless trying to hurt the manufacturer.

greylynx · #19 03-30-2015, 06:45 PM

Amazon never put my reviews online when the screwed me twice.

What happened: I purchased items and the seller backed out. Amazon apparently does not recognize a transaction until the seller agrees...even though false advertising is involved.