General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHopeful Prediction: When this is over, people will be sick of Amazon, ordering stuff online
and will flock to brick and mortar stores.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,748 posts)LisaM
(27,815 posts)I've always boycotted Amazon to zero effect, preferring stores - especially for clothes and books. I've had enough struggles trying to support brick and mortar businesses, and now this.
cmeneer
(253 posts)I do hope so. I love and appreciate the convenience of Amazon, but even more I love the community of brick and mortar. We need to get back to human interaction.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)as of now.
While amazon leaves the box at my door, and I don't have to interact with anybody.
samnsara
(17,623 posts)hlthe2b
(102,298 posts)and which they don't tell you until many days later.
DarthDem
(5,256 posts)I believe there is going to be a renewed sense of community and social interaction, which will include shopping at local stores. Amazon won't go away or even be seriously hurt by this most likely.
GoCubsGo
(32,086 posts)and not force me to have to shop at places like Amazon. Which is what I have had to do all along. When they WERE open, they didn't have what I needed, or the price was far beyond what I can afford. My choices have been A) Go without. B) Drive 30-70 miles to a store that has what I am looking for, risking my life being on the road with all these fucking idiots who have no business being behind the wheel of a car AND contributing to climate change. C) Order on Amazon or other mail-order sites. I don't see my choices changing when this is all over. Not that I'm going to be able to afford to buy anything anyway.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)Again,had to order from Amazon for two items that are not stocked in our local Bricks and Mortar stores.
If a item does not sell a certain number of turns in a given time frame,it is gone. It is called Walmart Merchandising Model. Turn it or burn it.
RobinA
(9,894 posts)I have many times TRIED to buy from a brick & mortar, but after driving around the county for half a weekend come home and gotten exactly what I want from Amazon in about three clicks.
GoCubsGo
(32,086 posts)like Ibotta and Checkout 51. You get your cash in the form of either bank deposit, PayPal or gift cards, although if you want to wait for a paper check, then C51 will do that. Ain't no way in hell I'm giving out my bank account number to anyone, so gift cards or PayPal it is. Amazon doesn't take PayPal, but a lot of places do, including many of the brick-and-mortar stores that also have mail order, like REI, Squallmart, and Academy Sports. A lot of the time, what I am looking for is only available online at those stores.
procon
(15,805 posts)shopping they're discovering how much easier it is to shop from the safety if their home. The public health concerns about this virus will remain with us long after the disease has run its course. We are now more alert to sick people in public settings and we can avoid exposure to common diseases by using Amazon and other online stores.
Not to mention the convenience of shopping when hey want to, not running through gas, no exasperation with misbehaving kids (yours and others), and no tiresome treks shoving a heavy shopping cart around a maize of crowded aisles. Now a days a lot of stores expect shoppers to do their own checkout, bag their purchases and muscle them out to the car, then haul everything into the house. It's exhausting work, and a hardship for a lot of folks.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)thesquanderer
(11,990 posts)Saves time, saves gas, saves frustration of going somewhere to find they don't have what you want. It will make it tougher for new products to get a foothold, though. In a real store, something may grab my eye and I may decide to try it... online, I'll probably just keep re-ordering the stuff from my previous orders.
procon
(15,805 posts)new products you've never even seen in your grocery store. I discovered ghee, a super clarified butter that is popular in Indian recipes. I use it a lot in cooking now.
I'm a mustard snob and I've found all kinds of new mustard to try. The selection online offers dozens of interesting choices where my local grocery only stocked a handful of common varieties.
And new spices and herbs... Don't get me started on all the wonderful varieties of exotic spices from around the world that I've bought.
Polly Hennessey
(6,799 posts)Let me add Chewy into that mix. It is easier.
procon
(15,805 posts)I also wish shop at Overstock and Wayfair... sigh.
mercuryblues
(14,532 posts)Amazon brings small retailers, all over the US and world, to my fingertips. Box stores allow me to try on and touch articles of clothing to determine the "itchiness" factor.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)Amazon is what I can still count on right now.
Baclava
(12,047 posts)Sure to get more customers, not less
Kaleva
(36,313 posts)hack89
(39,171 posts)those stores are not all of a sudden going to have the variety of goods that you can get on Amazon.
There are very good reasons people like me love Amazon.
Amishman
(5,557 posts)People will be more familiar with all their online ordering options and be crowd adverse.
Happy Hoosier
(7,330 posts)tinymontgomery
(2,584 posts)There are sites on line that support items some small companies. Never heard
of this company before.
I'm now ordering wine through them. I think, called
Nakedwine.com
Various prices, or mixed cases or just the time you like.
Just received mine today. 6 day delivery. Used a $100 dollar gift card someone gave me plus
their discount. 12 decent bottles for $80.00 including delivery.
procon
(15,805 posts)These small local specialty shops, stores that offer one of a kind items or handmade products, or things that are hard to find, unique items from foreign countries, can include online shopping in addition to their brick and mortar address.
Amazon has a huge program to assist retailers to market their wares under the Amazon banner. From a complete virtual storefront to just some overstocked merchandise, there's a solution for savvy business owners who can see that shoppers are bringing about this changing marketplace. There's no going back after this scare over food shortages.
hunter
(38,318 posts)There's no clothes that fit me, a very limited shoe selection, no books that interest me (no local bookstores even), no electronic components...
Half the time I go to the auto parts store for my old cars I'm out of luck; they tell me they have to order what I need and offer to send it to my house. I could have skipped the trip and ordered the part myself.
The only stores I regularly visit are my neighborhood supermarket, pharmacy, hardware store, and thrift stores.
The chain hardware stores are no fun anymore. They no longer have those dusty shelves in the back where you'd be likely to find just the part you need to fix your fifty year old stove. Stores like Lowe's or Home Depot would rather sell you a new stove.
I am loving my e-book reader these days. Our library is closed and I am wary of the mail. I can download e-books without worrying about this virus.
Nay
(12,051 posts)stuff until it turns into rags. I'm a normal size (14) but cannot find t-shirts or tops that aren't so thin you can see through them. I like medium to heavy cotton. Good luck with that. I have better luck at the local Goodwill, frankly.
I like plainly-styled clothing that fits, and doesn't cost $200 per piece. Can't seem to find it.
CTyankee
(63,912 posts)Driving around store to store wastes gas and time. I'm too damn old to do all that any more.
Plus, the Internet opens up other possibilities I hadn't known about or considered.
So I say
marlakay
(11,477 posts)I plan to budget to help them as much as I can.
My massage lady canceled my appt which I was thinking of canceling anyway, I told her she didnt need to reimburse me take care of herself. I had bought a set of 3 and this was last one.
JCMach1
(27,559 posts)Eyeball_Kid
(7,432 posts)It appears that, whenever I order from Amazon, they place me on the Prime membership, then charge me their monthly fee, without my permission. I consistently have to check my status to see if I'm being charged for Prime. Drives me nuts. It doesn't make any difference how I select a purchase or a delivery option. I always get the Prime membership. On some purchases, there is NO option other than a Prime option, which means another 12+ dollars a month if I don't immediately cancel.
EllieBC
(3,016 posts)Less will want to use public transit if they dont have to. Less will want high density housing.
And most will love them some delivery.