Midpack
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Heard a story this AM about how Best Buy is having trouble turning a profit. I assumed once Circuit City died off, Best Buy would do reasonably well. The journalist said Best Buy (and many other brick-n-mortar retailers) are getting killed by people who go in and scope out products and then go home and buy them online. Though I had not heard the term "showrooming," I knew it went on but I hoped it wasn't too widespread - evidently, and not surprisingly it is.
In response, Best Buy said this morning they will match competitors online prices. That seems unsustainable and it could really hurt a lot of retailers, not just Best Buy by any means.
What do you think of this phenomena?
If you don't want to know what I think before commenting, stop reading and reply (if you like).
I buy lots of things online, but only items that I can research online. If I feel the need to see something in person, compare products first hand, and/or especially to seek the guidance of a store clerk - I have no right to then go buy online. I should be willing to pay some premium for the physical store and the employees. It hasn't helped that state sales taxes are still not collected in many cases. Though shipping is an added cost, for big ticket items shipping is often (much) less than taxes - so the gubmint failure to address interstate sales taxes has actually made online shopping even cheaper in relative terms.
I think we'll be sorry if all or too many brick-n-mortar stores fail. But if Best Buy can't make a buck in consumer electronics, we may be headed that way. I say it all the time, 'we (all) get what we (collectively) deserve.'
In response, Best Buy said this morning they will match competitors online prices. That seems unsustainable and it could really hurt a lot of retailers, not just Best Buy by any means.
What do you think of this phenomena?
If you don't want to know what I think before commenting, stop reading and reply (if you like).
I buy lots of things online, but only items that I can research online. If I feel the need to see something in person, compare products first hand, and/or especially to seek the guidance of a store clerk - I have no right to then go buy online. I should be willing to pay some premium for the physical store and the employees. It hasn't helped that state sales taxes are still not collected in many cases. Though shipping is an added cost, for big ticket items shipping is often (much) less than taxes - so the gubmint failure to address interstate sales taxes has actually made online shopping even cheaper in relative terms.
I think we'll be sorry if all or too many brick-n-mortar stores fail. But if Best Buy can't make a buck in consumer electronics, we may be headed that way. I say it all the time, 'we (all) get what we (collectively) deserve.'