Algorithmic AI pricing

[earlierme]

We do for certain things. Clothing for sure. But for hard goods when we know what we want, online is so much more convenient. There are also many things that you really can't get in a store anymore. Just this morning, I ordered a 50 lb/860 sheet pack of packing paper for my ebay business. There's probably some supply warehouse somewhere that I can walk in and get that but who knows where. This way it will be at my door in a couple of days. We also do some things where we order online and pickup in person. Two days ago I ordered shipping boxes from Grainger and picked them up at their local facility this morning. You can't just walk in and buy them. They don't have them all in stock on site but you order online and they ship them to the local spot for pickup.

Shopping for business is different.

I am talking about buying things for personal use.

 

[earlierme]

I know I'm old-school and wouldn't complain if I were called a Luddite. But when I "shop," I still like to handle the merchandise.

I hate the waste of all of the individual boxes from all of the online orders.
Not to mention people who buy multiple items to "try" and then return what they don't want.
Extremely wasteful.

Right now I want to replace two roller shades.
I prefer to go into a store and see what I am purchasing and buy what I want.

 

[Koolau]

Then there are the issues of returns. I hate making returns at the local Costco where it's no questions asked! Returning mail order? Sounds like a nightmare.

Returning you now...

 

[Slim11]

I'm guessing you won't have one near you either soon.

They are closing most of them, it was put out in January this year.

 

[tulak]

Amazon returns I drop off at Whole Foods. Couldn’t be easier.

 

[audreyh1]

Amazon returns are no big deal. They make it very streamlined and there are lots of different locations to drop things off. You don’t even have to pack returns for shipping any more.

 

[TripleLindy]

I really dislike shopping, so online ordering fits me perfectly. I’m shopping from a network of warehouses, not just what a single store might have on the shelves, so availability isn’t normally a concern. And as others stated, Amazon returns are easier than most physical retail stores - just a quick drop off at either Kohl’s or Whole Foods, both of which are 5 minutes away. No packaging needed, not even a box.

Having said that, this post got my attention:

I had one web browser open in which I was logged into my Amazon account and had made a purchase.

I opened another web browser and found something for $35.99 on Amazon. Not logged in.

I copied the item number from browser #2 into the search box on the Amazon website in browser #1.
Price shows as $45.99; $41.99 with a "coupon".

The majority of our online shopping is with Amazon and I often don’t even bother to look elsewhere because of the convenience. (I refuse to shop at WalMart because of an awful experience, but that’s my personal little crusade.)

I’m always logged in, so I’m going to start spot checking prices while not logged in in a separate tab. Thanks for the tip!

 

[folivier]

I wonder if the price difference could be one has Prime free shipping and the lower price has a ship cost?

 

[COcheesehead]

Amazon returns I drop off at Whole Foods. Couldn’t be easier.

Same, except at the local UPS store. Super easy.

 

[Just_Steve]

Same, except at the local UPS store. Super easy.

Yup UPS store but also Target.

 

[disneysteve]

Shopping for business is different.

I am talking about buying things for personal use.

Sorry, that was recency bias for the last couple of purchases made.

Recent Amazon orders: allergy pills, watch battery, drum for laser printer, storage bags for folding chairs, highlighters. That's just in April. My wife buys most of our everyday items from Target and Walmart and orders online for delivery. We do periodically go to the stores in person because there are certain items that can't be delivered for whatever reason. But ordering online we can get exactly what we want, see many options that aren't available in stores, and typically pay less overall.

Due to the growth of online shopping, many stores don't stock nearly as much as they used to. They keep the 2 or 3 most common items in stock but if you want anything else you need to go to their website. You can have the item shipped for in-store pickup or delivered to your home.

 

[disneysteve]

Then there are the issues of returns. I hate making returns at the local Costco where it's no questions asked! Returning mail order? Sounds like a nightmare.

Couldn't be easier unless they came to my house and got it. Amazon returns at Whole Foods are simple. They have a self serve kiosk. I just scan the QR code they email me, drop the item in a bag they provide, and toss it in the bin. The whole process takes about a minute.

 

[audreyh1]

I usually check several store if I’m shopping online. Amazon doesn’t always have the best selection or deals. We enjoy grocery shopping, but I dislike any other type of shopping. If it’s clothing and not something I already know the right sizes from experience, I force myself to go to stores, but I really hate the experience. Other stuff it’s so much easier online.