[Alkanyadela]

Today a couple of friends and I had a little discussion about whether the internet is bad for the little stores in your town or not. Is the internet killing the retail trade? Is it important for you, to have a person to talk to and ask for advice when buying products you dont know anything about.

I mean most of us here see a bad deal when it comes to computers, so we can buy online because we know what we want. But when it comes to things we dont know much about (kitchen stuff, furniture, clothes, etc), do you still buy them online? Is reading an online review enough for you?

Personally I still like shopping in the local mall or downtown. To be honest, the only stuff I buy online is computer parts and DVDs/books. For everything else I try to find a shop with a nice shop assistant and ask him for advice. Okay, some of them probably dont know **** about the stuff they're selling but usually its a nice experience. And supporting the smaller shops in my area kinda makes me feel good too. For example I could buy my running shoes or bike parts online and pay less, but I still go to the small shops here I know. And even though its more expensive I like to have a little chat with the owner, testing out several shoes right in the store or let him show me a couple of new bikes in the mountain bike store. So even though I know quite alot about running shoes or mountain bikes, or guitars for that matter, I'd never order them online.

What about you? Is the internet the only shop you go to, or do you like to do it the "old fashioned" style every now and then?

[Gosxjqum]

Yeah, I'm just like you.

I want to see the product in person, especially when it comes to clothes or expensive/large electronics. For clothes, I don't want to wait a week to have it shipped to me, only to find it doesn't fit and I have to wait another week to return it and get it back again.

Nothing beats the ability to drive back to the store and return something in 15 minutes for $30 in gas instead of a week and $50 in shipping fees. Heck, I'll even pay *more* to buy it in a store just for the peace of mind of being able to return it when I want.

I'll do my research online, then try to find a store that has what I want. Only as a last-ditch effort will I order that kind of stuff online.

[Eltabaco]

There is a lot of things I wouldn't buy online. The top thing that comes to mind oddly enough is shoes.

[LkEHaduy]

Condoms,.. definitly wouldn´t buy condoms over ebay.

[Slintreeoost]

A wife.

[Michaelnewerb]

A house.

[aceriscoolon]

1-Shoes (NEVER)
2-Clothes (sometimes I do online only T-shirts)
3-Cars (NEVER)
4-Big Electronics ( Refrigerator, Washing machine, etc..) although I can buy TVs and speakers just fine online.

[Agitoligflise]

bananas
________
vaporizer affiliate

[wooclosmercob]

Live animals.

[Zdfjpbth]

I don't have a CC, so I wouldn't buy anything online! [rofl] If I did, I don't think I would by food. Maybe get the odd pack of crisps from over the pond cause I love your flavours! So much better than out plain old ones [thumbdown] We have a shop here that specializes in British imports, but sometimes the prices can be quite steep. I know he prices them as best he can though so I don't mind paying extra for some Walkers Worcester sauce flavoured![thumbup] Yum! [yes]

When it comes to PC parts, I wouldn't. Even if I could get them cheaper. I have two little shops I like to go to in the city and would much rather support them than some faceless online store.

[maclaudser]

1) anything I'd prob. need to return or get serviced. I bought my mobile off the internet and went through the loopholes of finding a manuf. service center near my area to get it fixed. But it would have been much eaiser to just go where I bought it - and RMA's are a joke. - fridges - dishwashers - ect ...
2) well - hard way to put this - but ...growing supplies... :-)-~ - even though there is a huge quantity of growing supplies on the internet - the grow shop down the street is just fine bi me.
3) a guitar - my friend will buy a gibson from equador off marcardo libre - but I need play it first.
4) Skis or snowboards - demo day at your nearest ski resort first if you must - but ski shops need your business - of that you can be sure.

I order alot of Oakley shoes (sandals) off the internet - they are repeat purchases & never fail - as well as ironically - K2 in-line skates with success- which need fit even better than shoes - but I wouldn't recommend it 4 everyone. and I would buy a bike if it were say- a cannondale - but not a trek or decathlon.

[xresultsearch]

Large, glass 'works of art'.

Shipping would be killer, and the danger of breakage is too great.

[maclaudser]

Large, glass 'works of art'.

Shipping would be killer, and the danger of breakage is too great.

I had a roor of a laugh at that!!! [thumbup]

[AntonioMQ]

I wouldn't buy Penis Enlargement online.

You gotta get that from the really pretty counter assistant at the Chemist/Drug store.