Comments on: Shopping Online vs. Brick and Mortar

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By: Stew Brennand

Stew Brennand — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 21:53:03 +0000

J, you didn’t just use overnight and instant gratification in one sentence did you?

I just got back from (insert big box name here) and returned my external 320gb drive. It failed on me. They gave me a new one on the spot, no questions asked.

Chalk one up for the big boys I guess.

By: J

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 03:59:24 +0000

Don’t let CompUSA be a model for dealing with other stores. I happen to live in an area where, unfortunately, CompUSA is the ONLY authorized Apple service center within 400 miles. With a machine that needed repair that was still under warranty, I had no choice but to deal with them. A 4 week ordeal ensued which included the techs not being able to figure out how to open my machine and then insisting that I have an Intel iMac which I do not. If I ever have to have repair again, I’ll drive the 400 miles rather than go to CompUSA.
Having said that, I never buy anything in a “real” store other than fresh groceries. If I need instant gratification, I have things overnighted.

By: Rong

Rong — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 12:47:04 +0000

I painfully empathize with your entire story. Not naming names but, at a time when ontime delivery and inventory is almost a given these box stores online sites are woefully failing in providing truthful information.
It’s so much easier to go to a reliable online store like NewEgg and just be done with the purchase process and know that I WILL have the item in just a few days.
If I absolutely have to have it NOW, then like Stew I’d rather go deal with a smaller one-off store.

By: Stew Brennand

Stew Brennand — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 23:57:57 +0000

I tried to comment, but got hit in the head with a can of spam

Thats two of comments that have akismetted on me, lol

In short, I prefer small business stick and mud over larger brick and morter outfits.

I’ll order online if I really really have to. Its an instant gratification thing.

By: Stew Brennand

Stew Brennand — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 23:53:10 +0000

You mean they have shopping in actual, real live buildings now? The concept will never work I tell you!

Heh, I never call around anymore, unless it’s a small “mom-and-pop” kind of store, where I know I will talk to someone useful, which in most cases is the owner.

I have in the past found myself avoiding the typical “big-box” stores as well, unless I’m after a specific item that a small business might not carry or would have to order for me. If the small business owner is going to have to order it for me, I might as well have stayed at home and ordered it online.

(I heard that they have the internet on computers now. Another concept I’ll never believe!)

I never call the big box baddies for anything, ever. I pick what I want (or need), I go, get in, get out and make it fast before I spend all my earnings on the latest ball and paddle upgrade!