What is the/your etiquette on buy in store vs online

quartzz

Just to make it clear below....I mean walk into a shop, "test drive" it, don't buy there and then, and then search for it online when you get home. as in, playing bad cricket

Interested in the long running debate about "find it in a physical store you walk in to" vs "possibly get it 10% cheaper from evil Amazon"

You wonder if product XYZ has the right type of buttons and right colour display and doesn't have an annoying beep, but in the shop it's £300 and on Amazon it's £260

So for what it is or isn't worth, I'm not all that keen on the Amazon's of the world. When everything goes according to plan, it's mostly painless, but the moment you have a question/issue that isn't already programmed into a website button, it's just a pain in the backside. It's better being able to phone the shop you just went into and say "issue...."

Plus, on ebay and the web, all it needs is to look nice for a photo (assuming [and that is an assume], the product you see on screen is the product that gets sent through the post). In store, it actually has to look nice in the room. (tangent about yes it's equally possible to stock a rubbish product in-store, but anyway...)

What's your chosen etiquette? Is ££ the bottom line (as it is for anyone who actually has lots of it [reference to politicians I guess....]) or do you want to support Curry's/B&Q/Independents, because if you don't, next year they might not be there?

elsien

If I’ve seen it and checked it in a shop and had really helpful customer service, I’m buying it in the shop. Because that customer service and helping me to decide what I’m doing, particularly when it comes to technology, is worth paying extra for so it doesn’t vanish. 

I paid a couple of hundred quid for some really good walking boots because the shop assistant spent a long time helping me find ones that suited my feet. I could have got them cheaper elsewhere, but again, paying for the good service. Use it or lose it. 

oldernonethewiser

I would prefer to use a bricks & mortar place where possible.

I have an Amazon account which I am weaning myself off, eg I no longer buy books from them, as I am not keen on funding Mr Bezos lifestyle, including his lavish wedding.

quartzz

oldernonethewiser said:

I would prefer to use a bricks & mortar place where possible.

I have an Amazon account which I am weaning myself off, eg I no longer buy books from them, as I am not keen on funding Mr Bezos lifestyle, including his lavish wedding.

Sure. I mean some of the time with established physical stores, it comes down to do you want to send your money to the person who has one Mercedes (shop manager/owner), or the person who has 5 of them (Bezo's etc). Of course the person who owns the independent drives a Vauxhall Cavaliar or a Fiesta, and the person on the till probably got the bus in

strawb_shortcake

I prefer in store, i do occasionally buy from amazon, only had 2 issues, one they left all my parcels on the drive in the rain - however they had sent two of everything and the contents was fine. Two, only book arrived, amazon refunded really quick so can't complain. 

We used to have a wonderful baby shop in Bristol, steeped in history and had been there for donkeys years. We bought from them for out first baby, 18 months or so later the Internet was much more popular. We needed a double pushchair, but online was around £200 cheaper, we did go to see the pushchair at the lovely shop, but ordered online. 

The shop is no more, and I do feel a little guilty at times

BethRobinson

oldernonethewiser said:

I would prefer to use a bricks & mortar place where possible.

I have an Amazon account which I am weaning myself off, eg I no longer buy books from them, as I am not keen on funding Mr Bezos lifestyle, including his lavish wedding.

He owns 9% of Amazon. How much do you think you're "funding" his lifestyle?

mjm3346

100% online - no shops nearby and spending any time travelling to/going instore to shop and then getting shopping home is not worth it

quartzz

mjm3346 said:

100% online - no shops nearby and spending any time travelling to/going instore to shop and then getting shopping home is not worth it

Fair enough if physical shops are inconvenient to get to - I was thinking more "testing it in store then finding it 20% off online". Do you find yourself returning many items? After they are delivered you handle them physically and think "I can't live with this texture or actual colour or button feel or beep or "annoying control system" or "logo that comes up on-screen".

Clothes I almost never buy online, I always want to try them in store, with the exception of shoes (because I mostly know what size shoe to get)

oldernonethewiser

BethRobinson said:

oldernonethewiser said:

I would prefer to use a bricks & mortar place where possible.

I have an Amazon account which I am weaning myself off, eg I no longer buy books from them, as I am not keen on funding Mr Bezos lifestyle, including his lavish wedding.

He owns 9% of Amazon. How much do you think you're "funding" his lifestyle?

Personally, not a lot in the grand scheme of things but I would rather he didn't get any of my money.  He has more than enough.

sarah1972

100% online

Appliances I use AO
Groceries I use Asda, Ocado and a few other online specialist shops
Clothes online
Bits and bobs Amazon as I love the next day delivery, availability, pricing

quartzz

but I guess that's sourcing it online, rather than trying it in store then finding it online

do you find yourself returning things because the beep is too loud or the buttons are rubbish?