Buy Local or online?

[ixlegitballinxl]

service or price.... i've found both online... no matter what the screen size, it's still the same process either way!

[photorebel]

Originally Posted by Bizdady

Still doesnt give B&M stores the right to markup as high % as weve seem them do.

They have a right to markup as high as they wish.
We have a right to go elsewhere.
The price is determined by what the market will bear.

[William H Pratt]

I buy 99% of my DVDs online - the reason is less $$ cost.

I will be buying a Pioneer Elite 111FD during the 1st quarter of 2009. It will be purchased from a local HiFi/Video store. (NOT BB or CC) The reason is delivery & setup issues I have. Having the local store deliver & setup on MY schedule trumps the potential savings in $$$$ that I'd get from an online purchase. This is MY situation, not anyone elses.

[AppleCrumbDlite]

Originally Posted by Bizdady

www.6ave.com used a 6% off coupon code:couponcabin

just tried code... doesnt work

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Trix

This is a topic that has always irked me for a few reasons.

First, let me start by saying that there are vast differences in how people buy online. Some people will read ratings, post around forums, and make their decision that way before buying online. This, to me, seems to be an evolution of the marketplace, and I find it perfectly understandable.

Other people will look at reviews, but will not buy without auditioning the equipment in stores with employees, then going to an online retailer to complete the purchase. Here begins the irking...

The most widespread reason for auditioning in store and buying online is price; the online retailer has a much lower price than the store. However, do these people stop and think of WHY that is? A store has an overhead which is exponentially higher than an online retailer; not only do they have to arrange warehousing and logistics, but they have to maintain a store front, they have to pay their store employees on top of their other employees, they have to take margin hits by opening products for demonstrations, which then get sold as used items, and so on.

Now, this higher overhead means that in order to stay in business, these companies must make a higher profit margin than an online retailer with a much smaller overhead. Now, if the two systems existed in their seperate cosmos, that would be fine; people who are familiar with the equipment and know what they want would order online, netting better prices, and those who have no idea what they want could seek the advice of store employees, paying a higher premium for the information they receive (I will not get into salespeople greed, as I consider this very seperate from this topic, since it existed long before the online marketplace).

When the two cosmos intersect, however, you get the following: retail stores having a higher overhead, and being, for lack of a better word, used as an auditioned, having to provide both products and salespeople for those people who have absolutely no intention of making a purchase, but are only looking to decide which products to order from another online retailer. Then comes the price argument; if the local shop would just match the online price, I wouldn't need to order online! As I've pointed out, however, the local retailer often simply can't compete with online retailers, because their overhead costs, which are just exhorbitant when compared to a company who only needs to maintain a web orders and a warehouse to transit goods from manufacturers to customers.

Now, I'm not in any way saying that I can't support online retailers; I'm simply saying that when people take advantage of local retailers only to buy from online stores, I begin to wonder how they will audition products when the online marketplace forces most local shops to close, leaving nowhere to actually audition anything.

So, in closing, I must say that I constantly have to remind myself that this practice is a minority, and probably has a negligible impact overall. However, it is a practice that continues to irk me, and I thought I might as well get other peoples' input on it, since I obviously overlooked certain points and made certain assumptions that maybe are overgeneralizations.

Sorry, this is a really long post...

For the most part, I agree with you. However, how are you going to learn about a product if you cannot touch it or see it. That is the one downfall of online shopping of ANY sort. Whether it is clothing or electronics, without seeing the product, it sometimes makes it hard to be able to purchase it.

With clothing, your computer monitor color may be off so what you get is not what you wanted or you thought you were a different size, now you have to exchange it. The company has to deal with that as well. That has to included in their overhead.

With electronics, maybe your purchase was bigger than you expected or it has a "flaw" that you don't like (Samsung 7 Series halo issue comes to mind). They usually cannot sell them as new once they are returned. They instantly become refurbished and results in selling them at a lower cost.

So, with the above thoughts, why would the Big Box stores charge more than the small local ones? They both have overheard but just in different ways. Oh, don't forget the call center of the online store costs money. So there is your common employee costs.

Now, I bought mine locally because, in this economy, if I can help the little guy I will. The place I bought mine was far more negotiable than the other bigger stores in my area. They matched Amazon's online price and then they came VERY close to Panasonic's online prices for my exchange.

The one thing that really bothers me is when you look at a companies online site and they have a product listed far less than they do in the store. Since I don't really use credit cards, I get screwed because most of these places will not match their online prices EVEN when you can do in store pickup or ship to store for free.

The only thing I do buy online with a credit card are movies since there is no place that I have seen local that can come close to Amazon's prices.

I'm also sorry for the long post.

[fatediesel]

When I was considering buying my Panasonic plasma I went to Best Buy to look at it. I didn't ask any questions to the salespeople and I did end up buying other items when I was there. I don't consider this at all questionable ethically. I spend a lot of money at Best Buy and would have preferred to buy the tv there if the price was comparable. Where I live there are no small places that might negotiate prices, it's all big box places. If there were a smaller place I would consider paying a bit more if I felt it would help the local economy.

[Bizdady]

Originally Posted by AppleCrumbDlite

just tried code... doesnt work

Ya it stopped working yesterday, might be a new code out somewhere roaming around.

[Steelmaker]

Got my 60" HDTV through Amazon. It was 300.00 cheaper than Circuit City and Best Buy, plus free shipping & no sales tax! At total savings of a little over 500.00!!

Oh, and to answer your question, online all the way!!

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Trix

This is a topic that has always irked me for a few reasons.

First, let me start by saying that there are vast differences in how people buy online. Some people will read ratings, post around forums, and make their decision that way before buying online. This, to me, seems to be an evolution of the marketplace, and I find it perfectly understandable.

Other people will look at reviews, but will not buy without auditioning the equipment in stores with employees, then going to an online retailer to complete the purchase. Here begins the irking...

The most widespread reason for auditioning in store and buying online is price; the online retailer has a much lower price than the store. However, do these people stop and think of WHY that is? A store has an overhead which is exponentially higher than an online retailer; not only do they have to arrange warehousing and logistics, but they have to maintain a store front, they have to pay their store employees on top of their other employees, they have to take margin hits by opening products for demonstrations, which then get sold as used items, and so on.

Now, this higher overhead means that in order to stay in business, these companies must make a higher profit margin than an online retailer with a much smaller overhead. Now, if the two systems existed in their seperate cosmos, that would be fine; people who are familiar with the equipment and know what they want would order online, netting better prices, and those who have no idea what they want could seek the advice of store employees, paying a higher premium for the information they receive (I will not get into salespeople greed, as I consider this very seperate from this topic, since it existed long before the online marketplace).

When the two cosmos intersect, however, you get the following: retail stores having a higher overhead, and being, for lack of a better word, used as an auditioned, having to provide both products and salespeople for those people who have absolutely no intention of making a purchase, but are only looking to decide which products to order from another online retailer. Then comes the price argument; if the local shop would just match the online price, I wouldn't need to order online! As I've pointed out, however, the local retailer often simply can't compete with online retailers, because their overhead costs, which are just exhorbitant when compared to a company who only needs to maintain a web orders and a warehouse to transit goods from manufacturers to customers.

Now, I'm not in any way saying that I can't support online retailers; I'm simply saying that when people take advantage of local retailers only to buy from online stores, I begin to wonder how they will audition products when the online marketplace forces most local shops to close, leaving nowhere to actually audition anything.

So, in closing, I must say that I constantly have to remind myself that this practice is a minority, and probably has a negligible impact overall. However, it is a practice that continues to irk me, and I thought I might as well get other peoples' input on it, since I obviously overlooked certain points and made certain assumptions that maybe are overgeneralizations.

Sorry, this is a really long post...

With all due respect, I don't care about the logistics behind why something is more expensive in-store than online. All I care about is finding the best price. It's not the consumer's job to be sympathetic to the retailer as to why they can't sell their products at a lower price. It's the retailer's job to find ways to be more competitive. What do you suggest consumers do? Actually pay MORE for their items out of sympathy? Here's a suggestion, instead of a retailer trying to "ghost charge" consumers by offering extended warranties on tv's, why not just offer the warranty as a bonus for buying the tv from them and paying extra in the first place?

I did go into the b&m stores to look at my set before I bought it online. Now I, myself did not ask any questions to the sales people because to be honest, I know every bit as much about the sets as they do if not more. Like others have said, I DO buy at b&m stores but when you can save money (in my case, 500.00), only a fool would not take advantage of that.

[photorebel]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

It's not the consumer's job to be sympathetic to the retailer as to why they can't sell their products at a lower price. It's the retailer's job to find ways to be more competitive. What do you suggest consumers do? Actually pay MORE for their items out of sympathy?

Agreed. Smart retailers will offer something you can't get online, such as better service, added value. I don't feel sorry for retailers, especially big box/chain stores.
The smaller, independent guys have given me superb service over the years, and even competitive pricing. I don't buy from them because I'm sympathetic. I buy because of their combination of service and price.

[philwell]

I say take advantage of the good deals on line while you can.
The B & M stores and online shopping will come together. Places like BB will have show rooms in large Metro areas with lots of demo so you can see and interact with the products. They will expect you to buy on line. They most likely will have customer kiosks so you can buy your needs on line in house. This is how they will slowly gain control of internet shopping.
Once they have a bigger enough share they will crowd out the small players and start inching up prices. If I was BB I would be lobbing for all internet sales to be taxable.

[jdc115]

I buy online and ship half way across the world, even if I pay $5 shipping per disk it is still cheaper then buying locally.

[Musashi]

Pardon the thread revival, but I think my inquiry pertains to this topic without need of a new thread;

I'm scouting for a new TV, a Panasonic Viera TH-65PZ850u to be precise. I've scouted a few stores:

One of them was the previously mentioned buybestplasma; their Cust. Svc seemed good to me; final price was $5,200 (shipping incl.).

I also looked at Shop Digital Online. Their sticker price $4,500. Certainly sounds good, but I have yet to calculate final price. More importantly, they've been getting mixed reviews; mostly good, but there've been complaints.

Any thoughts on best place to shop?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Musashi

Pardon the thread revival, but I think my inquiry pertains to this topic without need of a new thread;

I'm scouting for a new TV, a Panasonic Viera TH-65PZ850u to be precise. I've scouted a few stores:

One of them was the previously mentioned buybestplasma; their Cust. Svc seemed good to me; final price was $5,200 (shipping incl.).

I also looked at Shop Digital Online. Their sticker price $4,500. Certainly sounds good, but I have yet to calculate final price. More importantly, they've been getting mixed reviews; mostly good, but there've been complaints.

Any thoughts on best place to shop?

6ave.com coupon code: AFLTV25

[Purplegrasshopper]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

6ave.com coupon code: AFLTV25

Not too shabby, but then you have to tack on the $200 white glove service you get free with Amazon and some other retailers...

[coolmilo]

I buy 90% from Amazon.com and 10% local (Fry's and Best Buy sales). I am very pleased with Amazon service.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Purplegrasshopper

Not too shabby, but then you have to tack on the $200 white glove service you get free with Amazon and some other retailers...

...um...check out amazon. That "free" white glove service you want is added into their price.

...I personally would rather save $200 and just have them bring the TV to my door. I'll hook the thing up myself!

[Musashi]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

6ave.com coupon code: AFLTV25

Thanks yet again for the wisdom crackin'! Just like last year with the sound upgrade.

6th Avenue will be our new leading contender; All will be settled next month after I get my tax refund and (hopefully) bonus.

[doctorsteve]

Originally Posted by coolmilo

I buy 90% from Amazon.com and 10% local (Fry's and Best Buy sales). I am very pleased with Amazon service.

I'd love to buy local, but when I can't find Bottle Rocket and Caligula at a B&M, I (unfortunately) have to start thinking of going Amazon... maybe exclusively.

[Musashi]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

...um...check out amazon. That "free" white glove service you want is added into their price.

...I personally would rather save $200 and just have them bring the TV to my door. I'll hook the thing up myself!

Me too. I hooked up the receiver and speakers with a few friends last year. Not only was it fun, but I learned a lot doing it.