Do brick and mortar shops have an unbalanced advantage over online stores?
Now that Amazon has to charge sales tax for California purchases, do you feel brick and mortar shops have an unbalanced advantage over Amazon? Brick and mortar shops have been charging taxes all along, however, since the customer comes to the shop to make their purchases, they do not have to pay shipping charges. Now, Amazon has to charge sales tax plus shipping charges, when the store owners only have to charge sales tax.
I would certainly think so. After all you can ask questions in person, see exactly what you are buying, and if necessary return the product in person if there's a problem.
I think Amazon still has an advantage over brick and mortar for one reason (based on my personal latest experience): the Walmart in my local area has been out of a certain item for weeks. In fact, it's been out of a lot of things for a long time. It's not a well stocked store. So, I went to another store, and they don't carry the item at all.
I go online to Amazon to order it. Not only is it sold by several merchants, but also Amazon offers a variety of name brands for this particular product. Whereas with your Walmart, they only carry limited brands - whenever it's in stock.
Granted, you don't have to pay shipping costs with your brick and mortar stores, but at the same time, they're not well stocked these days. Go online and it's there to order - even if you have to wait a few days.
To me, in the end, Amazon still has the advantage.
Sometime in your local stores if they don't have items you want, it a lot easier to go online and order it. Plus many times you save cash. I was able to get 2 bags of a specific bag of pet food including postage for half the price it would normally cost me. That was a massive saving for me.
The only advantage the shop has is that you can see what you are buying which for certain items would be an advantage over online stores. Plus returning items to a shop only involve a walk. But with online shops it could cost you the postage and a lot of your free time.
by Brad 8 years ago
Why are major brick and mortar department stores closing, is it the economy?
by What's News 12 years ago
Do you use brick and mortar stores or online retailers to do most of your Christmas shopping?
by healthmom 10 years ago
I'm exploring to this whole hub concept... is it really worth all the hassle and uncertainty of writing/working for yourself online or do you think it's better to just get a real brick-and-mortar job?
by tipstoretireearly 11 years ago
Why do banks continue to build so many new brick-and-mortar branches?In a world where online banks offer higher interest rates on deposits and more convenience, why do banks continue to build so many new brick-and-mortar branches? Are there that many new customers?
by healthygirlnow 12 years ago
I love that you don't have to pay full price for anything! Simply do a search on an item or a retailer and you can find coupons to either print or use a discount code during your transaction. You can sign up for daily deals and get email notifications to purchase a great deal.
by iamsuper 13 years ago
Lately appeared a lot of online stores that can facilitate us to go shopping, simply click the item and it has arrived at our doorstep. According to you what is the most you like or wish from an online store:1.Complete item option2.The certainty of goods sent3.Big discount / cheap prices4.Free...
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