Re: B&H puts another local camera store out of business (with my help, unfortunately)

David Nebenzahl wrote:

>> [...] And my local store is great, but they usually don't have the
>> items I want when I want them. Of course, they could order them, but
>> why when I could do the same and have the item sitting in my hands
>> the next business day?
>
> Yes, why indeed would anyone want that? Leaving aside:
>
> o being able to talk with a real human being

Not necessary in most cases and paying the extra premium simply isn't
worth
it.

> o maybe a human being who actually *knows* something about what they
> sell, instead of some marketroid on the other end of the phone

Irrelevant!  Getting knowledgeable sales representatives on-line or in
person is always a crapshoot.

> o doing research on where to get stuff (research you could do
> yourself, but that they'll do for you)

Hmm!  Sounds like a set of training wheels or a crutch is what you want?
Never be dependant on others to tell you what you need or you'll need
everything just as long as the sales drone can make a commission off of
you.

> o possibly giving discounts to repeat customers and those who buy a
> lot of stuff

This applies to on-line merchants as well.

> o spending money in your own community, instead of enriching someone
> else out of town

TOTALLY IRRELAVANT!  I don't believe in passing out subsidies nor do I
feel
I have an obligation to enrich a local merchant.  The merchant need be
very
competitive if they want loyalty and a chance at survival.

> Yeah, other than that, I guess local shops are useless and a waste of
> time.

Only if they don't meet the customer's needs.

>> Local shops are a thing of the past.
>
> Perhaps; more's the pity.

Good shops have staying power and bad shops, good riddance.






Rita