Den of the Beastly Bear
Hi Folks!
Today Mama Bear and I took a sojourn to some local appliance stores to look for a new over-the-range microwave.
And through our travels it was noted that "Things just seem to have gone to hell!"
Brick and mortar stores are mere shadows of what they used to be...
And that's sad!
In our discussion I posited that Internet shopping has a large part to play in the decline...but there are some things that are just too tactile to buy without handling/seeing for yourself.
Books, DVD's, CD's all are just fine purchased over the Internet...
But there are things you just can't buy that way and expect more than a 50/50 chance of success.
Sure the Internet is great for getting specifications, doing some feature comparisons, finding the best price...
But what it won't tell you is...how does it feel in your hand? Are markings highly visible? Does it feel solid, or cheap?
Now the problem is, each place we went offered around 40 different models...online! In the store, no more than 12-15....
The store that disappoints me the most these days???
Sears!
When I was a kid, Sears was the SHIT!
If Sears didn't sell it, BY GOD YOU DIDN'T NEED IT!
Tools, appliances, go carts, pets, furniture, guns, TV's, you name it!
Oh, how the mighty have fallen...
I notice an odd trend in brick and mortar stores these days....
that of space...and I don't mean the "Danger, Danger Will Robinson" kind of space!
I mean the "HELLO, Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello" kind of space....
It just feels so "Empty"!
And it's not just Sears, but Electronics giant Best Buy too!
Been in one lately?!?
You used to be able to buy damn near any cable/accessory you could think of. Software, Movies, Music...even books. Refrigerators, washers/dryers, microwaves, telephones!
They hardly have any of that anymore...what they DO have...
is a lot of space.
is a lot of space.
Oh sure they have a few "Representative" models...and "options may vary" and "See our complete selection online"!
Being a Technophile I enjoy the use of the Internet for many things...
But let me tell you, if I'm dropping $2500-$3500 on a refrigerator you can bet your ass I want to see that bitch in person!!!
So, in the end we found a microwave...saw a "Representative" model at Home Depot (not the right color, and it'll take 2 weeks to get one in White...REALLY?!?! You're F-ing kidding me right? I don't want red, or blue, or F-ing fuchsia!!! But White!!!) got online and found the best price ($30 cheaper at Sears than anywhere else) and ordered it online and shipped to the store free of charge...of course they didn't have one THERE!!!
But in 5-8 days I can go right to the store and pick it up...if I can find my way in all that space...if I'm not back in a couple hours, send a search party.
I tell ya, things have just gone to hell!
Wow, I just realized how much I sound like an old fart!!! Lol
Oh, well...
Be Well!
Beastly Bear
