On Tue, 17 Oct 2017 07:08:15 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 10/17/2017 12:21 AM, wrote:
On Tue, 17 Oct 2017 03:10:14 -0000 (UTC), Bill
wrote:

Mr. Luddite wrote:

... is causing the brick and mortar stores to close their doors.

I needed a HDMI coupler to extend a HDMI cable. Went on Amazon and they
had several, some for under $2. I opted for one that was a little more
expensive at $3.45 because it had gold plated contacts. Submitted the
order and it will be here in two days.

Then, I happened to be out running an errand and stopped in at a Best
Buy, deciding that since the couplers are so cheap, I'll pick one up
there so I could finish the project I am working on today rather than
having to wait for two days.

Found the coupler but the package had no price on it. Took it up to the
register thinking it was probably 5 or 6 bucks, tops.

Girl scans it and the price was $29.09.

I told her that must be a mistake, so she manually entered the number on
the package. Yup. $29.09.

Told her I changed my mind. I'll wait until Wednesday. That's absurd.




Or the are like Sears. A few years ago, I needed a 3/4 drive breaker bar
to change the water pump on my diesel. $45 at Sears, but sign up email
and order online for pickup. $21 and Sears is only a couple miles from me
in the shopping center. I think that is the last purchase there. So
last week, get an email that I have $20 free cash to spend on home
fashions. So wife and I buy $20 of towels for the fire victims. 2 days
later I get an email I got $25 of more free cash. Bigger selection this
time. I have been looking at metric ratcheting box end wrenches. So go
online for store pickup. They bring to car. $79 set, on sale, $50 off.
So for $5.45 with tax I get a really nice set. No wonder they are
bankrupt.

The ironic thing is that they used to be the king of mail order and
just about the time when internet sales were starting to gain a little
traction, they went solid brick and mortar abandoning ther catalog
operation. (90s)
It s a classic case of losing your imagination and not looking at
where the world is headed. With their infrastructure, experience and
their product line they had the opportunity to dominate the online
marketplace.



Yup. When I was a kid I'd spend hours going through that massive Sears
catalog.

But as we all remember, the girls in the Penny's lingerie section were much better than Sears'
girls!