High streets shop - shooting themselves in the foot?
09 March 2014, 10:58 PM
#31
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As far a I can tell the only remaining selling point for the "high street" retailers is that you can pick your delivery slot, when you're off work
Otherwise they just going to become show rooms, at this rate
Otherwise they just going to become show rooms, at this rate
09 March 2014, 11:02 PM
#32
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This real life display is something that will be missed if all the high street shops totally disappear tomorrow.
Personally, I've been dodged too many times on jewellery and other crap that I don't know if I trust internet pictures unless I've seen the product in a store/shop. For example, a Pandora bead looked quite detailed in magnified internet pic, but in reality, it looked like next door's pigeon sh7te looks on my car roof. I'd rather see most goods in real before I buy them from internet. Well, unless internet develops a top notch technology to bring 3-D image of the article to its actual shape, size, detailing such as texture and functionality in action (better videos than usual substandard Youtube) etc. so that one can visually be more than satisfied with what will get. Such technology will cost Internet, so goods price may bump up by 5p each. Even then, that will be much better.
09 March 2014, 11:26 PM
#33
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I can't wait until Amazon start selling fresh food. It'll be Amazon v Aldi & Lidl. The rest will not be able to compete.
The head of Booker Wholesale seems to think that Amazon will be capable of delivering fresh food withiin 6 hours of you ordering it. That will really put the cat amongst the pigeons.
The head of Booker Wholesale seems to think that Amazon will be capable of delivering fresh food withiin 6 hours of you ordering it. That will really put the cat amongst the pigeons.
10 March 2014, 12:37 AM
#35
If people think the benefits bill is big now.......
It seems like people would be happy if everything was just online, saves them time, hassle, money etc. but what would that really mean for the future?
I also wonder how competitive these online retailers would be when there was no longer any real competition.
It seems like people would be happy if everything was just online, saves them time, hassle, money etc. but what would that really mean for the future?
I also wonder how competitive these online retailers would be when there was no longer any real competition.
10 March 2014, 12:36 PM
#36
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Me too.
Amazon is the king of retail convenience, pretty much everything I buy online comes via them now.
I haven't walked down my local high street for over a year now....can't park in the high street because its over-congested due to it being cheaper than the main car parks, have to pay to park on the big car parks. Militant "Civil enforement officers" and PCSOs ready to pounce should you dare go over the time limit by 1 minute. Combine that with the price of petrol to travel there and do three laps to find a parking space, and then then to buy something I can get cheaper online its little wonder why I can't be arsed
And local shops are always moaning in the local papers at why their trade is going down the pan. I understand they have overheads...Town centre shop landlords and council rates are extortionate. Energy costs are high. Wage levels are disproportionate to small scale productivity. I could go on.
Thats before a customer even walks through the door; apart from there aren't any customers, becuase the local council does everything in its power to deter motorists from shopping; Their excuse is to use the mediocre and expensive public transport, which nobody with car in their right mind would use to carry heaps of shopping in carrier bags that cut off circulation to the fingers to wait and catch a circular bus that goes in the opposite direction and eventually stops at a bus stop that's over 15minutes walk from my home. Therefore taking over an hour to make a journey that could be accomplished in a little over 10minutes if it were done in a car (assuming there was a free parking space and I drive like my usual lunatic self
).
Amazon is the king of retail convenience, pretty much everything I buy online comes via them now.
I haven't walked down my local high street for over a year now....can't park in the high street because its over-congested due to it being cheaper than the main car parks, have to pay to park on the big car parks. Militant "Civil enforement officers" and PCSOs ready to pounce should you dare go over the time limit by 1 minute. Combine that with the price of petrol to travel there and do three laps to find a parking space, and then then to buy something I can get cheaper online its little wonder why I can't be arsed
And local shops are always moaning in the local papers at why their trade is going down the pan. I understand they have overheads...Town centre shop landlords and council rates are extortionate. Energy costs are high. Wage levels are disproportionate to small scale productivity. I could go on.
Thats before a customer even walks through the door; apart from there aren't any customers, becuase the local council does everything in its power to deter motorists from shopping; Their excuse is to use the mediocre and expensive public transport, which nobody with car in their right mind would use to carry heaps of shopping in carrier bags that cut off circulation to the fingers to wait and catch a circular bus that goes in the opposite direction and eventually stops at a bus stop that's over 15minutes walk from my home. Therefore taking over an hour to make a journey that could be accomplished in a little over 10minutes if it were done in a car (assuming there was a free parking space and I drive like my usual lunatic self
).I'm so guilty of this.
Can't be arsed with town centre and high street shops anymore,not unless it's something that I absolutely need to try out first before I buy it,clothing for example.
But soon as I know the size fits,I order off the website next time around
And as for public transport
no chance...Yet when I go to czech,don't use the car for prague,so easy to use the tram,public transport is just **** here.
10 March 2014, 01:29 PM
#37
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maplins are as bad.
went to pc world to buy a headset £39.99, but the one that was in stock couldnt be found so guy guessed it had been nicked.
went 2 doors down to maplins, same headset £59.99, asked if they price matched, they said yes, but only if the store had it in stock. Duck was i payinf extra £20 so walked out.
Bought it online for £38.99 inc dev
went to pc world to buy a headset £39.99, but the one that was in stock couldnt be found so guy guessed it had been nicked.
went 2 doors down to maplins, same headset £59.99, asked if they price matched, they said yes, but only if the store had it in stock. Duck was i payinf extra £20 so walked out.
Bought it online for £38.99 inc dev
10 March 2014, 01:32 PM
#38
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For once on my life I have planned ahead for Mothers Day and looked online at a few jewellers. Found what I wanted for £80 at H Samuels who are local to me or £72 + 10% code = £64.80 at Debenhams but that was a 20 minute drive away.
I went to H Samuels had a look/discussion and then asked whether they would match Debenhams price of £72? I didnt mention the voucher code as I was happy to pay 10% more for the convenience. The tone suddenly changed and I was told in no uncertain terms that "we do not price match". It was a bit uncomfortable to I thanked them and walked out.
Intending to head over to Debenhams on Monday I have since found the exact same item for £32.50 on Amazon . Saved a lot of money, time, petrol and parking charges (which in Canterbury are a lot).
If Amazon are able to sell it for so little including postage charges the mark up must be huge. Even when you take into account their larger overheads why would H Samuel loose a profitable sale and potential future custom for a measly £8?
I went to H Samuels had a look/discussion and then asked whether they would match Debenhams price of £72? I didnt mention the voucher code as I was happy to pay 10% more for the convenience. The tone suddenly changed and I was told in no uncertain terms that "we do not price match". It was a bit uncomfortable to I thanked them and walked out.
Intending to head over to Debenhams on Monday I have since found the exact same item for £32.50 on Amazon . Saved a lot of money, time, petrol and parking charges (which in Canterbury are a lot).
If Amazon are able to sell it for so little including postage charges the mark up must be huge. Even when you take into account their larger overheads why would H Samuel loose a profitable sale and potential future custom for a measly £8?
10 March 2014, 02:41 PM
#40
If people think the benefits bill is big now.......
It seems like people would be happy if everything was just online, saves them time, hassle, money etc. but what would that really mean for the future?
I also wonder how competitive these online retailers would be when there was no longer any real competition.
It seems like people would be happy if everything was just online, saves them time, hassle, money etc. but what would that really mean for the future?
I also wonder how competitive these online retailers would be when there was no longer any real competition.
Look at the liars that are Walmart: when they wanted to take over ASDA's they PROMISED that within six months of buying them out, every price in store would be as cheap as in the USA.
And how many are?
11 March 2014, 11:31 AM
#41
I'm actually preparing a letter to fire off to Sandwell council about one of their "civil enforement officers" (traffic warden to you and me)
I was doing the bank run to pay some cash in so parked up in the pay and display car park. I noticed this uniformed traffic warden park up and went on to inspect the cars in the car park for valid tickets, then went off to patrol the high street. I then checked his car...no he had no ticket nor permit on display.
So I took a picture of said car. If I get no response, the local papers maybe interested.
You see I was fined last year for parking in a Sandwell controlled carpark for stopping five minutes over. So obviously I'll like to take my revenge.
I was doing the bank run to pay some cash in so parked up in the pay and display car park. I noticed this uniformed traffic warden park up and went on to inspect the cars in the car park for valid tickets, then went off to patrol the high street. I then checked his car...no he had no ticket nor permit on display.
So I took a picture of said car. If I get no response, the local papers maybe interested.
You see I was fined last year for parking in a Sandwell controlled carpark for stopping five minutes over. So obviously I'll like to take my revenge.
. I sent them a letter as I was infuriated and got them to chase it up. I believe she was 'dealt with in -line with their policies' - I should've pressed for a letter of apology 
They use APCOA -World of Parking .... a stupid strap line if ever I heard one
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