Deutsch
English
I recently read about the precarious situation retailers across the country are facing today. The articles conjured up the image of gray and lifeless inner cities with only a couple of hairdressers, knick-knack stores and bakeries able to brave the exodus. At the same time, package delivery services are buckling under an ever increasing barrage of packages. What would it take to keep me from ordering my gifts from Amazon and others online and instead make my purchases downtown?
Getting there wasn't too bad with very few traffic jams. Since I also needed to purchase a few bulky items I took the car and had fun with overcrowded garages. Once I had almost circled the entire inner city, I found a seemingly neat spot in a suspiciously cheap parking garage! Hesitantly, I drove in and entered - the garage of horrors. Apparently exclusively designed for cars the size of an old VW beetle, I barely managed to steer my Japanese intermediate car around the tight corners undamaged. Lights reminiscent of early Alien movies and crumbling plaster walls completed the sad picture. Parking spaces were so narrow, there was no way anyone could fit a SUV or limousine into them which led car owners to adopt a rather imaginative parking strategy across all floors. I finally managed to squeeze my vehicle into a crooked parking spot, ignored the alarming stench and headed towards the city center!
The impressions I got barely compare to sitting at home in front of a laptop computer. The scent of the Christmas market, the decorative lights, even the many heavily dressed visitors many of whom carried huge loads along the alleys all helped (re)kindle my Christmas spirit - and buying mood. There were (mostly elegant) decorations at every corner. Had I been visiting the wrong places to make my Christmas gifts all these years? How much did miss while I made my purchases online? My first book purchase seemed like the right way to start things off in the right direction. Prices felt very similar to online offers and the overall selection was vast and a source of inspiration. The staff left me alone until I put on a questioning look and, once I did, I received valuable tips from a seemingly well-read salesclerk. There were no long lines at the checkout (probably the norm in the age of the ebook) and I had a fun shopping experience.
In contrast, trying to find an electric train set for my nephew turned into a game of patience. I had done some basic online research and was willing to pay 25% more at a local store. As a childless computer scientist, I don't know the first thing about toy trains which is why I went into the first store I could find - a big mistake. With an icy countenance, I was told they carried only wooden toys free from tropical wood and, naturally, fair-trade only. A little abashed, I left the elitist location and quickly found myself in a colorful giant store with decorations (somewhere between Japanese anime and an LSD overdose) that blew the walls right off of good taste. They were bound to have what I needed! Indeed, they did - but for a whopping 50% more. I understand that store area, staff and decorations cost money but to pay 50% extra? I moved on and eventually found the item I was looking for in a department store that was in the process of shutting down their toy section. Slowly, I noticed the wear and tear of schlepping around various items. Hot chocolate to the rescue.
Next on my list, hard liquor. You can't go wrong with alcohol! A decent single malt whiskey meant to exhilarate the palate of a good friend didn't take long to get and at no noticeable extra cost. As I entered the store, I was welcomed by a venerable elder gentleman who patiently listened to my every request, offered excellent advice and let me leave happily with a bottle of his finest. He knew every flavor, wasn't even trying to sell me a €100 bottle and gladly shared his vast subject knowledge with me. No Internet store can compete with that! That's how you gain regular customers and I'll definitely get myself some fine liquor there some other time.
Electronics, an area I know much more about, is where things took a turn for the worse. Outdated devices, often still priced at their introductory prices, aisles lined up with bottom-of-the-barrel items and salesclerks who didn't know the first thing about their products. No buy, time to make a quick exit! Entering the perfume store, my senses were deafened and even the lady wearing an angel costume that welcomed me couldn't restore my sense of smell. Faced with a barrage of competing fragrances and almost blinded by dazzling light, supposedly meant to instill a sense of heaven, I barely managed to pay for my perfume before I quickly escaped. They charged 15% more than comparable online sites which was still within my budget boundaries. After that, I needed to recharge my batteries with a bratwurst.
There's always online competition
Finally, I came to a camera store which, unexpectedly, became the highlight of my trip. A friendly and hugely competent gentleman with a knack for talking shop and chitchatting proudly showed me his collection. It felt like I was talking to a friend eager to help me with great buying advice and tips. He was about the size of his lenses and just as rotund but his product enthusiasm was highly contagious. I went for a lens that was priced roughly 20% above the regular Internet price but the great advice completely made up for that and I was absolutely sure I had bought the right item.
As the hustle and bustle in the alleys came to a climax, I made a turn for the parking garage and drew my first conclusion. I didn't get everything I needed. There was no antique shop within walking distance, posters seem to be out of fashion, the non-mainstream audio CDs I wanted were nowhere to be found and aquarium supplies are available at special stores only. I'll have to get these items online. Still, I've made the decision to visit the inner city more often to support our local retailers. Not only is it more fun than sitting in front of a display watching little pictures of Santa above the offers but it also gives me the feeling that I'm contributing to job security for our local businesses. And I'd rather keep my inner city alive than leave the field to Amazon and others without a fight. Oh and by the way: where ever would I be able to buy a brat online anyway?
What I would like to know: where do you buy your gifts? Are you still visiting local stores or do you do your shopping online?
It depends on what I intend to buy. Shoes and clothing, for instance, must be seen and felt at a store, as online pictures may be misleading as to color and mainly quality. For a coffee machine or a camera I would generally go online.
Horses for courses! Primarily, however, on-line is convenient. No travel or squeeze-in parking no fighting the elements, no not-finding what you want while your feet ache, no queuing to pay, trying to find a toilet, struggling into the café with bags and aching arms...
The traditional shopping is gone (or almost)!
To survive; in a way not as we know it, the high-street needs to provide the see-touch-deliver experience. Multi-media, virtual reality centres also with actual items that allow the shopper to see & experience the product then deliver it. NOT click-&-collect but the opposite: experience it (while having a coffee / meal) -then order-for delivery. Shopping can become a social experience without the weight of the carrying and foot-slogging removing the potential for fun.
We (my wife and I) have done almost all our Christmas shopping at local shops, department stores and large retailers. This is from choice and a conviction that we may be last generation for whom "shopping" is an activity requiring travel and interaction with other people. (We are both now retired.)
We regularly frequent a large (local) shopping mall where we shop, drink coffee, eat food, go the library, attend the cinemas and meet friends. Car parking is not a problem except at this time of the year! I agree with your points about specific items seeming to be unavailable in shops, with the exception of camera gear and books!
Thereare two sides to the story, Sven, thanks for the story.
We have a huge range of shops and stores within a 15 km radius of our home and we do not believe in shopping on-line which takes jobs away from local people who need jobs to earn wages in order buy Christmas presents and food.
Three major chain stores in Australia are currenly closing permanently and several others closed during the past year, all due to online shopping.
Our unemployment figures are increasing, a lean Christmas for many people we know who can't afford presents or Christmas cards.
On-line shopping may save money for some, a poverty creator for others.
Always my first preference is to go to a physical location. That way, I have the item in my hot little hands on the day I purchase. If one finds a store that has staff that know their products, then that is worth its weight in gold and I'm happy to pay extra for that.
I'm with you, though, on the items that you can't get at the store anymore . I wonder if there is a market for such stores.
I'm in my eighth decade and partially disabled. Gone are the days when I could hop into my VW Bug (yes - I owned one about fifty years ago) to make a quick trip to the nearby hardware store for a dozen stainless steel sheet metal screws. Home delivery is now very appreciated.
Many neighborhood stores now offer coupons or a lower minimum qualifying shipping charge. One local grocery allows online ordering which they will bag, then bring the order out to your car.
I do miss the 'people watching'. For me, it was the fun of store shopping.
@ Lee Saunders: "However, I generally don't click on URL shortened links in descriptions, you know, the ones that often end with .ly."
There are many sites on the web that will expand these shortened addresses for you. Just search for something like "decode shortened URL"
Another great article, Sven. Your experience matches mine here in the US almost exactly. Specialty stores have an advantage, because they are nearly always staffed by experts. "Big Box" stores are doomed. They are poorly staffed, over priced, and I have to carry my purchases back to my car (and parking! Don't get me started about parking!). Amazon is gonna win in the end, because the other stores don't realize that they have made the experience horrible with blaring noises, flashing lights, surly and ignorant employees, and TERRIBLE PARKING!
Dirkmaster
I must admit that shopping for large ticket items is often done online, any time of the year. I bought a camera last night at around 11pm, and the sellers were there to answer (yes, at 11pm) technical questions. I'm currently living in China, and service agents, whoever they are, seem to be available 24-hours.
One thing that helped me to narrow down my camera shortlist were all of the reviews that people do on products, partucullarly video. However, I generally don't click on URL shortened links in descriptions, you know, the ones that often end with .ly. I want to know where a link is going to send me. Overall, I think that video reviews help a lot of people who perhaps don't want to go to stores.
I'm sure glad that I use adblockers. I think my online experience would have been much different without one. The last thing I want is Google stalking me with ads for the same thing on more or less every site. And then springing them up on contacts' birthdays as well.
Maybe a good gift to buy is a VPN subscription.
Regarding comments about prices, I think that governments/councils could waive business rates for festive seasons so that brick-and-mortar shops can compete with online retailers.
Great ,you seem to be satisfied with your trip. Having the time and patience and plenty of money might be good for the young and well off but for us, pensioners who have to look carefully at the price and how much traveling you have to do if you do not have a car, sitting in front of a computer and choosing what you want is a more inviting option.
It also depends on the town or city you live near, ours have been taken over in words and deeds with Europeans and mainly consist of pound shops and the like.
The Beggars and pickpockets help also to deter you.
otherwise good luck to you. I will stick to Amazon which gives me great service and prices I can afford without the hassle.
Thank You
Frederick Ackrill
Sehr schöner Artikel und mit Humor verfasst.
Allerdings sollte man das Auto in dieser Zeit besser zuhause lassen und auf den öffentlichen Nahverkehr ausweichen.
Aber auch dieses Abenteuer sehr plastisch beschrieben!
Volle Zustimmung auch zur Conclusio!
Frohe Weihnachten
Very nice article - but I was convulsed with laughter at the penultimate sentence. In Britain (well, England anyway) "brat" is one of the many slang terms for child (usually perjorative(sp?)). I'm sure you wouldn't eat a child (even a bad one) so I hope you enjoyed your bratwurst !
Have a good Christmas - Keith
We Germans are certainly guilty of a lot - but even we don't eat children at our Christmas markets, I promise. :)
What on-line shopping can never give is that sense of serendipity that you get wondering around shops. The algorithms of on-line stores keep you focussed on the original search term
At a spiritedly 81 I prefer to go to shops, locally to support my community. But the knowledge of sales persons is so minimal that more often than not I am driven back to my laptop and google or forums.
Christmas or birthday gift-requests are sent by email as a link to the relevant supplier and - yes - prices are usually lower than in the supermarket or shop --IF those places actually keep the selected item in store.
Clothing items for my wife and I are a must to go and see and feel, and the same for fresh food, instead of choosing from delightful photography online.
But your opening line regretfully prophesises the future of retail shopping in a constantly changing human attitude based on shortage-of-time and ... pure laziness.
Online shopping can be a recipe for excessive expenditure.
1) easy impulse buying
2) online is often more expensive:
I looked at someone's "wish list". It included Radox bath soak at £6 each and Simple Soap 80% off(!) at £1.25.
I got the identical Radox for £1 at PoundWorld and the soap for 90p at Superdrug.
I saved about £12 in just a few minutes at no extra cost.
Online is good for people living in the back end of beyond.
I have been buying more and more on-line. My reason is that I am disabled and live in a 3rd floor apartment. I do miss not walking around a mall and visiting different shops. The main problem with buying on-line comes when you are shopping for clothes, shoes, or perfumes. Clothing and shoes are a hit or miss deal. Since there really isn't a standard size between manufactures sometimes the item is too big or too small, or just doesn't look right when tried on. Perfume on the other hand needs to be smelled if it is something new. I very much doubt that on-line shopping will totally replace physical shopping just like e-books will never replace physical books.
I do most of my buying online - usually eBay for convenience and bargains (although one must be careful, some things can be expensive and others can be offered by the same source at several prices). But I currently have health problems limiting my mobility; next year I may be back to shopping "live". Moving among people and having human interaction plus physical contact with goods is more enjoyable than sitting at my computer.
Amazon are poised to come into the Australian scene at full force. What that will do to local retailers is of some concern to many here.