The Retail Store Dilemma

More reports are starting to surface regarding the condition of retail stores and its not good.  In the next quarter there could be a record number of store closings and people losing their jobs.  It has been reported that over 4300 store closures have been announced already this year.  I believe I have figured out what is plaguing the brick and mortar retail stores in this country.  Besides the fact that everyone is broke.

Recently, I posted a blog about the misadventures we had trying to buy a new television.  The difficulty we encountered trying to get assistance while making our purchase was frustrating.  Well, it happened again.  We needed two new reclining chairs as our current ones have seen better days and are now ready to be claimed by a couple of poor college students.  After doing our diligence on what type of chair, brand and the features desired, we set out to shop.

We had decided on a chair made by one of the better-known manufacturers (hint: it is a girl’s name) and were interested in seeing a couple of different models that caught our eye.  Luckily, there were a couple of privately-owned stores in our area who carried that line of product, I would rather buy from private stores than the big corporate behemoths.  The opportunity to put money back into one’s community has always appealed to me.

Our first store was a very beautifully laid out show room with different themes that resemble a Hemingway adventure novel.  It had a large showroom with massive amounts of furniture on display, it also carried the brand of chairs we were looking for.  All that is left now is to find a product savvy associate with a desire to sell.  The first person we encountered was apparently just a greeter who politely directed us to the area where our brand was on display and told us someone should be available help us shortly.  Well, shortly came but assistance did not.

This, then required us to seek out help ourselves—again!  After finding a sales associate, we were once again underwhelmed by the lack of interest that was shown to us.  I guess maybe the more desirable customer is buying an entire home of furniture or at least a complete bedroom set.  The next store was no different, once again, leaving us bewildered and wandering what good the physical stores are? I know you think I am making all of this up, but I have witnesses—LOL!

Well, I will tell you what the physical stores are good for, you come in, you try out, on or in what ever it is you want to buy then you go home to the comfort of your home and order it online!  That’s exactly what we did, we were able to find the color and features that we wanted in the recliners and found them at a savings of $200.00 to boot.  As I said earlier, we would rather spend the money locally, but it just seems like no one wants to help you spend your money—a bewildering concept in my mind.

After the world-renowned toy store failure in the US, I began to believe that physical stores (including car lots) should just be showcases where you can touch/feel something then simply go home and order it.  This is a tragic situation that is continuously fed by a stock market that has no heart or soul and thrives on the lifeblood of every American—money!  Living in an oligarchy world that has no consideration for humans, has built a society of customer service-less apathy.  I realize that online sales still have not reached the level of completely decimating physical stores, but it will.  I guess we will just have to adjust to the fact that our money is the only important thing to corporations.  It certainly isn’t our satisfaction.

Talk To Ya Later

The Grumpy Old Fart Customer @2019 All Rights Reserved