[jebartle]

How do brick and mortar compete with Amazon, as hard as I try to give local vendors some business, sometimes the difference is overwhelming! Example, buying harness for our New bundle of fluff, went to Petco, same harness as Amazon, $20 difference, yipsters!

[LuvNH]

My northern home is rural, Amazon has become a necessity. When I am in TV I shop locally for convenience and to see what I am buying.

I do not buy fresh produce from Amazon and probably will never do so. Once I am back north I have farm stands and Market Basket, and when I am in TV I like the tropical fruit available.

[Keefelane66]

If I need an item ASAP I’ll purchase locally otherwise Amazon.

[Freehiker]

I buy almost everything on Amazon, just watch the prices. Not everything on there is a deal.

I absolutely love that I can order and get some things the same day here.

[Michael 61]

I love Amazon - has almost everything I need, and my time shopping at stores has been reduced greatly. My shopping these days consist of just a weekly Publix run, a quarterly Costco run, and an occasional Home Depot stop as necessary. Clothes shopping is all on-line now (Nordstrom, Vineyard Vines, Cole Haan and Vulori.) it’s nice not to have shopping take up a chunk of your time in retirement.

[retiredguy123]

As successful as Amazon is, they still have tremendous opportunity for growth. I think that many people go to stores because they don't realize that Amazon is a much better way to shop. I buy almost everything from Amazon, even some food items. I rarely go to Lowes or Home Depot because Amazon sells everything they do and usually delivers it the next day for a lower price.

[Kenswing]

I buy most things from Amazon. But it’s still good to check prices. I recently bought a pressure washer. It was $30 cheaper at Lowes before the 10% Veterans discount.

[asianthree]

Always a Amazon fan. I can send anything, including food items to parents, surprise little gifts, and just something to make them smile. Since they are in the snow belt, and should not be driving. Their Amazon guy, rings their doorbell and wait’s for them so he can drop inside. I can’t thank him enough for this gesture.

Kroger is their food delivery, and their driver actually checks their mailbox and drops their mail in the bag,

As for us, I finally had to brick and mortar something last week. Only had 1 of the item I needed instead of 4. It had been at least 3 years since I went in a store other than Costco, or Sam’s. Since we were out stopped for lunch, best part of the shopping trip. Came home and ordered from Amazon.

I remember when I posted in September of 2017, that I had Amazon deliver after Irma, and that I hadn’t been in a B/M store in years. That I had groceries delivered by Amazon. Can’t tell you how many posters told me that I couldn’t do that, and Why would I ever have groceries delivered to my home.

I predicted home delivery use, would be common place, just as I have done for many years.

[NotGolfer]

I use Amazon for nearly everything, especially since Covid. I used to shop B&M but when the plague hit, the stores were slammed with people who wanted to get out. I guess I'd rather not play "bumper carts" in stores that have narrow aisles and lots of items crammed in them. But that's just me. I discovered Kroger Delivery over a year ago and LOVE it. Sometimes my desired item isn't available so I will go to the store that I'm certain it might be. I think Covid has changed the lives of many people and how they live (beyond the fear etc). It's too bad how our culture has changed so dramatically and quickly.

[jimbomaybe]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

I buy most things from Amazon. But it’s still good to check prices. I recently bought a pressure washer. It was $30 cheaper at Lowes before the 10% Veterans discount.

Amazon is the place to start and "most " times has the best price. My experience has been If there is a problem Amazon is great to do business with, but checking other online sources can, time to time save you some more money, only negative I have with Amazon is not buying it at $8.

[Bill14564]

Easier to research options and prices on Amazon.

Easier to touch and feel and bring it home today a brick and mortar store.

Happened to be in a store this week and remembered I needed batteries. Price in the store was $11.25 (or close to that). Thought that was high so came home and checked Amazon. Price with tax on Amazon was $9.26. Saved $2 but received six batteries instead of two; store price was almost four times higher than Amazon!

I like the idea of shopping at local businesses even if they cost a little more. Recently bought shoes at Lake Sumter and was surprised to see their price was the same as Amazon. Would feel comfortable paying a little more to keep the local business in business. But can't bring myself to pay four times as much just to buy locally.

[retiredguy123]

I tried to buy a pair of Teva sandals at Shoe Biz because I wanted to see them in person. Three stores in The Villages, but none of them had my size. They could order them and get them in about 2 weeks. I got them in 2 days from Amazon for a lower price. I don't know how a store like that can even exist.

[La lamy]

I like shopping on Amazon whenever I can, but not being a fan of Amazon Prime for $14.99 or whatever it is these days, the delivery cost can be absurd. I was quoted $7 delivery for a $10 item this week. I opted for the free 30 day trial of Prime to avoid the delivery cost and will have to remember to cancel it before the 30 days is up. I find their return policy convenient and trustworthy, which is not the case with other online shopping. Brick and mortar is usually just for Home Depot or Lowes, even though I've often had to be referred to online shopping with them too for specific items they didn't carry in the store. Patience grasshopper...

[midiwiz]

Originally Posted by jebartle

How do brick and mortar compete with Amazon, as hard as I try to give local vendors some business, sometimes the difference is overwhelming! Example, buying harness for our New bundle of fluff, went to Petco, same harness as Amazon, $20 difference, yipsters!

only sometimes, unfortunately Amazon began with products that are familiar and what you would find in the store..... it has evolved to be nothing more than a sales channel for the asian (specifically China) marketplace. The quality has gone way down, I find myself using it for only a handfull of product. I'd rather buy local, however to do that around here takes a 90 minute round trip.

[Sandy and Ed]

WOW!! 100% positive comments. Guess I’ll add ours. This keeps up we’ll be plowing the B&M shopping centers under and reclaiming our farmlands. Lol