Well Scotty, this is what is happening to me. I manage a small specialty furniture store. We carry sleep products such as flotation, air, memory-foam, futons, etc.
We do not carry any well known standard mattresses such as Sealy etc,
So, people will only buy these products if they can see them in person, touch them, try them out, ask questions. To do business we rent retail space, warehouse space, advertise, hire staff, pay fees and taxes and lawyers and on and on. And so some people will come in and touch and try and ask and learn----and then buy from an online store that is just a warehouse and a web page. Which means that someone is selling off MY floor, using MY sales help and MY advertising!
And these customers act like I am the "ripoff" because I cannot match the price of a predator who has done NOTHING to educate, inform, or give any service whatsoever. I tell you, if you do not have to pay retail rents and sales help, if you just work out of your home with a warehouse, you can sell for very little profit and still make money. BUT---these sales would have never been made without a "real" retailer doing the real job of selling.This is predatory, it is unfair, and it may very well put a lot of stores out of business. And then where will you go to see and touch and try and learn? And will people still buy online when they cannot see it in person? Yes, if you really know what you want and need. But if you need a local source of information and service, if you value the hands-on experience, then you should buy from those that provide it. NOT just for any "moral" reason, but for the very practical reason that it is in your own self-interest to have that local presence survive.It is not just at the ballot-box that we vote, but with every purchase decision we are voting for what type of world that we will live in. I will NOT reward stores with rude or useless staff with my business, even if they have the best price.
But it appears that I am in the minority on this matter. For many shoppers price is the only thing that matters.
And yeah, I'm mad about it!
Bill E