Categories: Experiences and daily life; Human nature; Commerce and business
Word count/read time: 375 words; 1-1/2 minutes
Another holiday has shown an ever-increasing migration
to the internet to satisfy our shopping needs.
The convenience and prices are hard to beat. Free shipping,
no sales tax (though changing rapidly), easy returns, and
no salesperson to spoil the experience make it an easy choice.
Stalking the best deal from dozens of sites satisfies some primal desire.
Brick-and-mortar stores have a decided disadvantage.
There is no difference between the same item
whether purchased online or from the local hardware store. Clicking a mouse is easier than hitting the road
for an odyssey that may end in absolute frustration. How does a retail store compete
against thousands of online stores with lower prices?
The internet can't deliver service. Sure, you can book an appointment but what caliber of professional
is going to show up? That still requires a person who is knowledgeable.
Some website companies make it impossible to talk with someone...if there's even a phone number!
Local shopping vitalizes neighborhoods and communities. It reduces waste
from all the packing materials
of onesy-twosy deliveries. It ensures a vibrant and unique mix of
professionals who repair and service what they sell.
We've transitioned to a throwaway society. People who fix things will go away, too.
These are collectively yours and mine and everyone's neighborhoods.
If the money isn't staying local then who's getting it?
Good luck trying to buy a USA-made electronic device or appliance.
Every civilized and/or consumerized country needs to have a marginal manufacturing
base when trade collapses. Moderate self-sufficiency, right?
Many municipalities use tax incentives to lure large businesses. These subsidies
interfere with the economic system by benefiting select players.
It comes at the expense of local stores, jobs, and taxpayers' money.
Aside from the ethical concerns, this highlights how the government can
negatively impact a free-market system.
The internet has low prices
albeit with significant privacy concerns. The much badder part is that stores
and experts are disappearing. There are excellent resources online but
sometimes face-time with a pro and box of parts is needed.
Ultimately, individuals have complete power with the most purposeful and timeless tool:
barter.
Use it often, a mutually beneficial and non-invasive way to distribute local resources.
Spend money because it still makes the world go 'round.
Posted by M: December 30, 2018
Please email any thoughts or comments regarding this post.
Comment Section
NOTE: Your comments will be included in this section
as long as they aren't illegal. This section is censor-free so show me
your intelligence or ignorance and everything in between!
|
2024
Fly on the Wall
Greed Won Out
German Silver
Save It for Desert
Toeing the Line
Time for a Redo
USPS Is Broken
Not Enough Space
Jump Ring Stretcher
Nope! That's Not Green
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
|