SHOPPING ON LINE

NETTIE-ISM: I give up, I can no longer deal with the attitudes, the lack of help, the lack of order I am finding in many retail stores today. I would rather push a button and wait for the truck to bring my stuff to my house! Last week there was a discussion of self service lanes in stores. Apparently, the Publix grocery store is adding self-serve check out lanes and some people are angry about it. I stopped going to the Publix near me, and I am a Publix fan, because my last few visits were less than positive.

On my last visit, the cashier, after finishing up one customer and before starting on my order, greeted me with a "How are you" and then placed a large quantity of chips in her mouth. This is both rude and unprofessional. My daughter had to return an item because she discovered, before opening it, that it had been purchased after the expiration date. When she attempted to return the item she discovered it happened again, with the same iterm. I suggested that she speak with the manager this time, she did. He simply apologized and went on about his business. Years ago, under a different manager, had I done such a thing the manager would have personally made sure the item I purchased had the right date on it and pulled all expired product off the shelf. How interesting that we have never had this issue at Walmart. I have also noticed in the local grocery store as well as other stores employees, sales associates, are often complaining or socializing on the sales floor. Who cares about the customer these days?

Today I ordered some stuff online via Amazon Prime. I resisted shopping online for anything. I loved going into the store and having someone show me what the store had to offer. Though I hate the parking, the crowds and children running all over the place, the reward of walking out with something new was thrilling. Now I would rather buy it online. I still go into stores to get a general idea of what is available.

Here is what I experience when I shop over the internet:

1. I am able to look at every item I want for as long as I want without interruption; compare the prices of each brand; review the opinions of other purchasers f that particular item and pick what I want. With the option of taking it out of my shopping cart at the last minute and not having someone worry about taking it back.
2. I did not have to wait for a sales rep to finish talking to another sales rep to help me find what I wanted, cut the fabric I needed, unlock the cabinet that held the item I needed, or even take the item off of a shelf that I could not reach.. The description was there AND if I had questions there was on line help.
3. I did not have to deal with the cashier having an attitude or waiting for me to pull out my money or card as if she or he had somewhere to go
4. No one was counting how many items I had
5. I was able to successfully purchase my items with the press of a key. I did not have to carry anything to my car and then into my house because IT WILL BE DELIVERED. I can wait the few days it will take for the items to get here.

Yesterday, I went to Walmart because there are somethings I need to look at before I buy. That is why we will still need cashiers. If someone had been in the Fabric department I would have purchased some but no one was there and I did not feel like looking for someone who could find someone. There is an online store that sells fabric at a reasonable price that I plan on purchasing from.

NOW the holidays are upon us and the choice is shop on line or go to the store? With a few exception I will be hitting that "Check-Out" button with my keyboard I will be saving money and saving time. How will I save money, most stores are notorious for putting items in the path of the shopper that he or she did not plan or purchasing but will just because- I will not be doing that.

written by Marsha L F Randolph

NETTIE-OLOGY /NETTIE-ISM reflects the opinions of and is the soul property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. Disagreeing with what is written is not offensive to the author a disagreeable comment will be deleted.