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Super Contributor
Posts: 482
Registered: ‎04-07-2010

Re: Found out why stores are closing!

It also depends on where you live.  I went to JC Penney's today and got excellent customer service.  Part of the problem is overcrowding.  Too many people.  Also, stores have difficulty filling their positions.  In my town restaurants, stores, all customer service dependent businesses can't fill their positions.  People show up for work for a week or two, collect their first paycheck, never to be seen again. 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,725
Registered: ‎08-19-2014

Re: Found out why stores are closing!

   DH & I were in Marshalls today. There were 2 registers, & one huge line that wasn’t moving.After 15 minutes we left our cart & headed for the door. They lost a $200 sale!! 

  When we got home DH purchased the items online & saved $ with a 20% off coupon.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 24,685
Registered: ‎07-21-2011

Re: Found out why stores are closing!

I know a lot of baby boomers shop on line.  I never shopped online but once I got in my 60's, I got sick of long lines.  It seems to be the way of future shopping online.  What needs to happen is your regular grocery stores need to offer clothes.  I know some do but not all.  I still go out to the grocery but most grocery stores now deliver which is great if you can't get out.

kindness is strength
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,048
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Found out why stores are closing!

Can't agree more!

 

I was getting my hair done at Ulta and walked around store was empty. Was looking for my hairspray on sale. None to be found. Selection of NARS was dismal. Went home and ordered online.

 

I gotta say I had a great salon experience, tho.

 

I'm considering getting SHIPT. Done with the big box grocery.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,874
Registered: ‎12-07-2012

Re: Found out why stores are closing!

I have another one for you about clueless employees at B&M stores.

 

DH went to Family Dollar this week to get me soda - 7-UP or Sprite.  All they had were the large bottles (which is fine, if that's all they carry).

 

However the 50ish manager claimed "Oh, NO one sells 6 or 12 packs anymore".  What a joke.
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Denise
Honored Contributor
Posts: 36,674
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: Found out why stores are closing!

[ Edited ]

Let me play devil's advocate.....

 

Disadvantages Of Online Shopping

 

1. Lines are long and stores are crowded maybe because people still like to shop at brick/mortar stores, (perhaps management under estimated customer traffic and will now hire more people---more jobs)

 

2. Problem---The item you purchased online doesn't seem the same in person (quality isn't there, cheap and chintzy) or didnt perform as advertised.

 

3. Problem---When you add in shipping and handling its actually more expensive than you thought....sure some stores offer free shipping, but did they increase the price to actually hide the s&h. Or did you impulse buy to reach a certain amount to get free shipping?..Having to wait for an item after ordering..But you say there's Amazon Prime....unless you make over 30 purchases a year you're losing money.......

 

4. Problem--RETURNS!

A.  Some retailers require you to call them first to see if the product qualifies for a return, and you might only get a store credit, not a refund

 

B.  Problem --If a product is defective you may be required to pay shipping to get a replacement (example Tempt-tations)

 

C.  If USPS pickup is available and you use the return label, a return is easy.  BUT if it's not available then a trip to USPS is necessary---talk about waiting in long lines.  Or you pay for UPS to pickup.....

 

 

5. Problem-- Can you even trust a return to be left at your front door???  Or have a purchase delivered and left at your door?---porch pirating is a whole new industry.  One Amazon delivery person took a photo to confirm he had delivered a package, but a security camera confirmed he also picked up and stole that same package......

 

6  Problem --Sizing, fit, and quality of fabric/material in clothing and shoes is inconsistent.  So much better to go to a store and try items on and feel/touch the merchandise, and see how it looks on YOU.....And NO SHIPPING!

 

7  Stuck in the house and never getting out --some suffer from medical or mobility issues, so it's difficult to leave the house, so online shopping is a real blessing.  However, others phycically able may grow tired of seeing these "same 4 walls" and never getting out and about mingling with people (which can be enjoyable OR a curse).....

 

8.  Problem--Shipping delays or items are lost despite having tracking info..

.

9.  Problem--Fraud--exposure to identity theft, not a good idea to store credit card info on websites.  Is a site legitimate, is it secure???

 

 

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”
Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,674
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Found out why stores are closing!

Spurt , i just want to compliment you on an excellent post , it was detailed and well written . This wasn't a negative , just both sides of the story , we are living in different times now for sure.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,051
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Found out why stores are closing!

Like a lot of you, I like to get gifts that are personal and mean something. So I needed a gift for our one-year old great nephew. I would buy it, wrap it, and send it. Toys R Us is gone, so I went to one of the other stores who expanded their toy section. 

 

I found the perfect gift on the shelf. The price wasn't marked; none of them were. I looked for an SA. Finally found one young man who took it to scan. The number wasn't coming up. I had to find the manager in charge who was in another department. I waited while she helped someone in that department. Another SA came over and ASKED if she could help. I explained. She said I had to talk to the one manager. Finally she was free. She was pleasant and knew right where the toy was located on the shelf. She scanned it - nothing. So she took all of them and went to a computer. The others came up, but of course the one I wanted didn't. She finally found it. During this time we were talking, so I told her who it was for, etc. She leaned over and said, "Do you have Amazon Prime?" We do - mostly for college textbooks. She said she would have to walk me to the register, which was OK, then she figured she could write the SKU number on paper and initial it. All of this took me about 30 minutes. When I checked out the cashier had no trouble. 

 

I came home and tried to find a box that would fit the toy for mailing. No luck. I went on the computer, ordered the toy ($2 cheaper) and one that went with it, and checked gift wrap. When I saw the price for gift wrap, I changed my mind. I clicked send. Two day delivery. Our nephew and his wife are having a huge family and friends party (we live too far away) and great-nephew will get plenty of gifts. I feel a little bad I didn't wrap it myself, but I think with the cost of mailing those days are going to be coming to a stop. They had a huge selection online, and it was much less expensive. And the best part - it only took me about 5-10 minutes! 

 

It's sad what is happening in our stores, but I don't have time to wait around for the help I need. Smiley Sad

Honored Contributor
Posts: 36,674
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: Found out why stores are closing!


@MW in Iowa wrote:

Spurt , i just want to compliment you on an excellent post , it was detailed and well written . This wasn't a negative , just both sides of the story , we are living in different times now for sure.


@MW in Iowa 

 

Thanks for your kind comments....

 

Actually I do a combination of in store and online shopping and experienced the pros and cons of both.....

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”
Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,062
Registered: ‎03-19-2010

Re: Found out why stores are closing!

I have never been someone who loves to shop.  I know plenty of women who could shop all day every day.  I would like to be able to go to a store and try on shoes, bras and other things that need to fit correctly  but half the time when I go they don't have what I want or are looking for.  The traffic and amount of serious car accidents in the area I live make me almost hate to go out.   If there had been online shopping when I was young and worked fulltime and had children it would have been great.