Has internet shopping gone too far?

With large and small businesses closing at an alarming rate causing working people to lose their jobs, a lot of the blame is channelled towards the rise in internet shopping such as Amazon and many other retailers. High street shops are all turning into houses or left derelict.

It's the same with industry and companies which deal in supplies, most are losing out to people buying over the net. Companies simply cannot compete with internet giants who offer same day delivery. They don't have the capital to update their resources and compete sufficiently.

There are other factors why businesses close of course (ease of technology, self-service etc), but do you think there should be some kind of limit to how far the world can progress due to internet purchasing?

Should we have a system such as the old Monopolies Commission to step in and give traditional outlets a better chance of competition?

Re: Has internet shopping gone too far?

I love the idea Floydy, but it won't happen. looking towards the future, I can see all people living in small houses where everything is done by computer, like communication,shopping,medical care and even finding a partner.
I know that we don't want to believe it, but I think it will happen and i can see the start of it already. Remember all those Sci Fi films where computer screens are a human's lifeline and robots do all the work, well I think something similar will happen & maybe one day the robots will be advanced enough to take control!

Re: Has internet shopping gone too far?

Why do people buy so much on on-line? Well - the reasons for some of my recent purchases include:-

1) Things not readily available in local shops - such as - replacements for my china dinner service. We no longer have a 'fine china' shop in the area so I had to search for a 'specialist' shop on-line when two of the soup plates were broken.

2) Flat packed furniture. Wanted a kitchen work station/trolley and one of those cabinets for storing shoes. Several shops had both - but would charge an extortionate delivery fee. Not owning or having access to a car I could not collect them myself - so resorted to Amazon. Found both - same make, cheaper price and free delivery !

3) Disinterested staff in shops. Nothing is more off putting - for me anyway - than sales staff who are unhelpful and unable or unwilling to answer questions about the goods they are selling. Most on-line places that I have dealt with have a Q&A section, some even have an on-line 'chat box' so you have an instant answer.

In the main I prefer 'real' shops - I like to see what I am buying - especially when it comes to fresh food - would never buy that on-line, have bought tinned/dry goods once - a long time ago when we had bad snow and I could not face the long walk to the shops. Clothing is something else I would not buy on-line - I like to feel fabrics and try things on.

Internet shopping is - for me - a convenient tool when in need. Not a regular replacement for real shops.

Re: Has internet shopping gone too far?

What a terrifying thought, Twink, I hope I am long gone before that happens !!

Re: Has internet shopping gone too far?

I think we will all be gone before it happens Silver Tabby, but what about our children, and grand children? They will not notice the small changes, as they happen!
Remember when we were young and if we wanted tell somebody, in another country, our news... we had to send an air mail letter and wait maybe 2-3 weeks for a reply. Now we can tell them instantly via the internet.... would we give that up?
Doctors can help with operations over the internet, so maybe one day we could do our own minor surgery in our homes, with advice from a doctor.
With the aid of computers & robots we could all become self sufficient.... and I can already see this idea starting to happen.
It is scary for us, but for future generations it will just involve small adjustments to their life, that will happen slowly!

Re: Has internet shopping gone too far?

Hi

I quite like shopping in real shops,having a wander round.

It is not on as a regular thing though,I have to drive to places like Shrewsbury and the parking charges alone are enough to put you off.

Re: Has internet shopping gone too far?

I dont think internet shopping is all to blame,small independant shops started to close years ago when Supermarkets opened up .
Now there is more Out of town centres opening , leaving inner city shops with not so many passing customers,
Ive seen many Large department stores close long before Amazon and home shopping took off , Its swings and round abouts .
I think theres room for both , and internet shopping will never be the one and only place to shop .

Re: Has internet shopping gone too far?

The government doesn't do much to help shops on the high street survive. Business rates etc are very high and as swim says parking charges put many off. But many shops don't have a good business strategy and don't move with the times. Their products may no longer be in demand or they haven't analysed the local market. Imposing controls stifles competition and creates inefficiency in the economy. The economy would start to slow down if you started to do that because people wouldn't be able to afford as much.

Re: Has internet shopping gone too far?

When I was looking for a new bedspread last year I looked at them online in various department stores then made the effort to go into town, something I rarely do to see the items 'live' because it is difficult to gage colour accurately without actually seeing it .
None of the things I wished to see were available in the shops, only online.

I don't buy many clothes, I am still wearing items I purchased years ago which are of better quality than many of those produced these days. When I do decide to buy something from a shop usually underwear /nightwear invariably they don't have my size because it is 'popular' but I am told I can order or buy online.

When buying white goods I have been into shops and asked
if they would be prepared to match the price of an item I have seen online to be told no.

To some extent the demise of shopping in person as opposed to online is the fault of some companies who do not offer a service that meets the needs of the customer.

Re: Has internet shopping gone too far?

Apart from my grocery shopping, I prefer to buy most other things on-line, including clothes, much less hassle,