Today I went out shopping for a few items, first stop was the fastener shop. After waiting in line for an eternity, without even advancing in the queue, I left in disgust in search of another fastener shop. The next shop was pretty much empty and they actually had what I wanted, a small under $2 item. The salesman informs me they have a minimum order amount so I’d have to buy something else, after racking my brain I couldn’t think of anything else I needed on such short notice, so again left in disgust – ebay me thinks???
Next I stopped at the shop where I bought my bandsaw for some blades - he had ‘one’ on the shelf. I asked if he had anymore, nope, was the answer, they only keep one or two in stock at any time it seems. I bought that one, ordered half a dozen more to pick up next week and asked for the next item on my list: a 5mm bottoming tap. ‘Nope, sorry’ said the salesman ‘but we have this beaut set of three for $52 (plus GST of course)’ - ebay again me thinks???
Next stop, welding electrodes: the next shop has all the electrodes you could possibly want - except the size I ask for (2mm [great for tacking and leaves a small footprint]), so I’d have to order them and pick up next week – ebay again me thinks???
This was pretty much par for the course for everything I was after today and pretty much par for the course on all my excursions for tools and consumables these days.
Next s I sat in the car and searched on ebay - found everything I needed (except bandsaw blades) all available in three days or less, cheaper than buying in store and the price includes postage (but not the stress), is that a no brainer or what???
Next time I hear a shopkeeper complain about people buying online instead of supporting local business, I might just tell him why people prefer to shop online.