On Dec 19, 2007 7:32 AM, MB Software Solutions <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Go into the brick and mortar stores and pay more to keep them around? > >
In some cases, yes. I patronized a local computer bookstore for years, despite cheaper prices available online. The staff were knowledgeable and helpful. There was always a fresh pot of coffee in the back. There was a great chance to browse and heft and read a chapter of two before deciding on a book, or come across a book you might not have given a second glance. Good publishers maintained "buy 5, get the sixth free, punch your ticket" promotions and such. The occasional "O'Reilly Hurts" sales with slightly damaged books at 40-75% cover prices was very popular. Even when I moved 80 miles away, we made the trek every couple of months and never got out with less than $150 worth of books (It didn't hurt there was an awesome Thai restaurant in the next block!). Alas, my every-four-fortnights trips weren't enought to keep the store open. They've closed. I valued their service; obviously, not enough others did. (It's also that most answers can be found online with a search engine, and perhaps the era of print technical books for ephemeral products is waning, too, another discussion topic.) I patronize the local town pet food and grain store, rather than the BigBoxPetStore I pass by on my way to grocery-shopping. My local merchant knows my dogs by first name, is a handy reference for pet first aid, has good recommendations on pet sitters and which kennels to avoid. Paying a premium price for good service makes sense. Petco has to have eaten away at her profits, but the convenience of a local and knowledgeable vendor compensates somewhat. Brick-and-mortar brings little value to computer hardware unless it is backed up by other services that are of value for the consumer. Most consumer-grade computers are filled with junk and made cheaper than the business-grade parts we'd most likely prefer. For myself, I buy online. For my clients, I line them up with a local shop that knows how to build and service their hardware, is available or on-call, because that's the value to them: they want Bob to show up on-site and fix things today or tomorrow, not to call some BigBoxWebSite and get clueless tech support or a high school enthusiast who doesn't understand the importance of computers to a business. But it depends on the customer and their definition of 'value.' -- Ted Roche Ted Roche & Associates, LLC http://www.tedroche.com _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/[EMAIL PROTECTED] ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
