4 ms·

To be fair, that is kind of a jerk move. They can't resell them as new, and I guess they have to either now sell them as used, or return them to the manufacture

by reustle 10y ago

To be fair, that is kind of a jerk move. They can't resell them as new, and I guess they have to either now sell them as used, or return them to the manufacturer somehow? If you want to try something on and they won't let you, but want to support them, go to Best Buy / Bic Camera or whatever you have locally.

deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
sanderjd 10y ago
This is basically the crux of this issue. If businesses want to be businesses instead of charities, their business model has to create some sort of win-win where they provide value that people are willing to pay money for above the cost of providing that value. Your parent comment gave an example of that not happening. One potential place the brick-and-mortar could have provided value is in the realm of trying something for yourself before buying - not having that capability seems to be the only major weakness of internet retail - but apparently that wasn't part of their business model. Now if businesses want to rely more on their patrons support to counterbalance a weak business model, they are free to do so, but it changes lots of calculations. It seems far more likely to work for independent record stores, which have opportunities to build a closer relationship with their customers, than for places like Best Buy.
- germinalphrase 10y ago
  Additionally - curation. I do to specialty shops because I want to have a conversation with a knowledgable salesperson about what I intend to do and what will best serve that need. Sure, many products don't need this level of personal interaction (for example, the headphone example) - but if I were, for instance, starting up an interest in white water kayaking then I would certainly want someone to talk through my goals, gear, etc.
  - cr1895 10y ago
    >Additionally - curation. I do to specialty shops because I want to have a conversation with a knowledgable salesperson This is why I'm happy to pay a premium at my local record shop. I love talking with the owner and he's always introducing me to good music. I know he prices high but I also know that it's quality, and usually the conversation makes it worthwhile.

by reustle 10y ago

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

sanderjd 10y ago

This is basically the crux of this issue. If businesses want to be businesses instead of charities, their business model has to create some sort of win-win where they provide value that people are willing to pay money for above the cost of providing that value. Your parent comment gave an example of that not happening. One potential place the brick-and-mortar could have provided value is in the realm of trying something for yourself before buying - not having that capability seems to be the only major weakness of internet retail - but apparently that wasn't part of their business model. Now if businesses want to rely more on their patrons support to counterbalance a weak business model, they are free to do so, but it changes lots of calculations. It seems far more likely to work for independent record stores, which have opportunities to build a closer relationship with their customers, than for places like Best Buy.

germinalphrase 10y ago
Additionally - curation. I do to specialty shops because I want to have a conversation with a knowledgable salesperson about what I intend to do and what will best serve that need. Sure, many products don't need this level of personal interaction (for example, the headphone example) - but if I were, for instance, starting up an interest in white water kayaking then I would certainly want someone to talk through my goals, gear, etc.
- cr1895 10y ago
  >Additionally - curation. I do to specialty shops because I want to have a conversation with a knowledgable salesperson This is why I'm happy to pay a premium at my local record shop. I love talking with the owner and he's always introducing me to good music. I know he prices high but I also know that it's quality, and usually the conversation makes it worthwhile.