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I'll add some anecdotal evidence as to why I don't think Walmart isn't capable of giving Amazon any hard times. When I got my first iPhone I was recommended a

by Zelphyr 10y ago

I'll add some anecdotal evidence as to why I don't think Walmart isn't capable of giving Amazon any hard times. When I got my first iPhone I was recommended a Zagg screen protector. I found that Walmart online had the best deal so I ordered it for in-store pickup. I was notified the day it arrived and headed back to the Layaway area. Nobody was there, but there was a little kiosk where I could enter my info and someone would fetch my item for me. Seemed like a very efficient setup. Walk in, get my thing, and leave. After putting my info into the kiosk and being told my item was on its way, I waited. And waited. And waited. About 15 minutes in, after entering the info into the kiosk again and not getting a response, I called the store and asked for a manager. It took me a minute to get them to understand that I was calling from inside their store to get my item. But finally, they got it and assured me that someone would be bringing out my item shortly. Another 15 minutes of waiting and I HAD TO CALL THEM AGAIN! And explain, again, that, "Yes, I'm standing inside your store, waiting for the thing I purchased. We talked about this already." All told, I was probably there for 45 minutes before I got my item. That was the last time I bought something from Walmart. Now, I'll concede that this was almost 10 years ago and maybe they've changed. But Walmart has never been known for the best customer service, and Amazon is always fantastic when I have to deal with them. So I'm placing my bet on Amazon in this particular race.

acchow 10y ago
A synchronous, blocking logistics system (you going to a store waiting for a person or a conveyer belt) will never be as cost efficient as an asynchronous one (amazon dead-dropping your package on your front porch). Tho there are other tradeoffs (mainly expected latency).
- Qworg 10y ago
  Cost efficient? Shipping isn't free - the last mile to doorstep is the most expensive part as well.
  - acchow 10y ago
    What do you mean? If you drive to a walmart, you're also spending money on gas and on your car's depreciation. It isn't free.
josephjrobison 10y ago
Same thing happened to me only two years ago. Bought an Xbox controller on their website for in-store pickup. Go down to the store to pick it up and they say it's actually out of stock. But then I see one sitting right there so I ask to buy it. They say that one is reserved and there's a glitch in their system. So I ask to just buy that right there but the in-store price was $15 more than online price. The employee says to me "supply and demand, how bad do you want it". Weird interaction. Just bought it and left. Definitely logistics problems still.
- Cerium 10y ago
  I know staples / office max show lower prices online than in store. If you ask for a price match they will price match against themselves and give you the good price.
avip 10y ago
> "I don't think Walmart isn't capable of giving Amazon any hard times" I had to read this intro 3 times to wrap my brain around the 2.5 negations, just to find out you DO think Walmart is not capable of competing with Amazon :)
- eric_the_read 10y ago
  I think you read that backwards (not at all surprisingly): It's not the case that Walmart can't give Amazon hard times. Therefore, it is the case that Walmart can give Amazon hard times. I think.
  - bonzini 10y ago
    That's how you have to read it, yes, but it doesn't match the anecdote that follows.
  - banku_brougham 10y ago
    > "I don't think Walmart isn't capable of giving Amazon any hard times" Actually, thinking Walmart is capable does not follow from not thinking they aren't capable. The subject doesn't think they are incapable of giving any hard times. Overall this is perhaps the weakest vote of confidence in Walmart possible, I would read this: "There exists the possibility that Walmart is capable of giving Amazon one or more hard times." That's the best I can do. edit: On reflection the word 'thinking' is crucial, because is suggests a level of uncertainty. Without that uncertainty: !(not walmart is not capable) <-> walmart is capable.

by Zelphyr 10y ago

acchow 10y ago

A synchronous, blocking logistics system (you going to a store waiting for a person or a conveyer belt) will never be as cost efficient as an asynchronous one (amazon dead-dropping your package on your front porch). Tho there are other tradeoffs (mainly expected latency).

Qworg 10y ago
Cost efficient? Shipping isn't free - the last mile to doorstep is the most expensive part as well.
- acchow 10y ago
  What do you mean? If you drive to a walmart, you're also spending money on gas and on your car's depreciation. It isn't free.

josephjrobison 10y ago

Same thing happened to me only two years ago. Bought an Xbox controller on their website for in-store pickup. Go down to the store to pick it up and they say it's actually out of stock. But then I see one sitting right there so I ask to buy it. They say that one is reserved and there's a glitch in their system. So I ask to just buy that right there but the in-store price was $15 more than online price. The employee says to me "supply and demand, how bad do you want it". Weird interaction. Just bought it and left. Definitely logistics problems still.

Cerium 10y ago
I know staples / office max show lower prices online than in store. If you ask for a price match they will price match against themselves and give you the good price.

avip 10y ago

> "I don't think Walmart isn't capable of giving Amazon any hard times" I had to read this intro 3 times to wrap my brain around the 2.5 negations, just to find out you DO think Walmart is not capable of competing with Amazon :)

eric_the_read 10y ago
I think you read that backwards (not at all surprisingly): It's not the case that Walmart can't give Amazon hard times. Therefore, it is the case that Walmart can give Amazon hard times. I think.
- bonzini 10y ago
  That's how you have to read it, yes, but it doesn't match the anecdote that follows.
- banku_brougham 10y ago
  > "I don't think Walmart isn't capable of giving Amazon any hard times" Actually, thinking Walmart is capable does not follow from not thinking they aren't capable. The subject doesn't think they are incapable of giving any hard times. Overall this is perhaps the weakest vote of confidence in Walmart possible, I would read this: "There exists the possibility that Walmart is capable of giving Amazon one or more hard times." That's the best I can do. edit: On reflection the word 'thinking' is crucial, because is suggests a level of uncertainty. Without that uncertainty: !(not walmart is not capable) <-> walmart is capable.