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There's certain classes of non-luxury stores that should survive OK. If I need to find a screw for my (insert doohickey here), I'll go to Ace hardware, where I
by rflrob 14y ago
There's certain classes of non-luxury stores that should survive OK. If I need to find a screw for my (insert doohickey here), I'll go to Ace hardware, where I can try out the different screws in their bins, then pick the one that works. The same logic applies to lots of other hardware store type items.
- ddt 14y agoAbsolutely, any product that you need to physically inspect before you buy seems like it'd survive.
- GuiA 14y agoI wonder how that'll change with 3D printers. What if Amazon gives you a "preview" file of the object you want for your 3D printer?
- ippisl 14y agoLike shoes ? and clothes ? those are starting to move online using some interesting technologies[1][2] and there's no reason to believe that we won't find a way to help with buying other physical items. [1] using the kinect to virtually measure clothes on your TV. [2] using a variable robot to show you how a specific garment would look on your specific measurements.
- eshvk 14y agoThe Zappos (owned by Amazon) model is kind of interesting too. They actively encourage you to return shoes that you don't like for any arbitrary reason, thereby making it easier at least from the consumer's perspective of avoiding the situation where he/she would be stuck with a purchase that doesn't fit them or something.
- jpxxx 14y agoI have on good authority that their return rates reach 40%.
- brc 14y agoYou're making the assumption that you won't be able to purchase a box of assorted screws cheaper than making the trip to the hardware shop. If you could purchase an assortment of screws that essentially spanned the entire range of the hardware shop, you might change your mind. That could easily change.