Comments on Hazeltree Farm: Shopping online: Happy cheap Christmas - and an af...

Hi, I buy everything on the internet – SO much che...

2011-12-31T10:01:44.450+13:00

Hi, I buy everything on the internet – SO much cheaper and I don’t have to leave my home. Thanks for the fantastic ideas this year I’ve really enjoyed your posts. I did a year in review at NZ Ecochick and would love it if you would link up some of your favourite posts of 2011. Have a wonderful new year. M xx

Hi Angela - I'm guessing your husband d...

2011-12-24T16:59:15.421+13:00

Hi Angela - I'm guessing your husband doesn't sell his books at a 300% markup to US retail prices, like the examples I used in my blog post!

In my post, I'm talking about large department stores who import masses of product, then proceed to rip off their customers all while crying poor and laying off staff. No wonder we don't shop at their stores when they charge us so much more than alternative sellers! Loyalty only goes so far.

Yes, I agree with you - it's tough on small businesses, especially those who are trying to do the right thing by their customers.

But we also have to accept that times have changed.

And, to be honest, I have to question the future of the old model of small businesses (such as booksellers) in their ability to remain financially viable in the new economy.

If I were in such a business, I'd be getting out, real fast. I'm not saying that's good, I'm just being pragmatic.

Small importers (which is what small booksellers are, in essence) with a real life shop front, simply can't compete in the changing economy, and with cheaper online options such as eBay.

Customer loyalty is, unfortunately, dead. It's an old business model. People go where they can get the cheapest deal.

And why not? Everything is made in China anyway. And incomes have dropped so much in real terms that people can't afford to buy anywhere but at the cheapest option. And they're buying less overall. Which is good for the planet at least.

In the blog post, for example, I simply wouldn't BUY Clinique in New Zealand - it's too expensive for my budget. Yet by buying it on eBay, it is cheaper than the cheapest options available here in NZ (e.g. Avon and Dove).

I don't know where the new economic model will end up. But if I owned a bookshop or similar small imports business with a real live shop front (which is what small bookshops are in essence) I'd be getting out now (or five years ago if possible). The future does not look bright.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Yes, I find it sad too, but the world does change, it will change, and maybe it will all end out for the good in the end?

Merry Christmas.

Hi Viv - Yeah, anything that is specialty, ...

2011-12-24T16:38:37.231+13:00

Hi Viv - Yeah, anything that is specialty, I'd go online.

Have a great Christmas.

Hi GC - I'm really familiar with the styles that suit me, and I know my measurements and sizes well. Anything that doesn't fit / suit, I onsell or give away, depending on how much it cost.

But I don't see a problem with people trying things on in stores first, to be honest.

After all, we all routinely try stuff in one shop then, if we see it elsewhere at a better price, buy it at the lower cost option. Where is the difference if we buy it online or elsewhere? Not every "try" is a "buy", if you catch my drift, even if online shopping didn't exist at all.

What I'm saying in my post is that the marketplace has changed, and it has caught vendors, to the large part, unawares. How it will all pan out, I don't know. But in the meanwhile, in these days of a tight economy, I do think we need to save pennies where we can.

I am very saddened by this post. My husband manage...

2011-12-24T08:00:06.793+13:00

I am very saddened by this post. My husband manages a small locally owned bookstore and yes, his prices are above walmart and amazon. But do you know why? Manufacturers and distribution houses charge much more to a company who is not purchasing a million of one product. Take walmart for example: our local one sells some books for cheaper than my husband can even get them, BUT when they don't sell them out they send them back after having cut the prices so low that the local store cannot compete and still pay their employees. The markup he puts on things is a meager 30% and it has hardly paid the electricity and rent on the store! It's ridiculous how publishers are in bed with large corporations to run the indie shops out of business and people just don't know the facts. My husband would LOVE to give folks better prices, but in order to keep the business from going under he just can't. There have been books that the store has literally taken a loss on (and that doesn't mean they didn't make any money- it means they paid more for it than they sold it for) just so the store could move to a better location. Every year, at years end, the store should have closed but the owners refuse to let that happen and put money from their other jobs into it. Local shops are all going broke because folks want to get "the best deal" but consider: if all your neighbors are out of work, they aren't going to buy from the place you work either and pretty soon, we'll all work for walmart or not at all.

Hi Leanne Great post. I agree with what you are s...

2011-12-24T07:55:19.312+13:00

Hi Leanne

Great post. I agree with what you are saying, but one thing that I have seen, which does bother me, is when people go to their local bookshop or shoe store to check things out and try things on, and then go and buy them online. When that happens, the local stores are paying for other people to shop and they can't compete with the overseas online shops who don't pay rent/sales staff etc.
Rgds, Geraldine

Happy Christmas Leanne :) I'm afraid I gave up...

2011-12-23T22:01:33.142+13:00

Happy Christmas Leanne :) I'm afraid I gave up shopping about 30 years back. I don't use makeup but am glad for the tip as I need to get some basic stuff for William when he does the ballet thing.

viv

Hi Renee - yeah, Strawberrynet are quite good, but...

2011-12-23T21:03:10.490+13:00

Hi Renee - yeah, Strawberrynet are quite good, but I still find eBay cheaper :-) Both are a lot, LOT cheaper than the shops, though.

It's sad - I wish I could shop at our local department stores, and support our local economy. I just can't afford to. The stores really need to take a good, long look at their pricing policies, I think.

And Merry Christmas to you too :-)

Hi Leeanne. I have been following your blog for a ...

2011-12-23T19:33:41.149+13:00

Hi Leeanne.
I have been following your blog for a while now. today I loved your article about shopping around and shopping online. I agree with you that, even though I would love to keep my money local, sometimes it is more economical for me to buy from overseas.
Also, check out www.strawberrynet.com they have great discounted perfumes, cosmetics etc....
Kind regards and merry christmas