Think Global - Buy Local - A New Tale

Outdone by the "Amazon"

            The woe of many a small retailer these days is the big bad Amazon and it has struck us down twice in the past week so we wanted to share our experience. Don't get me wrong, their website has been a useful tool when we have purchased gifts to send to family and friends out of town, it has an amazing library to offer as well. But the stories you've heard in the past year of small, local retailers getting outdone are real and pose a serious threat to our continuing existence.

            In one instance a customer researched where she could touch and see a beautiful bamboo shag rug we carry at 'g'. She drove over an hour out of her way and made a day of visiting the showroom to see this soft and luxurious covering for her soon-to-be born child to rest on. Then we got the call a few days later...she had found it at a fraction (mili-fraction) over cost on Amazon and was having it shipped. She thanked us for sharing it, having it available to see and feel, but in the end opted to purchase from an anonymous on-line outfit.

            It's distressing since we simply cannot compete on price with Amazon. They are a buying and networking behemoth. We are a customer service oriented showroom with bricks and mortar and the real stuff on hand. And we can only remain to allow people to come and see and feel if we are not passed over, especially after we have provided the resourcing and customer service our customers tell us they want and need.

            We just ask you to consider this when you think about purchasing on-line. Think globally - Buy Locally - and keep the shops and services you value in a neighborhood near you.