# Browsing in Stores, then Buying Online **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 5, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427 "2017-01-05T23:53:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/21 "2017-01-06T03:25:57Z")
You can find a salesperson in a store?? I will check out prices at difference stores and if a salesperson does come along I will tell them that I just checking out prices . I don’t guilty about doing this , it my money and I want to get the best buy . ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/22 "2017-01-06T03:54:52Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > You’re introducing extra terms here that some of us never specified. I said I’d go to the store to examine goods before buying them, without any need for a salesman’s help. > > Also, asking a salesman one or two questions is not “taking up a lot of his time.” I quoted, and thus was responding to, the OP’s scenario of asking advice from a salesperson. I further elaborated to try to make it clear that I was not thinking about a situation in which the customer just asked one or two questions, but one in which the customer did, in fact, ask for and receive substantial assistance. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/23 "2017-01-06T03:57:41Z")
> [@purplehearingaid](#): > > You can find a salesperson in a store?? I will check out prices at difference stores and if a salesperson does come along I will tell them that I just checking out prices . I don’t guilty about doing this , it my money and I want to get the best buy . You can check prices on the internet. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/24 "2017-01-06T04:01:11Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > This policy has changed. Nice! They saw the light. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/25 "2017-01-06T04:43:32Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > Maybe they should charge for fitting, then refund the charge if the shoes are purchased in the store. Some do, and I personally am OK with that. Though, back in my pointe-shoe days, there was at least one time I went to a new store for a fitting, tried on everything they had that might be suitable, and the professional fitter finally admitted that they didn’t carry anything that would work for me. Stupid picky feet. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/26 "2017-01-06T04:55:37Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I hope you told the salesperson ahead of time that you had no intention of buying anything from them before you took up a lot of their time helping you. I often do. Or I tell them that it’s cheaper online and ask if they can match. I’m all for supporting businesses that I believe in, local businesses, etc. and I’m willing to pay more to do so. But there is no obligation to do so and to me it’s not a moral question at all. But if I’m at Target and I see something, i’ll almost always check amazon before I complete the purchase. My primary shopping is online - in store is reserved only for those things that are difficult to buy online because seeing it in person is so helpful. Home Depot type items are included in this for me. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/27 "2017-01-06T05:07:35Z")
I’m short. I have no qualms about trying on clothing in the store and then buying the petite version of the same thing online, because the store doesn’t carry it. I refuse to have to alter every singe goddamn article of exterior clothing that I buy. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/28 "2017-01-06T05:11:10Z")
I don’t feel conflicted by this, and with big box stores I don’t see it as a problem. I understand small stores can’t compete on volume and will support them if they have good service and reasonable selection. I support local businesses, and weigh convenience with cheaper prices. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/29 "2017-01-06T05:19:54Z")
If the salesperson clearly has some skill or training that is helping me find the right item (ex. running shoes fitted properly to my feet and running style), then I buy from them, even if I spend a little more than I would on line. I figure I saved myself time and money by not ordering and sending back shoes until I found the (hopefully) correct pair of shoes. If they just said “What size?” and handed me a box from the stockroom, I don’t feel obliged to buy from them. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/30 "2017-01-06T06:52:48Z")
When I bought my last cellphone, Amazon had it listed at $450 but also had an instant $50 off when you checked out. This discount was clearly explained on the Amazon site. Best Buy has a price match policy that explicitly includes Amazon, and they had the exact same phone in stock, and I was willing to pay the sales tax buying locally to get the phone that day. Long story short Best Buy did not match the price, and I am not going to beg them to take my money. So Amazon got my money, and I won’t fuck around with Best Buy’s price match bullshit again. Because it’s bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/31 "2017-01-06T09:42:36Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > If the store closes due to lack of sales, does he still get the $8/hour? That will happen weather you just bought the thing online, or you talked to a store employee and then bought the thing online. There is no difference to that employee. The only way it would matter to the employee is if he/she works on commission or quotas, but most places aren’t like that. And in places that do have commission (like car lots), the salesman dont often leave you alone even whrn you tell them you are not interested in making a purchase, yoy just want to look. They seem to take that as a challenge. So, I don’t think it is in any eay ethically necessary to inform the salesman that you are going to buy the thing on Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/32 "2017-01-06T11:31:09Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > If you don’t buy from the brick and motor stores they will go out of business. We’ve lost all the good hardware stores in my city. We’re in the process of losing car stereo stores. I could make a list but it appears few people care. Car stereo stores? If your local car stereo stores are going out of business, it’s likely because they are being managed poorly. Someone has got to install all those new stereos. In my neck of the woods, you can’t sling a dead cat with out hitting a car stereo store. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/33 "2017-01-06T12:03:48Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I hope you told the salesperson ahead of time that you had no intention of buying anything from them before you took up a lot of their time helping you. > [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > He likely gets the same 8 bucks an hour regardless. What would he even care if you buy it or not? If my store does not meet its sales quota for the week our hours are cut, which impacts our income. If it continues to not meet it’s sales quota the store will be closed, which will eliminate our income. Sales figures are reported to all employees daily, sometimes twice a day during the November to December period. Yes, I goddamn care if you buy from my store or not. Even if you buy from our website, those sales don’t count towards my store’s figures. If everyone who came into our store bought from the company website they would close the store because that physical location is not carrying its weight, so to speak. Even stupid retail drones can understand the cause and effect here. But hey, what the hell do you care if your neighbors have a job or not? When we’re all unemployed you can just smugly deny us any form of social safety net. Support your local brick-and-mortar or one day you’ll wake up and wonder where they all went. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/34 "2017-01-06T12:15:34Z")
BTW, there’s an actual name for what the OP is talking about. It’s called [Showrooming.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showrooming) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/35 "2017-01-06T13:08:00Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > I have gone to stores and made the purchase of the exact same item online while still in the store. When I bought the big flatscreen tv we currently have, I found the make/model while doing other shopping at Sam’s Club. I was debating how to complete the deal (pay for what I’d already put in my cart, load it in my car, then go back in and buy the tv seemed the way to go). But it was a cold, snowy, bitch of a day. So, instead I got in line with my cart. While waiting, I found and purchased the tv from Amazon. Two days later it arrived. Easy-peasy. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/36 "2017-01-06T14:03:52Z")
It depends on the store. If it’s one of the electronics giants here in Norway where the owners are drowning in profits I’ll definitely buy it online if that’s cheaper. A small store that offers real personal service, I’m willing to accept a few percent higher a price for the continued convenience of the store existing (and a few percent for getting the item right there and then). ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/37 "2017-01-06T14:05:50Z")
I rarely buy online when I find an item in a store. Advantages: 1. I get the item immediately. 2. No worry about it being stolen from my doorstep. 3. Once you consider shipping and postage, you’re generally not saving that much. 4. I like to examine the item before buying. 5. It supports a local business and local jobs. 6. In a broader sense, looking for the cheapest price available has been a disaster for the country and the economy (and a say this as a cheapskate). 7. You’re already spending the time shopping in the store; why waste more time searching online for the same item? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/38 "2017-01-06T15:18:43Z")
The OP’s issue is a standard tragedy of the commons. If we each individually do only what’s best for us individually, the collective outcome is harmful to all of us. Which is harmful to each of us. Particularly in the economic sphere people are very short-sighted about this. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/39 "2017-01-06T15:36:01Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > He likely gets the same 8 bucks an hour regardless. What would he even care if you buy it or not? I don’t see why the same principle that applies to the guy working in the store doesn’t apply to the guy who pays his salary. And that guy cares. He’s paying the worker to help people looking to buy things in his store, not to provide free advice for people buying elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427/40 "2017-01-06T16:50:28Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I don’t see why the same principle that applies to the guy working in the store doesn’t apply to the guy who pays his salary. And that guy cares. He’s paying the worker to help people looking to buy things in his store, not to provide free advice for people buying elsewhere. It’s almost like you’re saying sales competition is somehow unfair. What if I showroom a purchase in one retail location and then walk out and buy it from its brick-and-mortar competition the next block over, because they offer a better deal? How is this any different? Still, for a lot of things, I actually prefer to buy local, out of a variety of motivations. But businesses aren’t some endangered species I’m obligated to support. Earn my custom or die, as far as I’m concerned. This shit ain’t a charity. Also, TBH, a salesman hanging over my shoulder spieling in my ear is a negative, not a positive. You do that shit, especially if I try to shoo you away and it doesn’t work, and I’ll make a point of buying someplace else. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browsing-in-stores-then-buying-online/776427.md?page=3)