# How often do you engage in 'showrooming'? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 17, 2016, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028 "2016-05-17T19:48:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/1 "2016-05-17T19:48:17Z")
The practice of browsing or examining something in a physical store and then buying it online. About the only thing I regularly showroom is books. I’ll browse the local national chain bookstore and then purchase the eBook version online simply because there’s currently no option to get eBooks at the store. Though one time while browsing I saw a box tabletop game set that looked interesting but I wanted to see the reviews before shelling out 60 bucks. When I got home and looked it up on Amazon the price tag was in the 35 range. So in addition to your showrooming habits, what are your opinions of the practice? Personally I really have no moral qualms with it unless you’re tying up a salesperson’s time asking questions, especially if they are in a commissioned position. Poll follows. The selection for ‘certain classes’ covers anything that can be considered a class from electronics to price ranges. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/2 "2016-05-17T19:59:35Z")
Also, if you choose ‘certain classes’ or ‘other’, please elaborate. ---
**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:** [May 17, 2016, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/3 "2016-05-17T20:01:58Z")
I voted “Occasionally”. When I do it, it is usually because I have decided the item in question is out of my budget to purchase at the price I am finding it in stores. If I do find it for significantly less on line, I might go ahead and buy it. I never, ever tie up a salesperson’s time trying on running shoes, for example. Getting their expertise in finding what shoes are best for my feet, and for the type of running I’m doing, etc. and then ordering them online. To me this sort of this is just as bad or worse than not tipping your server at a restaurant. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/4 "2016-05-17T20:11:50Z")
Never. But that’s because I’m impatient and if I see it at the store I’ll want to get it then. I prefer to see what I’m buying anyway. I don’t recall any case where the savings from shopping on-line were enough to make me leave the store and order online. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/5 "2016-05-17T20:15:12Z")
I would vote “never,” but not for the two reasons given. I sometimes shop online, so that rules out the last option. I don’t think it’s unfair to stores (or don’t care if it is) so that rules out the other one. I don’t do it because if I see something I like at a store, I’m going to buy it then and there and not take the extra effort to buy it online cheaper. I’m not that price sensitive. ---
**Author:** ![NeonMadman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58f4c7/32.png) [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/6 "2016-05-17T21:22:02Z")
I picked “certain classes,” and I’m not sure whether this even qualifies. But whenever I see a Redbox, I walk up to it and check out what movies are available. If I see something I like, I snap a picture of it with my phone, then I go home and add it to my Netflix list. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/7 "2016-05-17T21:30:26Z")
I picked other, because I never shop in physical stores. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/8 "2016-05-17T21:37:01Z")
I am quite tall, wear a size 14 shoe. It is quite common for a store not to stock my size “but we can order it for you”. In that case I will just buy it online. Saves a trip back to store to pick it up, waiting to have it fetched, waiting while they can’t find it, turns out the reason the other store still had a 14 was because the shoes actually in the box are 12s. I have experienced all of these before there was such a thing as online shopping. It is a godsend for the hard to fit. But if they have my size, I’ll buy it from the store. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/9 "2016-05-17T21:51:01Z")
Can’t see a poll on TapaTalk but I’ll comment anyway. I’ve never intentionally showroomed but if I happen to see something I like in a store I’ll sometimes check Amazon for addional information or ratings. Sometimes I’ll buy local if it’s convenient rather than jump to Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/10 "2016-05-17T21:58:44Z")
I will do almost anything to save a dollar. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/11 "2016-05-17T21:58:58Z")
Never. The entire point of buying things online is not having to get of my ass. If you are already at the store why would you ever go back home, pay shipping costs, and then wait days to have the item? Neither of the never options are accurate, you need a “never, why would i ever do something stupid like that?” answer. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/12 "2016-05-17T23:20:52Z")
First off, the main reason I’m likely to do this is a large disparity in price. If I’m buying a computer monitor, I have to see it in action and won’t just trust ad copy or web-based images. If the local computer store is $250 and online is $230, I’ll pick it up and store and call it good. When the online price is $150… sorry, store, but you have to be more competitive. Anyway, as to classes of items, I think I hinted at it - it’s for things where an in-person appreciation of the item matters based on things like appearance, ergonomics, and comfort. I want to sit on that chair, wear those pants, see that jewelry up close. As I said, I will happily pay a small premium to buy from the showroom, but when the differential gets more than about 10-15%, I start going where I can save money. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/13 "2016-05-17T23:30:37Z")
Almost never (I won’t say _absolutely_ never since I might have done it in the way back and don’t remember.) mostly because if I see an item in a store I want to buy, the price difference between it and an online vendor simply isn’t enough for me to not just get it while I’m at the store. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/14 "2016-05-17T23:30:44Z")
Never. If I see something I want in a store, I buy it. I figure the extra cost of paying for it in person is balanced out by not having to find it online, pay shipping for it, and maybe getting something that isn’t exactly what I wanted. Granted, I do a bunch of shopping online, but I don’t go to a store first to see if I like it. I’ve actually gone the other way around–searched online for desktop computers, got a few names I liked, went to Best Buy and bought one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/15 "2016-05-18T00:02:41Z")
Sadly, I find myself trying to spend money locally only to discover a complete lack of selection. It seams that box stores have given up on using buyers and now all carry the same stuff. I end up shopping online out of frustration. And it doesn’t seem to matter what the product is. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/16 "2016-05-18T00:07:08Z")
Occasionally but I tend to go both ways. Frequently I’ll have checked things out online before hitting a store for a chance to check viable options out in person. I’ll sometimes buy in store after effectively showrooming more detailed specs and reviews online first. Sometimes I’ll end up buying online after checking things out in person (if there’s a big difference in price after shipping or a slightly different model that’s a better fit than what’s in the store.) Both only and physical stores get used for what they are best at in providing information to make a decision. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/17 "2016-05-18T00:16:32Z")
Like others, I’m an Other: Never – I don’t do it but not because of any consideration to the store, but because I’m right there and it’s in my hands and the savings usually aren’t enough to go home, order and wait for it vs. just buying it. I suppose there’s circumstances where I’d do it such as a large appliance or electronics purchase where the savings would be $100+ but it hasn’t come up. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2016, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/18 "2016-05-18T00:23:50Z")
I’m short, and stores almost never have any significant stock of clothing that actually fits me without alterations. So sometimes I will look in stores for clothing brands that I know carry a petite line, and then order the petites online. Usually when I buy other things online, it’s because there’s an insane price difference, or (as for shoes) it’s an item where I already know my size in that brand but there’s better selection (or any selection at all) online. Shoes are a particular PITA because I have custom orthotics and a really jacked-up left ankle, and through years of trial and error I have kind of figured out what brands and styles work for me. And it can be hard to find the right thing locally, even in a metro area of ~ 8 million. So for example, when I discovered the brand of running shoes that makes my feet the happiest, I bought the first pair from the neighborhood running store where I tried them on. But I have bought subsequent pairs online for roughly half price (for last season’s model). ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/19 "2016-05-18T01:15:23Z")
Basically never. The only reason I ever go into a brick & mortar store is because I want something now. Otherwise, I do all my research and ordering online. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028/20 "2016-05-18T01:20:28Z")
Didn’t use to, but after the local sales tax went up to 11.5% two years ago… Also, I mean, sorry Mr. Big Box but you do not ship orders to PR even though you have stores here, and on top of it you charge a higher price base price on the limited stock you do have in-store? Well helloooo Amazon… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-engage-in-showrooming/755028.md?page=2)