Amazon Is Crushing Main Street and Threatening the Vitality of Our Communities

[tabbycat31]

44. I personally think Amazon can coexist with Main Street

I don't buy many books (I use my library for both paper and ebooks, I also have access to family member's library cards and use other library's ebook catalogs--- there's an app called Overdrive that I'd highly recommend.) The last book I bought was an ebook that was deeply discounted on Amazon ($1.99). Before that, I last bought a book at a used bookstore in rural Maine. (I really only buy books to use as reference books, otherwise I use the library).

There are some things that are harder to buy online. Sometimes you have to use your senses to shop around for what to buy. Amazon may show me a nice picture of the product and a pretty good description, but the smell and feel of the product you can't get from the internet. A good fuzzy sweater is something that you have to physically feel to test the fuzziness. If I want a scented candle, I want to be able to smell it first. I don't want to take other's words on how fuzzy the sweater is or what that candle smells like. In addition, anything that I have to try on (including cases for various devices) I prefer to buy in person. I could have saved a ton of $$ on my phone's screen protector by ordering it online, but I paid extra to buy it in person and have the employee of the mall kiosk install it for me (I'm not good at these things).

The Main Street businesses that tend to do well in my area are all consumables (coffee shops, bagel shops, restaurants, etc). I do patronize them over a chain (ok well the coffee shops have lost business from me thanks to me making my coffee at home instead of buying it). Locally owned businesses also have an ability to provide a level of service that a chain or etailer cannot. I buy my aquarium supplies and fish from a locally owned store as opposed to Petsmart because they know what they're talking about. They know that two breeds of fish won't get along with each other and talk me out of getting both.

But yeah I have no issue ordering many things online.

(Disclaimer, I'm an Amazon Prime member).