Tales of the Village - convenience factors
By Boingboing
@boiboing (13153)
Northampton, England
January 15, 2019 8:05am CST
We have a small hardware store in the village. Actually that's a lie, it's really not so small but compared to all the chains of mega-stores that are more typical these days, it's quite a small affair. I've long believed that if you need anything practical, it's probably to be found SOMEWHERE in the store - but heaven help you if you need to find it.
I went in and headed straight to the counter as I knew I'd struggle to find what I wanted. Did they have any metal curtain hooks?
The store man rubbed his chin thoughtfully and then took me straight to the curtain hook display. They weren't cheap at £1.25 for 6 but I only needed 12 hooks so I was happy to pay £2.50 for my requirements. The last time I bought such hooks on Amazon I'd paid £3.69 for a pack of 50 so these were not such a bargain.
However, if I'd gone into town for the hooks, I'd have paid a couple of pounds in fuel, a couple more for parking and probably have been tempted into buying a load of other stuff I didn't really need.
Sometimes it's better to pay more for less and have it a five minute walk from home than to order online and wait several days or to travel further for a better price.
10 people like this
9 responses
@LadyDuck (471541)
• Switzerland
15 Jan 19
I love those stores, we have one not far from home, but for some things they are too expensive. I needed to replace the push starter rubber button of our gas mower last summer. I asked at our local store and they wanted 15 Swiss Francs for 1 button (more or less $16). I ordered from Amazon and I got 2 for the price of $1.50... I could start a business considering how many own a gas mower here.
1 person likes this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
16 Jan 19
When we moved here we had one of those shops. It closed down a few years later, unfortunately. Such a shame.
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
16 Jan 19
I'm very happy that our village can support outlets for most of our daily - and less frequent - needs. We have 2 pubs, an Indian restaurant and a Chinese takeaway, a chip shop and two coffee shops, a small supermarket, a greengrocers, a butcher, a post office, a jewelers, 4 hairdressers (yes! 4), the recycling centre and a health centre. Oh, and not to forget, a library.
@dgobucks226 (35608)
•
19 Jan 19
Now that's putting a good spin on shopping! I like that positive rationale and in this case it all evens out in the end.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (13020)
• Ireland
15 Jan 19
@boiboing I ordered a book from amazon last week. The package arrived today on time but inside were a pair of Dame Edna type spectacles. I informed Amazon, received an apology and a promise of a replacement asap. The best bit however is that they said I can keep the glasses free of charge. What am I going to do with a pair of Dame Edna glasses?
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (19949)
• United States
15 Jan 19
I don't have any stores walking distance here.I lived in a small town when I grew up, and we had a convenience store, a library, and a post office in walking distance. I bought some shower curtain hooks last year from Amazon. I love them.
1 person likes this
