There are times I think retail people have it wrong. I don't think it's web vs, brick and mortar, it's web vs. people. Now I want to be clear, I get shopping online. I do it myself. It's a convenience, it's easy, it's free shipping, it's fun to do. Is it the experience you really want?
I want to go to a store and interact with people. No, I don't mean the annoying sales person who is slimy. There are perfectly good sales people out there, who can share their knowledge and expertise, which I find invaluable.
Clicking "submit" doesn't really tell me how a shoe fits or feels. "Continue payment" can't tell you about an experience in a marathon, or encourage me in mine. "Go to checkout" doesn't care if this is your first 5K or not.
The people in the running store are wanting to help you succeed. They want to do their best for you. They want to be there for you. Amazon, for all it's ease, simply doesn't care. Running Warehouse could not care less about your training for a half.
Those sites are great at offering you 30% off. Never fear, running stores are doing the same thing, so why not support a local business(or a locally operated business)?
Charlie
