At Woodcraft, it is a Franchise issue. You can tell that by the simple fact that some of you have great results at your local Woodcraft while some of us do not. Letting inventory drop over the holidays, when that should be one of their peak sales periods, is just ignorant or cheap; take you pick. A well run retail store will forward buy to cover increased demand for peak selling periods and promotions, assuming they actually track their sales. It all comes back to the level of the Franchise's involvement. Our Woodcraft won't even carry enough inventory to cover a promotion. They seem to figure that since you are now in the store, you will pay more for a substitute item. I chose to walk.
As for it being nice to visit the local store for some time critical supplies, that is exactly what I was trying to do three times in a row. Each time I am told that they won't get another order for 3-4 weeks. When asked if the items are even on order, the answer is "NO." So, it won't be 3-4 weeks because they have not even ordered them!
As for the BORG giving us lower prices, I get a better selection and much lower prices at the ACE Hardware store 15 miles away. Unfortunately, they don't carry turning stuff.
As for us getting what we asked for, I am not sure how we asked for mega stores to have the highest prices around, no service and lousy product mix. Blame the Internet all you want for those issues. Bottom line is many stores (Target and Wal*Mart for instance) have embraced the Internet and incorporated it into their overall market development plans. You can order on-line and pick up at the store. You can order on-line for Woodcraft, (and I have tried that at our local store) and I have had to wait nearly two months only to find out that the 4" JET face plate is not available... and only after I called them for the third time because they don't call their customers.
If any retail stores close their doors and want to blame it on the Internet, China, whatever, all they really have to do is look in the mirror. If they want to keep their customers, then service them so they keep coming back.
I paid more for groceries when I stopped by the locally owned IGA on the way home, because they remembered my name, I could get my meats sliced any way I wanted without feeling like I was interrupting their business, they bagged and carried things to my car without even asking "do you want help out?" (and yes I could carry my own bags but when the "courtesy clerk" does it as part of their job description, why not let them?) Now we live in an area with only national chain stores and service is a four letter word.
Like the saying: "Lead, follow or get out of the way." Some stores will lead and others will follow their lead and some will get out of the way (close). The first two will benefit themselves and their customers and the last one will get what THEY ASKED FOR, which was "please shop at my competitors, or on-line, because meeting my customers needs is too much work."
Customers will drive the market; always have and always will. Stores that cannot or will not adapt or change, will close, as they should. Economic evolution in action.
Power to the Customer!!
Disclaimer:</u>
Only one man's opinion. Your mileage may vary. Take two of anything and call someone in the morning, side effects should be mild and if "IT" lasts for longer than four hours see your doctor immediately.