Evans online vs in store prices - why?

[jugglingphil]

But the store is open and the staff are been paid regardless of if you but in store or online so whats the difference.

If everyone bought on-line and not in store, then the store will close.
There are pros and cons with both purchasing in store or on-line. I do both depending on what I'm buying.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

If everyone bought on-line and not in store, then the store will close.
There are pros and cons with both purchasing in store or on-line. I do both depending on what I'm buying.

I know what you are saying, but the whole shopping landscape needs to change.

People are not going to stop buying online, however there needs to be a place where people can actually go and physically handle the items and in the case of cycling get them repaired.

For instance I don't buy my most of my cycling clothing online I go to Cycle Sense in Tadcaster which is about 20 miles away because I can then handle it and try it on for size. When I first started going there I noticed that they were doing the prices in store are more expensive than online thing, but now I am a regular customer I always get a discount when I buy to bring the price in line with the website price.

 

[IDMark2]

Unfortunately price does come into play when it comes to buying the smaller items. I guess I will have no one blame but myself if the shop goes under.

Yes, but service is part of price. The staff cost for one, experienced staff cost more than trainees and passing-through disinterested part time students. The trouble is you can only afford three monkeys or one experienced staff member and the spiral starts, loyal customers upset that the service has dropped, don't come any more, you reduce prices to make up for that, have to let one staff member go, service gets slower and worse... Ends up with you and a shop full of unsold three year-old stock that no-one wants at any price and a bank manager is the only person keen to see you.

 

[IDMark2]

I think what I'm saying above is that price, online v instore needs to be fair for what is on offer and we, as consumers should not get used to thinking that both are the same thing. Big boys like Wiggle (they weren't always big) control the market and it's pricing, much like Tescos now dictate how much they are willing to pay per pint of milk. I bet distributors go to Wiggle and CRC with favourable deals on, for example a 20,000 or more piece order of a product because they know that's one delivery, one bill and business target reached. Indies can go to 10 or 20 pieces, will pay more per item and then have to compete with Wiggles price after MORE effort to sell the thing in the first place. I used to argue for an online sales tax or even a cut in VAT for bricks and mortar retailers, just something to even out the playing field a little.