Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge. The question for Week 16 is:
Online shopping or go to stores?
Shopping in Person:
I choose both, or I did before a pandemic took over the world. The reason I like going to clothing stores or shoe stores to shop is because I need to try on clothes, shoes, lingerie, the whatnot that goes on my body. I like to go shopping shortly after they open so it isn’t too busy, which allows me to lollygag and just look and touch, and to notice what mannequins are showing off.
If I’m looking for a new television, laptop, printer, electronic device, or even a TV table or desk, I like to see the item in person.
It’s no surprise I love bookstores, but I rarely purchase print books because they are too difficult for me to read with my eye issues. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t look, touch, and smell books, and browse whatever else bookstores have for sale.
My last recent purchases from inside an electronics store was a TV stand and Bluetooth headphones, earbud style. I had intended on purchasing headphones, but when I looked in person, most over-the-head headphones didn’t fit comfortably. If I had ordered online, I would not have known this.
Another new thing though… I never thought I’d order groceries online until I went into self-isolation and then lived with Stay Home Stay Safe orders. Going into the store helped me go above my daily step quota and actually see another human being in person and hear my voice. I am a Michigangander and ALL FOR the Michigan Stay Home Stay Safe order to continue.
Online Shopping:
Sometimes online shopping has better discounts.
I’ve grown to like online grocery shopping. All I have to do is order and pick it up. However, I look
forward to in-store shopping for food for as long as I’m able to drive and walk.
Once I’ve purchased clothing or shoes, I’ll order that brand online with confidence.
Once, I ordered a Kindle Fire and iPad online from the same electronics store mentioned above. All I had to do was see the specifications. I also purchased my fitness wrist tracker online without knowing one thing about buying one. It’s a great purchase though for spur-of-the-minute.
My computer is not staying connected to the internet these days, so a new computer might be in my future…by shopping online. Hmm.
These days, you can purchase anything online from flowering plants to hardware items to vehicles. It’s still fun to go to the store, but I like the choice.
Thanks for stopping by today. Have a wonderful weekend.
About Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop. “Each week, authors use our writing prompt to create a meaningful blog post. We’ll be posting every Friday… join us as often as possible.” Please click HERE to visit participating authors.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
18 thoughts on “#MFRWauthor Week 16: Shopping? Pick Up the Phone or Walk Inside”
Jacquie Biggar
I love the convenience of online shopping, plus it stops a lot of impulse buying! lol
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I noticed that, Jacquie, about it preventing impulse buying. Good! It’s necessities now.
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Jacqui Murray
I giggle at the Former Me who wondered who would buy clothing online when you couldn’t try it on???
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I know what you mean, Jacqui!
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markbierman
The world has certainly changed, hasn’t it? I dread going into the store now.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
It sure has, Mark. I’m not looking forward to going into a store at all for some time. Thank you for visiting.
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D. Wallace Peach
I do my grocery shopping in person, Mary, but everything else is online. Especially these days. My computer is acting up too. What’s up with that?? It seems there are a few bloggers having problems. An online laptop may be on my list too (that’s something I prefer to buy in person). I hope you’re doing well and weathering this lockdown in good health. Happy shopping!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I’m lucky, in that, a friend of mine does go into stores and grabs what she can for me that I can’t order. Then I pick it up from her porch, stick the money in the door, and wave through the window. Sigh. Her cat came over to the window to say hi too. 🙀 Knock on wood, but my computer seems to have straightened out after I made a couple tweaks. It isn’t the first time I’ve had computer issues when it’s getting close to publishing a book. Nothing like raising the stress level. And talk about scary, but I haven’t been feeling well these last two days. I’m hoping it’s allergies acting up because they are bad this year. Wow, I just wrote a mini-non-fiction story here. 🙄
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Teagan R. Geneviene
Hi Mary. I was about to ask if you are able to get everything you need, then I saw this reply to Diana. There isn’t much in the way of delivery here, so if I can’t get it online, I do without. I’m beginning to be concerned about Crystal’s prescription cat food (it’s backordered), but fortunately I had a surplus before this mess started. Stay happy and sassy, my friend. Hugs on the wing.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Hi, Teagan. Oh no. I hope you get Crystal’s food. Can you double order? I have learned to do without too. Every time I pick up an order, some items aren’t included. Are frozen veggies considered high demand now? Seems to be an in-store item too. My body misses them. Thanks for visiting.
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Teagan R. Geneviene
Fortunately I had a good supply of Crystal’s food. When this happens, they let me go ahead and place the order so that I’m “in line”.
Right, I miss frozen vegetables and meats too. I decided to fork out the price of a Costco membership — to get things shipped. (There’s no store near me, even if I were able.) I see it as one more place where I can watch for the things I need to come available. I seem to spend a lot of time “watching for” stuff… Anyhow I was able to grab a big package of frozen Schwan’s meals (like home chef, but all the chopping is already done). It’s 7 meals for 4 people, meats and vegetables — that should last me a long time! trouble is, I placed the order a week ago and it hasn’t even shipped yet.
https://www.costco.com/schwan%E2%80%99s-7-healthy-meals-for-4-in-30-minutes.product.100484887.html
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
All shipping and delivery is backed up now, Teagan. So is online ordering for pickup. Hang in there.
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D. Wallace Peach
Computers… arrgh. It’s amazing how many bloggers are having issues at the worst time. Mine was fritzing a couple of mornings ago. It appears that we are over the hump with this virus and if everyone can just be a little more patient…. Have a safe and peaceful week, Mary. ❤
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
We’re far from over the hump, and i fear we will open up things too soon. Patience is the keyword. If only our computers are too. Be well. Be safe.
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Helen Henderson
Never thought I would try online grocery shopping either. Was lucky enough to get a delivery to home slot the other week. Wasn’t too bad an experience. But I could still drive there and walk through the store in less time than the online shopping and repeat tries to get an open delivery slot.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I never thought I would, either, unless, there was some reason I couldn’t go myself. Yes, it took me two days to get through and finally on the 3rd day before 3:30 a.m., I got through for a delivery a week from now. I still think it’s worth the wait because I’m not going into a store unless I’m desperate. How about you, Helen?
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Cathy Brockman
It gets real easy to just stay home LOL. I wish we could get groceries delivered here, but then I may never get out again LOL (once this is all over)
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
It does us no good now when we can’t get an order. The last time I waited over a week. Now there is nothing. I stay home so much that I look forward to going to the store, but not these days. I may not have a choice. You would love the online grocery shopping, Cathy. Just pull up and get loaded then go. No contact.
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