E-trade

I searched for a florist shop. All I got on the internet were internet florists. Finally, I searched for florists in my and nearby towns. That got some action but lo and behold, every town but two had no florists at all. The ones I remember have all closed. Disappeared.

I asked friends for suggestions, and they told me about one shop in a neighboring village that still had an active florist shop. I visited it. With snow piled everywhere, finding a parking spot and the front door was a challenge. Also, I walk with a rollator walker and/or cane. The walks were too narrow for me to use the walker, so I stumbled my way on a path I hoped would lead to a door. I did. I found the door, up three steps and down a long-covered porch.

Once inside I found a shop empty of people but beautifully decorated for the season. My entry made noises and soon a clerk appeared. She helped me with my purchase, and we concluded with electronic payment. All was well.

We discussed shopping in today’s America. She agreed it was difficult for those with mobility problems. We soon discovered we both lived in the general area for 40 to 53 years. More topics were covered, and we had a good time of it. In all that time, however, not one other customer entered the shop.

The backstory to my shopping trip is this: I have had five attempted frauds on my credit card and my debit card in the last two years. This became so serious that my credit union replaced the credit card, replaced the checking account, and also had to release five debit cards in rapid succession. Understand I never lost a dime. But the credit union and I traced my activity and all the transactions in question were done on Facebook. I stopped buying anything on Facebook.

I still attempted internet transactions but suddenly the sellers were asking for additional information to prove I was who I said I was. Being 82+, I could not figure out what they needed or how to get it. So went to real stores. There they not only knew me, but I had driver’s license and photo ID ready at hand. No problems. The transactions went through.

This raises two conclusions for me; first, E-sale transactions are replacing many in-person sales. This is marked by less traffic to actual storefronts; thus, the number of stores is declining. Second, e-sales are our first instinct for action, so much so that shopping behavior has changed. Enormously. It is hard to justify the costs of renting a storefront and operating it when few people visit. Unless you have to try on a piece of clothing or need to feel and inspect the quality of the product, I bet you don’t go to the store itself. If you know and trust the size, you buy online.

Even if I’m shopping for ideas of what to buy, I do so on the internet to learn what I need to know, then I may go to a store to buy it or just do it online.

Sales figures are researched by economists. They report rising sales data. Shrinking or closing stores is not an indication of failing business, just altered shopping behavior. That’s why internet activity is soaring. It is also why competitive pricing is working in our favor.

Now, if I can solve the electronic card issues, I will return to the internet to buy stuff. I will miss the pleasant interchange with store clerks, though.

December 17, 2025 

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