Opus 2019-133: On the Street: Quality Checks

There are a fair number of people who don’t like to buy things on line.  I am one of them.  I like to see and feel what I am buying.  I know that many on-line businesses have great return policies but if I can hold something I don’t need to mail it back, just put it on the shelf. 

One of the reasons I would rather buy in person is because I agree with the idea of buying locally and supporting the people who pay taxes where we live.  It isn’t always possible.  I don’t know how many times I have wanted a specific item but could find no place locally that carried it.  I understand how hard it is to keep a large inventory.

So I wanted to buy some dry boxes for ammunition.  I knew what I wanted and had an idea of what was available so I checked out the local stores, on line of course.  I found that a sporting goods chain called Academy Sports had what I wanted so I went shopping in person.  I had the cash.  I knew what I wanted.  I was ready to buy.  To sweeten the deal I was handed a coupon when I went in the store that made them more than competitive with Amazon.  I wanted four boxes and when I got to the shelf there were four of what I wanted.  Sweet.

Or not.

I opened the first one and took a quick look.  It looked good to go.  The second one had the hinge pin half way out and would not work properly.  The third one had half the hinge pulled out and the rim bent.  The fourth was the same.  I looked at the first again and saw that the hinge on it was bad too. 

I went home, ordered from Amazon and had them in two days.  They were in perfect shape.

I tried, but if they want my business the local stores are going to have to step up to the plate and do their part.  I don’t live in a socialist country, at least not yet.  If they can’t get their act together the competition will eat their shorts.

homo unius libri