To shop, or...?

Snow's on the ground again...
Christmas is coming. The patriots are shopping. And I?...

I am wondering if I really like the way this blog is looking. The "SALE!" stuff. The "click and save"? I dunno... I do like the idea of Bush being dragged away with a candy cane. But the whole shopping thing makes me mad, and I'm sort of loathe to play any part in it. And yet, retail is, quite literally, bread and butter for my family and my intrepid staff.

"Patriotic shopping", or any kind of bonanza shopping, makes me mad for so many reasons, that I don't even know where to start. Giving more money to corporate behemoths? Money we don't have, and they have too much of anyway? Consumerism as a defining feature of our American character? Filling our homes with stuff, of which there is never enough, as we seek some kind of therapeutic release for our frustrations that often have to do with too much stuff?

And then, there is the fact that rarely, if ever, are we encouraged to support small, local businesses based, heart and soul, in our communities. Businesses that provide products and services that can really make a difference in your day, your week, your life. A cup of freshly brewed coffee, served by a person who knows just how you like it. Bread that was baked with character this very morning. A comfortable place to hang out with your friends, or alone, or with your laptop. Aisles of books that smell like books and have prices discretely penciled on the inside of the back cover. Clothes that have outlived their usefulness for someone, but are just the thing you need to liven up your wardrobe. The pharmacists who greets you by your first name (yes, I have one).  The mechanic who understands the inner workings of your vehicle. Bicycles that fulfill your dreams of independent travel...

And people. People who care whether you come in or not.  Who take pride in their workmanship, or the service they provide. Who help create the culture of the community. Who believe that how well they do their job will affect how well your day goes.

How willingly do we trade that for crowded parking lots, disposable goods, lowest prices, and a trampled worker at Walmart?

Comments

[Charlotte]

I am just appalled at the trampling, and can't imagine ever shopping at Walmart again though I will probably be forced to.

I just try to stage a mini-revolution with my measly dollars.

[Cullen Carter]

I totally understand your ambivilance with taking part of the rampant American consumerism. But your readers are intelligent, and I'm sure they don't feel like they *HAVE* to click the "SAVE click for specials" link.

Plus, I'm sure, most readers realize that you just host "ads" like that so your awesome blog can survive.

[Bike Jax]

Those "click to save" specials on this site lead to a local shop of "People who care whether you come in or not. Who take pride in their workmanship, or the service they provide. Who help create the culture of the community. Who believe that how well they do their job will affect how well your day goes" (I can only assume not having visited) and not to a box chain. I don't see the problem with them.

[Justyna]

Well, yes. The links do lead to a shop that I hope is this type of shop. It is our shop. The ambivalence I am expressing comes from the fact that I don't want to come across as advocating rampant consumerism, or encourage people to purchase stuff they don't need, but I obviously want customers to shop with us for the holidays. I actually happen to believe that the products and services we sell are useful, non-disposable, and support a healthier, happier lifestyle. And, while on the one hand I feel sheepish about participating in this pre-holiday push toward shopping, on the other hand I am more than a little dismayed that the general public seems to prefer shopping malls to local community merchants. I'm happy to hear that the "general public" doesn't iclude everybody ;)

[John]

Many of us do all those things you talk about. Local coffee shops, with wifi. The car mechanic, bakery and bike shop. And of course, the bookstore
Those that are still around are doing well. But the future look dim for any new people doing this.

The Walmart thing? For years I have subscribed that if I can only get something at Walmart, I go without.

[scott]

I've been thinking about your post and the comments of other readers for a few days now, and I just want to add my voice to what others have already said. The Bicycle Spokesman is appealing to everyone to support local bike shops. You run a local bike shop, and the challenges to your survival are no small thing. And unlike so many mega-stores that exist solely for the purposes of profit, no matter what they sell or how they frame their pitch, you really are offering both service and support in addition to merchandise. So, if you want, on occasion, to post coupons on your blog (where you also happen, far more often, to talk about stuff that has little to do with making a sale), bully for you.

[Justyna]

Thank you, Scott, especially for your empathy toward local bike shop operators, and appreciation of the challenges we face. And also for promoting local bike shops on your site.