Shopping online vs. local—notes from a self-proclaimed shopaholic


Shopping addiction, me? Nooooo...yes. Yes, I do. I have a major shopping addiction. My only saving grace is that I am also Swedish, which means I am cheap—or as I like to call it, “frugal.” But, let's be honest, we all have some weakness or addiction in one form or another. I like to shop. “Hello, my name is Carrie, and I am a shopaholic.” There, that wasn't so hard.

I guess I consider myself to be very lucky in the job I am in. Not only am I the customer service coordinator, but I also buy for the Rockford Art Museum (RAM) Store. It's my dream job. I feel like it's Christmas every day I go to work. Sweating with anticipation as the UPS guy comes in every day, delivering goodies to me, my grubby, little fingers tearing violently into the boxes, eyes misting over as I stare at what's inside. I may sound crazy, but you know what it's like. Addiction.

I've also started to see how the Internet is my arch-nemesis. All of my favorite stores are easily accessible with the click of my mouse—stores beckoning me with “free shipping” and “online-only” jazz. I am tired of it all. I feel like I am a rabbit that has a carrot dangling in front of my nose. I am teased daily with sweet sales and shoes I can't live without. Again, I thank my ancestry for self-control and buyers' remorse.

Although Internet shopping is convenient, as a store manager, I tend to resent the Internet and its brash, slimy come-on lines. Yes, I realize you can make your prices lower, and you will promise me just about anything to get my credit card digits. What I'd like to ask you, my fellow consumers, is “Whatever happened to customer service?”

Isn't it wonderful to physically go into a store and have someone greet you with a smile, answer your questions, perhaps even gift-wrap your purchases? Doesn't that add value to your shopping experience? I would certainly say so.

There are many of us out there feeling the strain of the current economic situation—we're barely able to keep our heads above water, I know. Times are difficult. And I also realize there are many things online that we need and can't get here in town. But, for the love of God, if there is something you can get in your own community, and it supports your local small businesses—please, consider shopping in town. Let's face it, during these hard times, we need to do it the “old school” way, come together—like George, Mary, Clarence and the rest of Bedford Falls—and support each other.

Just in case you need some shopping inspiration, here are my top five picks: JR Kortman Center for Design, Poska, La Mendola, B. Jones, Just Goods, and of course, Rockford Art Museum Store. It's awesome.

Happy shopping!

Contact RAM Education Director Carrie Breitbach at cbreitbach@rockfordartmuseum.org.

From the May 13-19, 2009 issue
Copyright 2002-2009 The Rock River Times

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