Does Cabela's Really Need To Sell Guns Online?

The news item that Cabela's is now offering in-store pickup for guns purchased online is disturbing for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, this would seem to indicate a big enough demand to take the retailer's time and attention in order to implement.

Next, it will be interesting to see if this retailer suffers any backlash from this decision. On one hand, the recent wave of violence around the world and mass shootings in the U.S. are reasons for some people to desire to purchase a gun. But on the other hand, there is a large number of people who have stronger feelings against guns being available to the extent that they currently are.

This company becomes the largest of the six national retailers (and keep in mind the word "retailers") who now sell guns online.

Although the increased number of consumers who wish to purchase a gun is understandable to some, making them more readily available on the internet, which should be a huge concern.

We shouldn't have to wait until there is an arrest of a gun owner for a murder case followed by the person arrested claiming their online ordering account was hacked for this to be stopped.

In this age when so many retailers and large companies are making it more and more difficult to have actual human contact and feedback via their web sites, we would like to think that making a dangerous weapon available via this avenue would be the least of their concerns.

https://www.internetretailer.com/2016/08/29/cabelas-offers-store-pickup-guns-bought-online

Now Staples Begins Limits On Free Shipping

The news this week that Staples has joined many other major online retailers by implementing a minimum or limit on free shipping is still another step by retailers to make things more difficult for consumers.

It is another way that many major retailers are hurting themselves. Many large retailers no longer stock multiple versions of a similar item these days. It has gotten to the point where the "store" as we know it is becoming more of a showroom that hopes to sell us the floor model.

They figure that customers wanting something specific can easily order it online. And now, they are expecting us to pay EXTRA to order it and have it shipped to our door when it is not our choice.

If the retailer does not have the item in its store, they leave us with no choice but to order it online. In that instance, I see no reason why we, as consumers, should have to pay for shipping because they choose not to have it immediately available to us.

When this happens, and it is happening more and more, it is an inconvenience to us to have to wait several days to receive the item we want, regardless of whether it comes to our homes or if we need to return to the store in order to get it.

I'll say this again. If the retailer does not have an item they offer in stock, we as consumers should not be forced to pay extra to receive it days later. Yes, shipping costs money. However, getting items to their customers is a cost of doing business.

http://dealnews.com/features/Staples-Rewards-Members-Just-Lost-a-Major-Perk/1619768.html