Full Article on SMHSMH wrote:Bill Gordin can spot a ''price checker'' fairly easily these days, a customer who roams his bike shop not looking to buy but rather trawling for prices to compare with rapacious overseas online websites.
''They will take photos with their iPhone and write down things, they'll come in with a piece of paper, walk around the store … and then just walk out.''
There has been a lot of discussion about online prices here thopugh I want to share a different point:
1. Buyers have always looked around - not everyone who walks through the door and looks has to buy. I think Bill Gordin still has a fair view as he is not challenging the shoppers - rather it is an observation HOWEVER just because a person takes a photograph with a smart phone does not mean that they intend to buy elsewhere. I for example may take a photo to record certain details - check and compare specs plus also customers may compare with other bricks and mortar retailers. In my case, I have not taken photos or done price comparisons in local bike shops with the intent to purchase online.
1. As we move into the digital age, shopping behaviour is changing and specifically on the technology side, although more and more shoppers are equipt with smart phones and in this day and age are more likely to take a photo - once again it can't be taken as an assumption that the buyer is intending to purchase online.
The basis of these comments is also the survey we conducted earlier this year on BNA (not yet released... sign up to the BNA newsletterif you want to stay informed). The fact is the shoppers use a lot of channels to research though very very few actually have ever gone into a bike shop, taken time from staff and possibly tested / tried to then purchase the item online for cheaper.