On 11/09/09 13:33, Warp wrote:
>    Is this somehow different there (wherever it might be)? Is it that there
> aren't any computer hardware stores nearby and you have to buy them
> remotely and get them by mail or something? Or is it that stores don't
> have hardware in stock, they just order them on demand?

	Don't know how the dynamics work out in Europe, with there being 
different countries, etc.

	Over here, stores can't compete with online retailers when it comes to 
prices. And as has been mentioned, if the online retailer isn't 
physically in your state, you don't pay sales tax.

	A physical store can only serve the people in your area. An online 
store serves the whole country. When n gets large, it's easier to 
predict and manage the volume. A physical store may simply not stock up 
on items rarely sold, whereas an Internet store (particularly a well 
known one) is guaranteed that same item will be sold often (because the 
whole country is now the market).

	Despite all this, most people I know will buy electronics locally. 
Geeks are particular, and want to save money, and think it's geeky to 
optimize for money. So they're more likely to buy online. Since you 
mostly interact with geeks from other countries, you're suffering from 
observation bias.

-- 
Engineers: often wrong, seldom in doubt.

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