Craft Shop? or Online Craft Shop?

PHYSICAL CRAFT SHOP OR ONLINE CRAFT SHOP

Docrafts 31 Day Blog Prompt Day 24

This is kind of an unfair question to discuss, because like many pother people there will be craft shops in our area that we don't use.......not because they are not good, but for a variety of reasons.

So, first of all nearby we have Cullen Crafts, a craft shop in Elgin and instore at a garden centre in Forres.  If I go to a bricks and mortar craft shop, I tend to go to the Papetiere in Aberdeen.

The thing is, we are all governed by how much money we have to spend, but there are also other factors to take into account.  I have turned up with a purse full of money only to find the craft shop shut both in Elgin and in Cullen, which made the journeys a waste of time for me.

I go to Aberdeen and treat it as a whole day out with a friend.  We stop at Kellockbank for morning coffee and a nibble, then go on to the Papetiere to shop! A lot!!  Then we go to the nearby carvery just up the road from the craft shop for lunch (usually a very late lunch) as it is an all day carvery.........and then it's homeward bound.  This doesn't happen a lot, but about 3 or 4 times a year.

Supporting a bricks and mortar shop is not easy when they have to up their prices to cover their costs of the building, heating and, of course, holding stock that may not sell.  It can't be easy to know what to stock.  The Paptiere offer us drinks, and much more importantly a chair for me to sit on as I am unable to stand for any length of time.  They are helpful in practical ways, which gives me a good feeling that I have not inconvenienced them but that they enjoyed serving me.  That makes me want to return.

Online shopping usually wins for me because of the convenience of having everything delivered to my door, which really helps when I can't get out and about.   The cost is usually less than in the shops around us too, which means I can get better value for money. 

Supporting local business should not be used as a weapon against online shopping and online shopping should not be a threat to local shops.  How can this be resolved?  I don't have the answer to this, but I know the way I have been treated in one local craft shop was so bad that I vowed never to go back there again, and I haven't ...... even when they moved to bigger and better premises. If people who run these shops would take a minute to realise we are there for a good shopping experience, it would make you feel inclined to return.  

I have only ever had one negative experience with an online shop and again, I wouldn't go back there.  I love my crafting and enjoy the different things that each online shop sells.........for example:

icon.co.uk sell spellbinder dies at very reasonable prices, much less than you would pay in a bricks and mortar shop, and they have a huge choice.

CraftsUlove sell beautiful flower ribbons, Marianne dies, Memory keeper dies and I love their prompt service.

CraftsUprint have many great designers wand you can ask them to design a card for you (if you are like me and can't do computer designing) Instant downloading is fabulous, and they don't just design cards.

Fred She Said also sells her designs  and they are downloadable instantly too.

Of course Docrafts online is brilliant and their service is second to none too. 

When it all comes down to it, I think money or lack of it makes the choice whether to shop locally or online as well as knowing that you will get what you need when you get there.

The one major difference between online and bricks and mortar is that you won't be offered demonstrations or classes online, but that service is usually available at a good craft shop.

I hope I have not offended anyone who has an online shop or a real bricks and mortar shop.

Love and hugs

Annie xxx