My idea of shopping is to wander through a neighborhood business district somewhere while hanging out with a friend or two, and buy whatever jumps off the shelves? or? hangars at me.? Big Box is too much work.? Fighting traffic, fighting for a parking place, trying to figure out where the shopping carts after trekking from the back 40 of the parking lot, then trying to figure out where the section of the store I need is.? Once found, trekking back to the front (segways, anyone?) and standing in a line behind half the planet, while surrounded by total junk and unhealthy choices.? Uck.
However – a nephew is marrying a wonderful and talented woman, and they are registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond, and at Macy’s.? I often run through Macy’s on my way to meetings downtown, spot something on the rack, and pay for it on the run.? This time, I needed a shower gift, decided to look online at BB&B, and found they have an order on line, pick up in the store, free gift wrap service.? Just 5 minutes from me, and where I had some errands to run next day.
So I did as instructed, and it went very well!? I emptied one category of their registry, ordered it, and waited next morning for the email telling me to pick up.? When it didn’t come, I called the store – they said it was ready (I actually got the email 3 days later).? I showed up on their doorstep, paid, they gift wrapped and I was on my way in 5 minutes.
My idea of avoiding that great American pastime – shopping.? I’m glad somebody invented it.