The Retail Game
My husband will be the first to tell you that if you can't find it at Fleet Farm, then you don't need it. To him, it is the true farmer's mecca. Year round he can find his staples: duct tape, fencing supplies, belts for the tractors and his pants, plain old blue jeans and microwave popcorn. He's a creature of routine and Fleet Farm caters to him. And for the most part he's pretty happy.
Me, on the other hand, has to forage around town to find the rest of our family's needs. (Unfortunately Fleet Farm doesn't carry groceries). And in my quest to feed and clothe my family I have endured endless frustration by the retail game played by stores. You know the routine - Christmas items out on shelves in September and Valentine's Day cards for sale the day after Christmas.
Just yesterday I needed to find my son a winter coat. Even though spring is only a few weeks away, with 12 inches of snow on the ground I couldn't send him to school in his spring jacket and hope he stayed on the playground while his friends cavorted among the snowbanks. Surely in February there would still be hats, mittens and warm clothing to be found. My first stop, mega-box store Wal-Mart. There wasn't one winter coat to be found, but I could have my pick of bikinis and sandals!
Needless-to-say I took my business elsewhere and was lucky enough to find a coat on clearance. Now if he can get another winter out of it I will be happy. But please, Mr. Retailer, we consumers are sick of the stocking games. I am not interested in buying picnic supplies in January nor do I want a winter coat in summer when I am searching for an elusive swim suit for a long-awaited vacation in late July. Is it so crazy to think consumers would be interested in buying items for the current season?
My husband will be the first to tell you that if you can't find it at Fleet Farm, then you don't need it. To him, it is the true farmer's mecca. Year round he can find his staples: duct tape, fencing supplies, belts for the tractors and his pants, plain old blue jeans and microwave popcorn. He's a creature of routine and Fleet Farm caters to him. And for the most part he's pretty happy.
Me, on the other hand, has to forage around town to find the rest of our family's needs. (Unfortunately Fleet Farm doesn't carry groceries). And in my quest to feed and clothe my family I have endured endless frustration by the retail game played by stores. You know the routine - Christmas items out on shelves in September and Valentine's Day cards for sale the day after Christmas.
Just yesterday I needed to find my son a winter coat. Even though spring is only a few weeks away, with 12 inches of snow on the ground I couldn't send him to school in his spring jacket and hope he stayed on the playground while his friends cavorted among the snowbanks. Surely in February there would still be hats, mittens and warm clothing to be found. My first stop, mega-box store Wal-Mart. There wasn't one winter coat to be found, but I could have my pick of bikinis and sandals!
Needless-to-say I took my business elsewhere and was lucky enough to find a coat on clearance. Now if he can get another winter out of it I will be happy. But please, Mr. Retailer, we consumers are sick of the stocking games. I am not interested in buying picnic supplies in January nor do I want a winter coat in summer when I am searching for an elusive swim suit for a long-awaited vacation in late July. Is it so crazy to think consumers would be interested in buying items for the current season?
posted by the farmer's wife @ 2:55 PM
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