Westroads Mall News - Non Development Related Discussion

GrandpaaSmucker · Post by **GrandpaaSmucker** » Fri Dec 27, 2019 9:58 am

According to the news they had a bit of a rumble at the Westroads Mall last night. This kind of activity is a real threat to this shopping mall. I guess they could snuff this problem out if they had enough security and police around but that gets expensive. It looks like this was in that food court by Raising Canes. I found this footage of the scuffle on UTUBE.

[youtube][/youtube]

omagrow · Post by **omagrow** » Fri Dec 27, 2019 11:49 am

Really, a real threat to the mall? You think a bunch of kids on Christmas Break getting into a little scuffle in the food court late at night is going to shut the mall down? Also, snuff what problem out? Do you plan on telling police to tell the children they aren't allowed to pay for food and eat it in the food court? lol

Padre · Post by **Padre** » Fri Dec 27, 2019 3:00 pm

omagrow wrote: Fri Dec 27, 2019 11:49 am Really, a real threat to the mall? You think a bunch of kids on Christmas Break getting into a little scuffle in the food court late at night is going to shut the mall down? Also, snuff what problem out? Do you plan on telling police to tell the children they aren't allowed to pay for food and eat it in the food court? lol

Threat may be a bit strong, but it certainly doesn't help the mall. I saw this on KETV last night. It's not like reports like this on the TV are going to encourage people to come to the mall more!

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Fri Dec 27, 2019 3:30 pm

Not a little scuffle, the cops fired pepper balls and arrested several of them on fairly serious charges.

The diminishment of these events, as you did in your response to GPAS, was a common aspect of the city’s reaction to the |expletive| that happened at the crossroads at the start. Then the crime escalated to gang wars and people started to skip that place and forbidding their kids from going there.

Really don’t think this is a trivial problem for the management team and would rather see some guards that were happily willing to tackle and cuff these punks and then ban and bar them from the mall than people just trying to minimize the events.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Fri Dec 27, 2019 6:28 pm

[youtube][/youtube]

Post by **Brad** » Sat Dec 28, 2019 7:14 pm

On Twitter “The First Brat” (a regular poster on EOmaha) use to work at Westroads and says it’s happened 4 year in a row.

jag42 · Post by **jag42** » Sun Dec 29, 2019 2:01 pm

Bah...this sh!t wasn't uncommon at the Crossroads in the late 80s and early 90s. I know because I was a teenager working in the Crossroads food court way back then

GrandpaaSmucker · Post by **GrandpaaSmucker** » Sun Dec 29, 2019 6:59 pm

jag42 wrote: Sun Dec 29, 2019 2:01 pm Bah...this sh!t wasn't uncommon at the Crossroads in the late 80s and early 90s. I know because I was a teenager working in the Crossroads food court way back then

And the Crossroads food mall is now an empty tent right? How did it work out well for the CrossRoads?

jag42 · Post by **jag42** » Sun Dec 29, 2019 8:15 pm

Yup. Nothing there now except for Target and Barnes and Noble.

omaha79 · Post by **omaha79** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:56 am

Westroads management will have to react strongly to this. Honestly, this can be a death knell to a mall. I totally agree to the comparisons to Crossroads. It's also clear based on the video that the vast majority of the youths were black. Right or wrong, there is nothing that will more quickly stop the average white suburban family from going to a mall if it's perceived that there is an issue of "black youths" being violent in the mall. It may not even be factual (I'd have to see more about it), but this will immediately be perceived as gang violence as well.

It's also a fine line for mall management. If they are perceived as targeting minority youths, that's a whole other set of issues that they wouldn't want on their hands.

No easy answers to this. Maybe there's hope for Oak View yet...

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 10:16 am

omaha79 wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 8:56 am Maybe there's hope for Oak View yet...

Yes. You are seeing the light

...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 12:49 pm

omagrow wrote: Fri Dec 27, 2019 11:49 am Really, a real threat to the mall? You think a bunch of kids on Christmas Break getting into a little scuffle in the food court late at night is going to shut the mall down? Also, snuff what problem out? Do you plan on telling police to tell the children they aren't allowed to pay for food and eat it in the food court? lol

I would say yes. When things like this started at Crossroads, it started their slide. That was even before internet shopping which obviously is a big threat too. Last thing you want happening if you are a mall owner is people starting to question whether or not it's "safe."

I worked for years at both Crossrads and Westroads during end of high school, summers in college, and as a 2nd job just after college (for Brandeis/Younkers) and I remember how things like this impacted business.

Greg

omaha79 · Post by **omaha79** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 3:00 pm

Greg S wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 12:49 pm
omagrow wrote: Fri Dec 27, 2019 11:49 am Really, a real threat to the mall? You think a bunch of kids on Christmas Break getting into a little scuffle in the food court late at night is going to shut the mall down? Also, snuff what problem out? Do you plan on telling police to tell the children they aren't allowed to pay for food and eat it in the food court? lol
I would say yes. When things like this started at Crossroads, it started their slide. That was even before internet shopping which obviously is a big threat too. Last thing you want happening if you are a mall owner is people starting to question whether or not it's "safe."

I worked for years at both Crossrads and Westroads during end of high school, summers in college, and as a 2nd job just after college (for Brandeis/Younkers) and I remember how things like this impacted business.

Greg

I would almost guarantee it has a negative impact to the average family shoppers that were in the mall that night. I already know people that have told me for a few years that they won't go into Westroads on Friday and Saturday evenings because they don't feel safe. I've never seen something like this before, and I'm a pretty infrequent mall patron. I tend to hit Westroads a few times a year, and typically during daytime hours. So, some of that, I chalked up to racism, etc. People feeling uncomfortable because there were too many minority youths...but, seeing something like this and knowing it's happened with some frequency, it's not a good look.

I guarantee that suburban suzie who was there with her kids won't be coming back anytime soon. She also told all the other sports moms about her experience and that stuff can have a snowball effect.

If that's allowed to continue unabated, that's how you end up with another Crossroads situation.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 5:19 pm

Groups of high schoolers are always annoying. This really doesn't affect the safety of the average shopper, but yes, groups of young people - regardless of their race - are a good portion of why I rarely visit Westroads. If I do go the few times a year, I try to go on weekdays before school let's out.

The Walmart on 168th & Maple has the same issue of annoying loitering teenagers, yet I still choose it over the Irvington store for obvious reasons.

omaha79 · Post by **omaha79** » Mon Dec 30, 2019 7:40 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2019 5:19 pm Groups of high schoolers are always annoying. This really doesn't affect the safety of the average shopper, but yes, groups of young people - regardless of their race - are a good portion of why I rarely visit Westroads. If I do go the few times a year, I try to go on weekdays before school let's out.

The Walmart on 168th & Maple has the same issue of annoying loitering teenagers, yet I still choose it over the Irvington store for obvious reasons.

I'd say a 50 person rolling brawl goes beyond annoying. And, it sounds like this isn't the first time it's happened. And, I'd say a giant brawl with pepper spray being deployed does affect the safety of the average shopper and certainly affects their perceived safety.

Westroads has had a few interesting incidents over the years. Beyond Robert Hawkins, they had a murder happen at the mall in the 80's where a random kid was mistaken for someone another kid had a beef with. He was thrown over the old balcony area and died from his injuries. That caused them to later close the old balcony that ran the south side of the mall.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Thu Jan 02, 2020 10:59 am

I remember working there in the 80's pre renovation. The biggest issue they had was weekend nights, especially when the old Six West and Fox movies would get out. It just got really loud and somewhat unruly in the mall (I was working there at the time and was of that age group).

Greg

omaha79 · Post by **omaha79** » Thu Jan 02, 2020 3:12 pm

Greg S wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 10:59 am I remember working there in the 80's pre renovation. The biggest issue they had was weekend nights, especially when the old Six West and Fox movies would get out. It just got really loud and somewhat unruly in the mall (I was working there at the time and was of that age group).

Greg

Were you working there when the kid was murdered on the balcony? That case has always fascinated me...as well as the old layout of the mall pre-renovation. I was pretty young and can barely remember the layout from before.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Thu Jan 02, 2020 4:30 pm

I don't think the odd fight here and there (which apparently has been going on for decades) will deter people from shopping at Westroads. I bet some of you even forgot that 12 years ago, someone went in to Von Maur and murdered 8 random people.

Crossroads had the disadvantage of being one-upped by Westroads when Westroads was built. Westroads was newer, bigger, and, over time, better located. Besides the fact that people will likely forget this fight ever happened, Westroads isn't really fighting any direct competition.

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Thu Jan 02, 2020 4:51 pm

TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 4:30 pm I don't think the odd fight here and there (which apparently has been going on for decades) will deter people from shopping at Westroads. I bet some of you even forgot that 12 years ago, someone went in to Von Maur and murdered 8 random people.

Crossroads had the disadvantage of being one-upped by Westroads when Westroads was built. Westroads was newer, bigger, and, over time, better located. Besides the fact that people will likely forget this fight ever happened, Westroads isn't really fighting any direct competition.

Except for all the online vendors and the malls to the west of it. If little Susie Prom Queen needs Coture' for prom, she isn't going to the mall with the gang bangers hanging out. And little Susie's mom's black Amex means a lot to the mall.

This dismissive attitude of yours is a contributing factor as to the fall of the Crossroads and Peony Park. True that CR couldn't compete with WR, but also true that it was still located at the busiest intersection in the city and had they managed that property wisely would still be in business. When you start belittling people for being concerned for their safety, you start getting an attitude like the one that surprised everyone when Clinton got impeached. He lied under oath to a federal grand jury. Bluntly. That was a felony and you and I would have gone to jail if we did it. The response was "Oh who cares, its just about sex? Everyone does that!". The people who said that were shocked that they were not agreed with by the Arkansas Bar when they disbarred him for this act. Eventually everyone has to deal with the reality of their own little Susie Prom Queen and they will do what they need to do to keep her safe and well dressed. If Arc Bridal in Sterling Ridge can sell a bunch of high end ball gowns to the Deb ball, Von Maur's is going to lose out. Cause Susie and her fellow Debs are going to go where their moms feel safe cause their Black cards are welcome everywhere and Sterling Ridge doesn't have gang wars.

The Westroads should up their cops and their plain clothes security. This |expletive| is not tolerable and should end in handcuffs.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Thu Jan 02, 2020 5:23 pm

bigredmed1 wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 4:51 pm
TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 4:30 pm I don't think the odd fight here and there (which apparently has been going on for decades) will deter people from shopping at Westroads. I bet some of you even forgot that 12 years ago, someone went in to Von Maur and murdered 8 random people.

Crossroads had the disadvantage of being one-upped by Westroads when Westroads was built. Westroads was newer, bigger, and, over time, better located. Besides the fact that people will likely forget this fight ever happened, Westroads isn't really fighting any direct competition.
Except for all the online vendors and the malls to the west of it. If little Susie Prom Queen needs Coture' for prom, she isn't going to the mall with the gang bangers hanging out. And little Susie's mom's black Amex means a lot to the mall

As retail habits shift online, there is indeed less of a need for many physical stores, but there is still an advantage to physical stores have: the ability to see, touch, feel, and try things in real time before you buy them. For that reason I see a need for a physical presence for most retailers but without as many locations as they had previously. A lot of the retail death, I think, has already occurred. Crossroads, Oak View, Mall of the Bluffs, Southroads, all dead. That leaves us with Westroads and Village Pointe. Village Pointe is basically out of room for expansion and building new shopping centers is a risky investment. Given all that, Westroads is in pretty good shape.

Westroads should indeed invest in a solid security network, but if we stopped going anywhere a serious crime has ever happened, wed quickly be out of places to go. That’s no way to live your life and I think at least younger people are becoming more savvy to the fact that in general, if you mind your own business and stay out of trouble, trouble will do the same.

GrandpaaSmucker · Post by **GrandpaaSmucker** » Thu Jan 02, 2020 9:37 pm

TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 5:23 pm Crossroads, Oak View, Mall of the Bluffs, Southroads, all dead.

I went to Oak View last weekend and they clearly were not dead and looked like they were hanging in there. Went to Applebees first then went into the mall. They still have quite a few stores in there and they all had quite a few people shopping in them. The food court was busy too.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Fri Jan 03, 2020 11:41 am

GrandpaaSmucker wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 9:37 pm
TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 5:23 pm Crossroads, Oak View, Mall of the Bluffs, Southroads, all dead.
I went to Oak View last weekend and they clearly were not dead and looked like they were hanging in there. Went to Applebees first then went into the mall. They still have quite a few stores in there and they all had quite a few people shopping in them. The food court was busy too.

Titos- Oakview is hardly dead. It was very lively around holiday time too.. When was the last time you actually visited the Oakview Mousetrap area?..

Southroads and Mall of the Bluffs no longer exist as shopping malls today. You are correct about Crossroads though, sad as it is...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

ChadJK · Post by **ChadJK** » Fri Jan 03, 2020 12:05 pm

GrandpaaSmucker wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 9:37 pm I went to Oak View last weekend and they clearly were not dead and looked like they were hanging in there. Went to Applebees first then went into the mall. They still have quite a few stores in there and they all had quite a few people shopping in them. The food court was busy too.

Did you get a chance to stop by Younkers, Sears, Gap, Old Navy, Panera, Village Inn, Toys R Us, Linen & Things, Dress Barn, Hy-Vee, or Dick's Sporting Goods?

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Fri Jan 03, 2020 12:24 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Fri Jan 03, 2020 11:41 am
GrandpaaSmucker wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 9:37 pm
TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 5:23 pm Crossroads, Oak View, Mall of the Bluffs, Southroads, all dead.
I went to Oak View last weekend and they clearly were not dead and looked like they were hanging in there. Went to Applebees first then went into the mall. They still have quite a few stores in there and they all had quite a few people shopping in them. The food court was busy too.
Titos- Oakview is hardly dead. It was very lively around holiday time too.. When was the last time you actually visited the Oakview Mousetrap area?..

Southroads and Mall of the Bluffs no longer exist as shopping malls today. You are correct about Crossroads though, sad as it is...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Let me rephrase that to “dying” then. It’s lost half of its anchors and things aren’t looking good for JCPenney as a company. It’s also lost other big clothing retailers like Wet Seal, Eddie Bauer, Aeropostale, Gap, Hollister, and Payless. There may be a few lower rent places that have taken the place of these closed stores, but when a mall operator starts leasing to fewer credit tenants, it’s a sign of desperation and not a healthy mall.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Fri Jan 03, 2020 1:47 pm

Not to start up Oakview Mall discussion here (we have a separate thread going for that)..

Certainly, the Oakview Mousetrap area has seen better days, that’s for sure. But I don’t see it as a “dying mall” either. Much through no fault of their own, they’ve lost some significant stores and the Younkers anchor when they went belly up.. But they also still maintain (and own the building) for the only Dillard’s store left in the Omaha metro and have added a few nice pieces over the last several months..

You’re entitled to your opinion. Oakview has taken some hits over the last decade or so there is no denying that. But it’s not a “dying mall” imo..

This recent Westroads debacle is certainly a black eye and I hated to hear it happened..But this may end up driving some business to Oakview as well due to a “fear factor”...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Fri Jan 03, 2020 2:01 pm

ChadJK wrote: Fri Jan 03, 2020 12:05 pm
GrandpaaSmucker wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 9:37 pm I went to Oak View last weekend and they clearly were not dead and looked like they were hanging in there. Went to Applebees first then went into the mall. They still have quite a few stores in there and they all had quite a few people shopping in them. The food court was busy too.
Did you get a chance to stop by Younkers, Sears, Gap, Old Navy, Panera, Village Inn, Toys R Us, Linen & Things, Dress Barn, Hy-Vee, or Dick's Sporting Goods?

Just for balance, 5 of those 10 parcels you mentioned have either went belly up nationally, or are on extreme life support (Sears)- those stores would have closed anywhere (and have). Not Oakview’s fault.. I could make the same comment you made for Younker’s or Panera and apply it to Westroads

...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Fri Jan 03, 2020 8:03 pm

I probably brought this up in the past before... but why isn't Dillard's/General Growth working out a plan to re-locate to Westroads?? This just seems like a complete no brainer. I fear we're going to lose Dillard's entirely from the Omaha market. The one, somewhat respectable department store we have left, aside from Von Maur.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Fri Jan 03, 2020 9:17 pm

Stargazer wrote: Fri Jan 03, 2020 8:03 pm I probably brought this up in the past before... but why isn't Dillard's/General Growth working out a plan to re-locate to Westroads?? This just seems like a complete no brainer. I fear we're going to lose Dillard's entirely from the Omaha market. The one, somewhat respectable department store we have left, aside from Von Maur.

Dillard’s isn’t moving to Westroads. Dillard’s OWNS their parcel at Oakview. They’ll be staying there...

The source for this intel was GG’s own Jim Sadler..who mentioned this nugget on Grow Omaha last March...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Sun Jan 05, 2020 5:36 pm

Ugh, that's disappointing.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Jan 05, 2020 7:22 pm

Disappointing for the “Dillard’s to Westroads” or the “Dying Mall” crowds..

But good news for those of us who want Oakview and it’s surrounding Mousetrap to continue to strive and prosper. And also good for Dillard’s- they don’t have to pay rent..and also good for Omaha in that it’s unlikely Dillard’s will bail on a parcel they own any time soon...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Sun Jan 05, 2020 7:47 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 7:22 pm Disappointing for the “Dillard’s to Westroads” or the “Dying Mall” crowds..

But good news for those of us who want Oakview and it’s surrounding Mousetrap to continue to strive and prosper. And also good for Dillard’s- they don’t have to pay rent..and also good for Omaha in that it’s unlikely Dillard’s will bail on a parcel they own any time soon...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Taxes, utilities, any mortgage that's left or refinancing....not to mention maintenance & upkeep. Rent is a portion of the expenses. Could be good, could be meh...
As for bailing, if the store underperforms for a period of time they wouldn't think twice about bailing. That's just business.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:02 pm

Bob from Omaha wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 7:47 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 7:22 pm Disappointing for the “Dillard’s to Westroads” or the “Dying Mall” crowds..

But good news for those of us who want Oakview and it’s surrounding Mousetrap to continue to strive and prosper. And also good for Dillard’s- they don’t have to pay rent..and also good for Omaha in that it’s unlikely Dillard’s will bail on a parcel they own any time soon...

Ciao..LiO...Peace
As for bailing, if the store underperforms for a period of time they wouldn't think twice about bailing. That's just business.

True. But ownership of the parcel gives them more cause to pause..

Plus, we have no idea or indication that store is underperforming. It’s the only Dillard’s left in the metro. It’s likely performing just fine for a metro of 1 million..that probably has a respectable amount of Dillard’s fans left in its population base...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Tue Jan 07, 2020 8:54 am

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:02 pm
Bob from Omaha wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 7:47 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 7:22 pm Disappointing for the “Dillard’s to Westroads” or the “Dying Mall” crowds..

But good news for those of us who want Oakview and it’s surrounding Mousetrap to continue to strive and prosper. And also good for Dillard’s- they don’t have to pay rent..and also good for Omaha in that it’s unlikely Dillard’s will bail on a parcel they own any time soon...

Ciao..LiO...Peace
As for bailing, if the store underperforms for a period of time they wouldn't think twice about bailing. That's just business.
True. But ownership of the parcel gives them more cause to pause..

Plus, we have no idea or indication that store is underperforming. It’s the only Dillard’s left in the metro. It’s likely performing just fine for a metro of 1 million..that probably has a respectable amount of Dillard’s fans left in its population base...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

I don't know if it's underperforming, but in the current retail climate I think one Dillard's is perfect for the Omaha area. That's the current challenge for malls. If you lose a store, there's really not a compelling reason for chains to have as many locations as they once had. If you are entering the Omaha market and looking at a mall store, you are most likely deciding between Westroads and Oak View (and possibly having Village Pointe as an option). In the 80's, you'd probably go all three.

Since Younkers closed I started buying more of that stuff on-line from Macy's.

Greg

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Tue Jan 07, 2020 9:17 pm

Greg S wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2020 8:54 am
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:02 pm
Bob from Omaha wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 7:47 pm
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 7:22 pm Disappointing for the “Dillard’s to Westroads” or the “Dying Mall” crowds..

But good news for those of us who want Oakview and it’s surrounding Mousetrap to continue to strive and prosper. And also good for Dillard’s- they don’t have to pay rent..and also good for Omaha in that it’s unlikely Dillard’s will bail on a parcel they own any time soon...

Ciao..LiO...Peace
As for bailing, if the store underperforms for a period of time they wouldn't think twice about bailing. That's just business.
True. But ownership of the parcel gives them more cause to pause..

Plus, we have no idea or indication that store is underperforming. It’s the only Dillard’s left in the metro. It’s likely performing just fine for a metro of 1 million..that probably has a respectable amount of Dillard’s fans left in its population base...

Ciao..LiO...Peace
I don't know if it's underperforming, but in the current retail climate I think one Dillard's is perfect for the Omaha area. That's the current challenge for malls. If you lose a store, there's really not a compelling reason for chains to have as many locations as they once had.

Greg

I think you’re spot on here. 30+ years ago, Omaha had 3 Dillard’s competing within the metro which was 350,000 in population smaller than it is today. But the advent of simply going on line and “point/click”, has completely changed the overall dynamic of shopping..and especially in this case- department store shopping...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Sat Jan 11, 2020 9:31 am

Maybe it is a function of my age and upbringing, but I am not a fan or purchasing anything online...if I can go out to a bricks and mortar store near where I live and see, feel and touch it, and purchase it from a local business that pays local sales and property taxes, and pays local residents an income, which in turn is reinvested back into the community where I live.
A department store here in Vallarta sends me regular emails with sales promotions. One was for a slim recliner chair at a very good price. So I went to the store to check it out. Turns out the local store only had more expensive recliners out on the floor. The chair I wanted was not maintained in their inventory, but they would be happy to deliver it to me in 7 days, in the color of my choice. But I would never purchase a recliner without first actually sitting and reclining in it. So they lost the sale. Some things simply shouldn’t be purchased sight unseen.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sat Jan 11, 2020 4:46 pm

nativeomahan wrote: Sat Jan 11, 2020 9:31 am Maybe it is a function of my age and upbringing, but I am not a fan or purchasing anything online...

For me, I think it depends on what I’m purchasing. If it’s clothes, typically, I don’t purchase online because I like to try them on first before I buy..unless it’s an item I already have like an NFL jersey etc and I already know the size I need. Clothing and shoes fit so differently from brand to brand, so (again) I almost always will purchase at a store so I can try the item on first..

If it’s an item like electronics, cooking utensils, grooming items, etc etc, I’ve made good use of the advantages of online purchasing...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Sun Jan 12, 2020 12:04 pm

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sat Jan 11, 2020 4:46 pm
nativeomahan wrote: Sat Jan 11, 2020 9:31 am Maybe it is a function of my age and upbringing, but I am not a fan or purchasing anything online...
For me, I think it depends on what I’m purchasing. If it’s clothes, typically, I don’t purchase online because I like to try them on first before I buy..unless it’s an item I already have like an NFL jersey etc and I already know the size I need. Clothing and shoes fit so differently from brand to brand, so (again) I almost always will purchase at a store so I can try the item on first..

If it’s an item like electronics, cooking utensils, grooming items, etc etc, I’ve made good use of the advantages of online purchasing...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Especially women’s clothes. When my wife was alive, it was remarkable to me how blouses bought at the same time in the same size could hang like a parachute or like a tourniquet. Almost have to either buy in a shotgun patten of sizes or have her with you.

Omababe · Post by **Omababe** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:15 am

Clothing I seldom buy on line. Unless it's something like an extremely casual tee, I want to try it on. As was noted, sizes are not very standardized.

Groceries! Produce in particular. I want to see what I am buying. For baked goods I want to grab the freshest. I know with the "Click and Pick Up" services they will do a "first in, first out" and not give you the freshest.

Now I will admit, the last time we bought a whole {expletive}-pot of canned soda, it was sooooooo convenient to just drive up and have them load it in the trunk, instead of hauling it out yourself!

For almost any personal gift I want to see it in person.

I do a fair amount of Amazon shopping, I admit, and it's quite convenient for some things. There are just some things that you could spend all day hunting for at various brick-and-mortar shops, but on Amazon, they will usually have it on one mouse click.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 10:55 am

I never shop for food online. Unless it’s spices or something like tea (which I don’t really drink). I’ve tried the click and shop a few times over the last couple years and usually always get subpar fruits and vegetables.. and other items where it’s clear, they don’t care about the freshness dates..

I always shop for food at the grocery store. It’s just not worth paying for subpar food items shopping online...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:22 am

I, like many of you, prefer to buy clothes in person. I only do shopping online for electronics. Thankfully, we have NFM to see such wide selection of products and then you can choose to buy there or shop online. Sometimes buying in store is a much better idea, especially if something goes wrong and a return is needed. Much more convenient and quick to do an exchange in store rather than waiting for mail time.