AuburnPub.com - Shopkeepers once treated customers like neighbors

Shopkeepers once treated customers like neighbors

Thursday, July 10, 2008 11:38 AM EDT

It just isn't like it used to be.

The Fourth of July was a holiday that was important enough for the downtown storekeeper to be anxious to advertise and wish their customer a safe and happy fourth. This became a tradition, and when the salesperson from The Citizen came in to solicit an ad the storekeeper was waiting for him. What happened?

The big box store and corporation-owned chain stores in the malls and shopping centers, with little exception, don't think of consumers as friends as we did.

If they did, the publisher would have to add an extra section. I liked the way it was.

Marty Silverman

Auburn

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The Citizens' Say

There are 4 comment(s)

movedsouth wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:02 PM:

" I agree it's a shame local businesses do not prosper more. BUT, sometimes there is more variety, better price, and YES better service. Chains offer service that maybe cannot be provided by locals. I bought a 50" HDTV before Christmas, decided we didn't need it where we were planning on having it. Circuit City picked it up and credited AE, no problem. Full refund with no charge for delivery or pickup. I really don't know if I would have gotten that service with a local store. "

horseradish wrote on Jul 11, 2008 8:23 AM:

" this is why many communities are now shunning the big box stores. "

brew1234 wrote on Jul 11, 2008 12:26 AM:

" The consumers buy junk and a year later after the junk falls apart they go buy more. You have a choice to buy quality products or junk, and you picked junk for a cheap price. "

MISSEY1941 wrote on Jul 10, 2008 3:35 PM:

" and who's fault is it? It is the consumer who want's everything for nothing.Walmart pays people nothing and imports most of their stuff from China no small shop owner can compete with them. The same with other large store chains.The consumer want's it cheap and service suffers. "

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