internet

Some people have a knack for seeing into the future. Years ago, a friend of mine predicted that internet shopping was going to be how people would someday buy all their goods and services. This was before the beginning of the dot.com revolution – only a very small percentage of the population even had a personal computer and the internet, itself, was just being born.

I thought it was a silly idea. Why would anyone want to buy anything that couldn’t be seen, touched, picked up, rattled or tested right in the mall, market or showroom? I was convinced that cyberspace would never replace the traditional brick and mortar, neighborhood store. Okay, some people don’t see very far ahead.

Because, today, of course, online buying makes up a considerable part of our national commerce. We even have a special date dedicated solely to computer consumerism – Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Americans will spend approximately $347 billion in online purchases, roughly 10 percent of the country’s total retail sales. And almost 20 percent of that amount will made on a phone or other mobile device.

Why do people buy online in such great numbers? Consumers, themselves, give the following reasons: saving time, more variety, lower prices, no crowds, less spending on gas, fewer taxes added.

But just as the internet giveth, it can also taketh away. The inherent danger of buying online is that the buyer and the seller are at great distances from, and virtually unknown to, one another. And much can happen between the time Ms. Consumer hits the buy button on her laptop and a package arrives at the front door. Scams and frauds abound – credit card numbers are stolen, products are not what they were promised to be, and customer service may be slight or completely non-existent.

In contrast, buying from a local company still has several advantages over buying online: you can test equipment before you buy; get immediate attention and expert advice from a knowledgeable salesperson; and have local support in the event you need it after a purchase is made. Plus, your time on hold, waiting to get assistance from a call center half a world away, is eliminated.

At Pacific Mobility, you get the best of both worlds: best pricing, best products, best service, and best support. For all your mobility needs, we invite you to visit us on the web at https://pacificmobility.com/. And then drop in to see us at our San Marcos, CA, brick and mortar location. We believe in the computer revolution – but we still like to do business with you face-to-face.