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Message: <blockquote data-quote="HighNorth" data-source="post: 3164180" data-attributes="member: 128566">Wooha! Seems like this forum has turned into a civics class! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />I have bought 100% of my binoculars and spotting scopes online, primarily because I live in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, but also because online shops have a much larger selection of products, and are often (but not always!) cheaper.I still use traditional shops on occasion, mostly to test out bins/scopes I might buy online later. I bought my Opticron Oregon this way, and nearly bought an SLC this way too! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />I disagree with those who seem to think that the demise of traditional shops will lead to mass unemployment and poor service. Not so!Online shops still need people to process your order, pick your item from the warehouse, and transport it to your door/collection point. They also need to employ a lot of highly skilled technicians like web designers, computer engineers etc. to keep their sites up an running. They also have to employ marketing people, accountants, lawyers etc. etc...I also find I get very good service at big online shops, with staff that are really attentive and knowledgeable. Not wanting to drop names really, but I have to mention kikkertspesialisten.no, with which I have had the pleasure to deal with on several occasions! :t:On the contrary, I often find that the staff in traditional shops are either quite clueless, or are overzealous about a certain brand of bins they are selling... |^| I also disagree that the "death" of the high street/shopping street is such a big deal.I'd rather have the streets in my little town populated by bustling cafes, bars, restaurants, galleries, libraries, community centres and the like, instead of shopping streets filled with small, overpriced shops with poor selections of generic merchandise and bad service...</blockquote>

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