Glad they tax the pensioners to make up for the shortfall

[SIRandyraven]

So Amazon sells cheap books, DVD and other goods.
High Street shops who pay tax and rates and employ people can't compete and go bust.
Amazon who have a fraction of staff then pay little or no tax ...

http://www.dailymail....c-tax-UK-profits.html

Check the profit apple made from uk sales and the tax they paid ...
Bloody clever accountants these company must have ....
Glad I picked up apple shares a few years back.

[chi-chi66]

There won't even be a population in 100yrs....these couch potatoes will be that fat, no excercise, that they won't be able to re-produce...lol
Why did the human race become extinct.......Amazon lol ;-)

[joggerjayne]

The human race may have become extinct, but it will have left behind a large, cut price book collection, and a lot of CDs, LOL.

[ladybirder]

I bought three books last week from WHSmith in George Street. Good deal, buy 2 get a third free.
BUT I stood in the queue for ages waiting to pay. There was a load of us and everyone was tutting. Only two staff on and one was dealing with a crotchety woman who had too much time on her hands (who we all glared at and she studiously avoided our furious gazes). By the time I got outside I swore I'd never use the place again.
Now where shall I go to buy Meredith Kercher's father's book?

[joggerjayne]

Waterstones. It's out in a couple of weeks.

[pastafreak]

I love the High street also-and the little shops off the beaten path.
But-when it comes to books-which I prefer to own-there is no way that I can afford £20 - £30...when I can get it for half or 1/3. That's MY economics.....
As for the demise of the High street....hopefully that will mean more small,independent shops in it's place.

[Maydup]

I loathe shopping and loathe even more how shopping has become a hobbie and a pastime for so many people. It makes people more materialistic and puts them in debt. I'd be happy if the number of shops reduced as a result of online shopping and the High Street were to go back to being a place where people go to meet up, enjoy their spare time and take part in community activities.

As in small market towns, let the old fashioned market place thrive, enjoy street theatre and entertainment, and meet up with each other in cafes and coffee shops.

Lets spend less time shopping (do it online) and more time being creative.

[EvianBaby]

JJ, you make it clear that money doesn't seem to be much of an issue for you, which is great. But that means you can afford to shop and pay premium prices. My disposable income is near zilch so if I want something I'm going to find the cheapest price for it, which is inevitably sites like Amazon.

I won't be made to feel guilty for making sensible purchases.

[rockyracoon]

Gosh, imagine what the price of a stamp would be if we didn't use Amazon, they and other couriers must be seeing a real boom in business at the moment. Personally I prefer to go to the shops but unfortunately they rarely have what I want in stock, it's expensive to have to do a 20 mile round trip and pay parking to get bits and pieces when I can sit on my arse, indoors, order it and get it without effort, the stores only have themselves to blame.

[rockyracoon]

And, what Evian said.

[seadogg]

Remember that many local high street shops were undercut by the likes of Waterstones, W.H. Smith and other chains. We had a great local bookshop but it sank this way.
We use The Guardian on line bookshop now.

[lady-janine]

my nearest bookshop is 20+ miles away. that's a lot of petrol. i do like it as it is a good shop and always very helpful but it is not a spur of the minute purchase.

[joggerjayne]

It wasn't meant to come across that way, Evian.

=0(

sorry x

[maggiebee]

Sorry JJ but I just don't do what you suggest. I love wandering around a good bookshop and even better, a second-hand one. However I usually end up taking a note of title and author then buying on-line. As a pensioner I'm on a fixed income it makes economic sense.

[hc4361]

I thought Tesco was taking over the world, now it's Amazon.


Fight!

[hc4361]

I'm better than you, maggiebee.
I go to the shop, look at, touch, measure, test the item I'm interested in, pick the brains of the salesperson (if one with any knowledge is available) then step outside and google the item on my smartphone.

I go back in to the store and tell the salesman I can get it for x from y and ask if the store can price match.
I'm happy if they can't because I have much more rights buying on line than instore.
I'm happy if they can if I can take the goods away that day or they can deliver within 24 hours.

I am sure I am not the only person to do this.

[daffy654]

joggerjayne

////Why do people want to buy stuff sitting on a computer? ////

Because some of us can't get out and about to the shops any more. Even if I could i'd hate it as I hate crowds.