Brick and mortar stores that also have websites haven’t quite figured out how to combine the two assets. I recently tried to buy 8 tires at Walmart.com. The web site required I provide personal information that I don’t have to provide when I purchase something at the store. Not wanting that info on Walmart’s data base, I wrote down the Walmart product numbers, price etc, copy of the web page descriptions, and drove to the Walmart where the website said I could pick the tires up, after ordering on line. I showed the Walmart clerk there the information, my credit card, and asked her to order them for me. I told her I’d be happy to pay now, and I’d come back next week and pick them up.
"Nope! " says the clerk. “You must place an order on-line first.” When I asked her if she could place the order for me, there’s no risk to Walmart b/c I’m standing there with my credit card ready to pay. Please order them for me? Again “Nope!” … Seems Walmart just lost the profit from the sale of 8 tires.