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RIP: the old retail model

 Ok so this morning, I had to replace an internet repeater in the house.  Something rather innocuous that has a tendency to break down regularly, it's cheap and easy to replace, except this week I don't have access to a car, the reason is irrelevant but everything I need has to be within walking distance.  Really I live in downtown so it's not really a problem, except it is.  There are three electronics stores in downtown Montreal, guess how many internet repeaters they sell between the two of them.  How about none, they all sell them but they are only available on their online store.

Now if I have the choice of online store what will I pick? Best Buy, The Source of Amazon.  the answer is simple, I order from Amazon at least twice a week, and neither BB nor TS could confirm a delivery date (tomorrow or next month), guess what I did, I ordered from Amazon, and the same repeater was available from all three stores...but Amazon sold its model for $5 less than BB and $7 less than TS.

If you think about it, that's a terrible outcome.  Unless I was willing to take my car for a 40-minute ride to one of the big box stores out of town, the cheapest by far was Amazon.  That's how monopolies are created, the provide price competitive compelling products that their competitor cannot match.

Tis the end!

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