All of that is fine - your decisions are made in liberty, and I respect them.
But for you to say that “shoppers are stupid” is exorbitantly arrogant on your part - as if you are the only “non stupid” shopper. To say that you don’t “follow shoppers” is too inane to even comment on, except to say that you are not interested in market realities. Shoppers ARE market reality. Get over it.
The same market that allows you to collect and shop as you do in liberty allows others to be “stupid” - and yet, you are too ignorant to understand that. I have several good houses, no interest in antiques, and no interest in repairing stuff myself. Actually, I have little interest in “stuff” for the most part. My decisions are made in liberty, like yours. And it is you and I, and millions of others, who are the market. HD is a product of that, having met that market better than anyone else - nothing more and nothing less.
Go enjoy your antiques. As a collector told me the other day, they aren’t worth anything any more. Can’t give ‘em away.
The market is the market and I don’t go along with trends in retail. Won’t buy an appliance for anything can’t even get a decent pair of shoes, forget furniture. My antiques, which I inherited or paid very little for, have made it through 14 moves including overseas with no drama stories. They’re worth a lot, they’re not for sale. They have to be taken care of and repaired. Just like the lawn, the walls, the house etc. Hardware stores that help with all of that have been pushed out by HD who is now whining.
Pshaw