I remember Montgomery Ward, selling merchandise through catalogs. Now, people are doing essentially the same thing through online catalogs. No matter how much things change, they stay the same.
Now your order arrives that afternoon.
There are significant differences.
The catalog is interactive and always up-to-date.
Most of the on line places I shop have review of various items by real users. I can get a good idea of quality, hidden features, etc.
I can get 2 day delivery instead of 2 month delivery. I can get vendor approval ratings an they can get customer ratings. A great way to keep everyone reputable.
Except you weren’t taxed when you bought something through a print catalog like you are now. Change is inevitable whether it is good or for worse, things change.